“That’s enough,” I blurt out, my voice strangely coming out steady. “I’m withdrawing from the competition.”
With that, I turned to leave the stage.
But Ginger wasn’t done. “Can withdrawing erase the fact that you plagiarized?” she said coldly. “I suggest the judges take this matter seriously as a warning to the other contestants.”
I stopped and stared back at her. This woman wasn’t satisfied with just taking my love—she wanted to destroy my dreams too.
But what was the point of arguing? No matter how many explanations I’d make, they would appear powerless against her carefully made-up story.
One last time, I looked at Ulysses. Finally, he raised his head, and our eyes met.
For a brief moment, I saw hesitation and pain in his gaze.
But in the end… he chose to stay silent.
That was it.
I turned and walked off the stage, ignoring the rising buzz of murmurs behind me.
By the time I reached backstage, I heard Ginger announcing she’d perform the dance again—this time as the original creator.
The worst part? She danced it really beautifully.