usation. It was true, I hadn't. I had given up my career, my identity, for us. For him

ce grave. "Another year of competitive skating, and you ris

spered reassurances. "It's okay, my love. We'll be fine. You've earned enough. Take a break. Let's start a fami

on building a home, on us. I had poured my energy into making our house a sanctuary, a place of peace. I had trusted him imp

still there? Look, I'm tired. I have a lot on my plate. I think it's

rd echoed in the empty house, cold and final. It had never even been a possibility in m

shattered promises. Days bled into weeks, marked by an agonizing standoff. Elliott didn't come home. He didn't call. Instead, another notificatio

n my scalp. I was constantly exhausted, yet sleep offered no respite, only nightmares. My appetite vanished, leaving me gaunt and pale. I developed

The sudden, inexplicable dizziness. One morning, I woke up unable to feel my left arm. P

. She ran a battery of tests, her expression growing increasingly serious with each result. "Aria," she finally said, her voice soft, "I need you to see a specialist. And... these results... they're quite co

e specialist's report. My hands trembled, the envelope feeling impossibly heavy. As I appr

t. And

imate conversation. Kelsie wore a flowing maternity dress, her belly noticeably rounded. My breath caugh

he same look he used to give me when I told him about a successful jump, a pe

n. My chest tightened, burning with a fresh, agonizing pain. I just want

wful. What are you doing at the hospital? Is it your ankle again? Don't tell me you've tried to skate." She linke

falter. My injured ankle twisted, a sharp pain shooting up my leg. I cried out, losing my balance. Everything went black for a split second as I fell, hitting

reful, Aria! You almost hit me! You could have hurt the baby!" He

you okay? Is the baby okay?" He scanned her face, his brow furrowed with concern, completely

onto my elbows, a fresh wave of pain

ce? Disgust? "Can't you be more careful, Aria?" he snapped, his voice sharp. "Y

just called me old and pathetic, then she pushed me while I was already injured!"

licker of something-regret? guilt?-crossed his face, quickly replaced by a stone-cold mask. But it

us stares. My movements were slow, deliberate. I bent down to gather the sc

ps," she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "So clumsy." Her eyes, ho

t shred of hope. My hands clenched into fists. I snatched the papers from beneath her foot, my body vibrating with a raw,