Page 135 of Cashmere Ruin

No surprises there. I clap along as a young man with gold eyeliner climbs onto the platform, bowing in thanks to the crowd.

“Next up, we have…”Metaphorical drumroll.“‘Daphne’ by Anne Flowers-Le Blanc!”

My nails dig into my palm. I’m prepared to lose tonight, but there’s one thing I won’t stand for: Anne claiming the grand prize withmydesign. Flawed execution or not, the idea still belongs to me.

If I have to watch my father’s replacement family steal another dream right out of my hands…

“Breathe,” Matvey whispers, squeezing my hand tight. “There’s still one more.”

I force myself to do as he says:Breathe in, breathe out. “I’m glad you’re here,” I whisper back, voice almost cracking.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

That finally calms me down. Even if tonight ends up a disappointment—even if I lose my dream all over again—I’ll still have something I didn’t have last time.

My family by my side.

“Thank you,” I breathe.

“And finally…”

I resign myself. There’s no way he’ll say my name.Oh, well. I had a good run.

“‘The Bulletproof Bride’ by April Flowers!”

Wait, what?

“April,” Matvey shakes me by the shoulder. “That’s you. Go.”

“But—”

“Go,” he repeats, then pushes me to the front of the crowd.

For a second, I can only blink around. Anne’s face is a mask of disgust, as if the idea of sharing the same podium with me repels her.

That’s the last push I need: I make my bow and take my place.

Myrightfulplace.

Calm down,I tell myself.You’ve made it to the top three, but there’s still no guarantee. Don’t dream too big.

But what’s the point of dreaming small? “And the winner is…”

I can do this, I start chanting in my head for the first time in my life.I’m here. I can win this. I can be good enough.

And even if I’m not…

In my anxiety, I see the announcer’s lips move, but miss the actual words entirely. It’s like all my blood is sloshing around in my ears right now. All I hear is the roar of my racing heart.

Who won?

Then I see it. There, in the crowd, one dot in a sea of clapping hands…

Matvey.MyMatvey.

And he’s grinning.

“Oh my God,” I murmur.

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