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Chapter 3

Author: Summer Solstice
Over the next three days, I completed all the paperwork as quickly as possible.

I returned to the villa the day before my departure to pack the last of my documents.

As I approached the house, I heard piano music coming from the attic.

My heart tightened, and I rushed upstairs.

Winnie sat at Mom’s custom-made piano.

Dad had flown it in from Bellmare as a wedding gift to Mom.

He hired more than a dozen craftsmen to custom-make every key to suit the way she played. Mom’s name was even engraved on it.

After I was born, our family often sat there together. Mom played the piano while Dad held me and watched her with a tender smile.

But at that moment, Dad stood beside Evelyn, watching Winnie bang randomly on the keys.

I hurried over and slammed the piano lid shut.

Winnie snatched her hands back in fright, and her eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Minnie, I’m sorry. I won’t play it anymore."

Dad pulled Winnie behind him.

"Minnie Lawson, what the hell is wrong with you?"

I stood in front of the piano with my arms spread wide.

"Don’t touch Mom’s things!"

Dad laughed in fury.

"Is this what your mother taught you? To be selfish and narrow-minded? You’re even fighting your sister over a piano?

"Winnie is about to compete in the Harbor City piano competition. She needs a good piano to practice on. Your mother doesn’t play it anymore, so leaving it here would only be a waste."

I looked at his self-righteous face.

"She’s not my sister."

Winnie threw herself into Evelyn’s arms and burst into tears.

Evelyn’s eyes reddened as she shook her head at Dad.

"Justin, forget it. Don’t let us come between you and your family."

Dad angrily called for the butler.

"Get some workers to carry the piano away and send it to Southport."

I rushed forward to stop them, but someone shoved me from behind.

The piano slid down the stairs. Its deafening crash echoed throughout the villa.

The piano shattered into pieces.

A flicker of smug delight flashed in Winnie’s eyes as she covered her mouth.

Dad looked down at me with cold superiority.

"Take her back to her room and leave her there to calm down for a few days."

"Let go of me!"

I struggled and sobbed. My flight was tomorrow, and I couldn’t be locked up!

Just as the bodyguards dragged me upstairs, Winnie suddenly spoke.

"Daddy, can I wear that emerald necklace to the piano competition tomorrow night?"

The necklace was the token of Dad’s love for Mom.

He once placed the necklace around Mom’s neck and promised to love her for the rest of his life.

Now, he barely acknowledged it.

"Of course."

"That necklace is in Ava’s safe. I’ll get it from her."

I suddenly laughed through my tears. The sound was raw and twisted.

Dad looked at me in confusion, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Minnie Lawson, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Tears streamed down my face as I laughed between gasps.

"Mom smashed the necklace. The night you forced Mom to get an abortion, she smashed and threw away everything you ever gave her. Are you satisfied now?"

Dad’s face instantly turned livid.

He shoved me aside and strode upstairs.

"Ava York! Get out here!"

He pounded on the master bedroom door.

But there was no response from inside.

"You think pretending to be dead will let you escape this? I’m warning you, you’re handing over that necklace today!"

Evelyn followed behind him and pretended to intervene.

"Justin, Ava may still be angry. Don’t pressure her."

Dad burned with rage.

"How dare she still be angry? Get out here!"

He stepped back and suddenly kicked the door.

The solid wooden door let out a heavy thud, and the lock broke clean off.

The door swung open.

The room was completely empty.

The curtains were tightly drawn, blocking out every ray of light.

Dad stood in the doorway, his entire body frozen.

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