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When I walked into the studio, everyone stared at me with an unreadable expression.
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A colleague pulled me into a corner, her voice low with concern.
“Nora, what did you do to tick off Mrs. Sterling? She not only stole your spot in the competition, but she also
had the director fire you.”
Mrs. Sterling?
followed her gaze to the center of the stage. There stood Lily, dripping in gold and diamonds, looking every bit the pampered mistress. I’d almost forgotten that she paraded around the studio calling herself “Mrs. Ster-
ing.”
Right now, she was basking in the admiring glances of the other dancers. Then she saw me in the shadows.
‘Oh, Nora,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet. “I’m so sorry. I guess my dancing is just a better fit for the com- petition. That’s why the director gave the only spot to me.”
didn’t care what games she played before, but this competition was important to me. I wasn’t about to let
er have it.
Lily, what level is your dancing at, exactly? The level where you perform for men in private rooms? And while ve’re at it, why don’t you tell everyone who you really are?”
She had started as a small-time influencer, a livestreamer showing off her “talents.” She’d only gotten into his prestigious studio because of John. She used to be meek as a mouse around me. The fact that she dar- ed to challenge me now was the last straw.
ily’s face flushed crimson. She was speechless, tears welling in her eyes.
Just then, a hand snaked around her waist.
John. He looked at me, his eyes radiating pressure.
And who are you to question her?”
My lips moved, but the words were bitter in my throat.
fis mother had died because of me.
Vine years of marriage, even giving him a son-it wasn’t enough to repay that debt.
He’d once grabbed me by the throat, drunk and furious, and snarled, “Nora, you married into this family to tone for your sins, not to enjoy a life of luxury. Don’t you ever forget your place!”
Seeing me lost in thought, John leaned in, his voice a low threat.
‘Nora, if you want to keep this job, you will move back home.”
That’s when I understood. He was the “director” Lily had been talking about. He’d given my spot to her and
then threatened the studio owner to fire me.
He was trying to break me, to force me to take back my words about the divorce.
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When I didn’t react, a cold smile twisted his lips.
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“Feeling bold now, are we? Think you can fly away from my control? I’ll just have to break your wings. Then
et’s see… how… you… fly.”
He made a quick call.
A moment later, a text came from my best friend.
‘Nora, I think I pissed someone off. I just got promoted last month, and my boss just called me in and said.
hey’re letting me go…”
My lips pressed into a thin line. I went to gather my things.
As I was leaving, I heard Lily’s mocking voice behind me.
See, Nora? You’re just like me, dependent on a man. And here I thought you had some backbone.”
My hand, clutching the handle of my suitcase, tightened. I shot back, “Have you forgotten? We’re not divorc- ed yet. He’s still my husband.”
Suddenly, John’s hand clamped down on my arm, his grip like iron.
Nora, who gave you the nerve to bully Lily right in front of me? And have you forgotten everything I’ve warn- ed you about?”
A sharp pain, like a needle, pierced my heart.
In all our years of marriage, he had never publicly acknowledged me as his wife. People knew he was marri- ed, but they also knew he was never short of beautiful women on his arm.
f I couldn’t compete, then there was no reason to wait another week.
The thought brought a small measure of relief.
Before returning to the villa, I stopped by a law firm and printed out a divorce agreement.
sent another text to that same number.
‘Don’t need to wait a week. I’m leaving in two days.”
