Chapter 1

The day I was selected as the lead pianist, my family finally agreed to come and promised they'd be in the front row.

I even arranged for a videographer to capture the happy moment.

But when the final curtain fell, those VIP seats were still empty.

I called my elder brother, Ethan Lane. He picked up, but cut me off almost immediately.

"What's so great about some stupid performance? Do you think the whole world has to revolve around you or what?" he snapped.

I saw the posts online. My family threw a huge party with fireworks for my cousin, Emily Dawson, all because she had a slight fever.

At that moment, I understood that their whole world revolved around someone else.

Later, I stopped seeking their approval and accepted the international orchestra tour.

That was when they finally freaked out.

"How can you just leave us? We're family," Ethan cried.

*****

The concert had ended half an hour ago, and the curtain had long fallen.

But I just couldn't let it go. Clinging to hope, I waited stubbornly by the door, still dressed up in my party dress.

I kept waiting, even as I shivered so hard that my nose and cheeks went numb, but no one ever showed up.

My freezing fingers accidentally opened up Instagram.

Three minutes ago, Emily posted a short video.

In the clip, she was waving a sparkler with excitement, Ethan messing around with her, and my parents looking at her with that warm, doting gaze.

Her caption read: [I just said I was bored, and my wish came true. I'm so lucky to have the most loving family in the world.]

My parents and Ethan instantly hit like.

[As long as you're happy, Emily.]

[Just say the word, Emily, and I'll be there.]

[Emily, my sweetheart, we'll always love you.]

My hands trembled as I kept dragging the timeline back and forth, torturing myself by watching it again and again until my tears completely blurred my vision.

It was such a happy moment.

But that was my family.

Before Emily came into our lives, I was the apple of my family's eye.

Seven years ago, my aunt and uncle died in a car accident, and out of compassion, my parents took Emily in.

Emily had just lost both her parents, and she looked so frail and delicate. Anyone would feel protective of her.

I shared all my pretty clothes and toys with her.

But after a while, something just didn't feel right anymore.

First, they stopped serving my favorite seafood at dinner, all because Emily was allergic to it.

The big, sunny room that was supposed to be mine was given to her. All because she whispered that she liked it.

She looked at me with tearful eyes, saying she wanted to try my previous piano. Yet, she ended up "accidentally" splashing paint all over it, ruining it completely.

For once, I lost my temper and demanded an apology from her, but instead, my parents tore into me.

"Emily is younger, so be the bigger person," they snapped.

Ethan was there too, trying to make her feel better.

The four of them laughed together like nothing had happened.

They all forgot it was my birthday.

I'd even learned a new piece, hoping to play it for them as a surprise.

But as the clock struck midnight, my birthday was officially over, and not a single wish had come.

I just stood there, staring blankly at the piano, suddenly realizing how pointless it all was.

But I truly loved playing the piano.

Even when my fingers were covered in calluses and my muscles were screaming in pain, I still never quit.

After grinding away for ten years, I finally made it as the lead pianist.

I was so moved that tears welled up in my eyes. For once, my parents and Ethan finally promised they'd come watch me perform.

After that, every night I'd dream about myself in a cute party dress, finishing my performance and having my family hand me a bouquet of flowers.

Everyone would cheer and clap for me.

That was the happiest, most perfect scene I could imagine.

I even had someone record this heartwarming moment.

But even after the concert ended, they never showed up.

All the other kids in the performance were showered with bouquets and compliments from their families.

I was just standing there, all by myself.

The videographer shot me a pitying look. I froze on the spot, completely mortified.

I kept trying to call my parents, worried something might've happened to them on the way, but none of my calls got through.

So I checked out Emily's Instagram and found out the real story.

And there she was, laughing with a firework in hand, my parents by her side. She was basking in all the attention that should have been mine.

It was exactly the kind of happiness I'd always dreamed about.