Alex’s first call was to Lu. “Is Nao there with you?”
Both Lu and Kacy said no. They asked what had happened and promised to come over the next day before hanging up.
Alex tried frantically to think where Naosa might have gone, but his mind drew a blank. Given her personality, who else would she turn to besides Lu and Kacy? She always tried to handle everything alone, never wanting to burden anyone with her troubles.
No—Alex was supposed to be her true support when she was really in need.
Travis, holding Aaron’s small hand, asked with worried eyes, “Where’s Mommy?”
“Mommy just went out on an errand,” Alex replied, forcing calm into his voice. “She’ll be back soon.”
But Alex himself had no idea if that was true. Nao, where did you go? You’ll come back soon, won’t you?
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Meanwhile, Naosa was on a plane bound for France, tears streaming endlessly down her face. She thought of the children she’d left behind, of her uncertain future with Alex. Everything felt utterly hopeless.
Will Alex remember what those earrings meant? What will he do if he remembers? What will become of us?
The questions repeated endlessly in her mind, each one without an answer.
That morning, Lu had picked her up and driven her to the airport in silence. Seeing Naosa’s tear-swollen face, Lu had been deeply worried. Naosa had handed Lu two tickets for the recital—one for her, one for Kacy.
“I’ve discussed this with Alex many times before,” Naosa had explained quietly. “He needs to remember on his own this time. If he calls you, please pretend you don’t know where I am.”
Then she had boarded the plane for France.
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The next day, Naosa arrived to find Naoaki waiting for her at the airport. Seeing his daughter’s exhausted, grief-stricken face, he asked no questions.
“Welcome home,” he said gently.
Naosa broke down completely in front of her father. They spent the long drive home in comfortable silence, the familiar French countryside and the small town where her mother had been born slowly beginning to heal something in her wounded heart.
Rehearsals with the orchestra would begin the next day. I have to regain my strength, she told herself.
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Early the next morning, Naosa left the house with her mind reset, heading to the rehearsal venue. The concertmaster, Adrien Montclair, greeted her with the bearing of a true musician—beautiful posture and an elegant demeanor as he gently escorted her in.
“Madame De Valois, it is an honor to have you with us,” he said warmly.
Naosa steeled herself. I must concentrate on this. I must focus.
Adrien gestured toward a distinguished older gentleman. “Maestro Rousseau is ready for rehearsal.”
Étienne Rousseau was a world-renowned conductor who had chosen this concert as his farewell performance. He had passionately desired to perform with Séraphine De Valois one final time.
Maestro Rousseau approached with a gentle, genuine smile. “Queen Séraphine, it is truly an honor to meet you. I have heard of your gifts from other De Valois musicians. After hearing you years ago, I knew I had to collaborate with you before I retired. Please forgive an old man’s final indulgence.”
He seemed genuinely moved.
Naosa bowed gracefully. “I’m sorry I can only join for two weeks of preparation. For such an important concert, I know it isn’t ideal. But I will play with all my heart alongside everyone in the orchestra. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity.”
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From that moment on, every day was dedicated to music. Adrien proved a brilliant musician, and he quickly found perfect harmony with Naosa’s playing. The orchestra united to create a sound both magnificent and soaring, filling the rehearsal hall.
Adrien was deeply impressed by Séraphine’s remarkable skill and artistry. Their musical bond deepened with each passing day.
Through the music, Naosa’s heart began to heal. She regained her confidence, feeling vibrant and alive again. Perhaps I had lost myself completely, she realized. I must reclaim who I am if I’m going to protect my children.
The thought filled her with new resolve.
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The next day, Lu and Kacy came to check on the children, worried about how Alex was managing. The house was in complete chaos after a single day without Naosa.
As they tidied the mess, they listened grimly to Alex’s account of what had happened.
Alex told them everything honestly, holding nothing back. But when he finished, Kacy’s response was ice-cold.
“You blamed Nao instead of the child who secretly took something precious and caused all this pain. It’s hopeless, Alex. I thought you’d make Nao happy, but I was completely wrong. You’ve only made yourself happy.”
Even Lu, usually more diplomatic, was sharp. “Alex, you know Nao’s personality better than anyone. But the time for talking is over. She must have asked you for help many times, and you noticed nothing. Nothing at all.”
Alex was filled with crushing regret and mounting fear. “Please don’t say that. It’s all a terrible misunderstanding. I was upset too—you have to understand. I was so terrified of losing her that I lashed out. I love her more than my own life. I can’t exist without her.”
He pleaded desperately, but their reply was brutally direct: “There’s no point telling us any of this.”
Lu and Kacy cleaned the house thoroughly, prepared several meals, and made sure the children were cared for before leaving. Alex called repeatedly to check if Naosa had come to their house, but they insisted she hadn’t—even telling him to come see for himself if he doubted their word.
Travis and Tracy sensed that something was terribly wrong and stopped asking about their mother. Travis held Aaron’s hand tightly, comforting his little brother when he cried for Mama.
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From the next day forward, life became a daily struggle Alex was utterly unprepared for.
Morning meals, getting the children dressed, managing their constant needs—Alex was overwhelmed. Tracy cried with her hair in tangles, unable to decide what to wear. Travis tried to help Aaron while simultaneously dealing with his little brother spilling juice all over his freshly changed clothes.
The kitchen Lu and Kacy had left spotless was a disaster zone within hours.
When the nanny finally arrived, Alex could leave Aaron in her capable hands and get Travis and Tracy into the car. He was already exhausted, and the day had barely begun.
After dropping the twins at school and hauling himself to the office, Alex found he couldn’t concentrate on anything. His mind kept drifting to what lay ahead—more of the same chaos, more reminders of how essential Naosa was to every aspect of their lives.
Later, after pick-up, he tried to tackle work he’d brought home. But Naosa’s gentle smile kept flashing through his mind, along with her voice: Don’t overdo it, okay? She would always say that, placing a warm drink beside him with such loving care.
Please, Nao. Don’t disappear from my life.
He touched his wedding ring with trembling fingers, thinking of her.
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The days blurred together in exhausted chaos. At pick-up one afternoon, Marianne approached with concern.
“Is Nao feeling alright? Is she unwell?”
Alex tried to brush it off, but Travis said sadly, “Mommy’s gone.”
“She’ll be back soon,” Alex added quickly, but Marianne remembered the day Naosa had jumped into the river, and her worry deepened.
“If there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask,” she offered gently.
Alex thanked her quietly, touched by her kindness.
Lila showed Alex the necklace she was wearing—a simple plastic flower pendant, clearly a child’s accessory but worn with obvious pride.
“My daddy in heaven gave this to me for my birthday last year,” she said solemnly. “I promised I’d treasure it forever, even when I’m all grown up.”
Alex knelt to her level, his voice gentle. “It’s beautiful, Lila. It’s your special treasure. Take very good care of it, so you never forget your precious memories with your daddy.”
As the words left his mouth, realization hit like a physical blow.
The reason Naosa jumped into that freezing river—she was searching for the first gift I ever gave her. The earrings I bought on the day we finally became a couple. The day that changed everything between us.
I’m such a fool.
The truth of his blindness crashed over him. Nao… I need to see you. I need to tell you I remember.
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As Alex was telling the children it was time to go home, Tiffany and Bianca approached.
“Tracy mentioned that Nao isn’t home right now,” Tiffany said with false concern. “Is there anything I can help with? Tracy’s hair is such a mess, and Travis’s clothes are dirty. Why don’t I come over and make dinner for everyone?”
Alex politely but firmly declined. Unlike before, Tracy seemed dejected and showed no interest in being with Bianca.
Tiffany persisted. “Tracy doesn’t seem well. Maybe playing with Bianca at home would cheer her up?”
“The house is a complete disaster,” Alex said firmly. “I don’t want visitors today.” He gathered his children and left, ignoring Tiffany’s protests.
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Upon arriving home, Alex asked the nanny to watch the children for a while, then retreated to his bedroom, overwhelmed by depression and regret.
He thought about how Naosa hadn’t truly smiled in weeks before she left. His heart felt like it was shattering.
Tears streamed down his face as remorse consumed him. I want to see Nao. I want to apologize properly. Will she ever be able to forgive me? I miss her desperately. Where are you, my love?
──────────
Tiffany hadn’t given up. She came to Alex’s house anyway and rang the doorbell. When the nanny answered and confirmed she knew Tracy, Tiffany was allowed inside.
The moment the door opened, Bianca rushed past the nanny into the house. Tiffany followed, exclaiming, “Oh my goodness, this house is such a mess! We simply must clean up!” and began making herself at home.
Travis protested, telling them to leave, but Tiffany waved him off. “Don’t interfere with the cleaning, children. Stay in the music room until we’re finished.”
Bianca was immediately captivated by Séraphine’s piano—an instrument far grander than anything she’d ever seen. She lifted the lid and pressed the keys experimentally, but no sound emerged.
“Hey, is this thing broken?” she asked loudly.
Tracy and Travis exchanged glances—they had heard their mother play this piano every single day of their lives.
All the children tried touching the keys, but the piano remained completely silent.
Bianca grew frustrated. “It’s definitely broken if it won’t make any sound even when I hit it this hard! You’ve been lying about your mom playing piano!” She began banging on the keys.
Suddenly, with a thunderous crash, the heavy piano lid slammed shut by itself.
Bianca screamed in terror, barely pulling her hands away in time. She began crying hysterically with fear.
Hearing the commotion, the nanny and Tiffany rushed into the music room. Alex followed immediately behind them.
“Didn’t I specifically ask you not to come here today?” Alex said to Tiffany, his voice dangerously cold.
“I’m sorry, I was just worried about the children,” Tiffany replied defensively. “Your house is such a mess, and you need dinner prepared, don’t you?”
“This is my wife’s house,” Alex said with quiet intensity. “No one enters without my wife’s permission. Please leave immediately.”
He asked the nanny to escort Tiffany and Bianca out. As they left, Bianca was still trembling and shouting, “That piano is haunted! It’s evil!”
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After they were gone, Alex sat powerlessly before the silent piano, tears streaming down his face.
Nao would never abandon this piano and go somewhere else…
And then, finally, it hit him with perfect clarity.
Nao must be in France.
He stood with sudden determination and called to the children: “I’m going to bring Mommy home.”
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