NovelEnglishThe Black Swan's Final Revenge Pirouette: The 99th Game Was Mine All Along by Kylie Homme
Chapter 24Chapter 24
London, three years later.
Ariana Collins stood before the mirror in the rehearsal room, adjusting her posture. Being principal dancer with
the National Ballet wasn’t something that ceasily she worked tirelessly every day to maintain her position at
the top.
She looked healthier than ever. The shadow of Luigi Maggiore had long faded from her life. He remained in
prison, serving tfor that “accidental” fire and other accumulated charges. Leila too had paid for her role in
everything, while Ariana had finally claimed the
life she deserved.
“Miss Collins, rehearsal starts in five minutes!” an assistant called from the doorway.
“Thanks, I'll be right there!” Ariana replied, taking a deep breath as she prepared for another challenging day.
The stage had becher salvation, her healing space, her freedom. Every turn, every leap took her further
from the nightmares of her past.
“Guys, have you heard? We're doing a special collab with Team USA at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony!”
Her colleague Zoe burst into the break room, excitedly waving a paper.
Ariana looked up from her stretching. “For real? When?”
“Next month!” Zoe handed her a list. “Look, you've been picked! We're performing right before Team USA comes
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtin the this ‘Friendship Across Boundaries.””
Ariana scanned the list, her heart racing. This was huge billions worldwide would be watching. Since joining the
National Ballet, she'd never performed on such a massive
stage.
But the thought of returning to America also made her uneasy. Though Luigi was locked. away, that country still
held too many memories.
“I need to think about it,” she said quietly.
“Think about what?” Artistic Director Margaret appeared in the doorway. “This is a
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The Black Swan's Final Revenge Pirouette: The 99th GWas Mine All Along
10.34
Chapter 24
career-defining moment, Ariana. Don’t let anything hold you back.”
Ariana met Margaret's determined gaze and nodded. “You're right. I'm in.”
The Winter Olympics rehearsals were even more intense than Ariana had imagined. Teams from all nations,
performers, and crew members navigated the limited space, trying to coordinate complex routines.
She was adjusting her shoe ribbons at the edge of the stage when a deep voice spoke behind
her.
“Excuse me, is this yours?”
Ariana turned to see a tall man holding her water bottle. He wore Team USA training gear, with broad shoulders,
a defined jawline, and ice-blue eyes that met hers directly.
“Yes, thank you,” she reached for the bottle, their fingers briefly touching.
A jolt of electricity seemed to run from that contact point through her entire body. For a moment, she found it
hard to breathe.
“I'm Leo Reed,” he extended his hand. “Team USA hockey.”
“Ariana Collins,” she replied, shaking his hand. “British National Ballet.”
Leo’s hand was warm and strong, his handshake firm but not overpowering. His eyes swept over her face as if
searching for something. “You look familiar,” he commented. “Have we
met before?”
Ariana’s heart skipped, but she quickly composed herself. No one could possibly recognize her. She'd changed
her hairstyle, lost significant weight, even her facial structure looked different due to these changes. Besides,
she’d never met this Leo Reed.
“I don’t think so,” she answered, her lips curving slightly. “I'd remember.”
Leo broke into a smile that lit up his entire face Shere. | definitely would too.”
After the opening ceremony, Ariana was meant to return to London to continue her rehearsals, but an
unexpected invitation changed her plans.
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“Miss Collins,” her agent said over the phone, “the American Ballet Theatre wants you for their winter tour! It's a
two-month contract with excellent pay. They were blown away by your opening ceremony
performance.”
Sitting in her hotel room, Ariana contemplated the offer. Stay in America for two more months? This meant
postponing several projects in London. But it was also a rare opportunity to work with another world-class
company.
And she had to admit, there was another factor drawing her to accept.
Since their brief conversation at the opening ceremony, she and Leo had stayed in touch. It started with simple
text messages, then occasional calls, quickly evolving into daily conversations. They talked with natural ease
about everything - from professional techniques to childhood memories to dreams for the future.
Leo mentioned he'd be competing in several cities during her tour - they could meet up.
“Pll take it,” she told her agent, her heart racing!
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