MELISSA'S POV

The lights in the arena were harsh and unforgiving. Each beam felt like a spotlight exposing every crack in my confidence.

The match had barely begun, but I could already feel the weight of it tightening around my chest. Every whistle, every skate slash, every booming cheer from the crowd—it all melted into a dizzying storm inside my head. And through it all, I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

Xavier stood on the other side of the rink, jaw clenched, visor ...