Chapter 1

The day before the grand finale, my boyfriend orchestrated a car crash just so his first love could win the competition and debut in the center spot.

He crushed my legs with his own hands, making sure I would never stand on a stage again.

When I woke up and confronted him through my sobs, he simply shrugged it off as if it were nothing.

"Cannie, this is her dream," he said. "She has no one else but me. I have to help her achieve it."

But that was my dream, too.

Once I decided to stop loving him, he ended up smashing his own legs just to beg for my forgiveness.

1

I was jolted awake by a searing, white-hot pain.

The suffocating scent of disinfectant filled my lungs.

Gavin was sitting by my bed, peeling an orange with a terrifyingly calm expression. "Cannie, just wait a bit longer. The doctor said your legs can still be saved, so be a good girl. I'll call them in a few minutes."

A flicker of hope ignited in my chest. I gathered every ounce of strength I had to reach for the call button.

In an instant, Gavin's hand clamped down on mine, pinning it to the bed.

"Gavin, I'm begging you... let go."

Every word I spoke felt like a jagged blade tearing through my throat.

I knew I had no choice but to plead with him.

My legs were my life, my lifelong dream.

I wasn't just carrying my own hopes; I carried the future of my entire team.

"Gavin, do whatever you want to me, but my legs... they're everything. I won't ask about you and Yara ever again. I was wrong. Please, just call the doctor."

I stripped away my dignity, begging like a dog.

Gavin knew exactly how hard I had worked for this moment.

I had practiced day and night, demanding perfection from every muscle, leaving the dance studio drenched in sweat.

Every single person on my team had sacrificed everything for this one shot at the spotlight.

But he just cupped my face and spoke with a chilling coldness.

"Cannie, you know this is Yara's dream. She's worked so hard for this stage. Besides, I've already chosen you over her once. You can't be this selfish. Just be good."

I grabbed his hand, my voice cracking into a scream. "Gavin, you promised to protect me! You said you couldn't stand to see me cry! I trusted you, and now you're destroying my life for her?"

My scalding tears fell onto his hand, and he flinched as if burned.

For a brief second, I saw a rare flash of hesitation in his eyes.

I pushed harder. "Gavin, you always said you loved watching me dance. Did you forget? I'll quit the competition. Just call the doctor in now, please!"

Just as I thought I might have a chance, Gavin's phone buzzed.

Yara's name flashed across the screen.

"Gavin, what should I do about the finale tomorrow?" her voice echoed through the line.

"You know my whole world is just dancing and you. But now that I don't have you, I have nothing left."

The moment Gavin picked up that call, I knew I was finished.

The hesitation in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, hard resolve.

"Yara, don't worry. I'll take care of everything for you."

Then, he looked at me with a pathetic sliver of guilt, cupping my cheek again. "Don't worry, Cannie. I won't leave you. You still have me."

My entire body began to shake, whether from rage or terror, I couldn't tell.

"Gavin, don't do this. Please."

But the door slammed shut without mercy. It locked away the hope of my legs healing and the possibility of me ever standing on that stage.