Chapter 75
"Cindy, what did you tell me before?"
Ethan's expression darkened with displeasure, as if I'd lied to him.
"Ethan, I—"
Before I could answer, Leo pulled me behind him.
"Cindy's an adult. She knows what she's doing and doesn't need to explain herself to an outsider."
Ethan's face hardened. "Cindy, do you also see me as an outsider with no right to ask?"
"Of course not."
I quickly pulled free from Leo's grip. "Ethan, you absolutely have the right to ask. But please trust me—I'll handle this."
Ethan's expression softened slightly. "Fine. I believe you."
"I won't go back on what I promised you earlier. Don't let this distract you during the competition. No matter what happens, I'll always have your back."
I nodded. "I know. Thank you."
When I turned around, Leo was already walking away with a stormy expression.
"Leo?"
I took a few steps after him, but when he didn't stop, I gave up.
Whatever. He was upset. Nothing I said right now would help anyway. I'd talk to him when he came home tonight.
I waited until midnight. Looking out at the quiet darkness, I sighed in resignation.
After the finals, whether I joined the Royal Ballet or went abroad for treatment, I'd be leaving the country. My relationship with Leo would have to end then anyway.
Forget it. We were going to separate eventually. No point getting too entangled.
...
The next morning, I came downstairs with my bag and caught the sweet scent of toasted bread wafting from the kitchen.
I set down my bag and hurried toward the source. Leo stood at the stove in an apron, expertly frying eggs.
"When did you get back?"
Leo didn't look up. "After I was sure you weren't going to come looking for me."
The accusation in that statement was crystal clear.
Guilt pricked at me. I touched my nose sheepishly. "I did look for you. I thought you'd come home last night."
Leo shot me a cool glance. "You just waited. Didn't think to call?"
"How was I supposed to know if you'd even pick up?"
He set the pan down with a heavy thunk.
"You won't know unless you try, will you?"
His logic left me speechless. I dropped my hands and said nothing.
Leo got even more irritated. He opened his mouth to scold me.
"You're really—"
But halfway through, he seemed at a loss for words and turned back to his eggs with an exasperated huff.
I looked at the eggs, already turning dark golden-brown. "They're burning."
Leo glared at me and snorted. "Good. Let them burn. You can eat them all. Since you don't know how to use your mouth anyway, burnt food won't hurt you."
I knew he was mad about the phone call—or lack thereof.
Last night, I'd deliberately not called. I didn't want to get too attached. Didn't want to make leaving harder when the time came.
But I obviously couldn't say that. It would only make things worse.
Still, seeing that he was still upset, I felt like I should say something, or this would never blow over.
"Leo, please don't be mad."
Leo set down the spatula and picked up two plates. "Get out of here. You're in the way."
I didn't dare argue. I retreated quietly to the dining room, watching him bustle around, cutting toast, pouring milk, and fetching jam.
Guilt twisted deeper in my chest.
I picked up a slice of toast and spread it thick with jam. When he came out, I held it up to him.
"Here, eat this. I promise you'll like it."
Leo glanced at the jam-covered toast. His stormy expression finally lightened.
He took a bite.
Only after he'd eaten it did I realize—this was how I used to appease Leopold.
For all his cold, rigid exterior, Leopold had a serious sweet tooth. Whenever I made him angry, I'd slather toast with extra jam to win him back.
This time it was pure muscle memory.
"Leo, is it too sweet?"
Leo sat down calmly. "No. It's perfect."
I blinked in surprise. "You like sweets too?"
"'Too'?" Leo's gaze turned dangerous. "Who else likes sweets?"
"My trainwreck of an ex, obviously."
The moment I answered, I froze.
Was I getting too comfortable around Leo? I'd been so guarded with him before. How had we fallen into this easy familiarity so quickly?
He'd walked into my bedroom the other night without permission, and I hadn't even gotten mad.
Leo's voice drawled lazily. "Sounds like he's been bothering you again?"
I hadn't planned to say anything, but looking at the perfectly golden eggs on my plate, I changed my mind.
I pulled up Sophia's photo on my phone and showed him.
"Remember how you asked who my senior beat up the other night? Well, here she is."
Leo glanced at it, his expression unreadable.
"That's it?"
I shook my head slowly.
"Actually, I didn't tell you everything before. When I suddenly went offline the other night while we were texting, it was because my ex brought me home. My leg was bothering me, so he carried me to the door. Honestly? For a moment, I wavered."
"But then he accused me of having something inappropriate going on with my senior. Said I'd destroyed our ten years together. The joke? Right after saying all that, Sophia called him, and he rushed off without even saying goodbye."
"Later, my senior got hurt because Sophia fell and got injured. My ex assumed my senior had pushed her."
I couldn't help but laugh at that.
Leo's voice tightened. "What's so funny? Didn't he?"
"You guessed it. When I met with Sophia alone, she admitted she'd fallen on purpose. She wanted to drive a wedge between me and my ex, force me to leave Silverlight City."
My smile faded. "She also said I'll always be her defeated rival. That she'll keep finding ways to push me out."
"She wouldn't dare!" Leo's expression turned icy.
"Of course she would. Because no matter what she says, my ex will believe her. It's only a matter of time before I'm forced to leave."
"I won't let her get away with it. I promise you that."
I looked at Leo, the corner of my mouth quirking up slightly.
"You don't need to get involved. Even my senior couldn't handle her, let alone you."
"But I appreciate the thought."
Leo frowned. "You don't think I can protect you?"
"It's not about whether I believe you. Silverlight City is Percy family territory. Even if you're capable, you're no match for them. There's no point sacrificing yourself."
I finished my eggs and picked up a piece of toast.
"It's getting late. I should head to Crescent Ballet Company. I'll probably be back late the next few days. Call if you need anything."
Leo walked me to the car. Before I pulled away, he looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't.
I didn't ask.
When I arrived at Crescent Ballet Company, I headed straight for Amelia's office to request a private practice room.
Just as I reached the door, Sophia's voice drifted out.
"Amelia, even though I'm not competing in the international ballet competition, everyone knows my skills."
"Plus, I'm about to join the world's top company—the Royal Ballet. I'm willing to bring my reputation to your studio because I genuinely want to help you reach new heights."
"Why won't you accept my offer?"