Chapter 2: Stolen Spotlight, Stolen Life

After being discharged, I went back to the Carter estate, packed a few things, and headed to the dance studio.

The house was quiet—the kind of quiet that presses in on you. I moved through the rooms like a ghost, grabbing only what I needed. The air outside was sharp, the city alive as I drove to the studio.

Since I’d made up my mind, I didn’t want any more entanglements with Jackson.

I kept my head down, moving quick. I didn’t want to run into anyone—not the housekeeper, not the neighbors, no one who might ask questions.

When I arrived, everyone stared, their expressions hard to read.

It was like I’d walked into the middle of a secret. Conversations stopped, whispers trailed off. Their stares felt heavy, loaded with things they wouldn’t say out loud.

A colleague pulled me aside, worry creasing her face.

She glanced over her shoulder before speaking, voice low. “Savy, what did you do to upset Mrs. Carter? Not only did she steal your spot in the competition, but she also got the boss to fire you.”

“Savy” was what they called me at the studio—short for Savannah. At home, they used my given name, Autumn.

Mrs. Carter?

The title sounded wrong, almost like a bad joke. I followed her gaze, stomach sinking.

There, standing in the middle of the polished floor, was Lisa Monroe. She was dripping in gold jewelry, hair styled to perfection—every inch of her screaming influencer confidence.

She was preening, basking in the attention. The other dancers hovered close, their envy barely hidden.

I almost forgot—she always called herself ‘Mrs. Carter’ at the studio.

It was a running joke, except she was the only one laughing. I used to roll my eyes. Now, it just made me tired.

Right now, she was holding her head high, soaking up the stares. Suddenly, she spotted me lurking in the shadows.

Her eyes narrowed, smile stretching wider. She strutted over, heels clicking like a countdown.

“Savannah, I’m really sorry. Maybe my style just fits the competition better, so the boss gave me the spot.”

Her voice was syrupy, but her words stung. She looked at me like she’d already won.

I never cared about her drama before, but this competition mattered. I wasn’t about to let her take my spot.

I squared my shoulders, old fire flaring up. This was the one thing I still had.

“Lisa, how good are you really at dance? You only perform for guys, right? And do you dare tell everyone who you really are?”

My words rang out, sharp and clear. A few heads turned. Lisa’s smile flickered.

She was just a minor TikTok influencer who’d gotten into this elite studio thanks to Jackson’s connections.

Everyone knew it, even if they pretended otherwise. She’d built her following on flashy dance videos, but in person, it was all style, no substance.

She used to act all sweet around me, but now she dared to step all over me. I was done letting her push me around.

Something inside me snapped. No more being the quiet one, the pushover.

Lisa’s face flushed, tears welling up in her eyes.

Her lower lip trembled, but I caught the calculation in her gaze. She was always quick to play the victim.

Just then, an arm wrapped around her waist from behind.

I knew that touch before I even looked. Jackson—always showing up at the worst possible time.

Jackson looked at me, his gaze heavy, pressing down.

His eyes pinned me in place, cold and unyielding. He pulled Lisa closer, making a show of it.

“And who are you, exactly?”

His words were ice, loud enough for everyone to hear. He wanted to remind everyone—especially me—who had the power.

My lips parted, bitterness rising up.

I wanted to say something, anything, but the words stuck. The humiliation burned, dizzying.

His mother died because of me.

That fact hung between us, always there, always heavy. It was the invisible chain tying me to this family, to him.

We’d been married for nine years, and even giving him a son wasn’t enough to pay back the debt I supposedly owed.

Nine years of trying to be enough, to pay back something I never could. I was tired. So tired.

When he was drunk, he’d once grabbed my throat and said:

“Autumn, you married into the Carter family to pay for what you did, not to enjoy yourself. Don’t forget your place!”

The memory made my skin crawl. His grip, the reek of whiskey, the anger in his eyes—it all came rushing back.

Seeing me lost in thought, Jackson leaned in and lowered his voice.

His breath was hot on my ear. “Autumn, if you want to keep this job, move back to the Carter house.”

That’s when I realized he was the ‘boss’ Lisa had mentioned.

Everything clicked—the sudden firing, Lisa’s smug grin. He was pulling the strings, as always.

He’d handed my competition spot to Lisa and threatened the studio boss into firing me.

He was making sure I couldn’t stand on my own, couldn’t have anything that was just mine.

He was forcing me to bow my head, to take back my talk of divorce.

It was a power play, plain and simple. He wanted me desperate. Dependent.

When I didn’t react, Jackson’s lips curled into a cold smile.

He hated when I didn’t play along. The smile was his way of reminding me who was in charge.

“So you think you’re tough now? Want to break free from me? Then I’ll break your wings and see how you fly.”

His words were a threat, but I didn’t care anymore. I was already broken, and he had no idea.

He made a call.

He didn’t bother to lower his voice, letting everyone hear. A warning for them, too.

My best friend texted me right after.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced down, heart sinking at the message.

“Savy, I think I made someone mad. I just got promoted last month, but my supervisor called me in and said I’m getting fired…”

I pressed my lips together and went to pack my things.

I moved through the studio, head high. If he wanted me gone, I’d leave on my own terms.

As I was leaving, I heard Lisa’s mocking voice.

She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Savannah, you’re just like me—depending on a man. Don’t act like you’re any better.”

My hand paused on the suitcase. I shot back:

I turned, meeting her gaze with all the anger I’d kept bottled up. “Did you forget? I’m still married to him. He’s still my husband…”

The words came out sharp, echoing down the hallway. For once, Lisa had nothing to say.

Suddenly, Jackson grabbed my arm.

His grip was tight, fingers digging into my skin. He pulled me close, face inches from mine.

“Autumn, where’d you get the nerve to bully Lisa right in front of me? And did you forget everything I warned you about?”

His voice was low, dangerous. I could feel everyone watching, but no one dared step in.

My heart felt like it’d been stabbed with a pin.

The pain was sharp, but it faded fast. All that was left was numbness.

Ever since we got married, he never acknowledged me in public.

I was always the shadow, the afterthought. He wore his bachelor status like a badge, even with a ring on his finger.

Everyone knew he was married, but he was always surrounded by beautiful women.

I used to think I could win him over, that being patient would pay off. I was wrong.

Since I couldn’t compete in the dance contest, there was no reason to wait another week to leave.

The decision settled over me, heavy but certain. I was done waiting for permission.

That thought brought a sliver of relief.

It was the first real breath I’d taken in years.