Chapter 1

In the dark storage closet, the drug burned through me like fire, leaving my whole body weak.

I bit down hard on the back of my hand, refusing to make a single sound.

Just beyond the door, Natalie's flirtatious voice drifted in from the hallway.

"Derek, those sponsors in the private dining room aren't exactly gentlemen. If they take things too far and Amber can't perform tomorrow, what happens to your tour?"

My eyes went wide. I stopped breathing.

She hadn't just drugged me. She had offered me up as a plaything to keep the investors happy.

And my boyfriend Derek knew every bit of it.

After a brief silence, Derek's cold voice came from outside.

"Good. I've wanted her out of the spotlight for months. She can stay home like a good girl and choreograph behind the scenes."

A memory from five years ago flashed through my mind.

Back then, the theater didn't even have heat. Derek had practiced lifts with me through a 102-degree fever.

He had wiped the sweat from my forehead, eyes red-rimmed, and sworn to me.

"Amber, I'm going to put you center stage. You'll be the brightest principal dancer in the country."

The footsteps outside faded away.

I didn't know how much time had passed before the closet door was yanked open.

Harsh light flooded in. Derek stood in the doorway, his face full of panic.

When he saw me curled up in the corner, he immediately pulled off his jacket, still warm from his body, and wrapped it tightly around my trembling shoulders.

His eyes were warm, his voice gentle enough to make the lie sound like love.

"Amber! What are you doing in here?"

"Those sponsors wouldn't stop pouring me drinks. Then I turned around and you were gone. I've searched this entire place..."

Looking at that familiar, handsome face, my stomach turned.

If I hadn't just heard his conversation with Natalie with my own ears, I might have actually fallen for this devoted act.

I fought through the dizziness and lifted my head, my gaze landing on his shirt collar.

A faint shimmer of glitter clung to the fabric. It was from Natalie's highlighter.

I didn't know where I found the strength, but I shoved him away and pulled myself up against the wall.

"I'm going to the hospital."

My voice was hoarse through clenched teeth.

"To get a blood test and file a police report. Natalie drugged my drink."

A flicker of panic crossed Derek's eyes.

He lunged for my wrist as I reached for my phone. His grip tightened until the bones ached.

"Amber, calm down!"

He frowned, irritation creeping into his tone.

"If you go to the police, the sponsors will pull out. The tour opens in days. That's five years of our work. Do you really want to destroy it?"

I stared at him in disbelief.

My safety, my dignity. In his eyes, they were worth less than the sponsors' money and Natalie's ambitions.

I shot back coldly.

"So what?"

"So I deserved to be drugged? I deserved to have my life destroyed?"

When Derek saw I wasn't backing down, his tone softened immediately.

He stepped forward, pulled me into a tight embrace, and pressed me against his chest.

"Amber, I'm begging you."

He sighed, resting his chin on top of my head.

"Two days ago, I took a steel pipe for you. My arm still hasn't healed. Just do this for me. Don't blow it up, okay? I swear Natalie will never come near you again."

Trapped in his arms, I stared at the cast around his forearm.

In that moment, every last feeling I had for this man died.

I didn't struggle. My voice came out so calm it sounded foreign even to me.

"Fine."

Derek exhaled, and the tension left his shoulders.

He helped me up and took me back to the apartment.

The next morning, I pushed through the pounding headache left by the drugs and showed up at the rehearsal hall on time.

The moment I pushed through the door, I saw Natalie warming up at center stage in my custom-made backup costume.

Derek had designed that spare costume for me himself. It didn't even fit Natalie, but she wore it to make sure I noticed.

When she saw me walk in, Natalie paused and let a smug smile curl across her lips.

Before I could say a word, Derek walked onstage with a clipboard and clapped his hands for silence.

"Everyone, hold up. I have an announcement."

His gaze swept the room but avoided mine.

"Amber hasn't been well enough for full rehearsals. To protect opening night, Natalie will take over the principal role. Amber moves to understudy."