Her voice came through, “There’s an advanced program at the Royal Ballet School in London. If you refuse again, Holly will take the spot…”
“I’ll go!”
“Don’t worry, Ms. Parker. From now on, I won’t give up any more opportunities the company offers me.”
She went on about how glad she was that I’d finally come to my senses.
I smiled bitterly.
It wasn’t about coming to my senses. I just finally understood that what’s mine shouldn’t be given away.
And what isn’t mine, I shouldn’t force to keep.
—
The next day, I took time off, planning to sleep in.
But early in the morning, I was jolted awake by my phone.
Lucas’s cold voice cut through the line, “Have you lost your mind? You actually told the family about breaking off the engagement? Sophie, you’re 30! You’re not some young girl in her twenties like Holly. Can’t you think things through before acting?”
His shouting cleared the fog from my drowsy mind.
“Lucas.”
“You’re in love with Holly, aren’t you?”
There was a long silence on the other end.
After what felt like forever, he spoke as if he’d made some decision, “Sophie, I only love Holly like a sister.”
“You and I are the ones who should be getting married.”
Staring at the ceiling, I suddenly realized how cowardly this man I’d loved for ten years really was.
“Lucas, the first time you abandoned me for Holly was on my birthday. That day, you were determined to marry me, and just as determined to leave me for her.”
“The second time you disregarded my feelings for Holly was at the dance company party. You drank in her place, and kissed her to help her win that game, telling me it was just part of the game.”
“The third time you chose Holly over me, you knew performing on stage was my dream. You knew that opportunity was mine, but you still used your position as an investor to steal it for Holly.”
