𝐁𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

Chapter nine

The Olympic arena was buzzing with anticipation as jihyo stepped onto the ice, the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. The lights were blinding, the crowd a blur of faces and flashing cameras. She could feel the eyes of millions watching her, waiting for her to deliver the performance of a lifetime.

Jihyo's costume was a vision of elegance—a deep midnight blue dress adorned with intricate silver embroidery that shimmered like stars in the night sky. The fabric clung to her lithe frame, the long sleeves ending in delicate lace that accentuated the grace of her movements. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek bun, a few loose tendrils framing her face, and her makeup was understated but flawless, highlighting her striking features.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves as she skated to the center of the rink. Her heart was pounding, not just from the pressure of the competition, but from everything that had happened leading up to this moment. The threats, the secrets, her father's sudden reappearance—it was all swirling in her mind, but she forced herself to focus. This was her moment, and she couldn't afford any distractions.

As the music began, a haunting melody that echoed through the arena, jihyo closed her eyes for a brief moment, letting the sound wash over her. Then she began to move, her body flowing with the rhythm, each movement precise and graceful. She was skating not just for herself, but for everything she had endured—for every tear, every sleepless night, every moment of doubt.

The routine was a masterpiece of technical skill and emotional depth. She executed each jump with flawless precision, her spins were fast and centered, and her footwork was intricate and fluid. The audience watched in rapt silence, captivated by her performance.

But as the final notes of the music played, jihyo felt a pang of uncertainty. She had given it her all, but something was missing. The perfection she had strived for her entire life seemed just out of reach, slipping through her fingers like sand.

As she finished her routine, the arena erupted into applause, but jihyo could only hear the deafening silence in her mind. She skated off the ice, her chest tight with a growing sense of dread.

When the scores were announced, jihyo's heart sank. Third place. She had medaled, but it wasn't enough—not for her, not after everything she had been through. The disappointment was crushing, and she felt the tears welling up even before she made it off the ice.

She didn't make it far before suho was there, waiting in the shadows, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. But as soon as jihyo saw him, the floodgates opened. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably, her emotions finally spilling over.

"I'm sorry," she choked out between sobs, clutching his jacket as if it were the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely. "I'm so sorry, suho."

Suho's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to his chest. He didn't say anything at first, just held her as she cried, his presence a steady anchor in the storm of her emotions.

"It wasn't enough," she continued, her voice breaking. "I tried so hard, but it wasn't enough."

"Shh," Suho finally murmured, his voice low and soothing. "You did more than enough, Jihyo. You were incredible out there."

But his words did little to soothe the ache in her chest. The disappointment, the frustration—it was all too much. And as she buried her face in his chest, she couldn't hold back the raw, unfiltered emotion that poured out of her.

The cameras caught every moment. The flash of lights was blinding as the media swarmed around them, capturing the image of jihyo clinging to suho, her tears staining his jacket. They caught the way her body trembled with each sob, the way her voice cracked as she tried to apologize for a failure that wasn't hers to own.