Chapter 633:
Elyse approached Gavin eagerly, her voice filled with anticipation. "Has Mr. Tucker arrived yet?"
Gavin glanced briefly at Morgan, who was curiously surveying the studio, before responding, "Not yet, but he should be here soon." His gaze shifted back to Elyse. "May I ask who this is?"
Morgan turned to Gavin with a warm smile, extending her hand. "I'm here to see Cody."
Elyse explained, "She's an old friend of Mr. Tucker's. They haven't seen each other in over two decades. I wonder if he'll recognize her."
Gavin's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Over two decades?"
Elyse nodded, guiding Morgan toward the sofa with a gentle gesture.
Moments later, the studio door creaked open, and Cody entered, carrying a violin case. He quickly shut the door, shutting out the winter chill.
As Cody stepped inside, he felt someone's gaze on him. He intended to greet Elyse but was immediately drawn to the middle-aged woman seated beside her. His eyes widened in recognition; memories flooded back like waves crashing against a shore. Softly, almost incredulously, he whispered, "Janet?"
Elyse watched in astonishment as Cody immediately recognized Morgan. She realized their connection must have been deep for him to remember her after so many years.
With a smirk, Morgan stood up boldly. "It's no longer Janet. It's Morgan now."
Startled, Cody placed his violin case down, his eyes darkening with emotion. "You wretched woman! Why are you still alive? What do you think you're doing, showing up here like this?"
Elyse felt a pang of unease. She had never expected Cody's first words to Morgan after over two decades to be so hostile. Her heart sank as she sensed the lingering bitterness between them.
Morgan listened calmly, her expression unreadable. She kept her back turned to Elyse, hiding a mischievous smirk.
In a pointed tone, Morgan replied, "Are you disappointed I'm not dead?"
Cody buried his face in his hands, grappling with the flood of emotions and memories. After a moment of heavy silence, he sighed deeply, his tone turning somber. "This isn't the place for this conversation. There's a cafรฉ nearby. Let's talk there."
Morgan nodded and turned to Elyse. "We'll be back soon. Please wait here."
"Sure," Elyse replied, scratching her head in confusion and curiosity as she watched them leave.
As they departed, Elyse turned to Gavin with a worried expression. "Do you think they'll argue? Mr. Tucker seems to have some resentment toward Morgan."
Gavin calmly took a sip of his coffee. "They're adults. Even if there's resentment, they'll resolve it."
Elyse nodded, her attention momentarily distracted by a bowl of candies on the table. She took one, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.
Gavin watched her for a moment before asking casually, "Have you been keeping up with your violin practice lately?"
Elyse nearly choked on the candy, clearing her throat before responding, "Of course I have."
With a curious glint in his eye, Gavin extended his violin case toward her. "Give it a whirl. Let's see if your skills have gotten rusty."
Elyse took the case, her mind momentarily blank. After a brief pause, she unlatched it, retrieved the violin, and positioned herself in front of Gavin, preparing to play.
As her fingers caressed the bow, a rush of memories flooded her mind: Cody and Morgan's reunion, her concerns for Tracy and Shaun's relationship, thoughts of her lost child, and Jayden. Though burdened by many sorrows, the faintest warmth from various encounters still imbued her with strength.
As the final notes faded, Elyse lowered her bow and turned to Gavin.
Gavin offered no comment on her performance, his thoughts drifting back to a conversation with Cody long ago, where Cody had described Elyse's music as emotionally rich, each note resonating with the echoes of her soul. At the time, Gavin hadn't fully grasped the depth of Cody's observation. He poured his own heart and soul into his violin playing; why hadn't Cody labeled his music emotionally rich?
After watching Elyse perform, he understood the stark contrast in their approaches. Elyse's music carried the weight of raw emotion, effortlessly captivating listeners and guiding their emotions. When her melodies whispered melancholy, her audience shared her sorrow; when her bow danced with joy, their spirits soared.
Gavin glanced at Elyse, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You probably don't get much practice time at home, do you?"
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