Chapter 20
I instinctively turned to see a tall, elegant figure standing nearby. When our eyes met, he flashed me a warm smile.
I was startled. "...Ethan?" Just yesterday on the phone, I thought he was still abroad. I never expected he'd already returned.
"I thought I was seeing things at first," he explained with a smile. "But it really is you."
His appearance instantly cleared my confused thoughts. With Leopold unwilling to help, Ethan was my last hope.
"Ethan, I need a favor. It's sudden, but I—"
"Of course."
He agreed before I could even finish.
I paused, taken aback. "Don't you want to know what it is? What if it's something difficult?"
Ethan's smile remained. "You must be in a serious bind if you're skipping the small talk and asking for help right away."
His straightforward response made me think of Leopold's difficult attitude. Same request, completely opposite reactions.
I briefly explained about my lost competition registration.
Without hesitation, Ethan immediately said, "Just a moment. I know the director of the International Ballet Competition. I'll contact her right now."
Watching him make the call, I finally felt some relief. A minute later, he hung up.
"I've sent you a form. Fill it out and send it back to me ASAP," he said. "Then record a video and send it directly to this email address."
My phone pinged with two consecutive messages—one with the form, the other with the International Ballet email address.
"Thank you, Ethan. I'll head back to the dance company right away to prepare."
"Wait." Ethan placed his hand on my shoulder. "Your video was lost there. To be safe, it's better to use a different location."
His logic made sense. "I'll check if there are any dance studios nearby for rent."
"No need to go through all that trouble. A friend of mine owns a dance studio nearby. I'll just give her a call."
I hesitated, worried about imposing.
Ethan noticed and smiled. "The sooner we get this done, the sooner you can relax."
Convinced by his words, I agreed. With his help, I re-recorded my video in less than an hour. After confirming everything was perfect, I immediately sent it to the email address.
With all that done, I could finally breathe easy again.
Seeing it was almost dinnertime, I suggested, "Ethan, let me treat you to dinner tonight. Consider it a welcome back celebration."
"You're now a contestant in the International Ballet Competition. Having dinner with me might be a bit... sensitive."
At first, I didn't understand his meaning, but then it clicked. "Are you a judge?" I asked excitedly.
I couldn't think of any other reason he'd need to return.
Ethan nodded slightly. "Yes, but it needs to stay confidential."
I quickly agreed.
"I'll celebrate with you after you make it to the finals and win the championship."
Ethan's words encouraged me greatly. "It's a deal, then." After four years of hard preparation, I was confident I could win that championship!
"It's nice to see you haven't changed," Ethan said suddenly.
His words stung my heart slightly. Then, I smiled softly.
"Yes, I'm grateful I haven't." Even though I deeply love Leopold, I've still maintained my sense of self. I haven't let pain make me doubt who I am. I haven't let outside criticism drive me into isolation. I've always stood by what I believe is right.
Perhaps because we hadn't seen each other in so long, Ethan and I talked for quite a while. We walked from near the hospital all the way to downtown.
By the time I realized, I didn't feel like going back for my car, so I accepted Ethan's offer to drive me home.
The car stopped in front of my house. Just as I unbuckled my seatbelt, Samuel called.
I answered while getting out of the car. "Lucinda, I've contacted Mr. Percy. He's agreed to help you meet with the director of the International Ballet Competition. Call him back right away."
"Mr. Flores, I've already resolved the registration issue, you don't need to—" My words cut off abruptly when I spotted that tall, slender figure standing at my doorway.
"Don't need what? Have you already registered?" Samuel asked, confused.
That figure approached me step by step, radiating suppressed anger.
My throat tightened. "Mr. Flores, something's come up. I have to go."
"I thought you'd be desperate by now, maybe even hiding somewhere crying." Leopold stopped two steps away from me, his gaze sliding past me to focus behind me, instantly turning razor-sharp. "Apparently, I was being presumptuous."
For a moment, I panicked. But remembering what Sophia had told me earlier, that panic transformed into heartache.
"Leopold, you don't need to mock me. I'm not like you. I've always been straightforward and honest. I never hide things or deceive people."
Leopold's eyes turned cold. "Never hide or deceive? Lucinda, how dare you say that!"
His words cut deep. "Why shouldn't I? Leopold, search your conscience—in the ten years we've been together, have I ever done anything to hurt you?"
In an instant, Leopold's expression became terrifying, like he wanted to tear me apart. I was frightened and unconsciously stepped back.
"Leopold, long time no see." Ethan came to my side, ignoring the tension between Leopold and me as he greeted him.
I was about to breathe a sigh of relief. But Leopold, as if he'd gone mad, rushed forward and punched Ethan in the face. Ethan fell to the ground, his lip visibly swollen and bleeding.
"Ethan!" Just as I moved to check his injuries, Leopold glared at me viciously. My breath caught. That look was full of murderous rage—a look I'd never seen on Leopold before.
"Leopold, don't be such a bully!" Ethan rubbed his lip as he stood up.
Leopold whipped around, his voice ice-cold. "I'm just claiming the justice I deserve!"
Then he charged again. The two men began fighting, and when it became clear Ethan was no match for Leopold, who had him pinned down, I rushed forward and grabbed Leopold's raised arm.
His muscles were tensed like stone, nearly pulling me down with the force. I could only shout, "Leopold, calm down! Stop fighting!"
Leopold turned to look at me, his eyes bloodshot. "You're worried about him?"
I quickly shook my head. "Don't do this. You're scaring me."
Leopold's body trembled, and the rage in his eyes finally subsided. Feeling his muscles relax, I let go.
At that moment, Ethan flipped over and got up, kicking Leopold hard in the chest. Caught off guard, Leopold staggered back three steps before regaining his balance.
I was shocked, looking at Ethan in disbelief.
The next second, Leopold's cold laughter reached my ears. "Lucinda, if I ever believe a single word from you again, I deserve whatever comes to me!"