Chapter 54

Rodger took Violet's hand in his, his voice gentle and full of promise. "You don't have to worry about a thing. Everything's set. You can start at the academy tomorrow."

"Are you serious?" Violet looked at him in surprise, her emotions surging.

She didn't need to be in Oticester's top dance academy for its own sake-what really mattered was that the world's silver medalist in ballet was coming to scout for new talent.

Once she claimed the national title, Violet was determined to earn a place as that gold medalist's apprentice, setting her sights on the global stage.

"Of course." Rodger smiled softly, brushing his thumb along her cheek. "I would never mislead you,Violet."

Violet beamed, throwing her arms around him and peppering his face with eager kisses."You're amazing,Rodger!"

He pulled her in, and the two got swept up in a kiss, the rest of the world fading away.

Just as the moment deepened, his phone buzzed, slicing through their bliss.

"Rodger, your phone," Violet murmured, leaning into him, her longing clear.

"Let it be," he whispered, drawing her closer as their lips met again, lost in each other.

...

Outside the courthouse.

"What? He still hasn't picked up?" Sloane's tone sharpened with irritation.

"No. He sent a text saying he was on his way,but now he's ghosting me." Emilia shook her head,brows knitting together.

"He's totally playing games with you, Emilia. I'd bet on it." Sloane huffed, barely hiding her annoyance.

Emilia tried again-sent another message, dialed his number-nothing. This time, the call was cut off, and then his phone went straight to voicemail. "He switched his phone off," said Emilia.

"I knew it! He's stringing you along. Let's go to his place and make him face us."

Emilia caught Sloane's arm before she could storm off. "Don't. It's not worth it."

"We're just supposed to sit here and let him waste our time? He's the one who wanted this divorce so badly, but now he's got you waiting around like a fool," Sloane scoffed, her frustration simmering.

"If he doesn't want the divorce, that's fine by me. Sooner or later, he'll be the one chasing after me for it." Emilia's lips curled into a cool smile and blocked his number.

She had all the time in the world, but Violet didn't have that luxury. As long as she held onto the marriage, Violet was stuck playing the other woman-forever in the shadows, always facing judgment.

"I can't stand this! You have to come out with me tonight. We need to hit the club. Nothing cures frustration like a few hot guys and some chiseled abs. I'm not going home until I've squeezed at least one!" Sloane declared, feigning outrage.

That drew a genuine laugh from Emilia. "Alright,alright, I'll splurge for you tonight. You can have the pick of the top escorts-my treat."

"You really are the best." Sloane grinned and slung an arm over Emilia's shoulders.

"Before that," Emilia said, "take me to the city's top dance academy. I want to register for the independent entrance exam and check out their studio."

"You're really going for the independent track?You haven't danced in forever. Are you sure you'll pass? I heard their exam is even stricter than what their teachers have to go through."Sloane raised an eyebrow.

That academy only offered two ways in: nail the grueling independent entrance exam, or earn a spot through the teachers' evaluation.

For the exam, one had to perform a ballet routine while a machine scored their every move-no room for error, no chance for bias.

Passing the ballet exam required a score of no less than ninety-five, and even the smallest error in posture or movement could mean failure.

On top of that,both the ballet portion and the other subjects had to be finished within a strict time limit, and applicants were expected to score 15 points higher than what the teachers usually required.

By comparison, the teacher evaluation was far more forgiving, allowing students with slightly lower marks a chance at admission.

Because of this, most students chose the safer route of teacher evaluation, unless they were certain of their skills and dared to take on the independent entrance test.

Hardly anyone managed to pass through the entrance exam, and for the past two years, not a single student had succeeded at this academy.