Chapter 67: The Backfire

Isobel had no choice but to step onto the stage. With dozens of expectant eyes fixed on her, she accepted the microphone the host offered and forced a polite smile.

It was this exact scene that greeted Morgan when he returned to his seat.

His lips curved into a knowing smirk.

"They’re in for a surprise. They picked out the wrong volunteer.

For their second number, Martin and Charlotte had chosen one of the most popular love songs of the year. It was a crowd favorite—catchy, romantic, and familiar to almost everyone.

What many failed to realize, however, was that the song wasn’t as easy as it sounded. Several parts demanded impressive vocal control, and some of the high notes were difficult even for casual singers to reach.

What Martin and Charlotte didn’t know was that Isobel was far from an amateur.

At Saint Marianne Orphanage, singing had always been a part of her life. She had sung countless lullabies to soothe frightened children at night and performed cheerful songs to entertain them during the day. During birthdays, Christmas celebrations, and other special occasions, they had put up talent shows and performances, learning dances and songs to bring smiles to the little orphans’ faces.

Standing on a stage and performing was nothing new to her.

As the music began, Martin and Charlotte took the lead, their voices blending smoothly with the melody.

Isobel remained silent for the first verse, standing between them with quiet confidence. There wasn’t a trace of awkwardness in her posture. She stood gracefully beneath the spotlight, her expression calm and composed, as though she belonged there just as much as they did.

The audience assumed she was merely a reluctant participant.

Martin stood in between them. Charlotte was to his left while she stood on the right. The two exchanged smiles as they continued singing, completely unaware of the surprise awaiting them.

Then the moment arrived.

Turning toward Isobel, Martin sang the next few lines directly to her. The tenderness in his voice made the lyrics sound less like part of a performance and more like a heartfelt confession.

His eyes never left hers.

Every word was filled with emotion, and anyone watching would have thought he was singing to the woman he loved.

The audience sighed and smiled, swept up by the chemistry unfolding before them. Martin was indeed a talented singer, putting his soul into his music.

Then, without hesitation, Martin reached for Isobel’s hand.

His fingers wrapped around hers gently as he continued the song, his gaze warm and unwavering. Under the glow of the stage lights, the gesture looked intimate—almost as if he were declaring his feelings in front of everyone present.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Below the stage, Kristoff’s expression darkened. His eyes narrowed as he watched Martin hold Isobel’s hand.

Something about it bothered him.

No, not just bothered him—it irritated him.

Martin hadn’t looked at Charlotte that way during their duet. He hadn’t sung to her with that same intensity or held her gaze as if she were the only person in the room.

But now, every glance, every smile, every word seemed directed solely at Isobel.

Kristoff clenched his jaw.

Perhaps the audience saw nothing more than a convincing performance.

He wasn’t so sure.

As the melody flowed into the next verse, Martin extended a hand toward her and gestured for her to continue.

The audience watched with anticipation. Some expected her to be out of tune. Others expected an embarrassed laugh.

No one expected what would happen next.

...

A beautiful soulful voice filled the hall and the everyone seemed to stop breathing.

Now and forever, I swear I’ll love you,

Now and forever, you’ll never be alone.

Through every storm and every shadow,

I’ll be beside you wherever we may go.

I’ll walk this road with you no matter how far,

Through days of plenty and nights that leave us scarred.

In sickness and in health, through riches or despair,

Just take my hand and know that I’ll be there.

It must be why I came into this world,

To find your heart and make it my home.

So from this moment until forever,

You’ll never have to walk alone.

I love you more than life itself,

More than words could ever say.

And every day my love grows stronger,

Brighter than the light of day.

When it was Martin’s turn to join her, Isobel finished her line and waited for him to come in.

But Martin never sang.

He simply stood there, staring at her.

The lively banquet hall, the music, and the crowd seemed to fade into the background as he gazed at her, completely captivated. Beneath the stage lights, Isobel looked breathtaking, and for a moment, Martin forgot where he was.

The audience began to notice the pause.

Isobel gently tugged on the hand he was still holding.

The small gesture snapped him out of his trance.

A faint flush crept up his neck as he quickly picked up the next line. Together, they sang the chorus, their voices blending seamlessly with one another. The harmony was so perfect that it sounded as though they had practiced the song countless times before.

Every tomorrow shines more than today,

Every today is sweeter than yesterday.

With every heartbeat, with every breath,

I’ll choose to love you beyond life and death.

Even if the sun forgets to rise,

Even if the moon no longer lights the sky,

Even if the world should stop turning one day,

My thoughts of you will never fade away.

And if the stars should fall from heaven,

And time itself comes to an end,

When everything else is gone forever,

My love for you will still remain.

Charlotte’s smile froze.

As Isobel’s voice filled the hall, the confidence Charlotte had worn throughout the performance began to crack. Her fingers curled into tight fists at her sides, her nails digging painfully into her palms.

She barely felt it.

For a moment, she forgot her next line entirely. The audience’s attention had shifted. No longer were they watching her and Martin.

They were watching Isobel.

Charlotte’s chest tightened.

It was her idea to bring Isobel onto the stage. She wanted to put her on the spot, to make her uncomfortable in front of everyone. She expected Isobel to stammer through the lyrics, miss the high notes, and embarrass herself.

Instead, the opposite had happened.

Not only could Isobel sing, but her voice was clear, expressive, and effortlessly beautiful. The difficult notes that Charlotte had struggled to master seemed to come naturally to her.

Every round of applause felt like a blow.

Every impressed stare directed at Isobel felt like another crack in Charlotte’s pride.

And the worst part? Martin looked completely captivated.

The admiration in his eyes was impossible to miss.

Charlotte’s jaw tightened.

What was supposed to be Isobel’s humiliation had become hers.

It felt like a resounding slap across the face.