The next day, I stood at the dance studio entrance.
The sun was bright, the sky endless.
Miss Parker and fellow dancers were waiting at the door to welcome me.
After all the greetings, I returned to my familiar spot backstage.
From a distance, I could see my desk where Lucas’s photo frame used to sit.
Now there was a bouquet of flowers.
The card bore Alexander’s bold, flowing handwriting.
“All the best!”
1/3
*35 BONUS
A colleague beside me seemed to sense something, her expression turning gossipy, “Ooh, already got someone new after just getting back
1 smiled, putting the card in my drawer.
“Someone I met abroad.”
She covered her mouth dramatically, “He came back with you?”
1 nodded, and just as she was about to probe further, someone walked in with red roses.
“Miss Tucker, these were delivered for you.”
I frowned, about to refuse.
But my colleague grabbed my hand, whispering, “Holly had an accident during her performance last week and got fired.”
“Mr. Larson didn’t protect her this time.”
I pulled my hand away, glanced at the roses, and didn’t take them.
“Throw them away.”
After the delivery person left, the gossip mood was broken.
I changed and focused on practicing.
That evening, Lucas stood by the trash can outside the studio, playing with the discarded
roses.
When I passed by, he stopped me, his tone gentle and cautious, “Let’s celebrate your return with dinner?”
I shook my head.
“No thanks, my boyfriend will take me out.”
Lucas acted like he hadn’t heard, grabbing my hand and refusing to let go.
“Sophie, I’ve cut ties with Holly. I’ve spent all this time reflecting and regretting. Won’t you give me another chance?”
!
I pulled my hand away, irritated, “I don’t have feelings for you anymore. Stop harassing me.”
My use of “harassing” stung him.
He asked in disbelief, “Sophie, you’re saying I’m harassing you?”
I stared at him, emphasizing each word, “Yes, you’re harassing me.
“Lucas, sometimes over these two years, I thought about you, about our ten years together.
“I kept asking myself how Lendured those last five years while you and Holly were so close.
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Chapter 7
“Finally, one day, I found my answer.
“You came from wealth, you were proud, yet you’d humble yourself to apologize to me after making mistakes.
“That special treatment made me feel secure.
“But all that special treatment you showed me was actually for her.”
As I spoke, Lucas’s expression grew increasingly uneasy,
I mercilessly exposed his thoughts and pretenses.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 8:
