Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 519

Chapter 519

A loud series of crashes cut off Vance’s words.

Desmond had spun into a roundhouse kick and swept every decorative item off the shelves onto the floor.

“I don’t need your advice! You’d better disappear by tomorrow!” he spat, storming out.

The floor was a mess.

Anna walked over and asked softly, “Are we really closing the shop?”

“Yeah.” Vance crouched down to clean up the broken pieces. “We’re done.”

Anna looked upset, but she helped him anyway. “But…”

In the end, she didn’t finish the sentence.

That same day, the cookie shop put up the free-everything sign. Neighbors spread the word, and the shelves emptied in no time.

Some people asked where they were moving. Vance smiled and answered, “We might not reopen. Thank you for everything.”

When Desmond got back to the rehearsal studio, the troupe was in the middle of a run-through. The understudy was covering his part.

“Babe, I’m back.” Desmond flashed his usual sunny smile, gave Rebecca a quick hug, and called a stop to the

rehearsal.

He turned to the understudy and said, “I’ve got it now.”

Practice continued.

Rebecca walked over to the understudy and handed him a bottle of water. You danced really well today.”

The young dancer smiled shyly. “Thanks, Coach.”

“Just call me Rebecca. I’m just a few years older and happen to organize people who love dancing.” Rebecca smiled.

The undergraduate blushed a little. “But you really are amazing. Everyone admires you.”

He didn’t just mean her choreography. They had all watched her fight her injured leg every day, how much pain she endured, and how much sweat she poured out just to stand on stage again.

“You can all do better,” she encouraged him, pointing at Desmond. “See him? He used to be the understudy, too. Keep working.”

The young dancer looked inspired, knowing that she had perceived his thoughts. It wasn’t that he minded being the understudy. It was the way Desmond treated everyone-distant and a little domineering.

“Keep going,” Rebecca encouraged him again.

He nodded and went back to practicing on his own.

At noon, the dancers went to lunch. Rebecca and Desmond ate at a nearby café. She still had a rehabilitation session that afternoon.

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“What were you talking to that understudy about today? Are you two close?” Desmond asked.

A tight string pulled inside Rebecca’s chest. “He’s part of the troupe. Of course, I know him. How else are we supposed to communicate, work together, or make the piece good?”

“He’s just the understudy. What’s there to work on?” Desmond pouted.

She felt a stab of discomfort. “Weren’t you one before?”

He paused. “Exactly because I used to be an understudy, I know what he’s thinking. Didn’t you see the way he looked at you? His eyes were shining, just like mine used to when I watched you.”

“So?” She started to think he was being ridiculous. “You think every man who talks to me is…”

She couldn’t even finish the sentence. It was too humiliating.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” He took her hand. “I just think you’re too nice to him. What if he falls for you the way I did?”

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