Chapter 7: The Fading Echo

Anna was standing behind the curtains, her heart racing with the familiar mix of nerves and excitement. The murmur of the crowd reached her ears, a reminder of the countless faces waiting on the other side. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and clutched the microphone like a lifeline.

The stage was her home, the one place where she felt truly alive, but now it was also a reminder of what she was about to lose. Her voice,...