Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396

Sharon and Wendy both turned toward the door. A young woman stood there, glancing nervously around the room.

Sharon walked over. “Yes, this is Jaron Studios. Are you here for the interview?”

The woman nodded, her expression slightly stiff. “My name’s Casey Windham. I’m here to apply for the pianist position.”

She handed over her resume as she spoke.

Sharon took it and skimmed through. To her surprise, Casey wasn’t just a pianist; she was an accomplished violinist as well. Piano Level 10, with an impressive list of awards from international competitions, many of which carried significant prestige.

Sharon nodded. “Would you mind playing something for us?”

Casey nodded back, walked over to the piano, adjusted the bench, and tested the keys briefly before beginning to play.

Her foundation was solid, and her technique was flawless. Her hands moved confidently across the keys.

But, something wavered. Maybe it was nerves, maybe something else.

Anote fell wrong.

A mistake like that wasn’t fatal, not for professionals. Recover quickly, and the audience might not even notice. But the sound jarred, abrupt and raw.

And then… silence.

Casey froze. Her hands trembled slightly as her face drained of color. “I… I’m sorry… I messed up…” Her voice was brittle, her gaze scattered and unfocused. Her eyes glistened. She looked like she was on the edge of breaking.

Sharon stepped closer, her voice low and gentle. “It’s alright. It’s just one note. Nothing serious. Take a breath. Play it again.”

Something in Sharon’s calm tone steadied Casey. She sat back down, placed her fingers on the keys, and this time, the melody flowed perfectly. No mistakes. Smooth and steady, almost beautiful enough to hold the room still.

Wendy clapped softly. “Casey, your piano skills are excellent. Why are you so nervous?”

It was obvious that Casey’s problem wasn’t technique. It was confidence.

Casey offered an awkward smile. “I… haven’t really touched a piano in five years. I’ve been out of the industry for too long. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find my rhythm again.”

“Five years?” Sharon raised her brows. “If you don’t mind me asking… why didn’t you play for so long?”

Casey’s eyelashes fluttered like fragile wings. She lowered her gaze. “My boyfriend… he was in a car accident. He went blind. I’ve been taking care of him ever since.”

Sharon and Wendy exchanged a glance.

Wendy hesitated before speaking. “Casey, I’m sorry to hear that. But you know how this industry is. There’s a lot of traveling and touring. Your boyfriend… he probably still needs you, doesn’t he?”

“No, you’ve misunderstood,” Casey rushed to explain, shaking her head. “His sight was restored three years ago. It’s just that…

Her voice softened. “…it was me. I… I couldn’t let go. I stayed because I couldn’t leave him, not because he needed me.”

She lifted her head then, her expression clearer, more resolute. “But I promise. If you hire me, I won’t leave easily. I won’t quit halfway.”

Wendy still looked uncertain. “But… what if he needs you again? You know how this works. We can’t keep switching

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Chapter 300

accompanists in the middle of a project.”

Before the words fully landed, Casey cut her off. “We’ve broken up.”

Both Sharon and Wendy were stunned. Neither spoke right away.

As if afraid they wouldn’t believe her, Casey hurried to add, “I mean it. We’re done. I won’t go back to him. We were together for

seven years. Five of them… I gave up everything to stay by his side. And then, just recently, I found out…”

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. “…he reconnected with the girl he’s always loved.”

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