Regretting The Wife He Threw Away

Tony perked up. "Oh, Ottilie! Of course I know her-the show's aired three episodes already, and every song she's performed is incredible!"

"I know Ottilie too," someone chimed in. "People are saying she's this season's champion, hands down!"

"Her songs are all originals, and they really have her own style," another added. "She's even managed to weave in traditional elements. That's rare these days!"

Mary nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Honestly, her vocals are just average, but her songs are amazing. And she already responded on her social media-she said all the songs were written by Ms. Lockwood!"

A sudden hush fell over the room, then a wave of commotion broke out.

Every eye turned to Rosita.

She tightened her grip on her water glass, heart pounding. Of all things, why did this have to come up now?

But she kept her expression cool. "Mary, you're giving me too much credit. Ottilie's my cousin she's always dreamed of being a singer. I just helped her out a little. Those songs? I wrote them in my spare time, just for fun."

"Oh, don't be so modest, Ms. Lockwood!" Mary laughed. "Those tunes have a real folksy vibe. You'd have to be seriously talented to write songs like that!"

She couldn't shake the feeling that Mary

aware of the truth behind those songs. There was no way anyone else

gaze snapped to Briony, suspicion flickering in

of her lips. "Ms. Lockwood, you really are the whole package. Acting, songwriting, and now we hear you're a folk music expert too. What

smile, clenching her jaw. "I just dabble in it for fun.

surprise. "You taught

had no choice but

let out a quiet

way, puzzled at what he found

Briony, however, understood perfectly.

pick up on your own. Even here in Goldenleaf, where tradition was valued and passed down, most started learning as children under the guidance of a mentor. Totruly

tutor for her when she was just eight. It took her until she was thirteen

hand, had stolen what she didn't understand and still thought

an eyebrow, her