Chapter 597:
Irving had carefully arranged the gifts, each thoughtfully selected and neatly wrapped. The variety of sizes and shapes demonstrated the care Cody had taken in choosing them.
Elyse surveyed the collection, her eyes flitting back and forth, unable to decide which to open first. Eventually, her attention settled on a long, rectangular package that seemed to promise something special. Its size and shape suggested it might be a violin.
Turning to Cody, excitement mixed with curiosity in her voice, Elyse asked, "Can I open this one first?"
Cody’s eyes gleamed with fatherly warmth. He nodded. "Of course," he said. "They're all yours."
He looked at Elyse, the daughter of his close friend Rickey, with a fondness he might feel for his own child. It brought him joy to spoil her.
As Elyse unwrapped the package, her anticipation was palpable. When she saw the violin inside, her eyes lit up.
"I had this crafted just for you," Cody explained, a wide, proud smile on his face. "I hope it becomes a loyal companion on your musical journey, and that the music you create with it captures the essence of your spirit."
Elyse touched the violin gently, a mix of reverence and thrill washing over her. Overcoming a brief hesitation, she lifted the instrument and began to play "The Call of Silence."
The music flowed sweetly and softly, imbued with yearning and a hint of fear. Winter’s icy grip loomed harshly, teetering between giving way to the lush rebirth of spring or sinking into deeper desolation. Amid these shifting tides, the relentless quest for answers continued—a journey veiled in enigma yet irresistibly compelling. Each step on this challenging path revealed unique discoveries.
As the last echoes of the music filled the room, Elyse looked at her violin, her eyes alight with a new sense of purpose. Playing it had transported her to a world where her doubts and sorrows melted away. The tangled threads of love and past hardships dissolved, overtaken by the captivating melodies.
She longed to immerse herself in the music, to redefine herself with each note, and to surrender to the pure joy only her violin could offer. Her heart raced with renewed vigor, igniting her desire to perform on a big stage. However, as inspiration surged, her frailty became apparent. Dizziness overwhelmed her, causing her to falter and nearly fall from her chair.
Quick to react, Irving caught her, steadying her with his quick reflexes.
"You don't look well," Irving noted, his voice tinged with worry. "Try not to overexert yourself. Go back to bed and rest."
Elyse paused, letting the dizziness subside. With a playful nudge, she pushed Irving away. "I haven't even finished unpacking my gifts yet," she said in a childish tone. "I'll rest later."
Irving was initially tempted to pull her back to bed, but hesitated when he saw that neither Cody nor Gavin seemed inclined to stop her. He paused, his lips parting as if to speak, then closing silently. They were absolutely doting on her! he grumbled to himself, his worry evident despite his annoyance. He went to fetch a glass of water and set it on the windowsill within Elyse’s reach.
As Elyse uncovered her array of gifts, she was captivated by the eclectic mix, each reflecting Cody’s thoughtful consideration. She cherished them deeply, carefully storing them as precious mementos.
Seeing Elyse’s joy, Cody felt his spirits lift. Any initial worries about her reaction vanished.
The conversation shifted as Cody noticed Fiona’s absence. "Didn't you inform Fiona of my visit?" he asked, his voice trailing off as he caught the uneasy looks exchanged by Irving and Gavin.
A tense silence filled the room before Gavin stood up, his expression unreadable. "I'll fill you in on Fiona later, just us," he said, his voice marked by a hesitancy that puzzled Cody.
"Why do you both look so troubled whenever Fiona's name comes up?"
Elyse’s eyes fell, the room growing heavy with silence. Days had turned into nights, and still, Fiona had not appeared at the hospital. At first, Elyse had hoped that perhaps fear had overwhelmed Fiona on that critical day, leaving her numb to her plight. In her desperation, she had crafted excuses to clear Fiona’s name, yet each passing day without a visit shattered her hopes anew.
In contrast, Irving and Gavin had been steadfast in their support, visiting whenever they could, worried that Elyse might harm herself in her distress.
As Elyse mulled over these thoughts, a shadow seemed to pass over her eyes. Perhaps it was time to accept that Fiona might not be the good person she had imagined. It was time to stop making excuses for her.
Cody, noticing the shift in the atmosphere, quietly planned to ask Gavin about it later.
"This year's competitors are tough," Cody said, trying to shift the mood. "Some of my old teammates have been rigorously training their students for the Swan Cup."
Elyse felt the gravity of his statement. "Really, that tough?" she asked.
Cody nodded gravely. "They're incredibly talented. I've seen them perform myself. If you and Fiona end up facing them, it'll be quite the challenge."