All Chapters of The Reborn Swan: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1 The Shattered Crown

I had just hung up the phone with Caelan Thorne when the door burst open with a violent kick.Lucian stormed into my dressing room, his face ashen, with Elara Grace trailing behind him.Her eyes were rimmed with red, yet there was no mistaking the smugness flickering beneath her tears."Astraea!" Lucian's voice was cold as ice. "Do you even realize what you've just done?"I turned toward the man who once swore to walk through life by my side, only to see him now standing against me for another woman's sake. Bitterness rose in my chest."What exactly did I do?""You walked out just like that! You embarrassed the sponsors and humiliated the entire team!"Lucian stepped closer, his eyes brimming with disappointment. "Are you even the same Astraea Lynelle I used to know?"Behind him, Elara sniffled softly. "Ms. Lynelle, I know you don't like me, but on an occasion this important—""Enough." Lucian cut her off, his gaze turning on me with a chilling edge. "Astraea, when did you bec

Chapter 2 The Woman He Chose

I dragged my exhausted body back to the apartment Lucian and I shared.The lock beeped, and the heavy security door swung open.A cloying wave of perfume rushed at me, so sweet it nearly made me gag. It wasn't mine.By the entryway lay a pair of red stilettos, their sharp heels stabbing straight into my chest.On the living room couch, black lace lingerie was tossed carelessly aside, next to a torn-open box.Two wine glasses stood side by side on the bar counter, faint lipstick stains smudged along the rims.The master bedroom door was left ajar, spilling a dim, suggestive glow into the hall.With a sudden creak, it flung open.Elara leaned against the frame, wearing nothing but Lucian's white shirt. The buttons hung loose, baring the smooth expanse of her skin. Purple bruises marked her throat, impossible to ignore. Her hair was tousled, her eyes gleaming with smug triumph."Well, Ms. Lynelle. You're home." She dragged out the words in a singsong voice. "What a shame. Lucia

Chapter 3 The Broken Crown

The next morning, I slipped into a wrinkled dress and forced my feet into high heels before stepping into the Celestia Ballet.As I walked down the hallway, people turned their heads and whispered to each other.One voice rose above the murmur, deliberately sharp. "A certain someone really has no shame. Got dumped and still dares to show up at work."I pretended not to hear a thing and kept going straight toward my office.But when I opened the door, I froze.The desk was bare. The chair was gone. Even the framed awards that had hung on the wall had vanished."Ms. Lynelle." The receptionist hurried over, avoiding my eyes. "Your things have been moved to the small room beside the storage closet." Her voice dropped lower. "It was Mr. Ashford's decision."The small room beside the storage closet—the one without a single window.Dragging my tired body down the hall, I pushed open the door. A damp, musty smell rushed out to meet me.The room was barely fifty square feet, and all my

Chapter 4 The Swan Queen's Requiem

The sharp stench of antiseptic clung to the hospital room.I lay on the cold, unyielding bed, my body torn apart by pain—but the deeper agony was the hollow wound in my chest.My right foot was wrapped in thick bandages, the blood seeping through in blotches shaped like bruised blossoms.A plaster brace locked my left shoulder and back in place, leaving me motionless.The monitor beeped steadily, as if mocking me by reminding me I was still alive.The door clicked open.Elara walked in, her heels striking the floor like deliberate taunts. Two women, dressed in gaudy, overdone outfits, trailed after her.Lucian followed last, his expression grim, his eyes darting anywhere but toward me.She stopped at my bedside, looking down at my bandaged foot with a cruel, almost curious smile."Well, well, Ms. Lynelle. What did the doctors say about this foot of yours? Don't tell me you're going to be a cripple for the rest of your life."The women at her side broke into laughter."What a

Chapter 5 The Swan Queen's Reckoning

The moment Caelan stepped inside, the room fell into dead silence.He stood well over six feet two, dressed in a tailored black suit, every step carrying the weight of a thunderclap.Three bodyguards in matching black uniforms trailed behind him, their faces expressionless, their movements sharp and disciplined.Elara's stiletto heel still pressed down on my injured leg. Her whole body froze, and her complexion drained to the color of paper.Caelan's gaze swept across the room. His eyes were so cold they could have killed."Move."Just one word, yet Elara's knees buckled beneath her. She stammered, "M-Mr. Thorne—""I said move!"Caelan's roar cracked like thunder, and Elara collapsed to the floor in terror.With a flick of his hand, he signaled the men behind him.The three guards stepped forward, seizing Elara and her two friends without the slightest hint of mercy."No! Let me go! Lucian, help me!" Elara shrieked, clawing the air as she tried to reach him.Lucian's face t

Chapter 6 Shattered Trust

In the top-floor suite of Arcadia Medical Center, I sat in a wheelchair, my right foot swathed in thick bandages.Outside, night had fallen, and the city's neon lights glimmered with a cold, distant glow."The gift is ready," Caelan said, staring down at his phone. "Want to see the celebration party at Celestia Ballet?"It had been three days since the final performance of "Eternal Crown," and Celestia Ballet was throwing a lavish celebration for what the media were calling a triumph.Critics were raving about Lucian and Elara's brilliant adaptation, praising them for breathing new life into a stale classic."No, thanks," I said, turning my head.Caelan ignored me and tapped the massive display screen on the wall.The lights of the celebration dazzled on the screen.Lucian stood in a black tailcoat, and Elara looped her arm through his, dressed in a red gown that shimmered like fire. She smiled like a princess who had just claimed her crown.Onstage, the two were answering que

Chapter 7 Crown of Ice

The shrill ring of the phone yanked me out of a light sleep.The head nurse's voice carried sharp impatience. "Ms. Lynelle, that man has been kneeling outside for three days. Security has tried driving him off countless times, but he won't leave. It's raining now, and he's still out there. At this rate, his life will be at risk."I drew back a corner of the curtain.Lucian knelt on the hospital steps, soaked through, hair plastered to his face, looking utterly miserable—like a stray dog caught in a storm.…Three days ago, the police released their final report.Elara's loyal assistant had crumbled under pressure and confessed everything. The lime purchase records traced directly to Elara, and the so-called evidence she provided was proven forged.The proof was undeniable.Celestia Ballet's reputation lay in ruins. Sponsors had pulled out overnight, and the company teetered on the brink of bankruptcy.Elara faced formal charges and could be sentenced to three to seven years in

Chapter 8 The Swan Queen's Rebirth

Six months later, I stood before the floor-to-ceiling window. My right foot had healed, so I no longer needed a cane."You've healed far better than expected." The doctor from Altenburg removed his glasses."While you won't be able to handle the rigorous training of a top-tier dancer anymore, normal walking is completely fine."Over these six months, I had poured every ounce of my energy into creating a new work, "Rebirth."It was a completely new ballet I had crafted for Arcadia Ballet, telling the story of an injured swan rising from the flames.Caelan pushed the door open, holding a contract in his hand."Eisenhart Opera, Valmont Opera, Crescent Arts Center… twelve of the world's top theaters are inviting you simultaneously."Pride shimmered in his eyes."'Rebirth' hasn't even premiered yet, and it's already making waves across the art world."I took the contract, letting my eyes trace the gilded names of the theaters.…Three months later, it was the world premiere of "R

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