It has been seven years since my daughter and I left the country, and thirteen-year-old Annie has blossomed into an internationally renowned piano prodigy. No matter how complex the piece is, it flows into beautiful music under Annie's fingers. Yet there is one song she refuses to play, a simple lullaby, no matter how many times it is requested. She fears that if she plays it again, she might go soft and forgive that man. One day, Colt Jones, her birth father, brings a grand piano crafted by a master artisan and asks Annie to play the lullaby for him. She calmly shakes her head. "Sir, I don't know how to play this piece," she says. Colt's eyes redden as he takes her hand and places it on the piano. "How could that be? Annie, you are a prodigy pianist, aren't you? Didn't you always want a piano? Dad has brought it for you. From now on, just tell me your wishes, and I'll make them all come true." Annie indifferently withdraws her right hand. "No need, Mr. Jones. I can earn money to buy a piano myself now. You can take it back to your daughter." Colt feels as if he has plunged into icy depths as he pulls Annie into his arms. "Annie, why are you saying that? You are my only daughter." Annie seems somewhat puzzled. "But didn't you say that Ms. Brown's daughter is the one who deserves to be your child? Didn't you give the piano you promised me to her daughter?" Annie shrugs and smiles nonchalantly when she mentions it. "It's okay, Mr. Jones. If you fancy Ms. Brown, go ahead and take care of her daughter. I have my mom, and that's enough for me." Colt feels a swirl of emotions inside him. No matter how much he anticipates Annie's reaction, he never expects her to be so resolute. What he doesn't know is that Annie and I have given him countless chances, yet he remains indifferent. During the five years of our marriage, he has had plenty of opportunities to be honest about his identity, to reveal that he is actually the heir of the Jones family. Yet he stays silent. Every time Annie expresses her desire to play the piano for him, he feigns poverty and brushes it off. "Sure, but Dad doesn't have enough money now. I'm saving up, and I'll get one for you soon." For five years, I've taken Annie to the square every day to perform and earn a living. And for five years, he watches coldly, day in and day out. Every time we pack up and go home, Annie asks me hopefully. "Mom, do we have enough money to buy a piano now? I want to play a lullaby for Dad. It's the first piano piece I learned!" Each time, I count the money in the bag and shake my head at her. "We're still a little short. Save a bit more tomorrow, and we'll have enough soon." Finally, a month before Annie's birthday, I count the coins in the bag and am delighted to find that we have enough to buy the cheapest piano. But as I hold Annie's hand and walk into the music store, I see Colt on the second floor, holding his first love's daughter while selecting a piano. I tremble as I point to the piano they are looking at and ask the salesperson. "How much does that piano cost?" The salesperson smiles professionally. "That Steinway piano was ordered by that gentleman a long time ago. It is entirely handcrafted by a German master, and it costs eight million." Eight million dollars. My blood seems to run cold. People have told me before that Colt is no ordinary man, but our drafty house and the dilapidated furniture tell me exactly the opposite. I could never have believed that he was actually wealthy. Now, thinking back, it is impressive for him to have endured living in that shabby house for five years. Noticing my silence, Annie asks curiously. "Mom, is Dad a rich man? Is that piano ordered for me?" Annie is too young to see the relationship between the people on the second floor. Staring at her faded dress, I try to explain the situation but fail. Sensing my discomfort, Annie speaks up. "Mom, it seems Dad has something to say to that madam about. Let's go home first. We can come here next time." Her voice grows quieter, yet her disappointment is hard to hide. But I don't notice that, and I leave in a daze, taking Annie with me. After we get home, I take out his ID card. I search for the address of his registered residence on the computer. Brightheart Villa, Halcrest. Even though it is far away in Rivertown, I've heard of this place. It is an enclave reserved exclusively for the nation's wealthiest magnates. One single truth echoes in my mind. "Colt, you have kept this from us for so long." I wonder if he feels heartbroken when he watches us go to the park to perform every day, rain or shine. Or is he mocking us for our futile efforts? Thinking of this, I give a self-mocking smile and dial the phone number of a divorce lawyer.
After what feels like an eternity, the sound of footsteps approaches from outside the door. It is Colt, returning home. As usual, Annie runs to the door, her enthusiasm undimmed as she greets him. But Colt is as stingy as ever, not even offering Annie a hug. Normally, Annie has long grown accustomed to her father's indifference. But for some reason, she clings to the hem of Colt's coat today, refusing to let him leave. "Dad, can you buy me a piano? My classmate's teacher taught her to play a lullaby. I mastered it after hearing it just once, and I want to play it for you," she pleads. "Sure, I'll buy one when I make enough money." Colt brushes her off as usual. "When will that be?" Annie presses, unusually persistent today, determined to get a straight answer. After a long hesitation, Colt finally agrees. Annie excitedly hugs my leg and cheers. "Mom, I'm going to have a piano! I'll play lots and lots of pieces for you and Dad!" I am happy for Annie and look forward to hearing her performance. *** But one day turns into two, then a week, and still, there is no sign of the promised piano. One morning, I see Annie crying secretly under the covers. Colt sees the same, but he doesn't even bother to comfort her. Instead, when he sees me, his eyes brighten. "You're just in time. Help me boil some brown sugar water and put it in a thermos. I need to take it with me," he says. Brown sugar water. It must be for Selena Brown. I suffer from severe menstrual cramps, and he sees it all, yet he never helps. It feels like a bomb as Colt's words ignite the last fuse in my heart. Anger rushes to my head, and I throw my bag at him. By the time I realize what I have done, tears are already streaming down my face. Even though Colt is the one who gets hit, I end up crying harder. My sudden attack has obviously angered him. But my tears seem to have eased his mind. "If you don't want to do it, fine. Do you have to make such a fuss?" "What about the piano you promised Annie?" His awkward expression tells me that he has forgotten about the whole thing, and he quickly masks with impatience. "I'll buy it. Do you have to nag me like this?" I'll buy it. Over the past five years, he has said this countless times. But while a stone thrown into water can at least make a splash, Colt's words are nothing but an empty promise. I storm into Annie's room and pull her out from under the covers. "I'm going to divorce your father, and then we'll go abroad together. Will you join me?" The idea of going abroad seems too distant for Annie. But it is our best choice. The Jones family has too much influence in the country, and only by leaving can Annie's talent truly flourish. All my savings are just enough to buy a one-way ticket. Seeing my red eyes, Annie hugs me and whispers. "Mom, can we give Dad one more chance?" "By my birthday, if he still doesn't remember, we'll leave." "Okay." Colt, this is the last chance you'll ever get from us.
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