Chapter 24

London, three years later.

Ariana Collins stood before the mirror in the rehearsal room, adjusting her posture. Being principal dancer with the National Ballet wasn’t something that came easily she worked tirelessly every day to maintain her position at the top.

She looked healthier than ever. The shadow of Luigi Maggiore had long faded from her life. He remained in prison, serving time for that “accidental” fire and other accumulated charges. Leila too had paid for her role in everything, while Ariana had finally claimed the

life she deserved.

“Miss Collins, rehearsal starts in five minutes!” an assistant called from the doorway.

“Thanks, I’ll be right there!” Ariana replied, taking a deep breath as she prepared for another challenging day.

The stage had become her salvation, her healing space, her freedom. Every turn, every leap took her further from the nightmares of her past.

“Guys, have you heard? We’re doing a special collab with Team USA at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony!” Her colleague Zoe burst into the break room, excitedly waving a paper.

Ariana looked up from her stretching. “For real? When?”

“Next month!” Zoe handed her a list. “Look, you’ve been picked! We’re performing right before Team USA comes in the theme is ‘Friendship Across Boundaries.“”

the list, her heart racing. This was huge billions worldwide would be watching. Since joining the National Ballet, she’d never performed on

stage.

made her uneasy. Though Luigi was locked. away, that country still held

need to think about

appeared in the doorway. “This is

15.12

Pirouette: The 99th

10.34

Chapter 24

moment, Ariana. Don’t let

and nodded. “You’re right. I’m in.”

intense than Ariana had imagined. Teams from all nations, performers, and crew

adjusting her shoe ribbons at the edge of

her.

me, is

Team USA training gear, with broad shoulders, a defined jawline,

she reached for the bottle, their fingers

through her entire body. For

Reed,” he extended his hand.

Collins,” she replied, shaking his hand.

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