128 The True Story 1 (1/2)

In the Moon household, at three o'clock every day, the sounds of violins would echo in the air. The beautiful sound would mesmerize everyone who was blessed to listen in; from the butlers, maids, to the family members.

A young girl stood inside a room. In front of her was the sheet music and the window was open for her to showcase her talents to the outside world. That young girl was Moon Jihee.

After she finished her song, the sound of claps echoed through the air. The music teacher stood up, tears of joy in her eyes.

”Beautiful,” she said while walking towards Jihee. ”I've never seen such a prodigy like you. I'm very impressed.”

Jihee bowed, holding her white dress with her two fingers. ”Thank you very much. I'm grateful to have such a good teacher.”

A chuckle escaped from the teacher's lips. ”So polite as well.” Then she turned to Moon Jihee's mother. ”You are blessed to have such a daughter.”

The mother laughed. ”Yes. She takes after me. What a wonderful child.”

A bright smile radiated from the young girl's face. The compliments only made her blush. She was glad that her hard work paid off.

”Now then,” the teacher said. Her eyes moved onto the other young girl in the room. ”Shall we begin the lessons with the second one.”

Jaeun was sitting quietly on her chair. Her violin was gently placed on her lap, her hands protecting it from falling. When she heard the teacher's voice, she looked up with a nervous expression before nodding.

She grabbed the violin handle and made her way to the spotlight, trading spots with her sister.

”Good luck!” Jihee whispered.

”Thanks.”

The teacher watched her with an intense gaze. Then her hands reached for Jihee's, observing the red marks on her palms. ”I see that they haven't healed yet,” she cooed. ”Let's hope today that we don't create anymore okay?”

Jaeun squirmed in her spot but nodded. Her hands hurt. Burned. Last time they had a violin lesson she made a mistake and played E sharp instead of F. She prayed not to make the same mistake again.

Unfortunately, for the other twin, there was no such thing as praises.

The sound of the thin wooden stick hitting against her skin, echoed through the air. No more violin sounds were to be heard.

Jaeun closed her eyes. The pain radiating through her palms.

The mother watched, her favorite daughter in her arms. There was no emotions radiating in her eyes as this was a normal scene in this room. No matter what the young girl did, Jaeun always messed up.

”Mother. Don't you think this is too harsh?” Jihee whispered. She watched as her sister drowned in pain. Her heart hurt.

”This is her punishment. The world only likes winners like you. Understand sweetie.”

There was a pause. ”But I don't think-”

”Understand?”

The firm voice scared her. ”Yes mother.”

Every day was a repeated of the last. Not only was it the violin that the girls were forced to learn. Piano. Swimming. Academics. Dance. To become appealing to their future husbands, they must prepare at this moment. And everyday Jaeun fell in contrast to her perfect sister.

Even the maids would look down on her.

”It's like the twins were originally one child but split into two. One taking all the good traits and the other the bad.”

”Isn't Jaeun a waste of the family? She's nothing compared to her sister.”

”Jihee is the child anyone would want to have. What a beauty. Her smile makes my day.”

The walls of the household were thin. Jaeun knew what people thought of her. Everyday she would cry in her sleep, trying to remove all terrible thoughts in her mind. Why was she so imperfect? Why did she make so many mistakes? Sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night. Her hands burning. They hurt too much.

Everyone loved Jihee.

One time, she was left alone in the house with Jaemin because her twin was at the finals of a violin compet.i.tion. This was the first time in weeks since she last saw him up close, therefore, the atmosphere was awkward.

”You know...” Jaemin began. ”You're boring to be with. The reason to why I hang out with her on my own time is because she's fun. You're nothing like her.”

He walked away, playing on his phone, while Jaeun was left in the kitchen. Maybe to him, his words meant nothing, but to her, they were like knifes.

Out of all of the male family members, Jaemin had been the only one that didn't compare the twins, but to think that he thought that way too. She was his sister too for Christ-sake.