Zoey's POV

Lawrence sent his usual message today: [Want to grab dinner together?]

I stared at the screen and finally replied with just: [I have practice. No time.]

Lawrence texted back quickly: [Still mad? I really did have something come up last time. I didn't mean to leave you alone at my place.]

I didn't respond. All I remembered was how humiliated I felt that day. I didn't want to relive that night, so I shoved my phone into my bag.

The competition was what mattered now. I couldn't let anything else mess with my focus.

Like always, I ran through my routine smoothly without any mistakes, but Octavia's expression still froze for a moment.

"Zoey, technically you were fine just now, but something's off. The emotion I'm getting from you isn't right."

I didn't know how to answer. The moment I'd launched into that jump, Lawrence's text had flashed through my mind: 'Still mad?'

Shouldn't I be mad? I'd dressed up and gone to the Ashcroft mansion, only to leave alone and humiliated.

With Octavia's approval, I sat down to rest and took a sip of water.

My phone buzzed.

Ophelia sent me a video.

The thumbnail showed a party scene with dim lighting. I'd never been interested in parties and had no idea why she was sending this.

Along with the video came Ophelia's message: [Watch it first.]

Confused, I tapped play. The first part was just loud music and flashing lights, but then I saw the star of the video—Lawrence.

Someone pushed Lawrence into the center of the dance floor. Next to him was a girl in a khaki dress.

Florence.

My hand froze mid-air as the video looped again and again.

This was what Lawrence called 'having something come up'? Last night he'd been with Florence?

Ophelia sent another message: [They sent this to me yesterday but I only saw the video today. I thought you two went back to the Ashcroft mansion together yesterday?]

I stared at Ophelia's words for a long time. Just then, someone from the team called for me. I flipped my phone face-down on the chair.

I couldn't think about him anymore. I had more important things to do.

This time I channeled all my focus into the movements. Octavia finally looked satisfied.

The moment I received her praise, someone came to mind—not Lawrence, but his brother Gavin.

I remembered Natalia saying Gavin had been outstanding before, winning numerous awards. I thought about his reaction when he learned I was nervous about the figure skating competition.

Why was I thinking about him?

I didn't know. After hesitating for a moment, I typed "Gavin Ashcroft" into the search bar.

I'd expected maybe nothing would come up, but there were actually some results—academic research papers Gavin had published while at Stellar University.

I couldn't fully understand the content, but I could still sense his authority. Beyond that, I found a photo of Gavin.

It appeared to be from some academic conference. Gavin stood in the middle of the group, wearing a dark suit with the same serious expression he'd had when we first met.

I looked at the photo for a while, then suddenly froze. What was I doing? Why was I searching for Gavin?

Even as I questioned myself, I noticed an interview about Gavin. When the reporter asked why he'd chosen this research direction, he gave a very brief answer: "Because it's useful."

Such simple, direct words. I found them oddly amusing.

After leaving practice, I headed back to the dorm. I had a competition tomorrow—I needed to get back early and rest.

Once there, I collapsed on my bed and called my mom.

"Mom, are you and Dad home?"

A sigh came through the phone. "Your dad and I have an emergency meeting. We can't make it to tomorrow's qualifying round."

I froze, thinking I'd misheard. "What?"

I'd told them about the competition ages ago, hoping they could arrange their work schedules to watch my performance.

"Mom knows this is really important to you, but we just got the notice. It's urgent—there's nothing we can do."

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

"Okay. I understand."

I should have been used to this by now. Their work always came first.

"Good girl." Mom's voice carried some guilt. "Why don't you have Lawrence go with you? He shouldn't have anything going on this weekend, and we'd feel better knowing he's there with you."

At the mention of Lawrence, I fell silent. I still didn't know how to tell her about what was happening between us.

"Zoey, are you listening?" Mom called out gently. "You're always trying to be so strong. Why not try leaning on Lawrence? I think he really cares about you."

Cares about me? I thought of the video showing him dancing with Florence. In the end, I swallowed everything I wanted to say.

"Got it, Mom." I didn't explain. "Drive safe."

The window wasn't even open, but I felt cold. I pulled my clothes tighter and curled up on the couch.

According to my original plan, tomorrow's audience would include my parents and Lawrence. Ophelia would definitely come too. Now it seemed like only one person would actually show up.

My phone buzzed again. Lawrence: [Free tomorrow? Let's meet up. I made a reservation at that restaurant you love—we should talk.]

He didn't mention the competition. Had he forgotten?

I stared at the message, my finger hovering over the keyboard. Finally, I locked the screen without responding. I'd deal with it after the competition. Right now, I just wanted to focus on preparing.

I hadn't turned on the lights—only the desk lamp was on. I felt exhausted.

Training wasn't easy. I'd persevered for many reasons: my mother's expectations, Lawrence's encouragement, Ophelia's admiration, and more.

But just now I'd realized something: I couldn't rely on anyone. I was my own best support.

I had a competition tomorrow. I needed to rest.

Grief washed over me like a tide. I bit my lip, desperately holding back tears.

Rain suddenly began pattering against the window. I opened my phone. The chat interface was still on my private conversation with Lawrence. He hadn't sent anything new, and I had no intention of replying.

I clicked on Gavin's profile and continued reading about his past.

Gavin seemed stronger than I'd imagined. He'd been on his own since joining the military, then went to college without relying much on his family.

His personality made sense, given all that.

I scrolled through Gavin's information aimlessly, trying to clear my head and not think about the frustrating situations with my parents and Lawrence.

The qualifying round was tomorrow.

I needed to win.