Chapter 130

Nora POV

I sang the final verse with everything I had. Every ounce of pain and triumph and refusal to disappear.

So tell them I’m over

Tell them I’m done

Tell them Nova Black died

When she chose to run

But I’ll still be here

Making my art

A mother, a fighter

A flame in the dark

They thought I was ruined

They thought I was through

They forgot one small detail

One thing they never knew

I let the final chord ring out, then delivered the last line a cappella, my voice raw and true:

They thought I was ruined. They forgot—I am the flame.

The crowd erupted. Standing ovation. Phones capturing every moment. But this time, I didn’t care who was recording or what they’d say tomorrow.

I’d said my truth. Sung my story. Claimed my life.

I walked off stage to Kai and Elena. Our daughter was awake now, looking at me with those dark eyes that saw everything.

“Mama,” Kai whispered