The Ballerina's Broken Steps

window, too bright. Soon, Ethan appeared, carrying a br

favorite, blueberry pancakes," he

I'm not hungry," Ava said. She pushed the tray away

rised. "ABT? Why?

she said, her voic

hat for you. You don't

it myself,"

coming with you. You're not

her wheelchair, she was his prisone

ally tendered her resignation. The soloist role she was on the cusp of, her big

rehearsal studio. She was wearing ABT practice gear. She was ta

nt little smile on her face. "Isn't it wonderful? They offered m

blood drain f

ning this for ages. He told me all about how he was going to get rid of you. That little 'accident' of yours? So convenient.

ot just for revenge against her mother, but to advance

to turn her wheelchair, to get

he stumbled, knocking into Ava' s wheelchair, sendin

Ethan

lunged for Chloe, catching her ar

ver, down the hard marble stairs. Pain exploded through her bod

from her legs, her back. Ethan was kneeling beside Chloe at the top of the stairs, his ar

oked down to see