Mystery Bride's Revenge

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"My bad, I thought you were up for it. If you don't wanna come up, cool. But why the attitude? You scared of the spotlight or something Jennifer's voice was tinged with fake huurt, loud enough for those nearby to catch

Some in the crowd started murmuring. That girl's got spunk, but dodging the stage? Is she chickening out against Jennifer?"

"Let's be real, Jennifer can jan on that violin Sharing the stage and flopping next to her would be mortifying"

"Shush, keep it down, will ya? That's Nora at the table, from the big-deal Brady family. You wanna get on their bad side?"

Jennifer caught these whispers, shooting Selina a self-satisfied look. She figured her challenge would comer Selina into a no-win scenario. If Selina stayed seated, it'd look bad for her and Trevon. She imagined the gossip would hat the trend-Mr. Brady's lady couldn't even muster the guts to show up onstage! Jennifer was convinced this was her moment to outshine Selina and snag Trevon for herself.

Nora was fuming, her hands balled into fists, Jennifer was clearly baiting Selina, trying to stir the pot even knowing Selina was Trevon's wife,

Meanwhile, Jennifer brushed off Nora, her eyes fixated on showing she was the better catch for Trevor

Evan crept up, trying not to make a sound, cursing Jennifer's recklessness in his head. He regretted inviting her big time, knowing now she was a walking drama bomb,

"I'm not hitting that stage because look. I'm a customer. I'm here to chill, enjoy the tunes, and have a good time. And you? You're here to play! Selina Eid it on smooth. "Maybe I'll join you on stage if I feel like it. But if I say no, and you still ass me like I'm scared? Jennifer, just makes me wonder, what kind of family raises somebody who doesn't get the whole professional artist gig?"

Despite Selina's put-downs, Jennifer kept up her confident smile, her red lips hunting a smirk as if she had an ace up her sleeve. "So, you're chickening oon of performing with me, huh? No biggie" She didn't care what Selina said-Selina's backing down said it all. And Jennifer got whit she came for In Jennifer's mind, if Trevon ever showed off Selina as his Mrs. in public, folks would remember this-Selina was too petrified to risk looking silly next to Jenniler, too spooked to step on stage. With pride like a pracock who just won a prize. Jennifer sashayed back to the stage.

Evan hustled over, a nervous wreck. "Im so sorry, ladies, this wasn't what

"Let's roll, Nora. Nora was over it, already mentally trashing the place, purse in hand.

"Hold up, Selina piped up, stopping Nora Turning to Evan, she said, "If you're expecting me to chill things out here, I've got a condition. It's all on you now-let's see if you can play nice.

Evan's jaw dropped at Selina's condition. "Really, you sure?"

"If that's a no

's a no-go, we're out. And if Trevon gets wind we had a bad time, kiss this cafe goodbye by tomorrow.

"I'm on it!" No way Evan would argue-not with Trevon's reputation on the line. He had to pull off the impossible,

Evan took off and Nora leaned in, "For real. Selina!!

"Yeah, for real. I'm about to school someone on what real talent looks like. Selina replied lightly.

Jennifer owned the stage with her violin, her red dress making her shine. She took a proud bow and walked off, thrilled more about knocking Selina down a peg than her own show. She criticized in her mind, Selina, Mrs. Brady? As ir

Then Evan grabbed the mic, saying, "Folks, after chatting it up with Ms. Harvey. I'm proud to say she's agreed to make a vlog for our anniversary: Stay tuned

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went quiet. Nobody saw it coming.

Jennifer whipped around and there was Selina, violin in hand, hitting the stage. Her laid-back outfit didn't match the violin's vibe or anything, but her head-turning beauty, and the way she slung that violin, eyes down, glowing... It was like a spotlight zeroed in on her, lighting her up.

Everyone was on edge. She wasn't just easy on the eyes. She had this cool, regal air about her that said she was in a league of her own.

And then she started playing "Violin Concerto in D major-the same piece Jennifer just did! They guessed that was Selina's clapback to Jennifer's lile jab.

Jennifer caught onto this, 100. She never thought Selina would actually fire back, especially not with a violin. But Jennifer had been living and breathing violin since she was seven, ackling up to a solid fifteen years, with a lineup of master teachers behind her. That kind of muscle, that legacy, won her the Most Promising Newcomer right out of the gate. She just knew she wasn't going to be second fiddle to someone like Selinal "You think you're gonna outplay me, Selina? As if. You're about to make a fool outta yourself, crash and burn! But then Selina hit her stride, and Jennifer's smug smile crumbled.

The tune Selina played soared, making magic through the room. To someone who didn't know better, it might seem Selina and Jennifer were both rocking it. But this crowd knew their stuff. They could hear who was nailing it-and Selina's got the edge, no question. Jennifer turned ghost white. "How is this happening. She was hearing it loud and clear-Selina's violin had a magnetism that Jennifer couldn't

touch. Everybody was hooked, reeled in by the music, entranced!

As Selina wrapped up, she rolled right into "Violin Concerto No. 2" and the "Devil's Trill Sonata," all of Jennifer's performance lists. No debate about it-Selina's versions were knockout

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