THIRD PERSON’S POV
Ashley stood frozen on the stage. Her small body was stiff as the final notes of the piano rang out too loudly. Her chest hitched as she tried to breathe through the lump in her throat. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she cried.
From her seat in the back corner, Sophia watched with wide, helpless eyes. Her heart felt like it had been ripped open.
That was her daughter up there. Ashley was up there alone, exposed and humiliated. Sophia’s wolf whimpered inside her. Her instincts screamed to stand and to pull Ashley away from the stage.
But Sophia stayed seated.
People clapped but the sound was soft. The applause wasn’t proud. It was the kind of applause people gave when they didn’t know what else to do.
Ashley flinched at the sound.
Ms. Henderson, As
