Abby

The stage lights feel even more blinding now from the tears in my eyes. A

makeup artist darts around, dabbing my face with powder to cover the streaks

from crying. In more ways than one, I’m glad this hell is almost over; right now,

I’m just looking forward to getting this damn makeup off.

Finally, the director counts down from three, and it feels as though we’ve done

this a million times before. The crowd cheers, the music plays, the announcer

struts across the stage. And me? I’m standing here like a statue, my smile just

as fake as my manicured eyelashes.

Enter title…

Daniel stands next to me, shoulder to shoulder, and I can feel the hatred

emanating off of him. He stands tall and proud, the perfect picture of arrogance.

He doesn’t say a word to me, because he doesn’t need to. He already said

everything he needed to say earlier. He got his digs in, made his sharp words

stab me to my core. There’s no point now.

I can sense the satisfaction coursing through his veins as he stands beside me,

the realization that he won—not just in the competition, but in life—washing over

both of us. In just a few minutes, he’ll get exactly what he wants. Not only a

trophy, but to beat a woman down to nothing.

The announcer turns to Daniel first, his voice echoing across the studio. “Daniel,

you’ve shown immense skill throughout this competition. As we come to a close,

how are you feeling about your performance?”

Daniel’s lips twist into a smile that doesn’t even come close to reaching his

eyes.

without skipping a beat. “The

than just a lovable personality…” he sneers subtly, casting a

at me. “He will

is clear, and the gleam in his

cheeks as

to me, his eyes meeting mine. “Abby, you’ve

us, what has this experience meant to

sea of faces that seem

name

leaves a hole in my

is—the little girl in the third row with her chef’s hat falling

as wide and bright as ever, and she still

sign in her tiny hand,

throat, but I push through… because

even if I don’t

I’m here for her.

voice surprisingly steady,

chef in this

To show that we—” I pause, my

can stand toe to toe

a breath, the air tasting thick. “And maybe, just maybe,” I

inspire others. That future female chefs will push

skills—and our voices—are not only recognized,

also respected.”

through the crowd, a murmur of acknowledgment,

sound of

results.

announcer’s voice then cuts through

His eyes flick to the judges as he pulls

out of his

Logan’s eyes lock onto

smile, doesn’t even blink. Instead,

world seems to tilt for what feels like the

my champion, now looks on with a cool

briefest of

her head inclining toward me in a nod so slight

been a trick

are trembling. I can’t look at Daniel, can’t afford

the little girl in

from her innocence,

pause hangs for what feels like

out for

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