Chapter 10 She Wouldn't Sit and Wait

When the piece ended, Madeline lowered the violin and was the first to meet Lisa's ashen expression. She hadn't planned to show off, but Lisa had provoked her again and again. If she held back, she wouldn't be the Madeline people knew. "I didn't think you'd be this good, Maddie," Dominic praised. He patted the back of her hand with a warm expression. "Even with talent, you can't reach that level without serious practice. You must've put in a lot of effort. That couldn't have been easy." "It was fine," Madeline replied. Ever since she was young, once she decided to do something, she would see it through. So she never thought of it as a hardship. Her understated response made Dominic find her even more sensible. "Lisa, you should learn more from your sister," he said. "Music requires patience. Put more heart into it, and you'll play even better in the future." Lisa's nails dug into her palm. She forced a smile. "I understand." Madeline had to have done that on purpose. She clearl