Chapter 3

After he hung up, I caught a ride-share home.

When I arrived, my mom called, no pleasantries, just down to business.

"I’ve arranged a solo recital for you at the Vienna Golden Hall at the end of next month.

"Get ready. Don’t you dare embarrass me."

I walked through the door, my violin case on my back, fumbling in the dark entryway for the light switch.

Then, I responded coolly: "I’m not going."

On the other end, my mom's voice was filled with furious disbelief:

"What did you say? Don’t you dare forget your grandmother’s ashes…"

I hung up before she could finish.

My father’s stepdaughter had just given a piano recital in London last week.

That was why my mom was so frantic to get to me.

After tidying up, I lay on my bed.

Moonlight seeped through the sheer curtains, spilling across the floor.

Suddenly, I remembered years ago, someone holding me close, murmuring softly:

"Sweet Iris, sweet Iris, you look so unhappy."

"Sweet Iris, sweet Iris, tell me what you want, and I’ll give it to you, okay?"

That person's voice and shadow flickered in my mind.

In my dreams, it was the year he declared his love for me to the entire world.