Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 157273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
He studied me in awkward silence for a good minute, then leaned forward and took the paperwork on the right and reached into his suit coat for a pen. Silence filled the cabin as he opened the folder. “Baby Rousseau,” he repeated, reading over the release.
“You don’t get to know their name.” I shook my head. Anne crafted the release to match the details of the original birth certificate, minus the gender. It wasn’t foolproof, but it would be enough to give a judge if Vasily ever changed his mind.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about. I’m simply signing a document releasing paternal rights over a child that was never mine to begin with. Though had it been, that lapse in judgment would have cost me dearly when it came to my reputation, had it not been for the casual disrespect of simple traffic laws.”
My entire body locked, and I forced myself to swallow the bile that swiftly rose in my throat at his casual mention of the accident.
“I only take the best, as you’re aware. Good thing I never had such a lapse in judgment.” His pen moved quickly over the release, and then the medical form, and I took short, shallow breaths until he stuffed both back into the folder and slid it across the table.
I caught it at the edge, then tossed the other one his direction. “For your records to do as you see fit. Thank you.” Anger was quickly replaced as full-hearted relief shot through me so quickly my head lightened. Juniper would be safe. Caroline would never lose her.
“Do take your contract, of course.” He motioned to the paperwork in front of me. “We wouldn’t be the Metropolitan Ballet Company without you as one of our principals. I mean that wholeheartedly, Alessandra. I only take the best, and you are unequivocally the best, as you proved today. You have my word that what happened here will never be mentioned. Rehearsals begin in two weeks. Come back where you belong and dance the role that was created for you. Who knows, it may make you the next prima of our time.”
I stared at the envelope like it might grow teeth and bite me.
“Three years. Incredible pay raise. Center seat, back row as always,” Vasily said, tucking his newly purchased envelope into his pocket. “I’m not oblivious, Alessandra. I know you’ve already had calls from San Francisco, Houston, and London.”
“And Paris,” I added. “Or I could go freelance and choose them all.”
“And Paris. But none of them are us. None of them are your family, and I know how much you enjoy dancing with your sister. Her contract isn’t up for another year. Perhaps . . .” He tapped his finger together and glanced Eva’s direction. “Perhaps she’ll find herself in a soloist position this season. Just look it over, approve it, and sign, or write an email to my assistant and she’ll send you an electronic version.”
“Allie,” Eva hissed, and she was right to. It was everything I’d worked for, everything our mother had dreamed of, and it would secure Eva too.
“I want to bring my dog to the studio.”
Vasily’s nose wrinkled. “I can have that included.”
The contract felt heavy as I picked it up. “Thank you for your offer.”
“I’ll see you in New York.” New York. My home. My apartment and my life. My sisters and Kenna. My company and my role. But no Hudson. “I mean it, Alessandra. This never happened. That child does not exist.”
A whimper sounded to the left as the boat dipped again, and my head whipped toward the door.
No, God, no. My soul left my body as Juniper’s head disappeared from the doorway, and through the window, I watched her back away, her hands covering her mouth as she retreated toward the railing, like she couldn’t get away from us fast enough.
“Stop!” I shoved all the paperwork at Eva as I ran for the door.
Juniper stumbled backward, her eyes frozen in shock, staring past me into the cabin. The boat rose into the next swell and water crested the deck, pouring over the railing and Juniper’s lilac dress. My heels slipped as I reached the deck, and I lunged for her—
But she wasn’t there.
“No!” The boat pitched as I hurtled to the side. A flash of purple in the water below had me scrambling over the water-slick railing.
“Allie!” Eva shrieked behind me.
I jumped.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Allie
ReeseOnToe: They’re sisters. Hopefully they’ll figure it out. Watching their videos has been so helpful in my own journey.
WendyCook52: Agreed. They’re so inspirational, but they’re human, too.
The Atlantic was fucking freezing.
The cold knocked the breath from my lungs as I fought to the surface, kicking with all my strength, clawing my way through the water.
I gasped when I broke the surface, then swiveled my head, looking for Juniper. It took less than a second to spot her a few yards to my left, sputtering as she treaded water, disappearing for a second as a swell separated us. My heart pounded as I swam, trying to remember two summers’ worth of boating and swimming lessons from over a decade ago.