Page 92 of Igniting Sparks

I squeeze his hand and mouth thank you while preparing for my aunt’s counterargument.

But instead of spouting off about my half-cocked ideas, she sits back, her gaze bouncing between Leo and me. “You like this idea, Leo?”

He nods. “I do. Look, I’m lucky that I was born into a family of privilege, one that afforded me the luxury to pursue my desires. Many people don’t have that option, and this could open the door for them.”

“Presuming we want to open that door,” Bitsy mutters. “What will our friends think if there’s suddenly no room for their children because we’re catering to charity cases?”

What a pretentious ass, particularly because I’m one of those charity cases she so obviously despises.

“You helped me, Aunt Bitsy.”

Bitsy sighs and shifts in her seat. “That’s different. You are family.”

“In name only. You’ve never treated me like family,” I murmur.

“Excuse me?”

“It’s true. The only time you showed a speck of interest in me was when I was dancing at your school. When I was winning competitions. But after my injury, when you knew I would never dance on stage as a professional, the calls dropped off.”

“I’m a busy woman, Mina. The phone works both ways.” She lifts her glass, as though the conversation bores her.

I fiddle with my napkin as long latent anger simmers inside me. “You didn’t call us when my father died.”

“This has nothing to do with your father,” Bitsy snaps, smacking her hand against the table. “Despite your desire to pick me apart, I am the reason you had a life in dance at all. Remember that.”

“I do, Aunt Bitsy, and I’m sorry I shattered my ankle and derailed the future you imagined for me. But this could be my new plan. You know how devoted I was to dance—it was my entire world. I would give the same level of commitment to your school. What do you think? Will you give me the chance?”

The seconds tick by as I await the governor’s call. My palms sweat against my napkin. Will I be saved or executed on the spot?

Bitsy wags her finger at Leo and me. “You two make quite the power couple. Why did you ever break up?”

I blanch, stunned at her sudden segue. “What?”

Bitsy tilts her head, studying me like a specimen in a museum. Then she speaks. “You and Leo need to build a future together, both professionally and otherwise. You were partners for years. Now it’s time to make it official. Do that and the studio is yours, along with all your avant-garde ideas.”

She’s got to be kidding me.

“And if Leo and I don’t reconcile?”

Bitsy sighs, pursing her lips as she studies her wine glass. “Well, then, I will have to considerallmy options, and, Mina, I have many.”

She throws down the gauntlet with a triumphant smirk.

Checkmate.

I swallow hard and bite back the tears, covering my mouth with a trembling hand. From the corner of my eye, I catch Leo’s wide-eyed gaze and realize he’s not a part of the power play.

No, this isallBitsy.

“One other thing,” Bitsy continues. “I notice you’re no longer wearing that engagement ring. Good, but it is not enough. You will never see or speak to Braden Hammond again. I have eyes and ears everywhere, and you will not tarnish the Farnsworth name by fraternizing with a liar and a cheat. Do you understand?”

Yes, you ungodly bitch. For the first time in my lifetime, I understand perfectly.

And I have fucking had it.

Braden was right about everything, and I will not sit here and allow my aunt to rip him apart when the only thing he’s ever done is try to prove I’m enough, just as I am.

Something I will never be in Bitsy’s eyes.