Second Chance on the Rink: Rebirth of the Ice Queen

Scarlett’s POVThe roaring cheers suddenly cut off.Every pair of eyes in the arena turned toward me—Scarlett, the former champion captain, sprawled flat on the ice.Madison, my opponent, had just scored the winning goal. She'd broken through my defense in the final thirty seconds, faking left before slamming the puck past our goalie's blocker side. The buzzer sounded. Game over.The crowd erupted. I tried pushing myself up, but white-hot pain shot through my left leg.My knee buckled. I collapsed back onto the ice, gasping.Through the blur of skates and legs rushing past me, I saw him. Pierce. My boyfriend stood at the edge of the rink, not even glancing my way. His arms were raised, his face lit up with pure joy as he cheered. For her. For Madison.My sister.I pressed my palms against the frozen surface, forcing myself upright despite the screaming agony in my leg. The team surrounded Madison, lifting her up, chanting her name. Nobody looked back at me limping off the ice.The awa

Scarlett’s POVWhen I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.My eyes opened to white sheets and white walls.The antiseptic smell filled my nostrils.The steady beep of a heart monitor echoed in my ears.Pierce sat beside me, holding my hand. His face was creased with worry.The moment he saw my eyes open, relief flooded his features."Thank God! You're awake!" He jumped to his feet. "I'll get the doctor!"For just a second, my cold heart flickered with warmth. Maybe he did care. Maybe I'd been wrong about him.Then I remembered Madison collapsing into his arms. Remembered him carrying her away while I lay trapped under that board.I turned my head away, my voice coming out rough and hoarse. "What do you want?"He immediately reached for a water bottle on the bedside table. "Here, drink this first. Your throat must be killing you."I took small sips while he hovered anxiously. The water soothed the raw burning in my throat."You've been unconscious for sixteen hours," Pi

Scarlett’s POVMy mind went blank. I couldn't have heard him correctly."What did you just say?"Preston's expression didn't change. His voice remained calm, measured. "I said you'll be my wife. That's my condition."I stared at him, searching for any sign that this was a joke. There was none."Why?" The word came out sharper than I intended. "What could you possibly get out of this?"He tilted his head slightly, studying me. "Isn't it obvious?""No, actually. It's not obvious at all. You're Preston Beaumont. You could have anyone.""Could I?" Something flickered in his eyes. "I've been in this wheelchair for five years, Scarlett. Do you know how many wealthy socialites have suddenly lost interest in me since then?"I shook my head. "I don't believe that.""It's true.""You're successful. You're intelligent. You run one of the most profitable companies in the city." I gestured around his office. "And you're not exactly hard to look at. There have to be plenty of women who'd jump at th

Preston’s POVThe door to my office swung open, and my assistant walked in—the same guy who'd greeted Scarlett at the front desk earlier.He had this stupid grin on his face, like he knew something I didn't."Boss, you should've seen her," he said, practically bouncing on his heels. "She was trying so hard to act cool, but I could tell she was nervous. Asked for you by name and everything."I leaned back in my chair, unable to suppress a slight smile. "Did she now?""Yeah, and when I told her you weren't available, she looked genuinely disappointed. I'm happy for you, man. You've been waiting for this moment for so long."I waved off his congratulations. "Get me a suit. The formal one—the navy blue with the silver tie."My assistant's smile faded, replaced by confusion. "A suit? But you're already dressed for work. Why do you need—" His eyes widened. "Wait, you're not going to that press conference, are you?""That's exactly where I'm going.""But boss, you never go to those things. Yo

Scarlett’s POVI stood frozen, my brain struggling to process what Preston had just said.Marry her? Within three months? Was he insane?The reporters were practically climbing over each other now, shouting questions."Mr.Beaumont, can you tell us her name?""Is she someone we know?""When did you meet?"Preston's eyes still hadn't left mine. A small smile played at the corner of his mouth, like he was enjoying watching me squirm."Her name," he said slowly, deliberately, "is Scarlett."The room exploded."Scarlett Huntington?""The figure skater?""The one standing right there?"Every camera in the room swiveled toward me. Flashes went off like fireworks. Microphones were thrust in my direction.I felt like a deer caught in headlights, unable to move or think or do anything except stand there with what I'm s