ManyWriters

On the day of the National Figure Skating Pairs Championship, my fiancé suddenly called off our engagement, refusing to compete with me, and proposed to my best friend instead.
I was pushed to the ground by the heckling competitors around me, and the sharp ice skate instantly severed my Achilles tendon.
From that moment on, I could no longer dance on ice, and even standing became a struggle.
Meanwhile, my best friend took my place and passionately kissed my ex-fiancé after they won the championship together.
I lay on the ground like a dog when my phone buzzed with a message from the hospital.
My mother, who had watched everything unfold on the live broadcast, suffered a heart attack from the shock and died on the spot.
In my moment of despair, my childhood sweetheart Caelan ran down from the stands and rushed me to the hospital without hesitation.
He confessed his feelings for me in front of my mother's memorial photo, vowing to protect me for the rest of our lives.
On our third wedding anniversary, I accidentally overheard him talking to the coach:
"Actually, with your background, you could have easily handed the championship to Melody back then. Why did you have to arrange for someone to deliberately cut Aria's tendon?"
Caelan's eyes were filled with tenderness:
"Public opinion can be cruel. How could I bear to let rumors and gossip tarnish Melody's name?"
"I can't marry her, but I will definitely clear the obstacles for her!"

I am the Ice Skating Champion

"He's good to you, so I can rest easy."


Melody glanced at me and took the initiative to greet me:


"Aria, long time no see. The coach here heard I recently won another big award and begged me to show off my skills to the students."


"If your foot wasn't injured, I wouldn't have had to come out in this freezing weather. What if I catch a cold?"


Ignoring the fact that he was only wearing a wool sweater underneath, Caelan took off his own coat in the dead of winter and draped it over Melody's shoulders, speaking softly:


"Don't get cold. I'm sorry Melody, Aria's causing you trouble."


Noticing me watching them, Caelan explained somewhat guiltily:


"Aria, don't get the wrong idea. Melody's pregnant, I'm just taking care of her. After all, she's here to help you..."


Having not checked the weather forecast before leaving, I looked at my thin outerwear and my hands turning blue from the cold, saying nothing.


During the performance, since Orion wasn't there, Melody linked arms with Caelan:


"Caelan, come dance with me. Let's do 'The Feeling of Falling in Love'."


Seeing Caelan's hesitation, Melody pouted and whined:


"Caelan, you're not really going to make me partner up with those strange teenage boys, are you? Aren't you worried they might drop me? I even caught a few of those little punks eyeing me up earlier..."


The kids here were only eleven or twelve years old. How could they be ogling a pregnant woman like her?


But Caelan bought it hook, line, and sinker. He immediately gripped her hand and agreed without a second thought.


"Aria, you heard what she said... Melody and I are just good friends. I'm just helping her out, don't take it the wrong way."


"That's right, Aria. You don't mind us good friends doing each other a favor, do you? After all, Caelan and I used to be partners. We've got that special connection," Melody said with a sarcastic tone.


"I don't mind at all. You two be careful out there."


As the romantic melody played, they danced like passionate lovers - spinning, leaping, embracing, pressing close to each other, seemingly inseparable.


The adoration in Caelan's eyes was so intense it seemed almost tangible, as if it would consume Melody whole.


"Wow, that guy and girl must be real sweethearts! My mom says when a man looks at another woman like that, it's called being head over heels."


"Of course, they were just kissing. Normal partners wouldn't do that sort of thing. They make such a great couple."


"Huh? Big sis, didn't our coach say you were really good too? Why aren't you dancing? What's your relationship with that guy?"


Caelan and Melody embraced in another passionate kiss.


Sitting on a swing in the playground, I drafted a divorce agreement on my phone.


Just two more days and it would all be over.


A snowball hit me square in the face, the sharp pebbles deliberately packed inside instantly cutting my forehead.


Melody suddenly appeared, looking at me with contempt:


"Aria, you're still hanging around? You can't even do the most basic jump now. How dare you try to teach others?"


"What's so great about natural talent? Your own man doesn't even love you. For me, Caelan would cut your Achilles tendon, get me into the world championships. Whatever I want, he'll help me get it."


"Oh right, and that sick mother of yours. You didn't know? I specifically had the nurse open the livestream for her. Let her watch her pride and joy crawling on the ground like a dog."


I stared in disbelief, eyes wide. So it was her?!Rage and hatred exploded in my chest. I had barely raised my hand when Melody collapsed to the ground.


I instinctively reached out to catch her, but someone shoved me away violently.


Chapter 4