Page 114 of Icebound Hearts

She doesn’t say anything and Neither do I. But I want to. God, I want to ask her if she meant it. If she regrets it. If she even knows how hard it is to breathe when she’s near and I can’t touch her.

She grabs her water and turns to leave.

Right before she disappears, she pauses. Doesn’t look back, but says, “You didn’t deserve what I said.”

Then she’s gone.

And I’m left standing there, that one line echoing in my head like it means something.

Like maybe… just maybe… this isn’t the end after all.

Chapter Forty - six

KATERINA

I don’t sleep. Let me correct that. I can’t sleep, even if I wanted to. The second Aiden walked out of that door, it was like something inside me collapsed, a part of me breaking beyond repair. And now, I’m lying in this unfamiliar bed in the figure skating house, staring at the ceiling, my chest so tight it hurts to breathe.

I told him I didn’t love him. I lied. And he believed me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the memory of his face, the way he looked at me like I had gutted him. Like I had taken a blade and cut right through him.

I roll over, pressing my face into the pillow, but the ache won’t

leave. It’s in my ribs, in my lungs, in every shallow breath I take. I told myself this was the right thing. That I needed to focus, that I couldn’t afford to let myself get distracted.

But all I feel is empty. By the time morning comes, I force myself out of bed, dragging my feet through my routine. I barely register Alina when she joins me in the kitchen, her eyes sharp as she watches me stir my untouched cup of coffee. “You look like hell,” she finally says.

I scoff, but there’s no heat to it. “Thanks.”

Alina sets her mug down, leaning on the counter. “You wanna tell me what happened?”

I stare down at my coffee, my stomach twisting. “Nothing.”

She huffs, crossing her arms. “Kat, I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re full of shit.”

I swallow hard, my fingers curling around my mug. “I told him I didn’t love him.”

Alina freezes. Her brows pull together, and then her mouth parts slightly, like she can’t quite believe what she just heard. “You—” She exhales sharply, shaking her head. “Are you kidding me?” I flinch but stay silent.

“Kat.” Her voice is softer now, but still laced with frustration. “Why?”

I lift my shoulders, even though I already know the answer. Because I was scared. Because I thought pushing him away would make it easier. Because I thought if I severed the connection, I could breathe again. But I was wrong. And now it’s too late.

Alina sighs, rubbing her temples. “You’re an idiot.” I let out a humorless laugh. “I know.”

She shakes her head, muttering something in Russian before looking at me again.

“What are you going to do?”

I stare into my coffee, my chest tight. “Nothing.”

Alina’s eyes narrow. “So that’s it? You’re just going to let him think you don’t care? That you never did?”

My throat closes up, my fingers tightening around the mug. “What else can I do?”

Alina sighs, standing up. “For someone who fights like hell on the ice, you’re a coward when it comes to him.”

The words hit deep, but I don’t argue. Because she’s right. I am a coward.

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