Since Aria had replaced all her old equipment, she was confident this time.
The thief wouldn’t get her music again.
With Evelyn by her side in the studio, she poured her heart into a brand-new song for the upcoming competition.
Evelyn sat curled on the sofa, red headphones covering her ears, her eyes glued to Aria as every note rolled out of her mouth.
The competition was only a week away , it was the biggest music competition in Velmora, where record labels searched for their next stars.
Winning it would launch her career into a whole new league.
And Aria was ready, just as she had been in the past.
“I stand tall, I shine bright,
Fear won’t steal my light tonight.
Every step, I own the ground,
Confidence is what I’ve found…”
Clap!
Clap!
Evelyn jumped to her feet, clapping so hard till her palms turned red.
It was worth it.
Aria was truly a star, she was seeing the birth of a new icon.
Something about Aria’s voice intoxicated her.
“Hurray!
Woohoo!” she cheered, her smile wide with pride.
Aria grinned back.
Evelyn had been her number one fan from the beginning.
Unlike Sharon, her best friend, she hadn’t known her since childhood, but Evelyn had proven trustworthy.
She cheered Aria when she was down and supported her even in her worst moments.
“What do you think?” Aria asked, setting the mic aside.
“Beautiful,” Evelyn said, her eyes shining.
“You’re truly gifted, Miss Aria.
Not only do you have the most beautiful voice, you’re also a brilliant songwriter.”
“I’m telling you, even if you decide not to sing anymore, you can write good songs for huge amount of money.”
Aria laughed softly.
“Stop flattering me, Evelyn.”
But then her smile faded.
“This time, that plagiarist won’t be able to steal from me,” she muttered calmly.
Evelyn tilted her head.
“Are you really serious about her stealing your music?”
Aria nodded firmly.
The thief hadn’t stopped in the past, and Caspian had done nothing about it.
He had rather asked her to step aside for the woman to shine.
He made everyone online call Aria old, even though she had only been 28 back then.
Most people get to their breakthrough years at even 35 so why was hers different?
And when she was 36, they finally made her retire.
“But how is that even possible?” Evelyn whispered, more to herself than to Aria.
Then she forced a smile.
“Maybe it was just coincidence.
One song doesn’t make her a plagiarist.
I’ve seen artists release similar tracks before.
Let’s see if she does it again.”
If only she knew.
Aria had lived this life once already.
She knew what was coming.
The woman’s face remained hidden, her methods a mystery, but she always found a way.
“Hm.” Was all Aria could manage.
She had emptied her studio, changed every piece of equipment, and recorded under tighter security.
There was no way the thief could steal from her again.
“I’ll keep an eye on her too,” came Evelyn’s words.
“We’ll know soon enough if she’s really after your songs.”
“Even if her true identity is hidden from the world, it cannot be hidden from her label mates.”
“There’s no need.
She won’t get another chance,” Aria replied with more confidence than she truly felt.
Evelyn glanced at her cellphone.
“Oh… there’s a message from silver Crown’s gc.
They’re talking about the new artist just dropping a new song.
Mr.
Graves is already pushing her toward an ep release?” Evelyn said with a frown.
“She hasn’t even debuted yet, how is she getting such big opportunities before you?” she muttered.
Aria’s chest tightened.
She was a little jealous.
Evelyn was right, she should have released her debut album by now, but she had been too focused on being Caspian’s wife back then.
After her marriage, she had forced Caspian to make her popular, and he did.
But after a while, he started pushing Leah too.
He picked Leah over her.
She quickly took her phone.
“Let me hear it,” she said curiously, wanting to see if the girl could sing without stealing from her.
And as she pressed play…
The girl’s voice flowed through the speakers.
“This song is really special to me.
For days, I’ve seen all your love and hate messages online, and I just want to say…
I love you all.”
Then came the melody.
The beat sounded familiar.
It was the very song Aria had sang just moments ago.
“I walk in the room,” she started singing.
Head held high,
No more shadows, I touch the sky.
Every scar just makes me strong,
This is my place, I belong…
Aria’s stomach dropped.
It was her song.
The girl sang the exact words Aria had just finished recording minutes ago.
(Chorus)
I stand tall, I shine bright,
Fear won’t steal my light tonight.
Every step, I own the ground,
Confidence is what I’ve found…
Evelyn froze, her jaw falling open.
“Miss Aria… why does it sound like you?
Why does her voice sound so much like yours?
And why is she singing your song?”
Aria swallowed hard, shaking her head.
“That’s not me, Evelyn.
That’s her.
She’s stolen my song again.”
Evelyn pressed both hands to her head, stunned.
“But how?
You locked the doors, you changed everything, how is she this fast?”
Even Aria had no answer.
The live stream was filled with praises and congratulations as the faceless new artist was crowned the rising star of Velmora.
Fans compared her voice to Aria’s, saying she was better, brighter, stronger.
A few loyal ones defended Aria, but their voices drowned in the sea of applause.
Evelyn began pacing around the room.
“This isn’t normal.
There must be a hidden camera somewhere, or something.
But even then, how is she releasing your songs the exact same moment you record them?”
Aria said nothing.
Her mind spun in circles, confusion pressing down on her.
Finally, Evelyn stopped pacing.
“Miss Aria, maybe it’s another coincidence.
Why don’t you try recording something else right now?
If she releases that too, then we’ll know for sure.”
Aria reached for the mic, determined to prove it.
But just as she lifted it to her lips, a sharp knock echoed against the studio door.
Evelyn went to check.
And when she opened it, there stood Caspian Graves.
His eyes landed on his running wife, a frown on his face.
“When did you plan on arriving in your husband’s house Aria.” Aria turned to look at him.