My Great Escape Led Me to You novel Chapter 59

Emily Blair stood on the stage, seeing everything with unsettling clarity.

A sea of pink signs—each emblazoned with Isabella Austin’s name—rose high above the crowd, their color casting a rosy glow across the auditorium. The cheers were deafening.

“Isabella Austin! Isabella Austin!”

It was obvious that many in the audience had come just for Isabella, though a handful were there for both Isabella and Andrew Lane.

But the moment Emily stepped up to the microphone, those chants abruptly vanished. Instead, a low, venomous muttering swept through the front rows.

“Why is it her? What bad luck.”

“Can she just get off the stage? I don’t want someone like that hosting Isabella’s show. She’s such an eyesore.”

“Homewrecker.”

Some didn’t even bother to whisper, their words ringing out for all to hear.

The other hosts stole embarrassed glances at Emily, unsure how to react. But Emily’s face remained perfectly composed as she began the ceremony.

“Welcome, everyone, to…”

Hours dragged by. Isabella and Andrew’s piano duet was the grand finale, and Emily’s legs were numb by the time she finally stepped forward, spotlight warming her face, to announce their names.

“For our final performance, please join me in welcoming our esteemed alumni, Mr. Lane and Ms. Austin, who will be performing a four-hand piano duet—‘Love’s Serenade.’ Let’s give them a warm round of applause!”

Before she could even finish, the roar of Isabella’s fans drowned her out.

“Isabella Austin! Isabella Austin!”

Andrew’s name occasionally slipped in, but it was clear who the real star was.

Emily followed the other hosts offstage, brushing past Andrew Lane and Isabella Austin without making eye contact. Head down, she kept walking. Only when she stopped and glanced back did she notice something odd: Andrew Lane was standing offstage in the wings. Only Isabella had walked onto the stage.

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