Chapter 20 - The Piano Lessons
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The grand piano had sat in the corner of the formal living room for years.
It was a beautiful, polished mahogany Steinway.
It had belonged to Isabella.
Victor rarely looked at it, because looking at it brought back a flood of memories.
Memories of music.
Memories of a mother who tried to drown out the darkness of their lives with beautiful melodies.
One rainy Saturday afternoon, the house was quiet.
Victor was walking down the hallway when he heard a sound.
A hesitant, clumsy note echoing from the living room.
He stopped.
He slowly walked to the open doorway.
Ethan was sitting on the wide leather bench.
His small legs dangled high above the pedals.
He was carefully pressing a single white key, listening to the vibration.
Lily was sitting beside him, guiding his small hands.
“Try this one,” Lily whispered softly.
Victor stood completely still, his heart suddenly heavy with a bittersweet ache.
He remembered sitting on that exact bench.
Decades ago.
His mother’s hands guiding his own.
Ethan pressed the key Lily pointed to.
A gentle note filled the room.
“I did it!” Ethan smiled proudly.
Victor stepped into the room.
Lily looked up, sensing his presence.
She knew the history of the piano.
She knew the pain it represented.
“We are just exploring,” Lily said gently, ready to close the lid if Victor asked.
Victor walked over to the bench.
He didn't ask them to stop.
Instead, he sat down on the other side of Ethan.
“Grandma Isabella used to play this,” Victor said, his voice thick with emotion.
Ethan looked up at him with wide, curious eyes.
“Was she good?”
“She was magnificent,” Victor smiled softly. “She could make the whole house feel warm just by playing a song.”
“Can you play?” Ethan asked.
Victor looked at the black and white keys.
His hands had spent years holding weapons.
Signing death warrants.
Building an empire of fear.
He hadn't touched a piano in over twenty years.
Slowly, Victor raised his hands.
His fingers were stiff, but muscle memory is a powerful ghost.
He pressed the keys.
A simple, hauntingly beautiful lullaby began to fill the massive room.
It was the song Isabella used to play when he was afraid of the dark.
Lily watched him, tears welling in her eyes.
She rested her head against his shoulder as he played.
Ethan watched his father's hands in pure awe.
When the song ended, the room fell silent again.
But it was not a heavy silence.
It was peaceful.
“Teach me,” Ethan demanded softly.
May you like
Victor looked at his son, the curse of his past finally breaking entirely.
“Okay,” Victor whispered. “I will teach you.”
