The billionaire's dancing bride

late.

as they poked fun at one another. The three old ladies, who could easily pass for the witches from S

ne noticed me. The dwarfs especially-they loved to jeer at me whenever they could. But as

an

course, it was him. Rogan, the so-called prin

finger to his lips. "Not so fast, Rogan," I whispered with

fectly sculpted face. "Your hand smells like... spices

ne of my mom's restaurant customers earlier. The lingering smell of garlic and cumin clung to me like a sha

ng my hands behind my bac

came from money-a world where people paid their way into the circus, not because they needed it,

k tugging at his lips. "I warned her about yo

st him with as much grace as I could mu

rushing to finalize props and outfits, barely acknowledging my presence as I scurried over to the white gown that had be

" I called, trying to c

on her hips. She eyed me like an irritated schoolteacher who'd had enough of her most troublesome

to work," s

a ballerina's costume, delicate and graceful, yet with a certain ethereal quality that made it feel special. The soft tulle flo

xcitement bubbling inside me. But before I coul

the d

in her forties, with a face that seemed permanently etched with the weight of respons

d, her voice cold and sh

n lying Rogan had already made sure sh

she ordered, tur

ssed by the other performers, I braced myself for the usual jeers and mocking glances from the d

ing in the chair next to mine with that same smug expression plastered on his face. He shifted slightl

ector began, sitting behind her desk and fixing

-it was a lifeline. And sometimes, life pulled me in a dozen directions. Serving tables at my mom's restaur

he continued, her voice hard. "It's unp

d've been a better choice for tonight's performance," he

a performer," she replied, her voice firm. "Lana is. And t

off with a raised hand. "This isn't about what yo

me, his jaw clenched, but I refused to look away.

smissing us both with a wave of

*

Petersburg had been specially invited for tonight's performance, and their voices blended beautifully as they r

sed in crisp military uniforms, prepared to march onto the stage. They were here

ne of my favorite dwarfs, ask

bent arms and legs giving him a fragile appearance. But there was nothing fragile

"It's always been my d

nd us cut through the moment like a knife

y decked out in his princely

ing, "it's settled. Evelyn's going to