The Black Swan's Final Revenge Pirouette: The 99th Game Was Mine All Along by Kylie Homme

Chapter 25

“So this is what elite ballet training really looks like,” Leo said, leaning in the doorway of the rehearsal room as he watched Ariana finish her warm–up. “Makes hockey practice look like

a walk in the park.

Ariana laughed, wiping sweat from her forehead with a towel. “Yeah right. I bet your training sessions are just as brutal.”

Leo walked in and sat on a nearby bench, offering her a bottle of water. “To be honest, I always thought ballet was all about grace and floating around. But watching you train… it’s. like seeing a serious athlete at work.”

Ariana took a sip and nodded. “Most people get it wrong. Every ‘effortless‘ move you see on stage comes from thousands of hours of practice and too many injuries to count.”

Leo’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “Just like hockey. People only see us gliding around. scoring goals, but never the 5 AM practices or the bruises.”

They exchanged knowing smiles, understanding each other without needing words.

“Any chance you’re free after my show tonight?” she asked as she adjusted her pointe shoes. “There’s this great place around the corner…”

“I’m free,” Leo answered without hesitation, his smile warm. “Always free for you.”

That dinner became their first real date, then came a second, third… With each meeting. their connection grew deeper.

caught his games whenever possible. In their professional worlds, they discovered shared values – the relentless. pursuit of excellence, passion for their crafts, and total dedication to

tour approached its end, the reality of their separation

Leo told her one evening as they sat on a bench in Central Park. “Doctors don’t think he

Chapter 25

so

his head, his expression grave. “The family business is falling apart. Dad’s always been the one running everything, and as the only son, I need to step up. But that means…”

hockey,” Ariana said

you know? But so is my family. I can’t just let everything my dad built come crashing

–

vulnerability, Ariana felt a surge of love wash over her. During these past months, she’d truly gotten to know Leo Reed his

made her

find dance opportunities in America. Maybe not as

at the

that up.”

tighter. “I love you, Leo Reed. And I believe once. you get the business back on track, you can

his eyes. “You’d really do all that

him. “Not for you. For

over the family business proved far more complicated than they’d imagined. Reed Enterprises was on the brink of collapse, requiring a complete