Karma's Ultimate Payback My Success, Their Downfall novel Chapter 35

Chapter 25

“So this is what elite ballet training really looks like,” Leo said, leaning in the doorway of the rehearsal room as he watched Ariana finish her warm–up. “Makes hockey practice look like

a walk in the park.

Ariana laughed, wiping sweat from her forehead with a towel. “Yeah right. I bet your training sessions are just as brutal.”

Leo walked in and sat on a nearby bench, offering her a bottle of water. “To be honest, I always thought ballet was all about grace and floating around. But watching you train… it’s. like seeing a serious athlete at work.”

Ariana took a sip and nodded. “Most people get it wrong. Every ‘effortless‘ move you see on stage comes from thousands of hours of practice and too many injuries to count.”

Leo’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “Just like hockey. People only see us gliding around. scoring goals, but never the 5 AM practices or the bruises.”

They exchanged knowing smiles, understanding each other without needing words.

“Any chance you’re free after my show tonight?” she asked as she adjusted her pointe shoes. “There’s this great place around the corner…”

“I’m free,” Leo answered without hesitation, his smile warm. “Always free for you.”

That dinner became their first real date, then came a second, third… With each meeting. their connection grew deeper.

Leo attended every one of her performances, while Ariana caught his games whenever possible. In their professional worlds, they discovered shared values – the relentless. pursuit of excellence, passion for their crafts, and total dedication to their chosen paths.

But as her tour approached its end, the reality of their separation loomed over them.

“My dad’s really sick,” Leo told her one evening as they sat on a bench in Central Park. “Doctors don’t think he has much time left.”

Chapter 25

Ariana squeezed his hand, feeling his pain. “I’m so sorry, Leo. Is there anything I can do?”

Leo shook his head, his expression grave. “The family business is falling apart. Dad’s always been the one running everything, and as the only son, I need to step up. But that means…”

“You’d have to retire from hockey,” Ariana said softly, understanding his dilemma.

Leo nodded, his eyes glistening. “Hockey’s my life, you know? But so is my family. I can’t just let everything my dad built come crashing down.”

–

Leo stared at her, surprise and gratitude filling his eyes. “You’d really do all that for me?”