Odette was slowly making progress; her burns had healed, although they would remain angry red scars covering her thighs and torso, her hair had started to grow back, the only thing that did not heal was her ankle. The bone made her ankle crooked and shattered, leaving her with a permanent limp. Finally, after two months, Odette opened her eyes and regained consciousness. She looked around the room, seeing it empty. She felt something on her hand and looked down. Louis was fast asleep next to her, gripping her hand tightly. She squeezed his hand with hers, and he opened his eyes. Tears of relief came down his face. He reached over to wrap his arms around her then froze, cautiously wrapping his arms around her back and neck. He ran his fingers through her short hair and kissed her face.
A bit dazed, Odette glanced at him. "Where am I?" she asked him in a small voice. "You're at the hospital, my dear. There was a fire at the opera." Odette gazed at him, not registering what he said. "I don't remember." She trailed off. Her eyes trailed down to her ankle with the cast on it. She then raised her questioning eyes to him. He swallowed and continued, "The stage caught fire, and you were burned. A beam from the ceiling fell on your ankle." She spoke quietly, "How long until my ankle heals?" Louis froze. She asked the question he had been dreading. Suddenly Lucien, Marie, Rosita and Auguste walked into the room. All were overjoyed to see Odette awake as they rushed to her bedside. Odette smiled weakly at them but focused on Louis. "You didn't answer my question. How long until my ankle heals?" They all froze. Odette noticed their reactions, and tears filled her eyes. Louis took a deep breath and spoke, "It won't heal." Odette kept her tears at bay for a few moments more, "How will I dance if it won't heal?" Louis choked out, "You won't be able to dance anymore." With that realization, Odette burst into tears.
Louis wrapped his arms around her and let her cry. Marie looked equally pained; this girl had been like a daughter to her. Lucien grimaced and left the room, now was not the time to tell Louis of the news he had. Marie noticed and motioned for Rosita and Auguste to leave as well. Soon Odette quieted her sobs, but Louis refused to let go of her. Drained of energy, Odette felt her eyelids grow heavy. She gripped Louis' jacket tighter. Louis took that as a sign and slid under the blankets with her, careful not to disturb her ankle. A few hours later, Louis slipped out of bed and breathed and collected his thoughts. Lucien approached him. "Now, son, this may not be a good time to tell you this, but the Russian Imperial Ballet School has offered you a position to study as a choreographer." Louis froze, "I can't leave Odette. She needs me." Lucien sighed, "Think about it. It would be a wonderful opportunity. Damnit, you can get married to her and move to Russia." Louis thought for a moment and said, "I will speak to Odette about it."
Soon he returned and found Odette sitting up in bed. He went to her side and kissed her hand. "Darling, I have wonderful news. I was offered a position to study and teach choreography at the opera in Russia." Odette stared at him, "You're leaving me?" she questioned. Louis continued, "No, my dear, you would come with me. I could take care of you. We can start a family and live in Russia." He was spewing thoughts out mindlessly while Odette was overwhelmed and struggling to make sense of it all. Her mind clicked, and she put a hand up, "No, Louis, I'm not going with you." He froze, "What?" "I'm not going. You, go, live your dream. I would only hold you back." Louis began to panic, "Odette, I need you by my side. Darling, you wouldn't be a burden. I want to take care of you. I love you." Odette's eyes burned with tears, and she began to choke on her words, "Louis, get out." She said it once more in a grave voice, then screamed it. Tears falling down her face, she trembled. He wanted to reach out and hold her, tell her everything would be alright, but he just backed toward the door. "I will return, Odette. I will return once everything is in order. I will find us a house here in Paris where we can live. I love you, and I will return." He shut the door, and her body shook with sobs.
Marie and Rosita came in. "I sent him away. He is going to Russia, and I yelled at him and told him to leave." Marie rubbed Odette's back. "He will return once he is ready to." Odette sighed and looked at her. "What will I do now? Where will I live? I can't live at the Opera anymore since I am no longer a dancer." She winced as she said that, realizing she could never dance again. Rosita piped up, "You could teach at the Opera." Odette smiled ruefully, "Not with my limp." She fell back to sleep, her thoughts a blur.
After a few months of physical therapy, Odette was able to walk with a cane. She would need that cane for the rest of her life, another reminder of what happened that fateful day. The scars she kept covered haunted her with phantom pain. She was soon released from the hospital. Rosita and Lucien had both retired and stopped coming to visit her. Odette had pushed away everyone and told them not to return. Auguste had been appointed the new director of the opera. Rosita was now the new Prima ballerina. She had taken Odette's place. Odette was happy for her, yet she felt a small amount of resentment.
Odette began seeking out a job and a place to live. No one would hire her due to her limp. Someone walked up behind her. Odette turned around and came face to face with Regine Le Haut. Regine spoke, a devilishly sweet smile on her face. "Odette dear, how are you?" Odette answered short and sweet, "Fine." "Have you no place to live?" Regine spoke. Odette sighed and said, "No, I don't; no one will hire me." Regine smiled, "I will hire you as my maid. I will even provide you with a room to live in." Odette perked up at this; little did she know Regine had a motive for this seemingly generous offer. Odette weighed her options and nodded. "Alright." She said.