If I could wish for one thing

Charlene Maximus POV 

We arrived at the gala thirty minutes after we left the house. It was suffocating to sit with Dominic and his daughter. They both glared at me all through the ride, and his daughter complained about how she hated the ride every few seconds. 

"Are we not there yet?" She whined. 

"We'll be there soon," Dominic said every time his daughter asked the question. I ignored them and lowered my head onto the car seat and closed my eyes. 

When we arrived there, Dominic nudged me on the shoulder, announcing that we'd arrived. Normal husbands kiss their wives to wake them up, but that was not the case with Dominic. He had always been rude and treated me like I meant nothing. 

"Right," I said as I came out of the limousine. 

"Behave tonight," Dominic whispered into my ears. His breath fanned my neck, causing my body to shiver. He wrapped his hand around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "You look lovely tonight," he said as he kissed me on the cheek and we both walked towards the hall. He held his daughter's hand, and we both walked together as if we were a happy family. 

No way! We were not. It's all for a show. 

Reporters rushed towards us to question us, and cameras flashed at us. That was the life of a popular billionaire who acted like he was the best husband to me only in front of people. 

After taking a few pictures on the red carpet, we walked into the hall. The hall was beautifully decorated in red and white, with beautiful white lighting that brightened up the entire hall. The hall was large enough to accommodate five hundred people, and it was one of the most popular halls in Mecianda. The Hall of Faith

Caroline, dressed in a beautiful blue dress that glittered like gold, stood at the entrance and walked towards us as soon as she saw us walk into the hall. "Son," she shouted and rushed to hug Dominic. "I'm so glad you could make it."

Caroline Maximus, A powerful woman who controlled the best ballet school in Mecianda. The woman hated me just like the rest of the family and wanted to get rid of me years back before Dominic and I got married. 

"Zenobia!" She greeted her granddaughter and hugged her. 

"Hello, Caroline!" I greeted her when we made eye contact. Her green eyes glared at me with a disdainful look. 

"You are here!" she clicked her tongue and turned to look at her son. "Why did you invite her here? She doesn't deserve to be here! " Caroline said to Dominic, but he stopped her from talking when a couple walked past us. 

"Let's not discuss it here, mother. Everyone is watching us," Dominic said, looking around. He reminded her of the media and how quickly they spread rumors.

That was all he cared about. His family's reputation He doesn't care if his mother's words hurt me because I meant nothing to him. 

Caroline forced a smile on his face and beckoned for one of the ushers to lead us to our chairs. As we walked towards our seats, she stopped me.

"What's wrong, mother?" Dominic asked her. 

"Just a few seconds, son," Caroline told him, but Dominic didn't believe her. He walked back to where I stood and grabbed my hand. "Don't worry, son; I'm not going to do anything that will put any of us in the news," she assured him.

Dominic nodded in response and kissed me on the cheek before walking away with his daughter, leaving me alone with Caroline. "Didn't I warn you to stay away from my son?" She grabbed my left hand and pinched it. 

I winced in pain but managed to smile. I said, "He is married to me, Caroline, and he doesn't want to let go of me yet." I yanked her hand off of me and moved closer to her. "You must be mad that he is still with me after what you did to get us separated!" I chuckled and tutted, then I turned to walk away toward Dominic, who had his eyes on me. 

I took a seat beside him and smiled at him. "What did you two discuss?" He asked. 

Just as I was about to answer him, Caroline walked to the stage and everyone applauded her. 

Except me. I folded my hands together and stared at her, waiting for what she had to say. 

"Welcome to the 30th gala of Max School of Dance. I'm Caroline Maximus, the head of the school, and I'm happy that you're all here tonight," she said, and everyone clapped. "Before we start tonight, may I present to you the star of the show and the best ballet dancer in Mecianda. Alexa Brown!" She announced it and walked off the stage. 

The whole hall went dark, but I didn't care about that. The name I heard caused my heart to stop for a second. I hadn't heard the name in years, and it came as a surprise to me when I heard Caroline mention the name. Alexa was my best friend in the past, and she abandoned me when I got involved in an accident five years ago. Hearing her name made me remember the past. My body shook terribly, and I suddenly felt hot even with the air conditioner on. 

I played with my fingers and closed my eyes. The images of the headlight flashed into my eyes as I reminisced. The light came back on and shone in my closed eyes, but I didn't open them until Dominic touched me. 

"Are you okay?" He asked and touched my shoulder. 

I jumped in fright and opened my eyes. I looked toward him and nodded in response. "I'm fine," I said to him. 

He replied, "Good," and smiled at me. "I need you to see the best dancer in the world," he exclaimed and placed a hand on my lap. "It's so sad that you can't dance right now," he said and burst into laughter. "Sad to see you miserable!" Dominic smiled and pointed towards the stage. 

I turned my head toward the stage and saw my friend Alexa, who looked like a different person. 

Popularity does change someone, I thought. 

The music started as the ballerinas joined Alexa on stage. I looked through them and smiled when my eyes landed on Ryan. He was part of the backup dancers. They were both together and didn't show up when I was arrested. Tears welled up in my eyes when they started dancing. I blinked the tears away and pinched my hand to stop myself from thinking about the past. If only that accident hadn't happened, then I would have become the popular dancer in Mecianda because I was better than Alexa. 

"You must feel sad to see your dreams up there," Dominic teased me yet again. "You must also feel sad that your legs can't move to the rhythm again!" He scoffed and stood up to applaud the ballerinas as they finished their dance. "It feels good to see you miserable, Charlene," he said quietly as he continued to clap.

He was right about me being miserable. I hated myself for not being able to dance, and I hated myself for killing those two people that night. I lowered my head and let a lone tear escape my eye. 

If only I could wish for one thing. I'll wish to go back to that night five years ago when it happened and stop everything that has happened.