Chapter 1

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!"

————

The coach sighed with regret:

"It's such a shame. Aria was a rare talent, gifted and hardworking. Back then, no one in the national team could match her. I thought... and now it's all gone to waste."

"Aren't you afraid that one day Aria will discover the truth? That she'll learn it was you who destroyed her dreams and indirectly caused her mother's death? Don't forget, she values these two things more than her own life."

Caelan sneered:

"You're wrong. In this world, apart from one's own life and death, nothing and no one else matters."

"Even if she could make it to the World Championships and win gold, what would she gain besides some prize money and empty fame? I, on the other hand, will compensate her with a lifetime of wealth and luxury."

"If it doesn't matter, then why go to such lengths to help Melody? Even resorting to hiring thugs to hurt someone."

Caelan fell silent for a moment, then spoke quietly:

"Melody is the exception."

The hand-painted glass he had personally crafted shattered instantly in his grip. The shards pierced his flesh, but the pain was nothing compared to the anguish in his heart.

The person inside seemed to hear something. I turned and hid in a stall in the women's restroom next door, collapsing powerlessly on the floor.

Blood dripped onto my feet, blurring into a stain.

I bitterly pulled up the corners of my mouth and sighed:

"Aria, you look like such a pathetic dog right now."

Just like back then.

The moment I agreed to marry Caelan at the funeral home, the staff nearby were quietly replaying the match results on their phones.

Melody, the substitute player, had taken my place and completed the competition with my fiancé, easily winning the championship.

The doctor's regretful voice echoed in my ears:

"Miss Blackwood, although we've stitched up your tendon, the injury was too severe. I'm afraid you won't be able to skate again, and it's best not to stand for long periods either."

Caelan held me close, saying he would take care of me for life.

At the time, I thought gratefully that it was okay - at least I still had him.

But I never imagined that he would be the demonic hand that truly pushed me into hell.

Thinking of how he acted so lovingly and made such earnest vows in front of my mother's memorial photo, I buried my face in my knees in anguish.

Caelan, how dare you?

"Aria?"

As I washed my hands at the sink in a daze, Caelan's voice came from the doorway.

His gaze fell on my blood-soaked hand, and disregarding the fact that this was the women's restroom, he rushed in urgently:

"What happened? Why is there so much blood?"

"It's nothing. I accidentally broke the anniversary gift I was bringing you."

Caelan gently lifted my hand, his face filled with concern: