Chapter 4 - The Rules of the House
Marcus created rules for the piano.
Lily could not touch it.
She could not place toys on the bench.
She could not practice on the old keyboard while Ethan was playing because the sound might distract him.
Three evenings each week, Ethan arrived after school. Marcus sat in the living room, praising every scale and correction. He bought Ethan new sheet music, a metronome, and an expensive adjustable bench.
Ethan never asked for those things.
One evening, he found Lily watching from the staircase.
“Do you want to try?” he whispered after Marcus went to the kitchen.
Lily shook her head.
“Daddy said no.”
“I won’t tell.”
She looked toward the kitchen before sitting beside him.
Ethan showed her the opening notes of a simple melody. Lily copied them immediately.
“You learn fast,” he said.
Marcus returned carrying two glasses of lemonade.
His face changed when he saw Lily.
“What did I tell you?”
Lily jumped from the bench.
“I’m sorry.”
“She wasn’t hurting anything,” Ethan said.
Marcus ignored him.
“You need to learn boundaries, Lily.”
Claire entered from the hallway.
“She sat on a bench, Marcus. She did not destroy the instrument.”
“She needs discipline.”
“She needs a father who does not treat her like an inconvenience.”
Marcus set the glasses down.
“Not in front of the children.”
“You humiliate her in front of them.”
Ethan rose.
“I should go home.”
Marcus softened immediately.
“No, stay. You have another hour.”
“I don’t want to practice anymore.”
Daniel arrived ten minutes later to collect him. After hearing what happened, he asked Marcus to step outside.
Claire could hear their voices through the door.
“You are putting my son in the middle of your marriage,” Daniel said.
“I’m supporting his talent.”
“You are using him.”
Marcus’s voice sharpened.
“For what?”
“To prove something. I don’t know what, but Ethan feels guilty every time he comes here.”
“You should be grateful.”
“I didn’t ask you to buy a piano.”
When Daniel and Ethan left, Marcus turned his anger toward Claire.
“You embarrassed me.”
“No,” she said. “You embarrassed yourself.”
He looked at her with a coldness she had seen more frequently during the past year.
“You and Lily would have nothing without me.”
Claire glanced toward the staircase.
Lily stood halfway up, listening.
That was the moment Claire understood the problem was no longer only the piano.
May you like
Marcus wanted gratitude, obedience, and silence.
And he was willing to make his daughter feel worthless to obtain them.
