Chapter 1

The grand ballroom buzzed. Crystal chandeliers dripped light onto hundreds of guests. Tonight, Ethan Cole, heir to a fortune, was marrying Veronica "Ronnie" Pierce. The wedding of the year, live-streamed to millions. Veronica, radiant in white, clutched Ethan’s arm. Her smile was a carefully crafted masterpiece. Five years ago, Clara Evans died. Her song, "Faded Embers," made Veronica a star. Clara was Veronica's adopted sister. Clara was Ethan's first love. Few remembered Clara now. Or so Veronica believed.

The reception was in full swing. Veronica moved towards the gleaming grand piano. She was scheduled to perform "Faded Embers," her signature hit. As she reached the piano, her designer gown brushed against its side. Something slipped from inside the piano bench, hitting the polished floor with a soft thud. A small, worn journal. Clara’s journal.

Ethan saw it. His face tightened. "What is that trash doing here?" he spat. He kicked the journal. It skittered across the floor. Clara's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, nodded in agreement from their table. Mrs. Evans sniffed. "Always causing trouble, even now." Online, the comments on the live stream exploded. "Clara Evans? The psycho ex?" "She still haunting them? Pathetic." "Veronica is a saint for putting up with that family drama."

The Event MC, a man named David, hired for his smooth professionalism, saw the journal. His earpiece buzzed. The event director. "Pick it up, David. Engagement is through the roof. Read something." David hesitated. This felt wrong. But the director was insistent. He bent and picked up the journal. It felt old, loved, and sad. He opened it to the first page. Handwritten lyrics. "Faded Embers." Musical notations filled the margins. A date was scrawled at the bottom, five years before Veronica ever claimed the song. "This first entry," David announced, his voice amplified, "it's lyrics. For 'Faded Embers'." Veronica laughed, a tinkling, false sound. "Oh, Clara. She always wished she could write." The crowd murmured.