Chapter Eighty: The Heart's True Desire

Chapter Eighty: The Heart's True Desire

Aaron King placed the guitar down, descending the stone steps with the grace of a noble prince. He moved toward the center of the square, where a delicate young woman holding a balloon awaited him. All eyes were locked on them, the scene so breathtakingly beautiful that it seemed almost surreal. Aaron King stopped in front of Lydia Moore, a charming smile playing on his lips. "Hey, dummy…" His voice carried a teasing tone, but it was still impossibly alluring.

Lydia Moore looked at him, her gaze slightly dazed. Before she could respond, Aaron King's slender arm suddenly reached behind her hair. In an instant, a vibrant red rose appeared before her eyes, leaving her stunned. The rose, dewy and rich in color, was held by his long, pale fingers.

"For you." A slight blush colored Aaron King's cheeks as he turned his face to the side, avoiding her gaze, as if too shy to meet her reaction.

Lydia Moore's heart felt as if it were being squeezed tightly, her breath coming in shallow, anxious gasps. What should she do? Staring at his face, so close to hers, she hesitated.

The other students subconsciously held their breath. Their Aaron King, the prince they prided themselves on, who was always so untouchable, could actually be so tender… Some of the girls were moved to tears. Yet despite the romantic beauty of the confession, an inexplicable tension lingered in their hearts, as if they feared…

Suddenly, the string of the balloon was released, and a dozen pale green balloons floated into the sky like angels spreading their wings, drifting farther and farther away.

The night was quiet. The vibrant rose bloomed peacefully in a crystal vase, its subtle fragrance gently wafting through the air. A girl in a light green nightgown sat at her desk, her eyes fixed on the rose petals that shimmered with a vivid red hue.

In the end… she couldn't bring herself to refuse Aaron King. The moment she accepted the rose, the balloon in her hand slipped away, and her heart seemed to drift along with it. She had originally planned to confess everything to him, but… the moment he handed her the rose, she found herself unable to be so cruel. She couldn't bear to see him hurt, nor could she bring herself to reject him in front of everyone. What should she do? Lydia Moore's fingers curled tightly together.

Was she really going to give up the beliefs and dreams she had always held dear for his sake? Those beliefs were the most important part of her life, the source of her strength and courage. If she lost them, how could she go on? And… hadn't she promised herself that she would one day return to Ethan Knight's side? The night outside her window blurred in Lydia Moore's eyes, and she seemed to return to that rainy day that had once brought her such suffocating pain.

As spring arrived, the rain in the north became more frequent. After a gust of wind, a downpour fell like a waterfall, and the campus was engulfed in darkness.

By the time Lydia Moore struggled to reach the teaching building with her umbrella, her coat was nearly soaked through, and her pants were splattered with mud. When she had reached the school gate earlier, a luxury limousine had suddenly driven past her on the right. She hadn't even had time to gasp in awe before the car had splashed her with water and sped off without looking back, leaving her standing there, soaked and disheveled.

But despite the harsh weather outside and her own bedraggled appearance, just the thought of seeing Ethan Knight soon filled Lydia Moore with a warm, comforting happiness. However, as she approached the music classroom with light steps, she saw a middle-aged woman in a luxurious outfit sitting by the piano. Opposite her stood a tall girl playing the violin. The middle-aged woman seemed very pleased with her performance, the wisdom in her eyes occasionally showing signs of approval.

It was Sabrina Shaw. Seeing her up close for the first time, Lydia Moore couldn't help but stare. Her eyes were as bright as crystal diamonds in a clear spring, her fluffy curls tied with a light blue bow. She was as beautiful and pure as a princess, making Lydia feel utterly inadequate.

When Sabrina Shaw's gaze unintentionally met Lydia Moore's, she offered her a polite, faint smile.

The middle-aged woman noticed Lydia's presence and turned her head, eyeing her up and down with an extremely cold and contemptuous gaze. The look in her eyes carried a terrifying sense of oppression, and Lydia Moore nervously tightened her grip on the handle of her violin case, not daring to meet her eyes. "I am Angie Knight, Ethan Knight's mother." She stood gracefully, a cold glint in her blue eyes. Lydia Moore's head shot up, the umbrella in her hand falling to the floor, water droplets silently pooling on the ground.

Outside, the trees swayed violently in the wind, and the rain pounded against the glass, making the atmosphere inside even more stifling.

"I've heard that even when Dean Goldsmith personally asked you, you refused to give up the opportunity to perform with Ethan Knight. Do you like him?" Her tone was laced with arrogance and disdain.

"Auntie, I…" "I don't recall giving you permission to address me that way," Angie Knight interrupted her. "You don't need to rush to explain. I've seen too many girls like you, who are vain and dream of rising from the ashes. But you should understand one thing: Ethan Knight is too outstanding for just anyone to be worthy of him, and you, least of all."

Every word stabbed at Lydia Moore's heart, but she fought to keep her composure. "I think you've misunderstood. I do have feelings for Ethan Knight, but it's not as shameful as you imagine."

"I don't care what your intentions are. You and Ethan Knight are impossible. I'm here to tell you that I've already decided to have Sabrina Shaw partner with Ethan Knight for the upcoming competition. You must withdraw immediately!" Angie Knight's tone was firm. "This competition is important to Ethan Knight. The girl partnering with him should have a good family background, be cultured, and possess a refined temperament—not a wild girl raised by a single parent."

"Please don't insult me, and don't insult my family!" Lydia Moore was furious, her whole body trembling. She simply liked Ethan Knight and was working hard for her own dreams. How could that be so unforgivable in her eyes?

Angie Knight turned her face away coldly. "I have nothing more to say to you. Don't make me use other means to drive you out of this school. Remember, Ethan Knight will never be someone you can deserve." With that, she turned and left, her slender figure appearing cruel and haughty in the dark hallway. "Wait…" Lydia Moore's voice suddenly sounded behind her, causing her to stop in her tracks. "Do you have some other cheap excuse?"