Chapter 6
So I dragged my injured leg lowered myself,and sought out old acquaintances in the room.
Yet they all avoided me like I carried a deadly disease–some walked away as soon as they saw me others stood by Olivia.openly ridiculing me.
I endured it all,until there was no one left to turn to.
Only then did it hit me–at this moment,I was nothing more than a clown under the spotlight
Everyone was watching me struggle,waiting to see me fall.
And leading them all was the man I had once believed I could entrust my life to.
“Charlotte Edwards,” Charles’s expression was grim. “Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?”
Olivia put on a show of kindness. “Charles, Charlotte Edwards was once my mentor. Why don’t we just let this go?”
Charles didn’t reply,but his furrowed brow relaxed slightly.
“How could we?” someone deliberately called out. “A mere dancer acting high and mighty–if word gets out,wouldn’t it ruin President Carter’s reputation?”
“Exactly! Even if President Carter doesn’t want to stoop to her level,she still needs to be taught a lesson. She should Hearn what she can and can’t touch.”
“Charlotte Edwards, drink this,and we’ll give you another chance.” One of Charles’s lackeys shoved a full glass of liquor into my hand. “What do you all think?”
The room echoed with agreement.
I turned to Charles. “Is this what you want?”
We stood three steps apart–he didn’t move forward,and I had no desire to step closer.
I knew he was waiting for me to surrender.
Every past argument had ended the same way–I was always the first to back down.
Not because he was right.
But because I had always held onto the memory of how he had once saved me from the darkness. In front of him,I instinctively lowered myself,choosing to endure his outbursts.
Even when he kept getting entangled with Olivia,even when he bought a house to keep her like a hidden treasure–I had pretended to be blind for a long time.
But tonight,I didn’t want to pretend anymore.
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Dancing into the Heart of Mr. Cad
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I asked again. “Torting me to drink as an apology–is this your idea?”
Charles not hearing the confession he expected let anger rise in his gaze. “Yes.”
I shook my head and chuckled bitterly.staring at the liquor in my hand.momentarily lost in thought.
Charles knew I was allergic to alcohol.
And petjust to protect Olivia he was forcing me to drink.
The boy who had once refused to let me suffer even the smallest grievance had been erased by time.
Crack
I thought I heard something shatter.
That was the ten years between Charles and me.
A phrase surfaced in my mind. Spilled water cannot be gathered again.
“Alright”
I lifted the glass and downed it in one go,just as Charles’s expression flickered with hesitation.
The fiery burn of the alcohol scorched my throat,making me cough until my face flushed red.
“Good tolerance! Another glass!”
Someone reached to pour me another,but Charles snapped, “Enough,” and shoved them aside.
He took a step toward me–only for Olivia to hook her arm around his.
“Charles,I think Charlotte Edwards has shown her sincerity. Why not let her perform with me later?”
She gave me an innocent smile,pretending to be considerate.
“It’s just… she’d have to dance as my backup. What do you think?”
“No need.”
The liquor burned in my stomach,and heat spread rapidly across my skin.
I smirked. “Olivia,isn’t tonight’s performance being streamed live? Are you that desperate to step on me?”
“Or,” my voice turned razor–sharp,“are you just so insecure in your own skills that you have to resort to cheap tricks to feel important?”
After suppressing myself for so long,I finally let loose,throwing the words straight in her face.
Olivia tugged at Charles’s arm,swaying coquettishly. “Charles,help me explain. Charlotte Edwards misunderstood.”
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Dancing into the Heart of Mr. Cold
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Charles’s face darkened,his voice laced with disappointment.
“Charlotte Edwards,if you still want to dance,then tonight,you’re going on that stage–whether you like it or not.”
“With your status,being Olivia’s backup should be an honor.”
Charles’s words were practically an ultimatum,shattering the last remnants of my feelings for him.
“Charles,what am I to you?”
“A toy? A source of amusement? Or just a pawn in your love story with Olivia?”
“I’m done with this pathetic game of trying to please you.”
I took off the ring on my finger and threw it back at him with force. His face turned pale.
Then,under everyone’s watchful eyes,I pulled out the divorce papers from my handbag and scattered them at
Charles’s feet.
“Charles,since you’re so desperate to cut ties with me,fine–have it your way.”
“Sign the papers. Let’s make a clean break. I wish you and Olivia a lifetime of bliss–just don’t ever appear in front of me again!”
Dancing into the Heart of Mr.
