Chapter 102 Chapter 102

Chapter 102 Chapter 102
She smiled faintly. "I should be the one asking you. Do you think I would agree? You two are already siblings; how could I ever accept this?"

Vince did not argue with standard logic; he used a fragment of an old memory to touch her soul. His voice lowered, echoing with iron-clad conviction. "Grandmother, even though I hated playing the violin as a child, one event left a profound impression on me. I still remember the teacher who taught me the violin. That day, he was scheduled to perform a very important concert, but the thing was, right before he went on stage, he realized his world-famous violin had been swapped. When he opened the case, inside was just an ordinary violin."

His grandmother nodded; the memory remained intact. "I remember that. That day, I forced you to go to the concert. Before the performance, we went backstage, and that was when I saw it happen."

"At the time, I thought he must have lost all his dignity. But he walked out onto the stage and finished his performance," Vince continued.

"That is right, using a very mediocre violin to perform at a major concert," she admitted.

Vince continued. "He told me something that I still remember to this day. He said that holding a world-famous instrument or an ordinary one meant nothing. To him, that was not what was important. What was important was the music that already existed within his heart."

His grandmother looked at Vince. "Why are you telling me this?"

Vince’s eyes glowed with a pure conviction. "Just like that violin, an inexperienced person would care about whether he held a world-famous instrument or a mediocre one. Similarly, what is my relationship with Serenity? Whether it is love or something like siblings, to me, it does not matter. Because I do not care how others look at me, the important thing is that Serenity already exists within my heart."

Back to the reality in the hospital room, the grandmother looked at Mr. Caleb and Mrs. Briona, who were so moved they couldn’t utter a word. She sighed, a sigh that shed every burden. "Those were the words Vince said to me. Because of those words, I do not have the heart to tear them apart. Caleb, although I do not like your arrangements, I think you have done the right thing. Do whatever you wish."

Mr. Caleb burst into happiness. He took his mother’s hand, his voice choking up. "Thank you, Mother."

Mrs. Briona was also choked with emotion as she looked at the powerful woman who had just bestowed a miracle. "Thank you, Mother, for accepting them."

The final door of prejudice had been opened. Vince and Serenity’s love was no longer a sinful secret but a brilliant concerto performed by brave hearts.
\---
Late that evening, Mr. Caleb and Mrs. Briona supported each other as they walked into the house following his discharge from the hospital. The heavy silence of the home made Mr. Caleb pause in confusion.

"We’re home. Vince, Serenity, come down for dinner. Where are those two? Have they not returned yet?"

He climbed the stairs and nudged Vince’s door open. A contented smile spread across the father’s face. On the wide bed, Vince was fast asleep after days of relentless tension. Right beside him, curled up on the small sofa, Serenity was also lost in slumber, her hair falling softly over her delicate features. The scene was unexpectedly peaceful, as if every storm raging outside had been barred at the door. Mr. Caleb quietly closed the door, unwilling to break the children’s beautiful dream.

The next morning, Serenity woke early to prepare for an important presentation. As she stepped downstairs, she found Mr. Caleb already busy in the kitchen. "Good morning, Uncle."

"Morning, dear. I’m almost finished here. Go up and wake Vince for breakfast so you both can get to school," Mr. Caleb said, flipping a batch of eggs.

"Yes, I’ll be right back to help you."

But before Serenity could take a step, Vince appeared before her out of nowhere. She started. "You’re awake?"

Vince took one look at her formal attire and guessed immediately. "Heading to school early this morning, right?"

"How did you know?"

"It’s not exactly a mystery. Just look at that worried face of yours."

Serenity glanced toward the kitchen, looking hesitant. "I’m sorry, I don't think I can have breakfast with you and Uncle. I have to get to school now to set up for my presentation."

Vince nodded, nudging her shoulder toward the door. "It’s fine. Go on."

"Tell Uncle for me and give him my apologies, okay?"

"I've got it. Just go. If you stand here any longer and end up late, I’m not taking responsibility for your degree."

Serenity let out a laugh, the weight in her chest vanishing at Vince’s typical prodding. She turned and hurried out of the house.

At the school gates, Tony and Adele walked side by side. Though a lingering awkwardness remained from the previous night at Tony’s house, his gentle attentiveness had helped Adele regain her composure. That peace, however, was shattered by a sharp, commanding voice. "Adele."

The color drained from Adele’s face as she saw her father standing there, his expression smoldering with rage. She stammered, "Father."

"Come home with me, now." He stepped forward and seized her wrist.

"Father, I have a class this morning."

He lowered his voice, his eyes cutting like glass. "There is no more school. I’ve already filed the paperwork for your withdrawal."

"Withdrawal?" Tony stepped forward in shock, looking at Adele. "Why do you have to quit school?"

Adele looked at her boyfriend, faltering. "I... I don’t want to... It’s my father."

"Adele, let’s go." Her father pulled her sharply, but Tony bravely stepped up to block their path.
"Sir, this is the first time we’ve met. It’s a pleasure. I’m Tony, Adele’s boyfriend."

The middle-aged man looked at Tony with pure disdain. "You didn't come home last night because you were busy sleeping with this brat, weren't you?"

"I... I..." Adele’s hesitation only fueled his fury. He raised his hand to strike her, but Tony quickly caught his wrist.

"Sir, I can understand why you’re upset. But before you lose your temper, please listen to us explain."

"I don't need to." He shoved Tony’s hand away. "Adele, you know my nature. Will you leave this place quietly of your own accord, or do you want to make things worse for both of you? Think carefully."