Dreams Before Family Chapter 1

When I was seven, my mother, a pianist, died of cancer. During her last moments, she held my hand.

“Naomi, we both share a passion for the piano. When you grow up, you must stand on the world stage and play for me someday.”

Since then, performing on the stage in Vinna had been a lifelong dream of mine.

From the age of seven, I trained long and hard, practicing more than six hours a day until my fingers and wrists were bruised.

At last, I gained recognition and earned a chance to audition for a spot in a top orchestra at twenty-one.

If I succeeded, I would perform at Vinna’s New Year’s Concert the following week.

However, my father brought home a sister, only six months younger than me.

She became the apple of my father’s eye, and my piano room was turned into her dance studio.

My brothers adored her, always personally making sure she got to school and came home safe and sound.

Even my boyfriend, whom I had known all my childhood, was dazzled by her smile. His eyes often stuck on her.

On the day of my audition, he ditched me on an overpass just to take her to her dance class.

“Naomi, all you’re missing out on is a chance to realize your dream, but Charlotte can’t be late.

“Don’t be such a drama queen. I’ll take you once I drop her off.”

As the car sped away, I calmly took out my phone and broke up with Maddox over text.

My mother was right. Boys only got in the way of dreams.

* * *

After the message went through, I received a big question mark in response.

Maddox Wright hit me up on the phone in disbelief.

“Have you lost your mind, Naomi?

“So I took Charlotte to her dance class? Is that reason for you to break up with me?”

Charlotte Clarkson’s hurt voice came on the call.

“Is Naomi mad with me, Maddox? I didn’t mean to upset her. Today’s class is important. I won’t be able to get on stage for the dance recital if I miss the class.”

With his heart melting, Maddox assured her.

“Don’t worry about it. Naomi has always been so dramatic over a tiny thing. She’ll get over it after I talk to her.”

He raised his voice in annoyance.

“Hear that, Naomi? Charlotte has an emergency. I’m going to be family soon. I don’t see anything wrong with helping her out.

“If you’re going to be petty over something minor, I honestly am lost for words—”

“Then, keep your mouth shut.”

I cut him off indifferently.

“Maddox, this is not a negotiation. I’m informing you that it’s over between us.

“Stay away from me!”

After hanging up, I blocked his number and sprinted off the overpass.

I returned home once the audition was over.

It was pitch-dark in the manor. When I opened the door, several party poppers exploded right in my face.

“Surprise!”

Arthur, Caleb, Tucker, and Rhys Clarkson held gifts and flowers in their arms. However, they pulled long faces the moment their eyes fell on me.

“Why are you here? Where’s Charlotte? Did you leave her stranded somewhere?”

Caleb, my eldest brother, was first to grill me.

“Of course she did. Naomi must have found out that we were throwing a party for Charlotte, so she came home early to ruin the surprise. Talk about manipulative.”

Tucker, the second eldest in the family, pursed his lips and dumped the flowers on me.

“You’re so annoying!”

Rhys, the youngest of the family, gave the side eye before making the comment.

“That’s enough.”

My father, Arthur, stopped them from speaking any further, his gaze sliding past me.

“Charlotte’s going to be back soon. Hurry up and clean up the mess. Don’t ruin the surprise for her.”