My “Perfect” Sister Dropped Out Of Med School With $150k Debt After My Parents Abandoned Me For Her. Now They Lost Their Home And Want My Grammy Money. I Told Them My Money Has No Value For Them.
The Reunion
Three years after leaving home, Melody was 24 years old and had released her second album. A nationwide tour schedule had been announced, including a performance in Nashville. It would be her homecoming concert.
A local television station broadcasted an interview with Melody titled “Nashville Songstress at Home” in which she told her success story.
“How did your family support your musical journey?”
asked the host.
Melody’s expression stiffened for a moment before showing a gentle smile.
“I reached my current position thanks to my own efforts. I am grateful to my mentor and the friends who supported me, but family matters are private.”
The viewers couldn’t grasp the hidden meaning behind those words. But in a small house in Nashville, Martha and Harold Johnson were petrified by their daughter’s words.
“What a way to speak,”
Martha murmured.
“We are her parents.”
Harold sank silently into his chair. Since the day she left home, they had called her many times, but Melody had never answered. Their lives had gradually changed. Ashley’s medical school tuition was unexpectedly high and was rapidly depleting their savings. Furthermore, Harold’s company was performing poorly, and salary cuts had begun.
On the day of the concert, the large venue in Nashville was packed. Tickets had sold out within hours of going on sale. Martha, Harold, and Ashley were not seated in the front row, but slightly behind the center. They had contacted Melody’s manager to arrange special tickets.
The stage went dark, and a single spotlight illuminated the piano. When Melody appeared, the venue erupted in thunderous applause. She smiled at the audience and sat at the piano.
“Today is a special day. I am happy to be back in my hometown,”
her gentle voice resonated throughout the venue.
“The first song is the one that started my journey.”
Her fingers touched the piano keys, and the first notes of “Value” began to flow. The audience listened in enveloping silence. When the song ended, Melody scanned the audience for a moment. Her eyes lingered on where her family was sitting. A reunion after three years. Her expression didn’t change, but she felt her heart beat faster.
“The next song is new. No one has heard it yet,”
she said into the microphone.
“It’s called ‘True Value.’ I dedicate it to those who failed to see my worth.”
Melody’s piano rang out in the venue, silent but powerful. Melody’s voice joined it, with emotion welling up from her soul and found in every lyric.
“You said I had no value, but I knew who I really was. Now the world is listening to my voice, the voice you refused to hear.”
Some spectators were moved to tears. The song continued. While she sang, Melody looked at where her family was seated. Martha’s lips were tight. Harold looked down, and only Ashley seemed restless, looking around.
“I am standing here on my own two legs. The world gave me the love you didn’t give. Now I am free, and I have value.”
When the song ended, the hall was wrapped in silence before erupting into explosive applause. The audience gave her a standing ovation. She bowed deeply and then smiled from the heart for the first time.
The Confrontation
After the concert, the enthusiastic audience gradually left the venue. Melody was still basking in the glow of excitement and emotion, receiving congratulations from the staff in her dressing room. Her manager, Samantha, sported a wide smile.
“You were wonderful, Melody. Especially the new song, it gave me goosebumps,”
said Samantha, hugging her shoulders.
Melody smiled, drinking from a water bottle.
“Thank you. Singing in this city was special.”
Samantha leaned toward Melody and whispered:
“You know, your family is waiting for you outside. They want to see you.”
Melody’s hand stopped. She slowly put down the water bottle and composed herself.
“I understand.”
“If you don’t want to see them, you can refuse,”
said Samantha, concerned. She had heard fragments of Melody’s past.
“No, I will see them,”
replied Melody firmly.
“It’s a moment I will have to face sooner or later.”
When Samantha opened the door, Martha, Harold, and Ashley walked in. Three years had passed, and they had changed a bit. Martha’s hair had gone completely gray, and Harold looked thinner and tired. Ashley was still beautiful, but she had dark circles under her eyes, and her confident smile of the past was gone.
“Melody,”
Martha took a step forward, her voice trembling.
“It was a wonderful performance. We are proud of you.”
Melody stood up to face them. Her expression was calm, but her eyes observed them coldly.
“Thank you. But that’s a very different attitude from three years ago.”
Martha was speechless, and Harold stepped forward.
“Melody, we wanted to see you. We called many times.”
Melody spoke in a low voice.
“Twelve times in the first month. After that, you didn’t speak of it again. Where were you when I needed you?”
A heavy silence dominated the room. Ashley stared fixedly at the floor.
“We are family,”
Martha began to speak again.
“We want to reconcile. The house is so empty without you.”
Melody gave a small laugh. It was a cold laugh.
“Family? A real family doesn’t give everything to one child while telling the other she has no value.”
“I said it for your own good at the time,”
said Martha apologetically.
“I just wanted to teach you the harsh reality that the path of music is difficult.”
Melody shook her head.
“If you really thought about me, wouldn’t you have supported me? Would paying my tuition have made no difference?”
Harold let out a deep sigh.
“We were wrong. I admit it. But people can change. Won’t you give us another chance?”
Melody stared at them intensely. She sensed something different in her parents’ expressions.
“Why do you want to reconcile now, after three years?”
