1 Prologue

They killed him.

I was heading to my apartment when I received the notification. I opened it, and the first thing I saw was Wolfe's picture. I expected it to be an article about another of his successful songs or a contract with a new band, but no. The title was way more shocking.

Gem's Entertainment's producer Wolfe committed suicide earlier this morning.

I stopped walking and scrolled down with a shaky hand. It must be a joke.

An icy air crossed my body as I read the article. My breaths got louder, and I stuttered and mispronounced words. Wolfe hanged himself in his penthouse.

I shook my head and locked my phone. It was hard to believe. Wolfe, the guy who helped me lift my head high and follow my dreams, the one who has taught me how to stay strong no matter what has just ended his life?

No, it can't be real.

It has been three years since I last saw him, or anyone in Waveland. I left the country to pursue my career as a writer, but I still didn't get what I wanted. I have a small community, a few loyal readers, but my stories haven't reached the world yet. I left my parents and my friends there, and our relationship has changed because of the long distance.

I couldn't call any of them, especially not Shadow.

I hurried to my apartment and opened my laptop to book a ticket to Waveland's capital. The least I could do was to attend the funeral and be there for him.

Wolfe and Shadow were the best brothers I have known in my life. Their bond was of gold, even if it broke, it could be melted and made the way it was. But now, it couldn't be melt again.

I took the last flight of the day, and there were only a dozen people on the plane. Most of them were reading the same articles I read earlier, and they looked surprised by the news. Wolfe wasn't only a music artist. He stood up for everyone and fought for their rights. He walked with women in the feminist protests and sang with people during the pride parades.

Everyone loved Wolfe, and that is why it was such a sad day in our country.

After a three-hour flight, I finally arrived at Gold City. It was unusual to be back home after many years. But nothing seemed to have changed a lot.

I took a taxi and headed downtown. Kaela texted the address to the cemetery in our old group chat. We haven't talked in three years, and it was strange to get a notification from our 'GEMSS' group.

There were many people in front of the cemetery gate, mostly fans, and reporters. I clenched my fists as I couldn't understand how the journalists dared to come here when they were the main reason behind his death. I have not talked to Wolfe for a long time, but I saw the way they treated him outside. They left him no privacy as they invaded his home, his workplace and even interrupted his dates and his weekends with his brother.

I checked myself on my phone's screen and sighed when my eyes landed on the tattoo under my collarbone. Me and the six others, including Wolfe, have had this gem tattoo for five years. It was mine and Wolfe's idea, as we thought our personalities matched those of gems. We were precious, brilliant, unbreakable and rare to find. But now I wasn't sure about the unbreakable one.

Wolfe was gone.

I unlocked my phone and opened the gallery. I clicked on the GEMSS album and found a bunch of pictures of our group. The last one we took was of Wolfe and me at his old studio. He used to make music in his house garage, and we would chill there with him every Sunday afternoon. His smile was so contagious that I found myself chuckling while I looked at the picture.

I got out of the taxi, and a dozen cameras turned to me.

"Another one wearing white," one of the reporters scoffed.

"She has the same tattoo."

I guess the others have already arrived.

I didn't wear black as people should in a funeral because as I said before, we were rare. It was a random subject we talked about years ago; that if any of us happens to die, we're going to wear his or her favourite colour during their funeral.

Wolfe loved white so much that his entire wardrobe was full of simple white teeshirts and sneakers. He loved white chocolate more than the dark one and had his label logo made in white.

As I walked in, the reporters crowded around me and started asking countless questions.

"What was your relationship with Wolfe?" None of your business.

"Were you close?" None of your business.

"Do you know why he killed himself?" No, that's enough.

I stopped walking and faced them furiously, "Cut the crap and leave me alone." I muttered.

The reporters didn't seem to care about my words, and they kept asking the same stupid questions.

"I said, leave me alone!" I repeated, but this time, louder and angrier. I didn't realise the tears started falling down my cheeks at that moment. My hands were shaking, as well as my voice. It was hard for me to believe that Wolfe was dead. No matter how many articles I have read, and how many times I have heard the news, it was still too unreal.

It was calmer inside. People I didn't recognise were wearing black dresses or suits and walking with a bouquet in their hands. Singers, bands, and famous producers were also present. Some were crying, and others were silently looking at Wolfe's picture.

I looked around and spotted them wearing white just like me. I gulped, and I couldn't stop my tears when I realized how much I missed them.

My eyes rested on Shadow. He was greeting people who came to visit and thanked them for their love and their support. He was almost unrecognisable with the dark circles under his puffy eyes and his messy black hair. I have never seen him in such a state. Shadow was always one to keep his composure and calm even during the most difficult situations.

Kaela saw me and took me in her arms before I walked closer to Shadow. He looked surprised to see me, and at the same time relieved.

When my eyes landed on his sparkling blue orbs, I started crying as I rested my head on his chest.

"I'm so sorry, Shadow,"

"Why are you sorry?" he whispered as he caressed my back, "You did nothing wrong."

"I should have stayed here. I should have been there for you, all of you."

Shadow sniffed and wiped his tears with the sleeve of his shirt. He patted my back gently, "It's okay. You are here now."

"Skylar, you've arrived," a familiar voice spoke. I turned around and saw Wolfe's manager, Rex, approaching. "This is so devastating."

"Indeed, yes," I replied as I looked at him with a frown. "What was going on in his life lately? I thought you were just busy making the new album."

Rex sighed, "We were, yes. But I had no idea that he wasn't doing well mentally. He always acted like everything was alright until he made that horrible decision."

I scoffed and looked at him in disbelief, "Seriously, Rex? Do you really believe that Wolfe killed himself? Our Wolfe?"

Shadow tightened his grip around my arm and took a deep breath.

"Wolfe would have never done such a thing," I added.

"Then, what do you suggest?" Rex raised an eyebrow, "That it was an accident? That, someone, murdered him?"

"Yes," I nodded furiously, "Yes, why not?"

Kaela and Jay joined us and stood next to me.

Rex sighed and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I understand you, Skylar. I thought the same thing at first. I couldn't believe it as I'm the one who was by his side every day."

"Then what changed your mind?" Jay asked.

"If Wolfe didn't intend to commit suicide, he wouldn't have left these letters for you guys," the manager said before opening his bag to get six different envelopes out.