Love When Enlightened

My daughter, Wendy Lawson, was a rising star in the piano world.

But on the day of the piano competition grand finals, someone locked her in a restroom. She was so shaken she missed her chance at the championship.

I checked the CCTV footage and found out exactly who was behind it. I was ready to file a formal complaint for malicious sabotage.

But my husband stepped in and shut me down cold.

“It was just a squabble between two kids. If you report Theresa’s sister, I’ll make sure Wendy doesn’t even get second place!”

I was so furious my whole body trembled. I never imagined Phillip would go this far to bully his own daughter to protect his secretary’s sister!

Just then, Wendy held onto my hand as she fought back tears.

“Mom, I don’t want the championship anymore… and I don’t want Dad either.”

I tightened my grip around her small hand.

“All right. If you do not want him, then I do not want him either!”

After confirming the new job offer with the school board, I began drafting the divorce agreement.

That was when Phillip Lawson came home carrying a cake.

“Wendy, come take a look! Guess what tasty treat Daddy has brought for you?”

However, the usually well-behaved Wendy did not happily run over to him like she normally did. She only spared him a glance before quietly returning to her homework.

Phillip was unfazed. He strolled over with a broad smile and gently pinched her cheek.

“I know. Are you upset because you didn’t win first place? It’s alright. You’re still young. There will be plenty more competitions like this in the future, and you’ll get that trophy one day.”

I saw the disappointment on our daughter’s face and the way she bit down hard on her lip. I stepped forward and shoved Phillip away.

“That’s enough. Do you really think Wendy’s too young to understand the vile threat you made?”

Both my daughter and I remembered exactly what he had said back then. “If you dare report it, I’ll make sure Wendy doesn’t even get second place!”

Phillip frowned and looked at me in disagreement.

“Danielle, are you seriously still holding onto that? It was just a squabble between two kids. I stopped you from reporting it to protect the children’s reputation. What good would it have done to blow it out of proportion?”

I stared into his eyes.

“A squabble between two kids?

“Do you know how badly Wendy was shaking when I carried her out of the restroom? That was intentional harm. Do you understand?!”

The children’s competition was still ongoing when my daughter suddenly went missing.

After searching everywhere, I finally found her huddled up in the corner of a restroom and trembling.

I broke down in tears, but her father was backstage. He was all smiles as he cheered on his secretary’s younger sister.

Phillip’s brow furrowed deeply as he looked at me.

“Wendy is the most popular child there; all eyes were on her. Who’d go out of their way to target her? Besides, the other kids don’t even know her. They are just children. Who would intentionally hurt her?

“I know she worked hard for this. Maybe she just couldn’t handle the pressure when it was her turn. She didn’t win, and I never blamed her. She can try harder next time. Why must you insist on finding excuses for her? Theresa’s little sister is only ten. Do you really believe she bullied Wendy?”

I saw that he was not going to listen. I was about to speak again when someone suddenly knocked on the door. I forced myself to calm down and went to open it.

“Oh, you must be Mrs. Lawson. Hello, I am Mr. Lawson’s secretary, Theresa Young.”

Theresa extended her hand with a smile.

I stared at her coldly but made no move to shake her hand.

Phillip pulled me aside with a tense expression. His tone softened noticeably when he laid eyes on Theresa.

“What brought you here?”

Theresa tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and pulled out an exquisite little box.

“This is for you, Mr. Lawson.”

His smile turned gentle. “A gift? What for?”

“You gave my sister such an expensive piano. I thought I should return the gesture.”

The word “piano” made my eyes snap toward the corner of the living room.