Broken Melody to Rising Star

From the back cover

Aria Miller was a pop diva until she caught influenza A while bringing medicine to Owen James abroad, and the illness permanently damaged her vocal cords. She left the stage, but Owen stood by her, defending her from the public's cruelty and writing a song as a confession of his love. When she finally gathers the courage to play it, she hears a woman's soft moan in the backing track.

At Owen's studio, a 23-minute unedited recording confirms her worst fears: the voice belongs to Tessa Carvert, the protégé Aria mentored and brought into the industry. Owen calls it art, and Aria will understand. Onstage at rehearsal, their chemistry is undeniable. When reporters ask if she is jealous, Owen pulls her close and says he only belongs to Aria. That night, Aria contacts producer Kaia Smith to release a farewell song on New Year's Day.

In the studio, her throat betrays her. A paparazzo named Theo Knox silently watches her cry. When Owen arrives and later kneels, begging her not to leave, Aria reaches for him, then sees the bruises on his knees. She grabs his phone and sends a message to Tessa.