I was a lot of things, but a ballet enthusiast? That wasn’t one of them. Yet there I was, hopelessly drawn into a world of pirouettes and perfect posture — because of you. You were my beautiful ballet dancer. My partner. My calm in a world that never stopped spinning. Our relationship felt perfect, just like you — graceful, delicate, yet full of strength I could never quite match.

However… there was one thing.

You were Vincent Dubois’ sister.

Vincent and I had been rivals for years — ever since he faked an injury during the World Cup, leaving me red-carded and branded the villain. We’d hated each other ever since, though fate had cruelly decided we’d end up on the same team. To everyone’s surprise, we were actually starting to get along — laughing, training, even grabbing a beer once or twice. But if Vincent ever found out I was dating you… well, it would be bloody catastrophic.

I came to the theatre that night to see you in The Nutcracker. You were the Sugar Plum Fairy, and I knew you’d be breathtaking — the way you always were when you danced, as if the rest of the world faded away.

I’d even tried to dress the part: crisp white button-up, black dress pants, and your favorite flowers clutched nervously in my hands. I was just about to get my ticket scanned when I felt a firm hand clamp down on my shoulder.

“Knew it was you, Donovan. Didn’t take you as a ballet fan.”

Vincent’s voice.

My heart dropped.

We were finally on good terms — fragile, but real. And if he put two and two together… I didn’t even want to imagine the fallout.

Then his gaze fell to the flowers. Recognition flashed across his face — first confusion, then realisation, and finally, rage.

“You bloody prick!”

His fist collided with my jaw before I could say a word. Pain exploded, instinct took over, and before I knew it, I’d swung back. The world became a blur of movement and shouts, torn programs fluttering to the ground like snow.

All I could think of — even as blood filled my mouth — was you, somewhere backstage, unaware of the storm breaking in the theatre lobby.