Chapter 61
We froze as our bickering was interrupted by a quiet cough from the doorway. I turned to see Nolan standing there, his lips folded, looking like he’s trying very hard not to laugh. “Sorry. The door was open. My mom sent over some documents for you, Helen.” He waved a Manila envelope at her.
Helen beams, “Nolan, darling, it’s been so long since you visited. She pouts.
“I’m sorry Helen, I’ve kind of busy”
“Anyway, perfect timing! You have a good ear. Tell Aria she has a lovely speaking voice for the stage.” She walked over to take the envelope from him.
Nolan’s eyes flick from Helen’s face to Asher’s dramatic scowl, before finally landing on me. I must look as flustered as I feel, because a small smile formed on his lips. “I’m not sure I’m qualified to judge,” he replies.
“See? He’s smart,” Asher said smugly, pointing a triumphant finger at Nolan from his reclined position. “He won’t lie to you to spare your feelings, Tinker Bell.”
“I didn’t say that,” Nolan corrects, his gaze still fixed on me. He shoves his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans, looking more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. “What part are you trying for?”
“I’m not trying for anything! They’re ambushing me!” I protest, throwing my hands up.
“Viola,” Helen replies, ignoring my protest, as if it’s a royal decree. “Or perhaps Olivia. A leading role, of course. She needs a challenge.”
Nolan tilted his head slightly. “Viola is complicated. She’s playing a man who’s in love with a man, while she’s a woman in love with that same man. It’s… a lot of layers.” He takes a step further into the room. “Try this line. ‘I am not what I am.“”
I look at him and take a shallow breath, trying to quiet the frantic beating of my heart. I mimic his tone, letting the words sit on my tongue. “I am not what I am.”
It comes out softer than I intended, more wistful than dramatic.
Asher snorts. “See? Sparrow. I told you.”
Nolan holds my gaze and gives me a small nod. “There’s something there,” he smiled.
“Something? What something?” Asher demands, sitting up straight. “It was flat!”
“It was nuanced,” Helen argues, sipping her tea.
“It was a statement of fact!” I yell. “That’s the whole point! She’s stating a fact!”
“Exactly.” Nolan muttered.
Asher groans, flopping back onto the ottoman. “Unbelievable. You’re ganging up on me with the Vomit King. My own sister.”
“Don’t call him that,” I say automatically, then blush when I realize I’ve defended him.
Nolan’s smile softens. He glances at Asher.““She’s got the talent. She just needs to trust it. And maybe a coach who doesn’t sound like a wounded water buffalo.”
“Hey!”
“He’s not wrong, dear,” Helen chirps.
“I’m surrounded by traitors,” Asher moans, draping an arm over his eyes.
I cracked my sour neck as I repeated the script, practicing Viola confession of love to Orsino.
“Try it again while standing up,” Nolan suggests
I stand, squaring my shoulders. “My father had a daughter who loved a man…”
“Better,” he says with a nod. “Now, imagine you’re telling the story to hide your own heart, not just reciting it.”
“That’s enough for today! You’re a natural, darling! We’ll continue tomorrow.” Helen said, smiling as soon as I finished reciting it.
Asher ruffles my hair as he passes. “Not bad, Tiny Bell.”
I stick my tongue out at his retreating back.
Nolan hangs back for a moment as Helen and Asher walk to their room.
“Seriously,” he smiled. “You did good. Don’t let Asher get in your head.”
“It’s a full–time job keeping him out of my head,” I joke, smiling back.
“See you tomorrow, Aria.”
I watch him go, feeling a confusing mix of gratitude, nerves, and something else I can’t quite name.
I’m hiding in the library, the script for Twelfth Night is open on my lap as I recite Viola’s lines.
‘I am not what I am.’ I mutter
“Hiding from your drama coaches?” a voice says from the doorway.
I look up to see Robert, holding two mugs. He smiles and holds one out to me. “Hot chocolate. With extra marshmallows. I find it aids concentration.”
“Thanks, Robert.” I take the mug, the warmth seeping into my hands. “And yes. I’m hiding.” I smiled.
He sits in the armchair opposite me, “Helen told me about the audition. And the… incident at lunch.” His expression grows serious. “I’m sorry you had to experience that, Aria. But I was very proud of how Asher handled it. And of you, for holding your ground.”
“I didn’t do much.”
“You stayed. That’s everything.” He sips his own drink.
“Robert… who are we, really?” The question slips out before I can stop it. “I mean, I know we’re rich. But the way people react… the private jets, the ‘investments‘ in art… it feels like more than that.”
Robert leans back with a smile. “Well, we are just a family with a significant… influence. In business, in philanthropy. Our name opens doors, but it also paints a target on your back. People will want to be near you for what you represent, and others will want to tear you down for the same reason. It’s a burden and a privilege. All you need to remember is that the only opinion of you that truly matters is the one you hold of yourself, and the ones of the people in this house who love you.
And you’ll always be a Morale even when you regain your memories.”
0麵
Chapter 61
65 vouchers
After he leaves. I look back at the script. I trace Viola’s lines with my finger. She’s a woman in a strange land, pretending to be someone she’s not in order to survive. She’s directing a world of lukes and countesses, using her wit and courage to find her place.
It does feel so familiar.
I stand up, walking to the center of the library rug.
“I am not what I am,” I say to the empty room, my voice stronger this time, laced with a determination I didn’t know I possessed.
It does not feel like just a line from a play. It feels like my reality
曲
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
