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Chapter 42
Ryan hesitated for a moment, his eyes still burning with unspoken anger as he looked at me one last time.
But, reluctantly, he slunk back to his desk, and the hum of conversation finally died down.
A month later, the school was buzzing with excitement as the centennial celebration approached.
Everyone was talking about the upcoming event the performances, the guests, and the grand festivities that would take place to mark the occasion.
–
In class, our teacher stood at the front of the room, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm as she announced,
“This year, our class has the opportunity to contribute to the centennial ceremony.
If any of you want to propose a performance, this is your chance to showcase your talents!”
The
he students erupted into excited chatter, throwing out suggestions for performances and eagerly discussing their ideas.
But I found myself drifting into a daze, memories of the past seeping into my mind.
In her previous life, Linda was the one who performed a piano solo at the school gala, arranged by Ryan and Altman.
Linda, who had captured the audience’s attention with her flawless piano solo.
They had arranged for a well–known university professor to attend that night.
He was in charge of admissions and had the power to pull strings for certain students, allowing them special privileges in exchange for a stellar performance.
Linda’s show had been a resounding success, and she’d walked away with an offer that included an exemption from entrance exams – and a free ride to university.
And what about me?
had spent over ten years practicing dance, starting at the age of four. I had prepared a beautiful
The Alpha’s Substitute Luna: A Heart Claimed, A Soul Reborn
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performance, eager to show everyone what I could do.
But I never got the chance.
Because Ryan had found me, just a few days before the ceremony, and taken that opportunity away.
I remembered it vividly.
It was sunset, and we were alone on campus. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon.
He had wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.
His voice was soft, coaxing, as he whispered, “Do you really need to perform? Sophia, I don’t want all those people looking at you while you dance. I’ll get jealous.”
I had been touched then.
It felt like, finally, Ryan was showing he cared.
He had never seemed particularly interested in any of my activities or performances before, but now, here he was, asking me to dance for him and him alone.
Just dance for me,” he had said, his voice so tender it made my heart ache. “No one else. I want it to be just us.”
So, on the night of the ceremony, while Linda dazzled the audience, I was in a deserted dance studio, performing for Ryan over and over again. Just the two of us.
When my dance ended, I had heard the roaring applause coming from the auditorium.
Ryan had heard it too. He turned to me and laughed, the sound so uncharacteristically soft and genuine.
I had thought it was because of my dance – because he was happy I had chosen him over the bowd.
“Ryan,” I had asked, throwing my arms around him, my heart pounding in my chest, “are you
happy?”
His body stiffened for just a moment before he answered, “Happy.”
At the time, I had believed him. But it wasn’t until much later that I realized the truth.
Ryan’s joy had nothing to do with me.
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was all about Linda. Her performance had been a triumph, and Ryan had been thrilled because,
-and for him. her success meant more opportunities for her
I was nothing more than a footnote in his life.
With that thought solidified in my mind, I raised my hand.
The classroom grew silent, and all eyes turned toward me, wide with surprise.
I could see the shock on their faces
after all, to them, I was just Ryan’s quiet shadow.
A follower who never made waves or expressed her own interests.
They had no idea of the fire that still burned inside me, or the skills I had honed over the years, hidden beneath layers of Ryan’s control.
But little did they know, I had won countless awards in dance before.
This time, I’m going to stop Ryan and Linda’s plot, get on the stage where I belong, and wow everyone who looks down on me.
