Love In Memory's Wake

Chapter 19

Hana was 13 when she came home from school and was surprised to see a piano at home.

She's always wanted to play but it was too expensive and her Dad hates when it's noisy at home so she never tried to ask for one but seeing and touching it now almost made her jump in happiness.

"I'm also not sure but... I heard from the driver that Sir Sebastian is dating a Music Professor. Maybe that's why he brought one."

Hana listens to Gina while she ties her hair before she goes to school.

Dad is dating a new girl? She can't imagine the Father she knew growing up to be affectionate towards a woman. It just doesn't suit him.

As Hana grew older, she slowly realized the way her Father was treating her.

She realized that he might be blaming her for her Mother's death in which she can't blame. There are times she also wished she should've died instead of her too. If so, they might even be happier together. But she cant do anything about that now. She can't end her life because she knew her Mother sacrificed her own to let her live.

Days have passed and she would always wake up at midnight to the sound of the piano playing.

She never went out to look who it was. If it was her Dad or the woman... She doesn't want to know. She's scared to see her. Her Mother's replacement.

But her curiosity never failed to get the best of her.

So one night, she decided to look. Just peek. To see what she's like.

Hana opened her door slowly so it won't make a sound. She took careful steps towards the railing looking down the first floor. And as she looks, her eyes widened in surprise. Her heart started to beat faster.

Mom?

She rubbed her eyes and blinked a couple of times but no matter how much she stared, the woman seated on the Piano while playing a very gentle but sad song looked a lot like her Mother from the picture.

Her hands are shaking as she held onto the railing to steady herself. Still looking down at the woman wearing a white dress as her fingers moved flawlessly onto the piano keys.

Why is Mom here? Am I dreaming? She asked herself. If I am dreaming... Then I wanna talk to her. I should apologize... for making their lives hard and taking her precious life from her...

She pushed herself off where she was holding and took steps towards the stairs, "Mom—"

"Sheela."

Hana froze when she heard her Father's voice.

It wasn't Mom?

"Hey, are you done—" The woman asked but was interrupted.

Hana once again peeked and saw the woman stand up. But as soon as the sounds from her fingers disappeared, it was followed by loud, chaotic random keys getting slammed.

Sebastian walked towards Sheela and pushed her against the Piano and started kissing her. His hand moving up her exposed thighs.

Hana immediately left and went back to her room. Suddenly, there was a part of her that ached.

Not because of her Father but seeing someone look like her Mom made her feel extremely guilty. It felt like she killed her. Hana cried herself to sleep that night.

The next day, she went to Kath's house after school. She didn't wanna be home and remember her Mother so they hung out.

She also met Kath's classmate in Art Academy named Aria. She was very sweet so Hana befriended her too. Brey wasn't with them since she's too busy watching Plave's online concert saying they're much more important than them.

As Hana entered the house, she immediately looked for Gina but she wasn't around.

Hana dropped her bag on the couch and walked towards the Piano. She ran her fingers over the keys, careful to not make a sound since it was late and her Father might be home.

As she smiled at herself, she heard a faint sound of someone whimpering.

She started taking steps towards the stairs and the sounds became more clear. It was as if her feet were taking her exactly where the sounds were from without her knowing.

She only realized where she was when her feet was already standing outside the door of her Dad's room.

Hana wasn't sure but she knew it wasn't a sound someone enjoying themselves would make. Someone's crying... Pleading...

She didn't want to meddle. She didn't want to get scolded again but her worries won't let her rest. She kept thinking of the woman by the piano that night... The woman who looked a lot like her Mom getting hurt...

Hana held the doorknob and twisted it but it was locked.

The continuous whimpering inside never stopped which made her run to the staff's room to grab the emergency key. Her heart pounding against her chest as she hurried back.

She went in and her eyes immediately landed on her Father's bare back, kneeling on top of the bed.

A woman laid under him and it wasn't her. It wasn't the woman playing piano.

Hana never saw her before but her face was filled with tears. Her arms are tied together, and her neck and chest are filled with kiss marks, bruises, and tiny blood.

"Dad..."

"Get out, Hana." He said.

"Let her go—"

He turned his head, "Get out while I'm still asking nicely."

She bit her lip and started walking towards them.

"What are you doing?!" Her Dad screamed at her but she didn't listen.

She untied her and grabbed a shirt she saw on the floor to cover her up. She was about to pull the woman up but he took her wrist and pushed her.

"Don't meddle on adults business!"

"But she's hurt, Dad—"

He didn't care. He glared at her and said,"Get. Out."

Hana's breathing was heavy. Her heart was beating too fast. She's scared.

"D-Did you do this to my Mom too?"

When she asked that question, his face darkened. He raised his hand and it landed straight to her cheek. The impact leaving a stinging sensation on her skin. Red and painful.

"Don't fucking ask me that when you're the one who killed her."

"Hana!"

Gina came rushing and hugged Hana on the floor. She was crying and asking her if she was fine but Hana was too shocked to even cry.

It's not my fault... It wasn't me... I wanted her to live too...

"Get her out of here." He told Gina and pulled the woman back to bed.

Gina was scared. She saw the woman and she knows she's not in any position to say anything against him but she stood with Hana and Gina looked at him, pulling Hana behind her.

"S-Sir, please let that woman go with us..."

He turned to her. Not expecting her to say anything. "What?"

"Y-You raised your hand to your daughter, Sir..." She was trembling while she held Hana. "I-If you continue to hurt that woman... W-We—"

"You will what?" His voice sounds like a warning. A threat.

Gina swallowed, "W-We will call the police, Sir..."