THE NEWS

SKY

I finally got to the hotel and stepped into the lobby quietly, pulling my jacket tighter around me as if that could keep my shame hidden.

Our team had reserved an entire floor of the building, and since our hope had been crushed in the semifinals, the place still felt heavy with loss.

Across the lounge, players in matching tracksuits moved like restless shadows. Some were slumped in chairs, staring at their phones, their faces lined with exhaustion.

When they saw me, they straightened immediately, like children caught misbehaving, murmuring apologies for the loss as though it had been their personal failure.

I forced a small smile, the kind that doesn’t reach your eyes but still reassures the people looking at you.

“You don’t have to apologize,” I said gently, walking past them. “Loss happens, we will recover. We need to focus on the next match, not punish ourselves for this one.”

Some of them nodded while some of them just stared at me. “Where’s Levi?” I asked finally.

They exchanged glances, shifting uneasily. One of the younger players rubbed the back of his neck and said,

"Captain went to his private lounge. He said he didn’t feel okay.”

Of course, he wouldn't, his greatest rival had crushed him tonight, and me, the woman who was supposed to be his safe place, was sneaking out to that rival’s bed. What a perfect fiancée I was.

My throat tightened. “Alright, you should get ready for tomorrow's flight back home,” I said, and walked away before they could see the shame flicker across my face.

The hallway to the private suites was dim and quiet. I stopped in front of the door with his name on it, took a deep breath, and knocked. After a moment, the door opened, and there he was.

Levi sat on the edge of the bed, leaning back against the headboard. He was just in his shorts and a singlet, his shirt lying on the ground.

In one hand he held a wine glass, the deep red liquid catching the light like blood. On the nightstand, two empty bottles stood like silent witnesses.

I stepped inside and shut the door. “Levi…” I called out as I crossed the room and plucked the glass from his hand. “If I am right, you haven’t eaten anything, and now you are drinking on an empty stomach… Then again three bottles? Really?”

He looked up at me with a crooked smile that hurt more than anger.

“Yay,” he squealed, spreading his arms like a child. “She is back.” He pulled me into an embrace before I could resist, holding me so tightly it felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

How could I do this to him? This man who loved and trusted me, who had fought for me when no one else would.

Levi had rebuilt my reputation, and given me a name in this field and I was betraying him.

What kind of fiancée does that?

How would his parents feel if they knew? How would he feel if he found out? The thought was a blade I kept pressing against my own heart.

I just wanted it to end, I wanted whatever had happened between William and me to vanish. I wanted to be clean again and have my life back.

Levi’s hand moved to my waist, pulling me closer until I was perched on his thigh.

My body stiffened instantly, another reason I hated myself after nights with William, my body recoiled from Levi’s touch, no matter how hard I tried to hide it.

He kissed my neck gently, and for once I felt a strange kind of relief. If he saw any marks, I could tell him they were from him. A convenient lie to cover a bigger one.

“You got another perfume,” he murmured.

My heart slammed against my ribs. Damn it. William’s cologne was still on my skin. I should have scrubbed myself clean before coming here, but his craziness had made me leave the bathroom quickly.

Levi leaned back a little to look at me, his brow furrowed. “You look tired,” he said softly.

“Just tired because of the whole game stuff,” I lied quickly, hoping he wouldn’t notice how my pulse fluttered.

“Then maybe we should just… take tonight off. Get our minds off everything.” He tugged me closer, his warmth pressing against me.

Panic flared inside of me, this wasn’t the first time he would make a move and I had pushed him away.

Ever since that night with William, I hadn’t been able to sleep with Levi. I wanted to be clean first, to wash the sin from my skin before I let him touch me again.

I slid off his lap gently. “I… I am not in the mood,” I said, keeping my eyes on the floor. “Can we just sleep?”

He went still at once, his eyes boring into mine, “You have been pushing me away for a month now,” he stated. “Are you sure I shouldn’t be worried?”

I forced a smile instantly, the kind I would practice in the mirror. “Of course not. We are getting married soon, and I want to be clean until then.. So..” I leaned further closer to his lips.

“You would crave so badly for me on our wedding night.” He smiled as he caught my face between his hands and kissed me.

His lips were warm and familiar, but my eyes widened. I couldn’t make myself kiss him back.

He pulled away slowly, his eyes searching mine. “Are you sure I shouldn’t be worried?” he asked again. “You don’t kiss me back. You don’t respond to my touches. You have been different for a month now. Maybe I should be worried.”

I exhaled, forcing myself to move closer. My fingers slid into his hair, the way he liked. “You shouldn’t be worried,” I whispered. “I love you, Levi. I am just tired. I promise, next time…”

I saw the doubt flicker in his eyes, but he didn’t press further, this was my fault and I know it.

He pulled me back into his arms, holding me tightly. “You are seducing me and pushing me away,” he murmured.

“Hey,” I said softly, trying to smile.

“I am serious, Sky. If you don’t control yourself now, I don’t think I will be waiting until next time to have you.”

I gave him a weak smile, trying to make him feel better. “Let's go have dinner instead,” I said quickly. “I already made a reservation.”

He tilted his head, a spark of surprise in his tired eyes. “Really?”

“Yup,” I said, forcing a little laugh. I had booked the reservation earlier, knowing he would be sad. It was the least I could do to make up for the guilt clawing at me from the inside.

He leaned back, studying me for a moment. “Okay,” he said finally. “Dinner sounds good.”

As he stood and reached for his jacket, I received a message on my phone. I opened it, and my whole mood instantly sank re-reading it.

“You are going to be suspended for three months. After reviewing the replay, we noticed your tactics caused tonight’s loss.”