Paper Thin Love: A Dark College Romance Series, Enemies-to-Lovers, Secret Society. (The Rites of Passage Book 3) by A.G. Harris

Author:A.G. Harris [Harris, A.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-03-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Mila

Fire burns in the tips of my toes, now so numb that I can’t even feel them anymore. It’s probably a good thing because I know they’d be swollen and in pain, as they usually are by the end of dance class. My lungs ache, wanting to heave and pant dramatically, but like every poised ballerina, I try to mask my labored breathing. Jared and I just danced everything perfectly, and we can both see it in our eyes—they’re smiling with satisfaction. For a rare moment, I feel like our relationship is back to that friendly level.

“You were perfect,” Jared whispers, so only I can hear. “I’m sorry for everything. You’re not an easy person to let fly free, Mila. I was a jerk and if you’ll still have me as a friend, I’d be honored.”

My lips separate as I watch his eyes for any sign of a lie.

“I can’t give up dance.” He shakes his head with a palpable pain, “And I can’t dance without you as my partner.”

Ironic that he can’t survive without dance, yet I live each day craving I didn’t have to.

You have a favor from a King, one day you’ll be free. Maybe, when I can dance for me and not others, I’ll fall in love with ballet again.

I nod slowly, “I forgive you.” I couldn’t have danced the way I just did without having complete trust in him as my dance partner.

“You didn’t turn out!” Mr. Leblanc spits, his voice slicing through the studio’s silence. “How many times, Mila? How many times do I have to tell you to turn out?”

If I rotated my legs outward from the hips anymore, I’d dislocate them. My muscles scream in silent protest, but I push the pain aside, closing my eyes as my forced smile fades.

Mr. Leblanc taps his bamboo stick sharply against the floor, the sound echoing ominously. Then, with a swift motion, he swats my leg, this time hitting my bone. “Your calves are not aligned correctly,” he snaps. “And they look tenser than concrete. Do you understand the importance of proper alignment?”

Each word stings as much as the physical blow, but I nod, forcing myself to remain poised.

He swings the stick up. “Don’t get me started on your arms. You need to hold them higher, and stop looking so stiff.” He’s about to strike my biceps when Jared pivots, blocking his blow with a swift, protective movement.

Mr. Leblanc’s brown eyes darken with challenge.

“We wouldn’t want to hurt her, now would we?” Jared replies, his voice steady but full of defiance. “Her father might not like that,” he adds, the tension between them crackling like static electricity.

Mr. Leblanc moves suddenly and hits Jared in the back of the head with his stick. Crack! My cry gets stuck to my throat as I reach for Jared’s hand. “You’re right, but your father wouldn’t mind, would he?” Mr. Leblanc snickers cruelly. “Oh wait, where is your father, Jared?” He pauses.

I glance at Jared to see his eyes fixed on the ground.

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