He Had $17, One Broken Guitar, and Nowhere to Sleep — Then America’s Biggest Band Called His Name
CHAPTER 8
Ethan became America’s newest superstar.
But success began changing him.
He bought the house.
The car.
The expensive clothes.
Everything he once dreamed about.
Yet every night, he returned to an enormous house that felt empty.
Maya noticed.
“You’ve changed.”
Ethan looked at her.
“How?”
“You don’t play anymore.”
“I play every night.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
She pointed at his guitar.
“You used to play because you had something to say.”
“And now?”
“Now you play because people expect you to.”
He looked away.
She was right.
The band announced a new album.
Victor wanted twelve songs.
Ethan had written seventeen.
Victor rejected nine.
“Too personal.”
Ethan frowned.
“They’re my songs.”
“Exactly.”
One night, Ethan exploded.
“I’m not your employee.”
Victor smiled.
“No.”
He leaned closer.
“You’re my investment.”
Ethan walked away.
Outside, Maya waited.
“You heard?”
“Everyone heard.”
He looked exhausted.
“I don’t know who I am anymore.”
She hugged him.
For a moment, Ethan allowed himself to disappear into her arms.
Then cameras flashed.
Someone had photographed them.
The next morning, Victor showed Ethan the picture.
“She’ll destroy you.”
Ethan frowned.
“What?”
“She’s been selling stories about you.”
Ethan froze.
“That’s impossible.”
Victor placed several photographs on the table.
Messages.
Bank transfers.
A contract.
Everything appeared to prove Maya had been selling information.
Ethan believed it.
He confronted her.
She cried.
“I never betrayed you.”
But Ethan was already too angry to listen.
He walked away.
And Victor smiled.
Because the most important person in Ethan’s life had just been removed from the picture.
