Chapter 5

My signature was real. My consent was not.

The official opened an old authorization.

“You signed this during your knee surgery in 2021. It gave Damon authority to submit changes for you. You never revoked it.”

Five years earlier, I had handed my fiancé control of my professional filings from a hospital bed because I believed he would protect me.

He had used that authority to place another woman inside my mother’s final gift.

“Corinne, what are you doing in here?”

Damon entered with his tuxedo jacket undone. Delphine followed with a champagne glass in her hand.

“The sponsors are waiting for the group photo,” Damon said. “Get out of this office.”

“You used the 2021 authorization,” I said. “You removed my name from The Last Turn and made Delphine a co-choreographer.”

Guilt crossed his face, then disappeared behind anger.

“The board wanted a partner they could trust for the preview. Delphine rebuilt the changes and kept us in the final. I did what the team needed.”

“I only modified a few transitions,” Delphine said, lowering her eyes. “I didn’t ask for the credit.”

“Delphine, stop.” Damon took her hand. “You did the work. You deserve the credit. I approved it, and I won’t take it back.”

I looked at their joined hands. Twelve years of partnership. Three years of engagement.

“And the first public performance?” I asked.

“That belongs to her now,” Damon said. “It’s already on the broadcast record. You can dance the full version at a gala after we win.”

“The first time only happens once, Damon.”

“Your finals entry runs through this company. Without me, you have no partner, no sponsors, and no place on that floor.”

He was certain I had nowhere else to go.

I left the office and walked back into the ballroom.

The host was introducing the board when I took the microphone from his hand.

The room went silent.

“My name is Corinne Ashby. The statement released in my name this morning was neither written nor approved by me.”

“Damon Thorne used an authorization I signed during an injury five years ago to submit it without my knowledge. He also changed the credits to The Last Turn without asking me.”

“And as for the fall video—if it wasn't staged, ask Damon why he deleted the raw, unedited footage from 2:15 PM.”

A gasp moved through the ballroom.

Damon pushed down the center aisle. “Corinne! Get off that stage.”

I pulled the platinum engagement ring from my finger.

When Damon reached the foot of the stage, I dropped it onto his competitor badge.

“You’ve already chosen your lead partner,” I said into the microphone. “So I’m returning your fiancée too.”

I put the microphone back and left the ballroom in chaos.

My phone lit up before I reached the ballroom doors.

Kieran Mercer: “Tomorrow. Nine a.m. Studio Two.”

A second message followed.

“Bring your mother’s original score. There’s something in it Damon never understood.”