Abby

The air in the studio feels dense with anticipation as Karl and I walk back to our

station together. The crowd murmurs as they become aware of the implications:

that only Daniel and I are returning, and Bryan, the third contestant, is nowhere

to be found despite the fact that the winners of the second round were never

officially announced.

“You okay?” Karl murmurs as we take our spots, standing next to each other

with our shoulders touching.

I nod and shrug at the same time, a sense of guilt and trepidation washing over

me. “Yes. Sort of. Maybe. I don’t know,” I murmur, clearing my throat subtly.

Enter title…

Karl shoots me a confused look from beneath his blue surgical mask. “What

does that mean?” he asks, worry lacing his voice.

I can’t contain my sigh. “It means that, if it weren’t for Bryan’s mother dying, I

wouldn’t be standing here right now,” I say quietly. “And I’m not sure how to feel

about it, if I’m being honest.”

Karl is silent for a moment before he speaks. “Listen, Abby, I know it’s a shock.

But—”

Suddenly, before he can finish, the director holds up his fingers and begins

counting down from three. The stage falls silent, and the cameras begin rolling.

the stage,

was before. “Ladies and gentlemen,”

have an

the edge of my station. I can feel

on me, intense and unyielding, even as we face the crowd.

him only serves to prove me right; his eyes are still glinting with

of

be joining us for the final round,”

through the live audience. “Due to a personal

chosen to withdraw.”

turns into a low hum, the audience

continues. “Bryan’s mother has passed

moment of silence.”

I feel my head bow all on

being a finalist only due to

here after

his throat and continues. “Now… the final

he announces. The

excitement winding through the air

a dish that is

truffle butter

My heart lurches.

That dish. My dish.

one I’d practiced until my hands moved with the

down those elusive truffles as

feels like

my breath hitching in my

little closer. “I

gripping the edge of the counter

I thought so,

announcer’s voice booming over the microphone brings

moment

shown exceptional skill to get this

noise of the crowd. “And now, they will face

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