Page 20 of The Bittersweet Bond

So instead, he opened another chat.

Cat.

He hesitated, starring at his display. Then…

Bas

Where are you?

Are you still up?

He stared at the message, his thumb hovering over the send button, while the ocean kept crashing against the cliffs below.

Then, he pressed send.

Chapter 4

Mirror, Mirror

Evin

The ballet studio was silent, save for the occasional shuffle of slippers against the wooden floor and the whispering of girls as they sat on the ground, waiting. Evin stretched her legs, her muscles slightly tense, but it wasn’t the practice occupying her thoughts.

The memory of the party and Bas was lodged deep in her mind, no matter how much she tried to push it away. Ballet was the one place where she had control, where she could forget everything else.

It had been a few days since the weekend, and Evin still hadn’t heard back from Bas. She had sent him a long message, explained everything, hoping he would understand.

His status:read.

Butno reply.

The empty screen of her phone haunted her thoughts, like a silent accusation. And today—on top of everything—they’d had another fight.

Mrs. Wagner entered the studio with her usual rigid grace, her presence instantly silencing the whispers in the room. Her short hair, slicked tightly back, glistened almost black beneath the studio lights, emphasizing the severity of her expression. Everything about her spoke of absolute control, from the precise lines of her navy-blue leotard—its thin straps revealing just enough of her toned back—to the subtle flare of her black jazz pants.

Her movements were fluid, each step purposeful in her minimal-heeled dance shoes. Even without saying a word, she demanded perfection, her sharp gaze scanning the dancers, noticing every flaw.

Mrs. Wagner had never been gentle, but she was fair and painfully straightforward.

Evin straightened instinctively under that penetrating stare. She knew exactly what she wanted—Mrs. Wagner’s approval, yes, but even more, ballet was her lifeline, the one place where the noise in her head quieted and the rest of the world ceased to matter.

Evin forced her shoulders back. Her gaze flickered over the other dancers gathered in front of Mrs. Wagner, attentive but visibly nervous. Everyone knew this wasn’t just any class. Every two years, there was a major performance—the highlight of the ballet ensemble—and this year, it was time again.

“I hope you’re ready,” Mrs. Wagner began, her voice calm but firm. “The time has come. This is your moment to rise to a real challenge.” The girls shifted slightly closer together. Everyone could sense the weight of the announcement.

Mrs. Wagner paused for a moment before continuing, “This year, we will be performingLa Bayadère.”

A murmur rippled through the rows.

Evin heard some of the girls sharply inhale.

La Bayadère—this wasn’t an easy piece. It was a tale of love, betrayal, and death.

“La Bayadèreis one of the most demanding pieces in the ballet world,” Mrs. Wagner explained. “It tells the story of Nikiya, a temple dancer who falls hopelessly in love with Solor, only to be betrayed in the end. It’s about sacrifice, passion, the struggle between love and duty. And it is not just a test of your technique—it’s a test of your character.”

Evin’s heart raced. The challenge Mrs. Wagner described was exactly what she needed—something to ground her physically, something to drown out the chaos in her mind.

This was her chance.

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