Chapter 5

Ivanna never expected that Wilson Kirk would actually send her flowers. But in spite of her shock, she clearly heard Adrian's words. They were laughable. He'd always stand on Lydia's side, making things harder for her and always laying the blame on her shoulders. Now, what right did he have to question her? Ivanna yanked her hand free of his grip and let out a cold laugh. "What does it have to do with you?" She clutched the bouquet and turned to leave, but Adrian quickly stepped forward and blocked her path. "Don't be ridiculous, Ivanna. I know you sent these roses to yourself just to make me jealous. What I did before was wrong, I admit that. But don't worry, I'll make it up to you. "Remember that necklace at the auction you liked so much? I'll buy it for you. Would that make you happy?" His tone dripped with affection, but to Ivanna, his words were nothing short of absurd. How could a necklace ever compare to this performance? It was clear that in his eyes, her dreams and her passions had never been worth anything. What filled her heart now wasn't only sorrow, it was disappointment too. She was disappointed in Adrian, in all the years they'd shared together, and in everything that still bound them together. But Lydia saw things very differently. She had adored that necklace and had hinted at it to Adrian more than once, though he'd always pretended not to understand. Yet now, he was offering it to Ivanna. Lydia's hands curled into fists, and her eyes burned with resentment as she looked at Ivanna. "There's no need," Ivanna firmly said. "Adrian, I already told you. We're done." The smile on Adrian's face stiffened, his eyes clouding with confusion. But Ivanna had no intention of wasting any more of her time with him and Lydia. She simply stepped past them and walked away. Behind her, Adrian's furious shouts echoed through the hall. "Ivanna, don't you dare regret this! Do you think you're the only woman in the world? You're not! One day, you'll be on your knees begging me!" But Ivanna didn't look back, and neither did she slow her steps. But it didn't take long for her to realize why Adrian had shouted those very words. Soon, news outlets announced Lydia's appointment as principal dancer, and reporters rushed to cover her every word. As she stood before the cameras, Lydia revealed that she had once been bullied by a fellow dancer. With that, the Internet erupted. Within hours, everyone was determined to uncover the identity of the dancer who had bullied her. From Lydia's carefully given hints, it didn't take long before all fingers pointed to Ivanna, and she became the public's target. But Ivanna wasn't upset by the insults and speculation online. After all, malicious slander had never been enough to wound her. What truly broke her heart was discovering that the hand behind it all belonged to the man who had once been her only love—Adrian. "Ivanna, if you apologize now, it's still not too late. But if you don't, you'll regret it." She read Adrian's threatening message but chose not to reply. Meanwhile, Adrian waited and waited, then sent another message, only to discover that she had already blocked him. His face twisted in rage. He hurled his phone to the ground, smashing it into pieces. "Fine, Ivanna. Fine!" He then stretched out his hand and said, "Give me your phone!" Samuel quickly passed his phone to him. Adrian then called the troupe director, Peter Egan. He said, "Starting tomorrow, I don't want to see Ivanna in the troupe anymore." "Yes, Mr. Cross," Peter replied. When the call ended, Samuel hesitated before saying, "Adrian, isn't this too much? You know dancing has always been Ivanna's dream. That troupe means the world to her..." "So what?" Adrian cut him off, striking the black ball with his cue stick. It rolled across the green felt and dropped neatly into the pool table pocket. He straightened with a triumphant smile. "This is the only way she'll finally understand that she can't live without me."