Chapter 3

3

Jasmine had stolen my spot, but she lacked the talent to back it up.

She made mistake after mistake, causing the team's score to plummet to the bottom.

We became the laughingstock of the entire games.

"Miss Vance, you fumbled every major move. Do you even know what 'stepping up' means?" a reporter asked.

"Your performance was amateur at best. How do you face your fans? What makes you think you deserve to be here?"

The questions were like rapid-fire bullets.

During the post-game interview, Jasmine's eyes turned red, and tears began to fall.

"I've been battling a very serious illness. I've been fighting for my life every single day."

"I was forced to step in because Seraphina Sterling was caught doping. I wasn't physically ready, and I didn't want to let everyone down, but my body just gave out. I'm so heartbroken..."

Gavin stepped in front of the cameras to defend her.

"This isn't Jasmine's fault. She's the daughter of the Vance family. She didn't have to suffer like this, but she pushed through her pain for the team."

"It's Seraphina's doping scandal that ruined the team's morale and caused these mistakes."

He looked at Jasmine with such tenderness, pulling her into his arms as she sobbed.

"Don't be afraid, Jasmine. No matter what happens, I'll stay by your side and protect you for the rest of my life."

He looked directly into the camera lens.

"Jasmine Vance is the woman I'm going to marry. We will face every storm together."

Jasmine looked moved to tears by his devotion.

The reporters, who were just attacking her, were suddenly touched by Gavin's "heroic" love story.

The topic shifted instantly to their upcoming wedding.

I was standing in the shadows, watching the whole circus.

For fourteen years, I gave everything to gymnastics.

I was ready to retire in glory and marry him.

I never realized my soulmate was busy plotting my downfall.

The ring in my pocket, custom-made six months ago, felt like a hot coal against my skin.

I pulled it out and tossed it into a nearby trash can.

People around me whispered and glared with disgust.

"How shameless. She's still showing her face here?"

"She's a dirty cheater. No wonder her boyfriend dumped her for someone like Jasmine!"

Gavin saw me from a distance.

He flashed a smug, mocking smile, enjoying my public humiliation.

But then, a fleet of black SUVs pulled up, and a dozen high-end security guards in suits marched toward us.

They moved with precision, forming a human wall around me.

The lead guard bowed deeply.

"Miss Sterling, we are here to take you home."