Alan lit a cigarette and dropped his phone on the table, leaving it on speaker. “What’s going on?”
“Nina performed a dance for me—a routine she’s never shown publicly before,” Zech’s voice echoed through the room. “Have Nina do it again, record it, and send the video to Julia.”
Alan hesitated. “Nina’s knee is acting up again. We can’t let her move around like that.”
“Stop making excuses. Julia needs it for the competition. You want to record it or not?”
Alan was silent for a moment. “Fine. I got it.”
“Dad!” Zachary, who had been quietly hiding in the study, suddenly appeared. Alan ended the call and asked, “Did you hurt Mom today?”
“I didn’t mean to...” Zachary sounded guilty. “I just wanted Mom to hold me. But she’s so useless! She cries whenever I touch her, unlike Aunt Julia—she holds me and spins me around!”
He hesitated, then asked shyly, “Dad, can we invite Aunt Julia over to play? I miss her!”
“Go apologize to Mom first. I’ll bring Aunt Julia over tomorrow.”
“Yeah! It’s a deal!”
I hurried back to my room, and soon Alan came in with Zachary.
Alan nudged Zachary, who stepped forward, head down, mumbling, “Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
I said nothing, only watching him quietly.
Zachary looked up, eyes wide.
How had I never noticed before how much his eyes resembled Julia’s? He was so good at playing the weak, pitiful child—the tenderhearted act.
I whispered, “Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner.”
Assuming I’d forgiven him, Zachary smiled, winked at Alan, and skipped away.
Alan helped me sit on the bed. “Should I call a doctor?”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“I still want to see a doctor to be sure.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and whispered in my ear, “Nina, why don’t you dance for that kid, Zech?”
His lips brushed my ear, teasing softly, “Let the doctor heal your leg first. Then you can dance for me, too, okay?”
A bitter taste rose in my throat. That dance was hard enough for a healthy dancer—let alone for me now.
After winning gold at the Global Dance Competition, I’d impulsively danced for Zech once. The next day, after the celebration banquet, the car accident happened—and I never danced again.
In five years, Alan had never touched my scars. This was the first time he asked to see me dance.
Meeting his expectant eyes, my hands, hidden under the blanket, slowly clenched into fists.
Of course—as long as it was for Julia, he didn’t care about me.
I nodded, and he left satisfied.
The next morning, Zachary woke early, bubbling with excitement.
Alan returned early that afternoon. “Julia heard you were hurt and came to see you.”
Julia stood beside him, looking down at me. “Long time no see, Nina. Are you okay?”
I sat in my wheelchair and smiled faintly. “I’ll be fine.”
Leave this place, and everything will be fine.
Alan, six days left—and I won’t be fooled by you again.
