Chapter 254 Private Rehearsal🥵💦 1The First Spark

• The rehearsal hall felt alive that afternoon. The air was thick with the smell of old wood and fresh rosin. Bows scraped across strings, and the orchestra pushed through the stormy opening of Mahler's symphony. Sofia gripped her violin tight, her heart racing as she poured everything into the music. Her fingers moved fast, almost too fast, and sweat made her black dress stick to her back.
• Suddenly, Viktor's baton cut through the air. "Stop! Everyone, stop right now."
• The music died instantly. Sofia's chest rose and fell quickly. She looked up and met his eyes. Viktor Lang stood on the podium, tall and serious, his gray eyes locked on her. At forty-two, he had that commanding presence that made everyone sit up straighter. His dark hair showed a bit of silver, and his wedding ring caught the light as he pointed his baton straight at her.