- 8.
The next morning, John and I officially
divorced.
By afternoon, their belongings were gone.
They moved into his parents‘ cramped,
dilapidated apartment on the top floor of an
old building–sweltering in the summer,
freezing in the winter, and leaky when it
rained.
Lily hated it, but the fantasy of a “happy life”
with her father sustained her.
<
And me? My new life was beginning.
I rented out the old house and used my
$300,000 settlement to buy a villa in a up-
and–coming neighborhood.
It was a bit isolated, lacking amenities and
good schools. No one wanted to buy there
yet.
A 2,000 square foot villa for a $20,000 down
payment.
But I knew, in just a few months, a major
shopping center, a new subway line, and a
satellite campus of a prestigious elementary
school would be built nearby. Property values
would skyrocket.
く
With that settled, I joined a gym and a spa.
The combined cost was less than a single
month of Lily’s piano lessons.
In my past life, I’d deprived myself for her,
never buying anything for myself over $30.
This time, I would make up for it.
My company, always appreciative of my
abilities, reinstated me to my old position.
Within two months, my salary jumped from
$4,000 to $20,000.
With regular workouts and spa treatments, I
looked and felt ten years younger.
One day, scrolling through social media, I saw
John was remarrying. The bride? His mistress,
Ashley.
Her baby bump was clearly visible in their
wedding photo.
My former mother–in–law bragged about her
soon–to–be grandson.
The timeline was almost identical to my past
life.
I commented, “Congratulations.”
As if glued to her phone, she replied instantly.
“See how easily a real woman gets pregnant?
Unlike you, all you could manage was a
useless girl! That mooch keeps demanding
money for sushi and steak dinners! Come and
get her, I’m not raising her!”
く
I chuckled and blocked her.
That evening, I celebrated with a lavish hot
pot dinner, a treat I’d always denied myself.
On my way home, I passed Lily’s old music
school.
I wondered if there were any outstanding
fees, or perhaps some of Lily’s belongings
left behind.
A teenage girl, about Lily’s age, greeted me
at the front desk.
She looked familiar.
Before I could place her, she recognized me.
“Mrs. Miller! You don’t remember me? It’s
く
Then I remembered.
Emily Young. She’d sat next to Lily during last
year’s entrance exam.
The piano program was highly selective,
geared toward the national competition.
Emily had placed first, Lily second.
But Emily hadn’t returned for classes.
I’d inquired and learned that her family
couldn’t afford the tuition.
The teacher had lamented her situation.
“Such a talented girl. Her family has a
younger son, and they refuse to spend a dime
on her lessons or a piano. She spuck out to
く
on her lessons or a piano. She snuck out to
take the entrance exam.”
“She practices on the school’s piano
whenever she can. She’s worked so hard.”
“It’s such a waste. Natural talent, incredible
work ethic, but no support.”
“I’ve seen so many gifted students forced to
quit because their families won’t invest. It
breaks my heart.”
“I just hope they find success in other areas.”
Her words had resonated with me.
Forced to abandon the piano…I understood
that pain all too well.
“Emily, what are you doing working here?” |
asked.
She gave a strained smile. “My parents are in
debt. I had to drop out of school. The
teacher’s been kind, letting me sit in on
lessons and use the practice rooms when
they’re free. It’s…okay.”
Some, despite hardship, fight tooth and nail
for their dreams.
Others, with every advantage, toss them aside
like yesterday’s trash.
