15 Chapter 15 The Second Row View Zain's POV 1 Even though Carry had been scheming in her little head about teaming up with me to shut Mommy out , she still flashed Joanna that angelic smile of hers . " Miss Joanna , I'm totally fine . I just really want to hear you play piano again . " Joanna's face went soft . " Actually , I've got a show tonight . Want me to call someone and grab two tickets for you and your dad ? " Carry's whole face exploded with joy , her hands clapping together . " Yes , yes ! Miss Joanna , you're absolutely the greatest ! " She threw herself at Joanna , arms wrapping around her neck while she nuzzled her cheek against hers . I felt my mind wander for a second , thrown off not just by Blanche's earlier reaction , but by how distant she'd been with our daughter . In my memory , Blanche had always been completely obsessed with Carry - the type of mom who couldn't even dash to the restroom without stopping for another squeeze . I could still remember when I'd brought Carry to see my grandfather at Jacob Manor. Blanche came home to an empty house and freaked out , racing over in pure terror before grabbing our chicken - leg - chomping kid and breaking down in tears . At the time , I'd figured Blanche was being way too dramatic . But now ? She barely looked at Carry , let alone said a word to her . Before , she would've been clinging to our little one , refusing to let her go . " Zain ? " Joanna stood up straight , catching the distant expression on my face . I snapped back to reality , keeping my voice steady . " Right . Let's find a table . " " After we'd placed our order , I glanced across at Carry . She was curled up next to Joanna , both of them hunched over a phone screen . Carry couldn't make out many words yet , but she was dead set on helping Miss Joanna pick out seats . Miss Joanna had such a lovely scent . Her hands were so elegant . Joanna pulled up the ticket page , and after one look , her smile dimmed and she seemed a bit embarrassed . She turned to Carry with an apologetic expression . " Honey , the front row's already taken . We've only got second row available . " Carry's face crumpled . " What ? " I had no clue Joanna was shopping for concert tickets , but I knew this was something I could fix . If it would make both Carry and Joanna happy , money was no object . " I'll handle the tickets , " I said without missing a beat . 16:01 15 Chapter 15 The Second Row View Joanna filled me in on the concert details , and Carry jumped in saying she wanted to watch Miss Joanna perform . The two of them chatted back and forth while I watched with a slight smile , then pulled out my phone to call Desmond . " I need two front - row seats for tonight's piano performance at Oakwood Auditorium ." Desmond didn't bother with questions , just answered , " Got it , Mr. Jacob . " After I hung up , Joanna looked over with a grin . " Front - row tickets cost a fortune and there are only two available . Usually , unless you and Carry show up , those seats stay empty at my concerts . " Her shows always sold out , but she kept those two premium spots at an insane price . It wasn't about making money - just her way of ensuring that if Carry and I wanted to attend , she could give us the best seats for free . Tonight was unusual , though . Someone had actually purchased them . Joanna assumed it was probably some wealthy guy trying to wow his date . Whoever it was didn't matter when I was involved . My phone buzzed - Desmond calling back . I answered . " Just get it sorted , don't bother calling me about it . " " Mr. Jacob , I couldn't secure the tickets , " Desmond said . " I made contact , but the purchaser won't sell ." My forehead creased . " You can't handle something this basic ? Offer them more - they'll cave . " " I already tried , " Desmond said with a hint of defeat in his voice . " They still said no . " Blanche's POV OutPOVspital , Demetrius finished a call - the one setting up the astronomical offer he'd just made for a pair of concert tickets . I assumed it was work - related , so I waited patiently a few steps away . We'd just returned from lunch , wandering through the streets while discussing college memories , professors , and old friends we'd lost touch with . For the first time since my marriage , I found myself talking this freely , this comfortably , with another man . When Demetrius closed the gap between us , he gave me a gentle smile . " What do you say we catch a concert tonight ? " My automatic response was to decline - divorce plans or not , I was still married . But Demetrius continued before I could object . " Just consider it keeping me company for a while . " I wavered , then reasoned , ' It's just a concert . And we've always been close friends . ' " Sure , " I said at last . 16.01 15 Chapter 15 The Second Row View He smiled warmly . " I'll come get you tonight . " I nodded . " Sounds good . I should head back to work now ." Demetrius watched me leave , remaining under the tree's shadow long after I'd disappeared from view . Then , out of nowhere , he smiled - like someone who'd just rediscovered something valuable he thought was gone forever . The happiness in his eyes was unmistakable . Taking out his phone , he scrolled back to an old conversation with Foster , his smile growing as he read . " What's your opinion on this woman ? I'm considering pursuing her . " The message included a photo - one Foster had talked her into taking , claiming he needed it as a keepsake before she returned to Oakwood . " She's divorced , has a daughter . But that's okay , I can handle being a stepfather . I'd love that child like she was mine . " Demetrius had stared at the photo that day , shocked , before typing just one word : " Divorced ? " " Yeah ," Foster had responded . " She told me directly , why would she make that up ? " Demetrius's hands had begun trembling , and a slow warmth built in his eyes . He hadn't responded for ages , until Foster finally gave up and video - called him . " I'm being serious , what do you think of her ? I'm kind of interested , " Foster said . Demetrius's expression relaxed for the first time , though he kept his tone purposefully sincere . " Foster , she's not right for you . " Foster kept pushing for an explanation . Initially , Demetrius wouldn't elaborate . But eventually , he revealed the truth . " Foster , she's that underclassman I mentioned to you before ." After hearing that , Foster didn't probe further . He just smiled quietly and said , " Then I hope things work out for you ." That evening , when I finished my shift , Demetrius was already waiting at the hospital entrance . We had dinner first , then walked toward Oakwood Auditorium . Once our tickets were checked , Demetrius guided me directly to the front row - the premium seats in the venue . When the auditorium filled up , the lights dimmed to black . A single spotlight pierced through , illuminating a young woman approaching the grand piano . The pristine white dress hugged her silhouette ; a veil obscured her features , but her elegance and poise made it clear she was breathtakingly gorgeous . My eyes remained locked on the figure as camera flashes sparkled across the stage . With each deliberate step the woman took toward the piano , recognition crystallized - it was Joanna Vins . I'd spent enough time secretly watching Joanna's videos , analyzing her in endless photographs , to identify her instantly . Joanna was gorgeous - refined , gifted , and possessed the kind of beauty that attracted admirers throughout Oakwood . 16:01 < 15 Chapter 15 The Second Row View But beauty like that was never available for public consumption . This rose had already been claimed - by Zain Jacob . The performance opened with Joanna flowing into " Memory of the Rain ." Then she performed several consecutive pieces , each carrying its own evolving wave of feeling . I might have loathed Joanna , but I couldn't dismiss the woman's skill . Despite my resistance , the music pulled me in , enveloping me in the narratives woven between each note . When the final chord dissolved , applause thundered through Oakwood Auditorium , mixed with whispers of admiration for Joanna . From the second row , Carry jumped up , forming a megaphone with her hands . " Miss Joanna , you were incredible - so brilliant ! " Her tiny voice was lost in the crowd's roar , unnoticed by me and equally missed by Joanna . Zain Jacob , though , remained still in his seat , eyes locked on the stage . His gaze held a tenderness that left no space for anything , or anyone else . As Carry settled back down , her eyes wandered , almost instinctively , toward the VIP area where she and her daddy typically sat . One look , and she went rigid . Worried she might be seeing things , she leaned toward Zain , grabbing his sleeve and pointing at Demetrius and me . " Daddy , look over there . Is that Mommy ? " Comment 0 Leave the first comment for this chapter . Send Gifts Show support to the author by leaving comments when sending gift .