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Billionaire Asked His Black Maid's Daughter To Play Piano 'For FUN' But She Was A Gifted Musician

Billionaire Asked His Black Maid's Daughter To Play Piano 'For FUN' But She Was A Gifted Musician

Chapter 24

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But Sophia could see the stress on her mother's face: Maria was working longer hours at other houses to try to make extra money. She was tired all the time, and Sophia worried about her health.Things got worse when Maria's old car broke down. The repair would cost $800, which was money they didn't have. Without a car, Maria would have to take three buses to get to work, which would add two hours to her already long day."I can't do this to you, Mama," Sophia said one night. "I can't go away to school when you need me here.""You can, and you will," Maria said. "I didn't sacrifice all these years just so you could give up your dreams now."But sacrifice was exactly what worried Sophia. She was starting to understand how much her mother had given up for her education: Maria could have remarried and had an easier life; she could have taken a job with better pay, but less flexibility. Instead, she had chosen to work for Mr. Wellington because the schedule allowed her to be home when Sophia needed her.Ms. Rodriguez noticed that Sophia's playing was becoming tense and distracted. "What's wrong?" she asked after a particularly difficult lesson. "Your technique is fine, but your heart isn't in the music."Sophia explained about her mother's financial problems and her guilt about leaving for university."I see," Ms. Rodriguez said thoughtfully. "You know, some of the greatest musicians in history faced similar dilemmas: they had to choose between personal loyalty and artistic fulfillment.""What did they do?""Different things. Some gave up music for family; others found ways to honor both their art and their loved ones."That conversation stayed with Sophia for days. She started making mistakes during practice, which had never happened before; her mind was divided between the music and her worries about her mother.Mr. Wellington noticed the change, too. Sophia's playing was still technically excellent, but it lacked the joy and passion that had made it so special.One evening, he asked Sophia to stay after her lesson. "Talk to me," he said. "What's going on?"Sophia told him everything: about the rent increase, the broken car, her mother's exhaustion, and her own guilt about leaving.Mr. Wellington listened without interrupting. When she finished, he was quiet for a long time."Sophia," he said finally, "do you think your mother would be happier if you gave up music to stay home and help her?"
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Billionaire Asked His Black Maid's Daughter To Play Piano 'For FUN' But She Was A Gifted Musician

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