Chapter 46
I blinked, taken aback by his demand. Then, a slow smile crept across my face.
“On what grounds?” I challenged, meeting his gaze head–on. “Who are you to tell me what I can or
can’t do?”
nor
His eyes narrowed, a mocking gleam shining through.
“Don’t think I’m asking for your opinion.” His tone dropped, ice–cold. “If you insist on going through with it, you’ll face the consequences.”
For a moment, I stood there, processing his words.
Then I let out a short, bitter laugh.
Is Linda really so unsure of herself after ten years of piano lessons? Afraid she’ll lose to someone like me?” I shook my head, stepping closer to him. “What a waste.”
Arman’s face tightened with barely restrained anger, but I didn’t wait for his response.
*I turned and walked away, my steps heavy with the realization that neither Arman nor Ryan would
allow me to have an easy path.
They would do whatever it took to protect Linda, no matter how undeserving she was.
I would have to be careful. And I would have to work twice as hard.
The days leading up to the performance were a whirlwind.
I barely had time to breathe between schoolwork and endless rehearsals. I pushed myself to the limit, determined to succeed, but the physical toll was beginning to show.
Ethan noticed. He was always there when I came home, concern etched on his face.
You’re wearing yourself out,” he said gently one evening, his voice soft but firm. “I don’t want you to exhaust yourself over this. Even if you don’t place in the show, you’re still my proudest sister.”
“His words were meant to comfort, and I knew they came from his heart.
The Alpha’s Substitute Lana: A Heart Maines
Even if you don’t win, I’ll always take care of you. You’ll always have the best–fine clothes, good food, anything you need.” He reached out, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”
I smiled at him, touched by his kindness, but I shook my head.
“I know you mean well, Ethan, but I need to do this for myself. This time, I want to be my own pride.”
As if on cue, with only a few days left before the school event, Ryan found me. His approach was completely different this time–gentle, almost pleading.
“Sophia,” he began, his tone uncharacteristically soft. “Last time, I know I messed up. But you blocked me on everything. You wouldn’t even give me a chance to explain.”
I stood still, unsure of where this was going.
“I don’t know what happened,” he continued, his eyes searching mine for a flicker of understanding, “Was there some kind of misunderstanding? Or…” His voice wavered slightly. “Or… did you fall for
someone else?”
The question hung in the air, laden with a sadness that took me by surprise.
“You told me once,” Ryan went on, his voice breaking just a little, “that I was the only one you’d ever
love.”
I could see the pain in his eyes, the real hurt that simmered just below the surface.
Once upon a time, I had loved him deeply.
I had sacrificed so much for him–opportunities, dreams, even a promising career. He had once told
me that he didn’t like watching me perform for others, and like a fool, I had listened
I had given up the chance to become a principal dancer, one of the highest honors I could have achieved, just to keep him happy.
My teacher had been devastated. She had seen something in me, something special, and she had hoped I would carry on her legacy on stage.
But instead of becoming the white swan she believed I could be, I had clipped my own wings for Ryan.
Jhad chosen to be his wife, not the dancer I was meant to be.
The Alpha’s Substitute Lamar A Heart Claimed. A Soul Rebar
31.08.
Vape 45
And now, as Ryan stood before me, playing the role of the wounded lover, I couldn’t hold back any
longer.
Without warning, I reached out and grabbed the lapel of his jacket, shoving him backward until his back collided with the rough bark of a tree.
His eyes widened in shock, but before he could react, my hand came down in a hard slap across his
cheek.
“What are you still pretending in front of me?‘ I spat, my voice trembling with years of pent–up
frustration and anger.
Ryan shook and covered his face, too stunned to respond.
I sneered, ‘Isn’t that why you didn’t want me to compete, so you could send your white moon to a better future? Ryan, you can stop pretending in front of me.’
Ryan’s eyes widened and an incredulous shock solidified on his face, as if he was pondering how I
had learnt of this.
I stared at him silently, seeing what other tricks he could use.
