Zephany stepped down from the stage with her back straight, a quiet confidence settling in after the last note faded.
She didn't even glance at her uncle's family seated at the front row, though their eyes burned into her like scorching spotlights.
She had no intention of acknowledging them, not tonight. Not after what they did. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she made her way back to Kendrick.
Applause slowly died down, and as she approached, someone from the crowd suddenly called out, voice laced with awe and realization.
"Zephany Draven..."
There was a short pause, then the voice continued, louder this time, like he wanted everyone to hear. "That's why her name sounded so familiar. She was that musical prodigy from years ago. She used to dominate the music world, remember? Everyone admired her! But then she just... disappeared. Like she vanished from the face of the Earth."
Gasps and murmurs followed.
