Chapter 10 My Glory
I didn’t know any of this.
Time passed quickly. Before I knew it, the heavy snow in Srester had melted, and the city had entered a cold, crisp spring.
After some time auditing, with the help of a teacher back home, I was accepted into the Srester State Ballet Academy.
“Alice, congratulations! Soon you’ll be heading back to Ardby for the competition. I’m sure you’ll reclaim the glory that belongs to you.”
“Thank you, Ivan.” I smiled gratefully at the tall man Ivan Paul before
- me.
Ivan was of mixed heritage–his father Arnoldo Paul ran a foreign trade company, while his mother was from Srester and had studied abroad.
His parents had lived in Ardby for a time and met my father on a trip.
When I first arrived in Srester, I was alone. With little hope, I reached out to Arnoldo, and to my surprise, they offered me a great deal of help during my time here.
“I also need to thank you for helping me find a place to stay and assisting with my school application,” I said.
“Don’t mention it, Alice. We’re friends. My parents like you too,” Ivan replied seriously, his blue–gray eyes locking onto mine. “If possible, I’d like to take you to Ardby someday. It’s my father’s homeland.”
“Alright, you’ve shown me around Srester for so long. Now it’s my turn
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to show you around.”
Half a month later, we arrived at the theater in Vlison in Ardby.
This time, I was focused.
The past had faded into nothing. All I cared about now was giving a perfect performance.
I had once fallen here, escaping in humiliation amidst the laughter of others. But now, I felt no fear or panic–only a desire to dance freely.
I was going to reclaim what I had lost, rising from where I had fallen, and rebuilding my body and soul on this stage that was mine.
After a brief moment of darkness, the music started. The lights came down from above, shining on me. In the spotlight, I rose onto my toes and began to spin.
When the dance ended, the applause was deafening.
I saw Ivan standing in the spot where I could easily see him, holding a bouquet of flowers. Lilies. My mother’s favorite flowers.
I knew he was telling me that my parents, watching from above, were also witnessing my dance. Tears welled up in my eyes as I bowed.
But just then, something unexpected happened. A man, his face gaunt and covered in stubble, suddenly appeared from the crowd, holding a child in his arms.
“Alice, Alice! It’s me! I’m your husband!” The man’s words were slurred, and he was incoherent. I couldn’t help but step back in shock.
Thankfully, security rushed in and kept him from getting too close.
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But somehow, the man found the strength to pull out a kitchen knife and press it to the child’s neck.
“Alice! If you don’t come with me, I’ll kill him! I don’t believe you have no feelings for this child!”
It was then that I recognized the man. It was Lionel. And the skinny, crying child in his arms was Dion.
“Speak, Alice! You’re my wife! You’re the David family’s lady!” he shouted, crazed.
But I barely paid him any attention. I gave Ivan a reassuring glance, silently telling him that I was fine.
I knew Vlison was the safest place, and the theater’s security was top- notch. There was no way a madman could threaten me here.
Sure enough, before I could speak, plainclothes police officers rushed in and subdued the man.
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“Sorry, Ms. Potts. I’m sure you’re shaken up,” a female officer
explained.
DE
“The suspect, Lionel, is believed to have murdered his former lover and disposed of her body in a city moat. We’ve been monitoring him for some time.‘
“He’s broken the law and will soon face legal consequences. You don’t need to worry.”
He… had killed Alissa. I was stunned for a moment, but then I quickly regained my composure.
These two had caused so much harm over the years, and now, everything was catching up with them.
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“Ms. Potts, this child appears to have been abused and is malnourished. He likely has psychological issues as well. We plan to send him to his grandmother in the countryside for care. Would that be alright with you?”
I nodded, thinking, ‘Let this be the final severing of any connection between me and the David family.‘
*****
A month later, at the Serenity Mountain Cemetery, I silently placed white chrysanthemums and lilies at my parents‘ graves.
“Mom, Dad, it’s almost funny. Since you left, today is the first time I can tell you without any guilt that I’m doing well.”
“Ivan is the child of your old friends. We’ve been traveling around Ardby for a month, and he really loves it here,” I whispered softly. “Soon, I’ll go back to Srester to continue my ballet studies. Don’t worry.”
Ivan watched me for a moment before speaking, “Alice, would you consider marrying me? I can protect you.”
I smiled, looked up at him, and changed the subject. “My parents wanted me to always have something to rely on, something solid in my life.”
He nodded, a little confused.
“I guess they were right. After they left, I always relied on the David family, on my husband. But now, I realize it’s better to grow into a strong, unshakable tree than to depend on anyone else.”
“I’m no longer the little girl who needed protecting.”
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Ivan seemed to understand, his gray–blue eyes lowered slightly, looking somewhat downcast.
I paused for a moment, then smiled and said, “For now, I’m not thinking about marriage. But if you want to date me, maybe we’ll see where it goes.”
Ivan smiled in surprise and nodded eagerly.
A breeze passed through the pine trees, and the lily petals fluttered as if my parents were smiling at me.
