Chapter 86
"She's actually Mr. Guise's junior? No wonder her dancing is incredible."
"Right? Injured like that, and she still performed rebirth from the cocoon so beautifully. If she hadn't been hurt, she'd be a dance master by now!"
"Totally deserved that semifinal win. Her skill level blows everyone else away."
"If she's Mr. Guise's junior, why has she been stuck as just a contestant for so long instead of being a judge like him?"
Various discussions buzzed in my ears.
I didn't respond to the speculation. Just waited for the other judges to score.
"Contestant nine, is 'Breaking the Cocoon' your original choreography?"
A blonde, blue-eyed woman picked up the microphone.
I took the mic from the host and nodded slightly. "Yes."
"What inspired you to create this piece?"
"Because I gave up dance once before. Now I want to return to the industry I love. I hope I can achieve my own rebirth, just like 'Breaking the Cocoon.'"
The blonde woman raised an eyebrow. "If you love it so much, why did you quit?"
"Mary, that's the contestant's private business." Ethan tried to intervene.
Mary countered coolly, "I don't think it's private. She's already given up once. How can I trust she won't give up a second time?"
I gripped the microphone, my gaze cutting through the lights toward Leopold sitting dead center in the first row.
He happened to be looking at me, too, his eyes dark and dangerous.
Just as I was about to look away, Sophia suddenly took his arm, raising her eyebrows at me in a show of ownership.
My expression remained calm as I explained to Mary.
"Precisely because I gave up once, I know exactly what I want."
"I'll walk this path with clear eyes, all the way to my own glory."
Mary looked unconvinced but gave me an eight-point-eight.
The other judges didn't ask more questions. They just posted their scores.
My final score: nine-point-seven.
That gave me an absolute advantage in the competition.
Unless a second dark horse emerged, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to overtake me.
As I came down, Amelia was waiting.
"Cindy, you scared me to death! This competition may be prestigious, but you can't push yourself like this. If something had happened to you, I couldn't afford the liability even if I sold myself."
She carefully supported me while fussing.
"It's not that dramatic. Just surface wounds."
I said it lightly, but my knee was killing me.
Every step down felt like walking on knife edges.
"Slow down. I need a minute."
Hearing something off in my tone, Amelia immediately helped me sit on a plastic chair.
"Does it hurt badly? I'm taking you to the hospital right now."
I stopped her. "I can handle it. I want to wait for the final results."
Amelia panicked. "Wait for what! You're pale as a ghost from the pain. We can't wait!"
"Really, I'm fine—"
"You're asking for it!" After scolding me, Amelia turned and shouted behind her. "Leopold, how long are you going to hide back there! If you don't show yourself, Cindy's going to die from the pain!"
My chest tightened. Was Leopold here, too?
The next second, Leopold emerged from the shadows, his handsome face emotionless.
He walked up and scooped me into his arms without a word.
"Put me down—"
"Say one more word, and I'll carry you out through the audience."
His cold threat shut me up.
Thinking about that scene, I immediately went quiet.
But then I felt stubborn again.
"I worked so hard for this. I want to hear the results."
Leopold's arms tightened around me. "Someone will notify you."
I reluctantly accepted that.
"Cindy!"
The moment Leopold set me in the car, my parents rushed over.
Fanny asked anxiously, "How are you? Does it hurt terribly?"
James looked tense, too. "Don't be scared. Your mom and I will come to the hospital with you."
He instructed Leopold, "Leo, you take Cindy ahead. Fanny and I will be right behind you."
Leopold nodded and told the driver to go.
Maybe because I'd finally relaxed, my knee was screaming now.
Like someone was carving out my bones with a knife.
At first, I could sit normally, but soon I was slumped weakly against the seat, brow furrowed, hand silently gripping the door handle.
"Why are you covered in sweat?"
Leopold touched my forehead, his hand coming away damp. His expression tightened even more.
"Does it hurt that bad?"
"I'm okay." I forced the words out.
"Stop being stubborn!" Leopold glared at me in displeasure, then quickly pulled out a warm blanket and draped it over my knee.
The bone-deep pain eased slightly.
I wet my dry lips. "You just left? What about Sophia?"
I tried to distract myself with conversation.
Leopold studied my face carefully, answering coldly, "She has a driver. Not your concern."
I laughed softly. "Right. You've made arrangements for her. Not my concern."
My eyelids were getting heavy.
The moment Leopold noticed, he pinched my face, threatening, "Don't sleep. Look at me."
I tried to focus, but it wasn't working.
"Leopold... after you drop me at the hospital... just leave."
"What makes you think I'll listen to you?" Leopold bit out through clenched teeth.
I'd already lost everything to him.
I didn't want him knowing about my leg injury. I was afraid I'd see pity in his eyes.
So I couldn't sleep.
To keep myself awake, I bit down hard on my lip.
And of course, he noticed.
"Lucinda, let go."
I wouldn't. The pain in my mouth cleared my foggy consciousness for just a moment.
"Let go. Your lip is bleeding." Seeing me refuse, Leopold tried to pry my mouth open.
Feeling the interference, I bit down harder.
Through the haze, I felt something warm and liquid flooding my mouth.
Metallic.
"Lucinda? Can you hear me?"
"Lucinda!"
Leopold's voice grew increasingly urgent.
I wanted to tell him to shut up and stop being so loud, but the moment I opened my mouth, something soft as clouds blocked it.
He gripped the back of my neck, forcing my head up.
Lips and teeth tangled. Breath ragged and hot.
The metallic taste in my mouth faded.
What followed was an even more fervent, deeper kiss.
I tried to push him away, but my arms had no strength.
Noticing, he slowed the kiss.
This time it was patient and skillful, carrying an emotion compressed to its limit.
"Leopold."
I was afraid that if this continued, he'd consume what little awareness I had left. I tried to warn him, but couldn't get the words out.
My head felt unbearably heavy.
The grip on the back of my neck tightened.
I heard him say, "Don't sleep. We're almost at the hospital."
I don't know if it was my imagination, but I swear I heard panic in his voice.
I forced my eyes open, barely making out his sharp jawline.
"Lucinda..."
He said something else, but I didn't catch it.
I felt like I was sinking into a swamp, my body descending, consciousness drifting away.
I vaguely sensed being transferred to a gurney.
Using every ounce of strength, I grabbed the hand beside me, said my primary doctor's name, then plunged into darkness.