Snowbound Hearts

PROLOGUE

How did it come to this? How had everything gone so wrong?

I'd spent so much time trying to hold it all together, but here I was, shattered and alone. I wished I could go back in time, back to when everything felt simpler-back to when I was happy and didn't even realize it. A time before everything got so messed up. I wished I could be that girl again, carefree and in love, skating without the weight of the world on her shoulders. But now, it felt like I was drowning in my own failures, gasping for air but sinking deeper into the pain.

I felt hollow, like the very core of me had been scooped out and discarded. I was surrounded by people, but I had never felt more alone. The sounds of cheers and celebrations from the arena filtered in, but they felt a million miles away, like they belonged to a different world, one I no longer fit into.

But I knew I couldn't stay hidden forever. Wiping my tears roughly with the back of my hand, I took a shaky breath and forced myself to my feet. I straightened up, trying to compose myself. I needed to pretend-just for a little longer-that everything was fine. That I wasn't breaking apart inside.

I pushed through the crowd, my face a mask of calm as I wove between people. They were celebrating, smiling, laughing, each person offering their congratulations. But their joy felt like it belonged to a different world, one I was no longer a part of. Just as I was about to break through the last cluster of people, I bumped into someone, stumbling back from the impact, my eyes widening in recognition.

It was him.

I froze, my pulse quickening as his familiar smirk slid across his face. He stood there, arms crossed, looking at me with a mixture of amusement and impatience. His eyes gleamed in that way that always set my nerves on edge.

"I think I've given you enough time, Elena," he said, his voice low. "So, have you decided?"

I hesitated, my mind racing. For a split second, I thought about refusing, about telling him no, that this wasn't what I wanted. But the truth was, I had nowhere to go. No one to turn to. Not anymore.

Maybe this was what I deserved.

"Okay," I whispered, my voice barely audible as the last remnants of hope slipped away. "I accept your deal."