1: The Breaking Point
Three Weeks Before National Winter Showcase
Alexei stalked out of the rink, his face unreadable, jaw locked tight like he was holding back the rest of himself from spilling out. His bag bounced against his shoulder with each determined step.
“Alexei!” Lina’s voice echoed down the corridor. “Alexei, wait!”
He didn’t stop.
She chased after him, breath catching, boots clicking sharply on the concrete. “Stop, you don’t want to do this.”
Alexei finally turned, his green eyes cold but tired. “There’s nothing left to say. I am not doing this charade any longer. I quit.”
Lina took a step closer, her heart pounding. “Alexei, this is craziness. The National Winter Showcase is less than a month away. Let’s sit down and talk this out. Don’t do something you’re going to regret later.”
“There’s nothing to talk out.” His voice was flat. He slung his bag higher onto his shoulder and stepped back. “I quit. Good luck.”
And with that, he walked away, out of the hallway, out of the partnership, out of the fragile peace they’d barely managed to hold together.
