I competed in the dance competition and won the silver medal.
My teacher looked at me regretfully.
“If you hadn’t been pregnant and had trained harder during that time, you definitely could have won the gold.”
Still, I was satisfied.
Winning silver was already proof of my ability.
The moment I stepped off the plane, Matthew greeted me with a bouquet of flowers.
“Congratulations, little beggar! I didn’t expect you to actually win an award.”
I was extremely grateful to him.
If he hadn’t taken the initiative to expose Queenie for bribing the judges, I never would have had the chance to compete.
“I should thank you. Without you, I wouldn’t have had any hope of participating in the competition.”
A hint of a smile appeared in Matthew’s eyes.
“A simple thank–you isn’t enough. How about treating me to a meal?”
“Of course! Not just one meal–ten meals if you want! You fed me so many times when we were kids. Consider this as me repaying you!”
I thought it was just a joke, but Matthew immediately agreed without hesitation.
As we walked out of the airport, I saw Henry also standing there with a bouquet of flowers.
He ran over quickly. His forehead was slick with sweat.
“Stephanie, congratulations on winning!”
He handed me the flowers, but I didn’t take them.
I didn’t even spare him a glance or say a word.
“Aren’t you going to talk to him?” Matthew asked.
“He’s a stranger. What’s there to talk about?”
Behind me, Henry stumbled and fell to the ground.
He covered his face with both hands as tears streamed through his fingers.
He had lost his child and his love.
1/3
Only now did he realize that he had nothing left.
+15 BONUS
Matthew drove me to my rental apartment, but to my surprise, my former parents were already waiting outside with Queenie.
They had even pried open my apartment door.
“You ungrateful wretch! Not only did you steal Queenie’s trophy, but you also ruined her future in the dance industry! How could
she have such a vicious sister like you?”
Expressionless, I took out my phone and pulled up the severance agreement I had signed with them.
“I have nothing to do with the Reed family anymore. Don’t ever bother me again, or I’ll call the police.”
The elders were left speechless.
This time, Queenie set her sights on Matthew instead as she looked at him pitifully.
“Stephanie, no matter what, Mom and Dad raised you. Mr. Foster, can’t you talk some sense into her? If she can’t even respect
her own parents, how will she ever be a good wife in the future?”
It was clear now. Queenie had abandoned Henry and was trying to seduce Matthew instead.
