My Boyfriend Sabotaged My Final Dance のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 9

I didn't go straight home.If I showed up this early, Mom and Dad would immediately ask why I'd left the competition so early.And if Dad found out Asher Penrose had deliberately kept my competitor badge and state ID from me outside the theater, he would drive straight to the Penrose house and demand an explanation.I didn't need the drama.Besides, I had already secured a direct placement in the American National Ballet's Principal Artist Development Track. Today's competition had only ever been a formality for me.If Asher was willing to throw away three years together just to clear the path for Mallory Keene, then at least he'd done me one favor.He'd shown me exactly what kind of man he was.I crossed the street and went into a coffee shop opposite the theater. I figured I'd sit there until the competition was over, then go home and pretend I'd finished normally.About fifteen minutes before the final awards, two familiar figures came through the theater doors.Asher and M

I stared at the familiar profile pictures and the vicious messages piling up beneath them.In three years with the company, I'd spent most of my time rehearsing. I rarely bothered with their little social circles.To them, Asher was handsome, wealthy, and the company's leading male dancer.Mallory was sweet, pretty, and camera-friendly.Of course they belonged together.And somehow I, the woman who had actually been Asher's girlfriend and partner the entire time, had become the desperate third wheel.Right on cue, Asher appeared to play peacemaker.[Everybody calm down. Elena's emotional today. Having to withdraw probably hit her hard.][Elena, you should still come tomorrow. It might help you clear your head. I'll figure something out for next year's competition.]What a generous boyfriend.He sounded like he was defending me while casually cementing the lie that I had chosen to withdraw.I watched message after message praise him and tear me apart.Then I felt tired.Arg

On Mom's phone was the official digital acceptance letter from the American National Ballet.My information was printed clearly on it, along with the official electronic seal.Asher stared."American National Ballet... direct placement?"Mallory's mouth twitched before she forced out a smile."Mrs. Winslow, are you... are you sure that's the right file?"The Principal Artist track only takes a handful of dancers from the entire region, and there are multiple evaluation rounds."Elena... I know her fundamentals are strong, but how could she possibly get in without anyone hearing about it?""Why couldn't she?" Dad cut in coldly."For three years, when has Elena not ranked first in your company's evaluations?"Why is a national placement so unbelievable?"Asher's eyes shifted.Then he suddenly smiled like he'd solved the mystery."Mr. and Mrs. Winslow, I understand. Elena missed the final. You're her parents. Of course you're hurting."You want to spare her some embarrassmen

Someone reposted Mallory's relationship announcement in the new chat with a heart-eyes reaction.[Asher and Mallory are unstoppable. Metro Dance Theatre's power couple.][This is what actual talent looks like. Not like somebody who screws up, disappears, then fakes a national placement letter. Now the results are out and she can't even make a peep, huh?][She's probably crying under her blankets right now. Imagine having to train another whole year. Hahaha.]I swiped away without expression and left the group again.A message from Mr. Dempsey appeared immediately afterward.[Elena, where have you been these last two weeks?][Tomorrow night is the company's end-of-season dinner. I have something important to announce. You need to be there.]I stared at the message for a moment.Mr. Dempsey had been good to me.For three years, he had pushed back against upper management so I could develop my own solo repertoire.He had been instrumental in helping me qualify for the American

Asher's eyes turned red.He shot to his feet."Elena..."You... you were already accepted? You entered the competition just to be there with me?"I didn't look at him."I'm sorry... I didn't know..."He stumbled a step closer."I thought—with your technique, one more year wouldn't matter..."Watching him suddenly fall apart made me sick.I poured another drink and lifted it toward the dancers who had been mocking me minutes ago.Now they were staring at their plates like they wanted to disappear into the floor."To everyone here. I hope your careers go well. Take care of yourselves."Then I set down the glass and walked out, past Asher's red-rimmed eyes and Mallory's ashen face.After that dinner, I cut off contact with the company completely.I still had more than two weeks before I had to report to New York.The next morning, I got a text from an unfamiliar number.[Elena, I still have your competitor badge and your state ID. You'll need your ID when you report to the