Ste felt her cheeks burn with shame at Mr. Walden''s words.


    There was nothing she could say to defend herself.


    She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "You''re right... All of this is my fault. I gave up too easily, and only then did I realize how wrong I was. Mr. Walden, I promise you-I won''t walk away so lightly ever again. Please... would you consider giving me another chance?"


    Mr. Walden''s expression was unreadable, his tone measured. "Ms. Cameron, I already gave you that chance. You''re the one who let it slip through your fingers. This isn''t the kind of ce where you can juste and go as you please-show up when you feel like it, and turn your back when you don''t."


    He paused, and Ste''s heart clenched. "You gave me a chance?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. "When was that?"


    Mr. Walden looked at her with piercing eyes. "Not long ago. I saw something special in you, so I reached out and asked to meet."


    He nced at Haynes, who stood awkwardly nearby.


    "Your husband met with me in your ce. He told me you were too busy with the O''Briens, and turned down my invitation."


    Ste whipped around to face Haynes, disbelief flickering in her eyes. "You met with Mr. Walden for me?"


    Haynes'' gaze darted away, unable to meet hers.


    She didn''t need a confession. Haynes had turned Mr. Walden down on her behalf -without ever telling her.


    But now was not the time to argue. She forced herself to swallow her anger and turned back to Mr. Walden. "I''m so sorry. I had no idea. If you''d only—"


    Mr. Walden raised a hand, silencing her. "I''m old, Ms. Cameron. I don''t have the energy I once did. Long ago, I decided I would take on just onest student."


    His stern demeanor softened as he nced at Rachel, standing quietly by his side. "Rachel here is my final protégée."


    Rachel offered a gentle smile. "Thank you, sir."


    Mr. Walden nodded, pride and affection in his eyes. "Rachel may not have your natural talent, but she loves music with all her heart. She''s never stopped working, never let her illness win. Over the years, I''ve chosen many students with remarkable gifts-but what good is talent without dedication?"


    He let his words settle in the room. "I''ll admit, I''ve made mistakes. I once turned away some students whocked raw talent but worked harder than anyone. Now, they''re thriving in their fields-sessful, fulfilled. And those I chose for their genius? Most walked away, distracted by marriage or convinced they were too gifted to need real effort. The moment they failed, they gave up, and in the end, amounted to nothing."


    He drew in a slow breath. "That''s why, with myst student, I decided to do things differently."


    The sharpness in his gaze faded, reced by a gentle kindness.


    Ste opened her mouth, desperate to plead her case, but the words caught in


    her throat. She understood, painfully, that some opportunities onlye once. If you miss them, they''re gone.


    Perhaps yesterday, Mr. Walden had been open to taking on one more exceptional student. Today, something had changed his mind. And now, hisst student had already been chosen.


    The hope in Ste''s eyes slowly faded.


    Just then, Noah, who''d been silent until now, spoke up. "Mr. Walden, Ms. Cameron truly didn''t know about your invitation. If she had, she never would have turned you down."


    Mr. Walden seemed to understand now how things had unfolded. He offered a gentle, regretful smile. "I''m sorry, but I won''t be epting any more students."


    Noah persisted, his voice earnest. "Ms. Cameron''s talent is rare, and


    her love for music hasn''t faded.


    Even if you can''t take her on aset


    student-perhaps you could offer her some guidance, help a lost soul find her way again?"