Wave to the Sky (Omegaverse)

Chapter 21: Echoes of Change

As I returned the music box to its place on the side table, the memories flooding back, I realized how long it had been since I truly felt at home in this house. It wasn't just the discord with certain individuals that kept me away, but the painful reminders of happier times shared with my mom. This house held the echoes of our secret world, where cherished memories were born and nurtured.

The piano room, once a sanctuary of shared joy and music, had become a chamber of sorrow since Mom's passing. Even after Jun and I had made plans to transform it into a nursery for our child, the room remained a painful reminder of what could have been.

But today, something urged me to confront those painful memories head-on. With a deep breath, I turned the doorknob and stepped inside. Pastel blue walls greeted me, a color Jun had chosen with care. The baby crib stood in the center of the room, surrounded by toys and the familiar melody of "Brother John" playing softly from a music box.

Approaching the neglected piano, I hesitated before lifting the cover to reveal the ivory keys. Running my fingers over them, I felt a rush of nostalgia and sadness wash over me. Tentatively, I began to play, the familiar melody filling the room with a bittersweet resonance.

My daydream was interrupted by the unexpected sound of keys being pressed beside me. Turning, I found Cassandra standing there, a soft smile on her lips.

"Fancy seeing you here, Caelus," she remarked.

"It's still my home, after all," I replied, surprised by her presence.

"It's been a while since you've visited, let alone ventured into this room."

"I just felt drawn to it today."

"And how did it make you feel?"

"Sad," I admitted. "This room holds so much pain, reminding me of all I've lost."

"But it's not just pain, Caelus," Cassandra countered gently. "It's also a place of cherished memories, of moments shared with Mom and Jun. Yes, it hurts to remember, but amidst the sorrow, there's also joy."

"Do you think I'm a bad person?" I blurted out, the weight of my insecurities pressing down on me.

"Of course not," she replied without hesitation. "Why would you think that?"

"It feels like I'm cursed, destined to be alone," I confessed, my gaze drifting around the room. "Jun wanted me to find happiness, but I'm afraid. Every time I feel happy, it's like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't want to be consumed by misery again."

Cassandra's hand found its way to my shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze.

"You just need to give your heart a break," Cassandra advised, her voice filled with empathy. "Time heals everything."

Her words resonated with me, though the question of how much time I needed to heal lingered heavily in my mind. I longed to escape the endless cycle of counting the days since their absence.

"Anyway, surely you didn't come home just to revisit this room, did you?" Cassandra inquired, sensing there was more to my visit.

"Not entirely," I confessed. "I have an important announcement to make."

"Is it about the company?" she guessed, her brow furrowing with concern.

"Yes," I confirmed, steeling myself for her reaction. "I've made the decision to step down from my position."

"What?!" Cassandra exclaimed, clearly taken aback. "Why would you do that? You've poured your heart and soul into building SkyHaven into what it is today. What could have prompted such a drastic move?"