Perfectly Wrong (Elena & Sam Musical)

Chapter eleven

It wasn’t me.

It wasn’t me.

It wasn’t me.

His words kept echoing in my head. I stared at the door, eyes wide and mouth slightly open, struggling to process what I’d just heard. My head throbbed, my stomach churned, but I was too stunned to even move. He’d blamed me. After everything that had happened, after chasing me, he had the nerve to say it wasn’t him who started this. It was my fault.

Fortunately, Jeremy didn’t believe him. “Sam, this is serious,” he insisted. “Not only can Elena get fired, but she will be fired. So, I’m going to ask you one last time—who initiated this?”

“I’ve told you, man, it wasn’t me.”

My boss exhaled, clearly exasperated. I wanted to react, to express the same frustration, but I felt hollow, like all the air had been sucked out of me. It wasn’t anger that filled me, just a heavy, crushing disappointment. A voice inside my head was screaming, You knew this would happen, and I couldn’t make it stop.

I don’t know how long I sat there, lost in thought. The sound of the office door slamming jolted me back to reality. Jeremy stormed into the meeting room, his face flushed, looking like he was ready to explode.

“You!” he roared, pointing at me. “You tell me the truth right now, because I can’t wait to kick that little shit out of this company! He’s not going to lie to my face, get you fired, and walk away like he’s untouchable!”

And I knew he was right. I should have told Jeremy that Sam had shown up at my place after following me from Whole Foods, or that he’d flown to Japan against my wishes. But I was so exhausted—exhausted from being angry, scared, and on edge—that I did the one thing Jeremy wasn’t expecting: I chose Sam.

“He’s right, Jer,” I said quietly. “It wasn’t him.”

My boss looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Elena, don’t start with this bullshit now. I know he’s guilty—he practically admitted it to me. Even his agent looked shocked. Do you think I’m buying his story?”

“It was my fault, and I’m ready to face whatever comes. Call whoever you need to. I’ll give them my statement, and I’ll sign my termination papers.”

“I’m not doing that!” Jeremy shouted. “You’re going to tell them the truth, and we’ll tear up his contract.”

All I wanted to do was leave, go home, and never come back. I could find a quiet job in Dorchester, live near my parents, and get a pet. Life would be simpler, with far fewer things to worry about. Maybe that’s what I needed. I’d refused to leave Toronto when everything fell apart with Noah, even though my parents begged me to move back. I thought staying here was my fate, that I couldn’t abandon my career. But right now, I wanted to disappear. And let’s be honest, as long as I stayed in the industry, I’d never truly get away from Sam. He’d sign with another label, and we’d keep crossing paths at award shows and events. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life hiding in bathrooms or watching him from backstage. Stepping away from music marketing didn’t sound so bad after all.

“That’s the truth, Jer,” I insisted. “There’s nothing more to say.”

He stormed out of the room, muttering things I couldn’t even make out. I knew he was furious, and I could only hope he and Sam wouldn’t cross paths anytime soon. If they did, I had no doubt my boss would wring his neck. Meanwhile, I sat there, staring blankly at the white walls, my phone vibrating relentlessly with Sam’s name flashing on the screen. I just wished he’d stop.

John was crouched in front of me, waiting for me to repeat the words he wanted me to say. But I just shook my head. He knew everything about how this had all started, but his word alone couldn’t be used against Sam. Only I could make the final call, and I refused to change my story.

He stood up and asked Jeremy to leave the room. I stayed put, sitting in the same chair, in the same position, like I was too sick to move. I just existed, hoping something miraculous would happen. And as desperate as it seemed, I wanted Sam to walk in and tell the truth. But he never did.

I lost track of time, only realizing how late it was when I noticed the sun setting. Darkness had already taken over inside me, so it didn’t feel much different. The guys came back, still caught up in their conversation.

“We’re not making any decisions today, Elena,” Jeremy said first. “Go home, get some rest. If you change your mind, come back tomorrow and tell us exactly what happened.”

“I already told you what happened,” I snapped, feeling my frustration boiling over. Why couldn’t they just accept my confession and end this?

“Bullshit.” He threw his hands up in the air. “You can repeat that nonsense a million times, and I still won’t believe it. I know you, Elena, and I can’t figure out why you’re defending that stupid kid!”

John’s expression was the angriest I’d ever seen. He reached out his hand, and I took it, getting to my feet and leaving the room with him.

“I’ll take you home,” he offered.

“No!” I stopped abruptly, and he turned to me. “Don’t take me home. He’ll show up, and I can’t deal with him right now. Not tonight.”

John raised his eyebrows. “Really?” he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. “If you don’t want to talk to him, why are you defending that little shit?”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“Goddammit, Elena! You’re impossible.” He took a breath, trying to calm himself. “Fine, you’re coming to the hotel with me, and we’ll figure things out tomorrow. And pray I don’t run into him, because dead will be the nicest state he’ll be in!”

I thanked John for always having my back, and we left. Once again, he was there to help pick up the pieces of me that were shattered all over the floor. And as if that wasn’t enough, he didn’t leave the next day or the day after. He stayed in Toronto, helping me manage everything while still sharing his hotel room with me. He even went to my house to grab my things so I wouldn’t risk running into Sam.

Jeremy called him on Friday morning and asked us to come to Icon Records. John said he sounded both frustrated and relieved. We finished our breakfast and headed over.

“I’m trying to figure out what he wants,” I said, eyeing John suspiciously as we sat in the back of the taxi. I saw his mouth tighten into a thin line. “You know, don’t you?”

He shrugged. “I have a hunch, but I’m not going to say anything until I’m sure.”

I rolled my eyes. When we arrived at the building, I found myself checking the area for any unwanted faces. John waited patiently, and when we got out, we headed straight to Jeremy’s office.

“Finally!” my boss exclaimed. “Have a seat.”

We did, and Jeremy settled into his chair, looking almost smug. There was some unspoken exchange between him and John that I couldn’t decipher.

“Elena, if you still want to work at Icon Records, we have an offer for you.”

“What?” I held my breath.

“You can still be with us, just not here in Toronto.” Jeremy sighed. “Like I said, either you or Martin leaves. And since you won’t be honest with us, we don’t have much choice. You’ll go, but to another branch.”

My eyebrows shot up. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re coming to New York with me,” John said, barely able to contain his excitement.

“You jerk. I wanted to break the news!” Jeremy’s laughter filled the room.

I glanced between the two of them, completely lost. How could they transfer me instead of firing me? Sam and I would still be at the same company. Wasn’t that against some policy?

“Look,” Jeremy continued. “The board can’t afford to lose you, but they also can’t break Martin’s contract without your cooperation, and you won’t give them that satisfaction. So, after some meetings and favours, we found a spot for you in our New York branch. You’ll be working on Project TS, which will benefit from your direct involvement. It’s a great opportunity.”

This was the last thing I expected.

“Lena,” John said gently. “We know you never planned on moving to New York, but this is the best option right now. Once this project wraps up, we’ll talk to the board here and look at transferring you back. But for now, it’s our only way out.”

“Guys, this…” I was speechless. “Thank you. This is so much more than I expected. I know you’re both taking risks standing by me, and I’m so grateful! I’ll take this chance and move to New York, even though I love working here in Toronto. I promise you won’t regret it.”

“There are just two things you need to do first, Elena. First, take the fifteen vacation days you have left. You need it. As a friend, I’d suggest going to your parents’ place to get some distance. You need a break, and it’s best to get out of Toronto for a bit.”

He was right. Gossip was probably spreading like wildfire, and staying here would only make things worse. Jeremy cleared his throat and exchanged a look with John. My friend sighed deeply.

“Are you serious?” The annoyance in his voice made me nervous.

“What?” I asked.

“Martin’s putting on a secret show after his album release and before the tour. The decision was made yesterday. The entire team, along with fans and the media, will be there. And I’m sorry, Lena, but you can’t skip it.”

My jaw dropped.

“This is insane, come on,” John muttered.

“I know this is a mess,” Jeremy admitted, “but can you imagine how it would look if she didn’t show up? Elena put everything into this project, and it would seem strange for her not to be there. Especially since everyone from Icon Records, including her team, will be present.”

Hearing about my team made my heart sink. I’d miss them so much. We’d worked together for so long, and we had this unspoken bond—I could read their thoughts, and they could read mine. Just another thing Martin had taken from me.

I sighed and agreed. What couldn’t be helped had to be endured, and there was nothing I could do to change things. Jeremy was right: going to my parents’ was the best choice. Their love and support would help me deal with all the changes coming my way.

John handled my transfer to New York, staying in Toronto to sort out the logistics and help me pack up my house. Since I wasn’t sure if I’d ever return, I decided to sell it. Project TS would take at least two years, and I had no idea what New York held for me. I could rent, but I preferred to own a place in the U.S., and selling my home here was the best way to make that happen.

Sam’s third album was about to drop, and I would return to Toronto for that damned concert. Before that, I’d stop by Icon Records to sign my transfer papers, then I’d watch his performance and fly to New York the next day. The timing was perfect—it would keep me busy and help me avoid Martin, even in my thoughts. His texts and calls were relentless, but I ignored them until I finally blocked his number. The last thing I needed was his pathetic excuses. He’d already done enough damage, and I never wanted to see that boy again.

Over the weekend, John brought some documents to Dorchester. My house sold faster than expected, and I was officially homeless in Toronto. My belongings would be on their way to New York in a few days, and the reality of it all started to hit me.

“There’s a great apartment in my building,” John said as we sat around the table, enjoying the pudding my mom had made for dessert. “Two bedrooms, lots of space, great layout. I think you could get a good price on it. I know the owner and can put in a word if you’re interested.”

“That would be wonderful, dear,” my dad chimed in, his mouth full. My mom shot him a disapproving look, and we all laughed. “It would be good to have John nearby; he knows the area and the building. You should think about it.”

And I did. John gave me the owner’s number, and we chatted for a bit. The guy sent me pictures of the place and even offered a discount since the original price was a bit over my budget. Just like that, I signed the deal. I know buying an apartment without seeing it first is risky, but I trusted John. If he said it was a good place, that was enough for me.

Sadly, my vacation ended way too soon, and once again, I left my tearful parents behind. Growing up is tough in ways no one ever tells you. Everyone warns you about bills and responsibilities, but no one mentions how painful it is to watch your parents grow smaller in the rearview mirror.

When I saw the CN Tower appear from the bus window, my heart raced. We were so close to Sam’s building that I closed the curtain, as if he could see me. Not that he would, but I wasn’t taking any chances. John accompanied me to Icon Records, and when I got there, I couldn’t believe my eyes. My team was throwing me a farewell party, and I couldn’t hold back the tears. To quash any rumours, Jeremy told everyone I was invited to work at the New York office on one of the most important projects of 2019. He made sure everyone knew the board was thrilled to see one of their own being recognized, and I became the centre of attention—for a good reason, for once. When Jeremy handed me the papers to sign, Morgana and Katie started to cry. Minutes later, we were all hugging, sniffling, and already missing our time together.

“God, this is hard,” I said in the elevator. John and Jeremy stood beside me, just like in the old days when I was an intern, and we were a tight-knit trio.

“Just promise you’ll give it your all, Elena,” Jeremy said, trying to hold back his emotions.

“I promise. And thank you, for everything, Jer. You saved me, and I’ll never forget that.”

We shared a quick hug in the lobby before I walked out, fighting back more tears. John draped his arm over my shoulders, pulling me close. He kissed the top of my head, and I wrapped my arm around his waist. “I can’t believe I finally got you to come with me, shorty,” he said, his joy palpable.

“Me neither,” I replied, looking up at him. We shared a smile and headed to the hotel.

The only thing that soured the day, aside from leaving, was knowing I had to see Sam that night. Of all the things I’d dealt with these past few weeks, that was going to be the hardest. Jeremy was right: after all the sacrifices I’d made for this project, vanishing would raise suspicion, and I couldn’t afford that. But, God, it was going to be brutal. Seeing that stage, facing the giant rose Matt and I had spent hours perfecting—it all brought back too many memories. I was just praying to get through the concert without falling apart.

John and I arrived just in time, minutes before the show started. I didn’t want to have any chance of running into Sam backstage, of smelling his cologne or hearing him say my name. My heart had already taken enough hits.

As we made our way to the seats with the Icon team, something caught me off guard. Katherine, Miguel, and Amelia were there, sitting in the front row, waiting for their pride and joy to take the stage. When our eyes met, Sam’s mom stood up, and I held my breath. She walked over to me, wearing an understanding smile, and pulled me into a tight hug. I closed my eyes and hugged her back, knowing this would be the only goodbye I’d get to say to him. She kissed my cheek gently and returned to her seat beside Miguel, who nodded at me with a polite smile before turning back to face the stage.

“Who are they?” John asked as I sat beside him.

“His mom, dad, and sister,” I said, grateful he was the only one who seemed to notice what had just happened.

The lights dimmed, and the first notes of “You in Japan” played. The crowd went wild, screaming at the top of their lungs. I was struggling not to faint, but hearing the words he’d once used against me stung like hell.

At some point, our eyes met, and Sam’s smile faltered when he saw John beside me.

“Bastard,” John muttered, and I squeezed his hand.

All I felt was rage. I was starting to get used to the idea of moving to New York, but things could’ve been so different if Sam had just listened to me. But no, his ego couldn’t handle that.

“Thank you, everyone,” Sam said into the mic. “Before the next song, I want to give a shoutout to everyone who worked so hard to make this album and concert happen. Especially the team at Icon Records who worked tirelessly with me to bring you the best songs and experience possible. Toronto, let’s give it up for this incredible team up there!”

He pointed at us, and the crowd erupted. My heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst. My hands were shaking as I forced a smile for my team and took a deep breath. He set his guitar aside and moved to the piano, playing a melody I didn’t recognize. Maybe I would’ve, if I hadn’t been avoiding his new album like the plague.

“I didn’t believe it, so I needed proof / Just one touch of your lips, and I knew it was true.” His voice was calm, his fingers gliding over the keys. “It was poison / And I drank the best of it all.”

I felt eyes burning into me, but I kept looking at him, determined not to break as he continued.

“You sealed our fate / then set it ablaze.” Our eyes locked, and my heart raced in my chest. John exhaled sharply beside me, shifting in his seat. “But it was written in the stars / life was the death that tore us apart.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Katherine turn to me, but I couldn’t look at her. She knew the song was about me, just like the rest of the album. In any other situation, I might’ve felt flattered to be Sam’s muse, but not now.

“We made a mess / But I can’t stand to see you go.” He found my eyes again. “You’re my whole world / So perfectly wrong for me.”

“That’s enough,” I muttered, standing up. John followed immediately. Sam wasn’t going to use me as his personal therapy session anymore; he wasn’t going to put my second chance in jeopardy.

Without looking back, I walked out, swearing to myself that Sam Martin would never crush my heart again, even if I had to tear it out of my chest myself. And I’d do it with my bare hands.

My plan had been perfect and straightforward. If I told Jeremy that Elena had seduced me, he would fire her, and I’d still have my contract. I was making good money and could support us both comfortably for as long as needed. In the meantime, Elena could start her own marketing company, if she wanted, and keep doing her brilliant work. I’d even encourage her to bring her team along, so she’d have her people around for support and confidence. But first, I wanted her to take some time off, just to be with me, so we could enjoy ourselves without stress. God, I couldn’t wait to tell her my idea.

But I didn’t get the chance because she ran out of my apartment before I could explain. I tried calling, but she wasn’t picking up. I was worried, but I told myself if something had happened, I would know. Or at least I hoped so. I just needed to get to Icon Records, talk to her boss, and then scour the whole city until I found her.

It hurt to see her like that, so lost and desperate, but I promised I’d fix everything, and I meant it. If there was one thing I couldn’t stand, it was letting my girl down. My new mission was to make Elena happy, no matter what. I wanted to see that gorgeous smile of hers every day, and if she needed to cry, I wanted it to be tears of joy. I could already picture us getting married, having kids. Just the thought of little Elenas running around made my heart race. It felt like a glimpse of heaven. I’d never even considered having kids before I met her, but now the idea of not having more of her in the world seemed unbearable. And I was more than ready to change that.

Alex sat next to me in the car, completely silent. He didn’t know what was going on between us, so I used the ride to fill him in. To my surprise, he wasn’t thrilled.

“I have no idea how I’m going to explain this to your sponsors,” he muttered, lost in thought. “Let’s hope they don’t drop you.”

“You’re overreacting, dude.” I took a deep breath. “I told you, everything will be fine.”

“I don’t understand how you can stay so calm. And I can’t even imagine how Elena must be feeling right now. If you’d told me earlier, this album wouldn’t have even come out. I would’ve pulled you out of here the moment I found out.”

“And that’s exactly why I didn’t tell you.” I shrugged. People needed to chill out.

The car stopped outside Icon Records, and we headed in. Jeremy was expecting us in his office, which pissed me off because I wanted to check if Elena was around. But there was no time. He stood by the door as we walked in, and I felt like a kid being scolded. Alex and I took seats across from Jeremy, who settled behind his desk, looking stern. For a moment, it felt like I was back in school, waiting for detention.

“Martin, I assume you’re aware of what’s happening. And I hope you understand the severity of your actions.”

I didn’t reply, just shifted uncomfortably in my chair.

“My question is simple, and once I have your answer and Elena’s, the board will decide what to do with both of you.”

“Jeremy, it’s really not that serious, man,” Alex tried to smooth things over. “They’re young; it happens.”

“Other clients were involved, Alex. It’s not that simple.”

“What’s the question?” I interrupted, anxiety creeping in.

“Who initiated this? Who made the first move?”

This was it—time to put my plan into motion. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

“It wasn’t me,” I said confidently.

Jeremy’s eyes widened, and Alex stared at me, stunned.

“Sam, this is a serious matter,” Jeremy said, his voice tense. “Not only could Elena lose her job, she will . I’m going to ask you one last time: who started this?”

Like I cared. She’d be better off working for herself, in a fancy office with high-end clients. She’d earn double what she made at Icon and be happy forever.

“I told you, it wasn’t me.”

What was his problem? Was Jeremy getting old and losing his hearing? He started talking again, but I just wanted him to shut up. I still needed to find Elena and explain my plan, hoping she’d get on board. Oh, and I had to keep her away from that idiot John. He wasn’t going to touch her again without going through me first. I could forgive Elena for cheating on me at that stupid party if she promised never to see him again. We definitely needed to talk about that.

Eventually, Jeremy let us go, saying he’d contact us once the board decided what to do. I rushed out of the building, ignoring Alex calling my name. I hailed a taxi and headed straight to Elena’s place, cursing myself for not driving in the first place.

When the cab pulled up, I ran to her door, pounding on it like my life depended on it. Because, let’s face it, it kind of did. I had to be the one to tell her what happened, not Jeremy or anyone else. If she misunderstood, I was dead.

I knocked again, but there was no answer. I tried peeking through the living room window, but the house was dark. She wasn’t home. I ran a hand through my hair, starting to panic.

Elena had left my place on foot. I’d watched her from the balcony, walking south and turning the corner before I lost sight of her. Now I was picturing the worst—what if she was hurt, alone in some rundown hospital, when I could’ve been there, making sure she was in the best care in Toronto? Waiting at her house felt impossible. So I went back home, grabbed my car, and started scouring the city for her.

After two hours of aimlessly driving around Toronto, I called Elena for what felt like the millionth time. Okay, it was the twentieth, but still. My phone kept count, which was just rubbing it in. Since she didn’t pick up, I sent another text:

Where are you? I’ve been driving around looking for you for hours! Please, answer the phone!

She got the message but didn’t bother reading it. I threw my phone onto the passenger seat, feeling tears sting my eyes. Where the hell was she? Had she already been fired? God, I hoped not. If she was, I’d have to deal with her rage and try to fix things—if she’d even let me.

As the sun began to set, I felt completely lost. I had no idea where to go or what to think. All I could do was pray she was okay. I parked outside her house and sat there for hours, texting her over and over.

Please, Lena, answer the phone! I’m worried sick. Just tell me where you are and I’ll come to you.

We need to talk. I can explain everything. I know you’re upset, but it’ll all be fine in the end, I promise!

It’s almost ten p.m., and you’re still not home. Where are you, Lena?

You said I could always wait for you. Please, come back. I love you!

I hesitated before hitting send. Confessing my love like this could either bring her to me or push her further away, but I couldn’t keep it in. I loved her so much that being apart felt unbearable. I took a deep breath and grabbed the notebook and pen I kept in the glove compartment. Writing was my therapy, and I was desperate for it, or I’d lose my mind right there in the car.

“How many times will I have to die before you let us live?” I scribbled frantically, my hand shaking as I pressed the pen hard against the paper, leaving imprints on the pages beneath. “Let us be free. This should be the best moment of our lives.Meeting new people, new places and I’d get the chance to show you that you’re the only one who matters.”

I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. Tears blurred my vision, some dripping onto the pages and smudging the ink. Where was she?

I must have dozed off in the car, lucky no one called the cops on me for sleeping there. Alex would lose it if I ended up on some gossip site for crashing in public like that. I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window. Her house looked just as quiet as it had last night. I couldn’t tell if she’d come home or not. Maybe she’d snuck in after I passed out, and I hated myself for not staying awake. I should’ve watched the door all night.

I thought about knocking again, but if she was inside, I didn’t want to wake her. Then again, what if she wasn’t there? What if she’d left me? What if she was hurt somewhere, and I was just sitting here, doing nothing?

“Fuck!” I slammed my fist on the steering wheel and took a shaky breath. For the first time, my brain kicked in. I needed to go home, take a shower, eat something, and come up with a real plan to win her back.

The routine of “leaving my apartment, spending hours parked in front of Elena’s house, then going back home” was now on its fifth day. I’d tried calling Icon Records, but no one would tell me a damn thing about her. The operator just repeated the same line about not giving out information on employees. At least that meant she was still part of the team. Maybe she was just taking some time off and would be back soon, which meant I still had a chance to find her. Not that I had any other choice: Elena was responsible—not just for every beat of my heart but also for the amazing marketing plan for my new album. Speaking of which, the release was only a few days away, and I couldn’t wait for everyone to hear it. Even though my muse had freaked out over the lyrics, I was so proud to sing about her and our love that I could barely contain my excitement. A huge smile spread across my face as I remembered Elena calling them “shitty songs.” I knew she didn’t really mean it and would love them once she calmed down and actually listened to the words. They were my new treasure, and I’d sing them to her every morning until she begged me to stop. And then I’d write more songs about her and sing those too, until we grew old together.

Movement outside caught my attention, and I saw an older couple entering her house. They had a key, which struck me as odd. I’d seen photos of her parents before, so I knew they weren’t hers. Her mom wasn’t that old. I couldn’t look away, and after what felt like forever, they came out. The man was on the phone, speaking excitedly to someone. That’s when it hit me—Elena really wasn’t home. Where the hell was she?

Without you, I’m nothing. An empty shell, soulless. You’re the blessing I asked for, the light at the end of my journey. You’re my person. Please, let us live.

A notification popped up saying the text couldn’t be delivered, and I frowned. I tried calling her, but it went straight to voicemail. Maybe her phone had died, which was rare for Elena. She was always so prepared, carrying extra batteries everywhere.

About thirty minutes after the couple left, my world shattered—a guy in a suit put up a “sold” sign in front of her house. I stumbled out of the car, calling out to him.

“Hey.” I tried not to sound desperate. “Do you know the owner of this house? She’s a friend, and I’ve been trying to get in touch with her for days with no luck.”

The man eyed me suspiciously, not a hint of recognition in his expression. “I don’t, sorry,” he said, sounding genuine. “I only dealt with someone named John, not a woman. Maybe you should ask him.”

I stood there, alone on the sidewalk, as my world crumbled. Elena was with that asshole John. And if they were together, there was only one person who’d know where—Jeremy.

I drove to Icon Records like a maniac, fully expecting to get a stack of speeding tickets. That bastard was going to tell me where she was, or I wasn’t Sam Martin!

“Whoa.” Jeremy looked stunned when I burst into his office.

“Where is she?” I almost shouted. “Tell me, Jeremy. Where the hell is Elena?”

He stood up abruptly, fists clenched at his sides. “I have no idea where she is,” he growled. “If you haven’t noticed, she’s not here anymore. Now get out, Martin. I’ve already lost my best marketing leader, and I swear there’s nothing I’d like more than to punch you in the face. So get out!”

“Jeremy, please.” I tried to rein in my desperation. “I need to talk to her. Please, help me. I’m begging you.”

“Martin, I don’t know where she is. The only thing I know is that Elena won’t be coming back to this office, thanks to you!”

I ran my hands through my hair, tugging at it until it hurt. The operator had called her an employee; what did he mean, she wasn’t coming back?

“Can you at least tell me if she’s okay?”

Jeremy sighed and sank back into his chair. “No, Martin, I can’t. I haven’t spoken to her in days,” he lied.

“She’s with John, isn’t she?” I asked, my voice dripping with bitterness.

“I’m not their babysitter; I have no idea.”

He obviously knew but was shielding his friend from me. The man who loved Elena more than anything and just wanted to make things right with her.

“Sam.” Jeremy sounded exhausted. “You’ve got a major release coming up. Go home, get some rest, and prepare yourself. You’ve got a busy year ahead, full of appearances and a tour—and it won’t do you any good to chase her. Elena is moving on with her life, and there’s nothing you can do about it. I’m sorry, but leave her alone. It’s what’s best for both of you.”

Without another word, I left his office, glancing inside Elena’s as I passed by. Her things were still there, and that gave me a shred of hope.

After Elena’s house was sold, there was no point in sitting outside, waiting for her. The last time I drove by, I saw the curtains were gone, and the place was empty. My heart clenched, and I took a deep breath, trying not to cry.

It was the day of my concert, and I had rehearsal in a few hours. I’d prayed a million times, asking God to put a little voice in her head, telling her to come. I’m pretty sure even He was tired of me by now. Instead of going about my business, I parked outside Icon Records, hoping for just a glimpse of her, even if it was the last time. My plan was to convince her to come back to me so we could have a real conversation. By now, she probably knew what I’d said about us, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she screamed at me on the sidewalk. But once she heard my reasons, she’d get it. She had to.

Then I saw them. Elena came out first, and I jumped out of the car, but then John appeared behind her, and I froze. They walked in the opposite direction, and my heart dropped when he pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her. I couldn’t see her face clearly, but I saw him kiss the top of her head, and she wrapped her arm around his waist. They looked like one of those “relationship goals” couples you see online. He was perfect for her; they matched too well. His lion tattoo against her fair skin, his small eyes contrasting with her big, expressive ones, and their smiles... God, they looked so happy it made me sick.

That was the moment I realized I’d really lost her. And I couldn’t even blame the guy. I was the one who messed up—me and my recklessness. As they walked away, reality smacked me in the face. I finally understood what she meant when she said I’d ruined everything. It was all my fault.

Not wanting them to see me, I ran back to my car and sped off to the stadium. Tears blurred my vision, and I had no idea how I’d get through the night. A part of me hoped she wouldn’t show up, but deep down, I needed her there. I had to apologize for everything I’d done.

After the rehearsal, people started arriving. The whole Icon team was there, along with my family. My mom kept asking how I was doing. She knew about Elena and could tell I was a mess, but I couldn’t help rolling my eyes when she asked, for the sixth time, if there was anything she could do. My parents were amazing, and my sister was my anchor, even when she wouldn’t listen to my music.

“Is she here yet?” I asked Alex, and he shook his head.

“Sorry, Sam. We sent the VIP ticket to her office, but I don’t know if she got it or if she’s coming.” I sighed and nodded. He gave me a supportive pat on the shoulder. “But it’s showtime, so let’s kill it, alright? The place is packed, and everyone’s pumped to see you!”

He was right, of course. He got everyone out of the room, and I went through my warm-ups. Then I prayed for an incredible night and for the fans to have a great time—and I didn’t forget to ask that they get home safely. Minutes later, we walked out, and the band took their spots on stage. The crowd went nuts, their screams so loud I could hear them through my earphones. I looked up and closed my eyes.

“This one’s for you, Elena,” I whispered and stepped on stage as the first chords of “You in Japan” started.

Seeing the packed venue made me smile. This was my place, where I belonged. I’d put my broken heart aside and give the fans everything I had. They were everything to me, and I couldn’t let them down.

Performing those songs live for the first time was harder than I’d imagined. Each one held so many memories, and I found myself thinking about the moments when I wrote them. It was insane how people already knew the lyrics! The album had only dropped the day before, and it was already a hit—probably thanks to Elena’s flawless marketing. I couldn’t stop smiling and winking at the girls in the front rows. If they were here, it meant they’d arrived super early, and I wanted them to feel appreciated. My eyes scanned the crowd, silently acknowledging everyone. My mom was the best of them all, singing and dancing like she used to during school plays. It was super embarrassing back then, but right now, I wanted her on stage with me. And a few rows behind her, I saw Elena.

My heart flipped in my chest, and I grinned at her, but she didn’t smile back. That was okay, though—she was here, and that was all that mattered. The night was perfect until I noticed that asshole John sitting beside her. My smile faded, and I turned back to the crowd.

“Thank you, everyone,” I said when the song ended. “Before the next one, I want to give a shoutout to the incredible team at Icon Records who worked tirelessly to make this album and concert happen. Toronto, make some noise for them up there!”

I pointed to where they were seated, and the audience erupted. A roadie came up and took my guitar, as planned, and I walked to the piano. The next song wasn’t on the setlist, but I had to play it. Elena needed to hear it, needed to know that I loved her and needed her. I took a deep breath and started playing.

“I didn’t believe it, so I needed proof / Just one touch of your lips, and I knew it was true.” I sang, my fingers moving over the keys. “It was poison / And I drank the best of it all.”

This was tougher than I’d thought, and my eyes began to tear up. I wanted to get off the stage, apologize, and beg Elena for another chance, no matter who was watching.

“You sealed our fate / then set it ablaze.” I looked up, and she was staring at me, shocked. “But it was written in the stars / life was the death that tore us apart.”

I looked down at the piano, trying to focus. The audience was split between singing along and sitting in silence, and I even saw some girls crying. I smiled at them, feeling their pain—not for them, but for the girl who was here, tearing my heart apart like I was her personal puppet.

“We made a mess / But I can’t stand to see you go.” I looked at Elena again, willing her to remember our happiest moments. “You’re my whole world / So perfectly wrong for me.”

My heart stopped when she got up and left. John followed her, and in my wildest dreams, she’d have stormed the stage and hugged me, kissed me. But she didn’t.

When the song ended, I felt hollow. Alex gave me a sympathetic smile from the wings, and I got up. I put myself on autopilot and finished the show, not really caring to switch off afterward.