Anna is the best ballerina in the ballet company, but a new young talent threatens to take her place. After spying on her with their boss, Kevin, Anna makes a drastic choice: to get revenge. But will it work or only make things worse?

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Anna, the main ballerina of her ballet company, was in the middle of one of her favorite performances. She dominated the stage with her mesmerizing and graceful moves, captivating the audience and her peers alike.

Backstage, she received a flurry of compliments and was approached by Rebecca, a young dancer. “Anna, you were ethereal,” Rebecca praised. “How can I ever hope to be like you?”

“Sweet child, it’s all about talent, dear. And experience. Years of it,” Anna laughed proudly.

The cheerful atmosphere changed, however, when Kevin, the company director, entered the backstage area. “Rebecca, a word?” he called out in a gruff voice.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

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The young dancer went to his side, and they whispered for a few seconds. Anna frowned at their exchange, and her heart beat louder when Kevin gathered everyone else for an announcement.

“Starting tomorrow, Rebecca will be our new main ballerina,” he revealed.

The news sparked a chorus of congratulations, but many were looking at Anna in confusion. Others had knowing and envious smirks. Meanwhile, Anna silently fumed. After everything she had given the company, this seemed like the ultimate betrayal.

The next morning, Anna arrived at their rehearsal space even before the sun rose. That was the kind of dedication she had given throughout her career. Apparently, it wasn’t enough. But before she could put on her shoes and start practicing, she heard noises.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

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As she approached the sounds, it became clear who they belonged to: Kevin and Rebecca. When Anna finally spotted them near Kevin’s office, everything became clear.

“Ah,” Anna thought bitterly, “so that’s how she took my spot.”

The director and the young dancer were holding each other, their mouths melding as if warring with each other. With a last look, Anna turned, vowing to get her revenge.

Rebecca started her performance later that day but faltered initially, drawing stifled giggles from the watching dancers. “Pathetic,” Anna whispered with a smirk, but the young dancer soon found her stride, moving with unexpected grace.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

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As Rebecca’s performance improved, admiration grew among the onlookers, shifting Anna’s unease into silent fury.

“Focus, Anna,” she told herself, knowing at her top lip. The young woman was good, even if she had slept or flirted her way to the top.

After rehearsal, Anna clapped for Rebecca just like everyone else, but inside, she was plotting. The young dancer left, but Anna stayed back. In the changing room, she discreetly poured crushed glass into Rebecca’s pointe shoes.

Just as she was finishing, a curious member of the corps walked in.

“Ah! I forgot my hairpin,” Anna bluffed and scrambled to pick up her things.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

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A few hours later, the night’s performance began, with ballerinas gracefully taking their turns. Rebecca entered the spotlight and danced beautifully until the pain from her shoes pierced her.

Anna waited for her to fall and ruin the entire night, but Rebecca kept going, not even flinching or altering her expression.

Someone else noticed, too. During a small break, while other dancers took the center, Kevin stopped Rebecca and asked what was wrong. The young dancer shook her head and quickly returned to the stage to finish her turn.

However, the pain became too much, and she finally collapsed right in the middle of the stage. Kevin was quick. He commanded the curtains down and the music off. Other dancers, including Anna, rushed to the young dancer.

Anna had to fake her concern. “Rebecca! Can you hear me?” she asked. “Don’t try to move. What’s wrong?”

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

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“Anna?” Rebecca asked weakly. “My feet…”

Anna seized the moment and quickly removed her shoes. She tilted them slightly away, pushing the glass off discreetly while everyone was focused entirely on the young dancer.

“Is she okay?” a stagehand asked, concerned.

“Getting help now,” Anna lied smoothly, her hands going to Rebecca’s sweaty forehead in a maternal gesture. “Stay strong, darling. You’re going to be fine.”

“Thank you, Anna,” Rebecca whispered, breathing quickly.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

“Anything for a friend,” Anna replied with a venomous smile.

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When help arrived, Anna was able to fully dispose of the glass shards. She returned backstage after Rebecca was taken away and navigated through the other dancers. She just wanted to check if anyone had noticed something strange.

“Did you hear about Rebecca?” someone whispered. That made her nervous, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it.

“Anna,” Kevin called out, his tone serious. “My office. Now.”

Anna followed with her head held high. Kevin closed the door behind her and stared with his heavy eyebrows burrowed. “Rebecca’s fall doesn’t add up,” he said gruffly.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

“What do you mean?” Anna asked, swallowing soundlessly.

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“You’ve seen her—flawless in practice. It’s hard to believe she’d stumble over the basics,” Kevin remarked, pacing around the room.

“She’s ne-new,” Anna stuttered but coughed to hide it.

Kevin’s eyes squinted, and he walked closer, facing Anna head-on. “What happened to Rebecca on stage…it’s very suspicious.”

“What are you implying?” she asked, straightening her shoulders.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

“There’s no concrete evidence that you did anything,” Kevin admitted, stepping a bit away. “But it points to you, Anna. You had the motive.”

“I can’t believe this,” Anna sighed. “I would never harm anyone.”

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“And yet, here we are,” he continued. “The role stays with Rebecca. You’re out of the performance until I find evidence you didn’t do this.”

Back in her silent apartment, surrounded by trophies and faded photographs, Anna reflected on her fading career. The mirror showed a woman marked by the years, nothing compared to the youthful Rebecca.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Heartbroken and weary, Anna whispered to her reflection, “Is this how I bow out?” She hung her head, not wanting to look at her image any longer.

But just as quickly, Anna straightened back. “No! Rebecca… Kevin… they won’t decide my fate,” she vowed, rising. “Time for one last dance.”

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Wrapped in a cashmere scarf and oversized sunglasses, Anna walked to a café near the rehearsal space of the ballet company. She entered after looking around for any sign of someone familiar.

Fortunately, she didn’t know anyone inside either, except for Terry, the person she was meeting that day. He was the only one who could help her get revenge.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

“Anna,” Terry said, standing up.

“Keep it down,” she hissed.

“Sorry,” Terry whispered back. “What’s with the disguise?”

“I need help,” Anna said, cutting to the chase. She sat down, gripping the table. “Stop the performance.”

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Terry leaned in, tilting his head. “Anna, you know what that would entail,” he warned.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Shutterstock

“I’ve thought it over,” Anna snapped. “Revenge, Terry. That’s all I want. They humiliated me.”

“Are you sure?” Terry asked.

“Never been more certain,” she insisted.

A new night performance was about to start, and Anna approached Rebecca with lilies backstage. “Good luck tonight,” she offered, her smile forced.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

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Instead of smiling her usual cheerful self, Rebecca showed Anna her tear-streamed face. “I can’t do this, Anna,” she sobbed.

“Hey, take deep breaths, okay?” Anna said, surprised.

Rebecca grabbed her hand. “Dance tonight. For me.”

Anna paused, torn, then agreed. This was her chance. Finally, the young dancer smiled, truly pleased with the change.

Anna walked away from her and called Terry to cancel their plan. “Whatever you did, Terry, stop it, cancel it! Right now!” she whispered urgently into the phone, then hung up without waiting for a response.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

“Is everything okay?” Rebecca asked, concerned.

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“Fine,” Anna lied, pocketing her phone and trying to think quickly.

Only a few minutes later, Anna stepped on the stage and basked in the spotlight, her heart feeling more than ever. She was ready to dance again and reclaim her stage. But during a specific turn, a sudden wooden crack echoed in the theater.

The floor gave under her, and the next thing she knew, others were trying to pull her up amidst screams. “Anna!” she heard Kevin and Rebecca yelling in unison.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Anna opened her eyes slowly, only to see Kevin’s worried face. She was in a bright, hospital room. “Kevin…” she rasped, struggling to talk.

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“Hey, don’t speak,” he soothed, placing a hand over hers soothingly.

The troupe suddenly burst into her room with a cheerful “Surprise!”

“Anna, we’re all here for you,” they said, trying to uplift her spirits. Shame silenced her as Kevin encouraged them to sign her cast, lightening the mood momentarily with their hopeful messages.

Soon, they all left, wanting her to rest and get better. That’s when Anna finally got a chance to see her broken leg wrapped in the heavy white material.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

She sighed and closed her eyes, ready for the oblivion of dreamland to take her again. But a sharp voice made her flinch on her bed.

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Police officers had entered the room, and Kevin was right behind them, furious.

“Ms. Wilkerson?” one cop asked.

“Yes, that’s me,” Anna said, frowning.

“We need to talk about the incident at the theater,” he said, revealing the stage collapse was intentional. “Someone tampered with the stage. We’ve already arrested a man named Terry. But he wasn’t acting alone.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Shutterstock

Kevin demanded, “Who would be an accomplice to this?”

Anna tried to make herself smaller in her bed. When she refused to speak, the officer sighed and nodded at another, who pulled out a phone. The sounds of a voicemail filled the room with Anna’s voice: “Whatever you did, Terry, stop it, cancel it! Right now!”

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With horror, Anna realized Rebecca and the rest of the crew stood at the doorway of her hospital room and had heard everything. “You wanted to harm me,” the young dancer accused, tears in her eyes.

Anna’s feeble denial was lost as Rebecca stormed out, followed by the troupe’s departing figures, each person giving her disappointed looks.

“Ms. Wilkerson, you’ll be charged accordingly,” the officer stated, declaring the official end of Anna’s ballet career.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

For illustration purposes only | Source: Shutterstock

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Miranda, a hardworking young Mexican woman, faces a challenge when her ex tries to humiliate her at her job. Miranda is scared to act because her job is at stake, but the pain her ex caused pushes her. Despite the risk of losing her employment, she finds a way to make him pay for his actions.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com.

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