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!"

carefully. She couldn't shake the feeling that Mary was doing this on

the truth behind those songs. There was

to Briony, suspicion flickering in

when it finally came, she smiled-a slow, knowing curve of her lips. "Ms. Lockwood, you

jaw. "I just dabble in it

"You taught

but

let

his way, puzzled at what he

Briony, however, understood perfectly.

Even here in Goldenleaf, where tradition was valued and passed down, most started learning as children under the guidance of a

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

hand, had stolen what she didn't understand and

arched an eyebrow,