They both came from prominent families, had the best education, and knew all the high society rules—things I could never learn.
And me? I’m just an orphan raised on charity, foolishly falling for someone I should never have loved.
I opened my closet and stared at the dress I’d bought for the competition. It took me forever to save up for it, but now it felt like it was all for nothing.
At least I still had Royal Ballet School. At least I still had a shot at starting over.
I grabbed my phone and typed a message to the number: [Alright, I’ll withdraw. But you need to delete the video and promise never to use this choreography.]
The reply came almost instantly. [Deal.]
I set my phone down and walked to the window.
The moonlight poured down like water, lighting up the roses in the yard. Ginger had planted them after she moved in, saying they were her favorite.
Once upon a time, this yard had my favorite Carolina jasmine flowers. When they bloomed, the whole garden smelled sweet. But now, like me, those Carolina jasmine flowers didn’t belong here anymore.
The piano music downstairs faded away. I could hear their laughter, her playful voice, and his sweet replies.