002

HEIDI’s POV

I woke before the alarm rang, staring at the ceiling while the weight in my chest settled. Maya was back. That single fact had followed me into sleep and was still waiting when I opened my eyes.

I turned toward the empty side of the bed. Married three years and we had never truly shared a room. There had always been a boundary between us and neither of us crossed it. I had grown used to the silence, but today, it felt colder.

It was 5:42 a.m, there was a training at seven. I forced myself up, showered, dressed, and went downstairs.

Jace was already in the kitchen, his training clothes on, hair still damp. His phone sat beside his coffee, eyes locked on the screen. He didn’t look up when I entered.

“Good morning.”

“Morning.”

That was all. I moved toward the coffee machine and stopped. A second cup waited on the counter. Jace never made coffee for me.

“Someone’s coming?”

He glanced up at last. “Maya. She’ll be joining me for breakfast.”

Of course. I turned back to the machine and poured my own. “That’s fine.”

“You don’t have to leave because she’s coming.”

I almost laughed. “Why would I?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “You seemed uncomfortable last night.”

“I was tired.”

“Heidi.”

“I said I’m fine.” I replied sharply, my eyes meeting his gaze. He held the look for a moment, then returned to his phone.

The doorbell rang soon enough, my stomach tightened. Jace stood up once and there was something different in the way he moved eagerly as he walked to the door.

It opened, and there she was, Maya Carter. She was beautiful. She had long dark hair, perfect features, a confident smile that softened the moment she saw him.

“Jace.” she called out coquettishly. She stepped forward and hugged him. I looked away, knowing I shouldn’t watch, yet unable to stop. She pulled back and touched his face. That act made my chest tighten.

“You haven’t changed.”

He smiled. “Neither have you.”

I picked up my bag. “I’ll see you at training.”

His gaze shifted to me. “You’re leaving?”

“Yes. I have work.”

Maya looked at me for the first time, eyes traveling over me before returning to him. “Who is she?”

Jace was silent, his eyes on mine. He then turned to Maya. “She's my physiotherapist.”

My heart broke from the introduction. Even though I already knew he'd say that, I just don't know why I expected him to say something different.

“ I'm Heidi Reed.” I said, shaking my head. “His physiotherapist.” I added.

She smiled at me. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” I replied briefly.

Her head tilted. “Have we met before?”

I froze. “No.”

Her gaze lingered for another second. “I don’t know. You look familiar.”

“She works with the team,” Jace said quickly.

Maya nodded. “Right.”

I walked to the door. Behind me I heard her laugh at something he said. I closed my eyes briefly, then left.

~~~~~~~~

The training today was a disaster. Not because Jace performed poorly, but because he was excellent. That was the problem. He pushed through every sprint, every tackle, every drill while his injured thigh clearly protested. He refused to slow down.

I finally caught him during a water break. “You need to stop.”

He wiped his face with a towel. “I’m fine.”

“You’re limping.”

“I’m not.”

“You are. I can see it from the sideline. You’re favoring that leg more with every set.”

He stared at me, then his eyes shifted toward the edge of the field. Maya stood there watching him. His attention returned to her at once. Something inside me sank.

“Jace.”

“What?”

“You need to ice that leg, now!. Not later.”

“I said later.”

I lowered my voice. “I’m not asking as your wife.”

His expression hardened. “Don’t.”

“As your physiotherapist I’m telling you you’re risking another injury. You know what another tear would mean this close to the next match.”

He looked irritated, but finally muttered, “Fine,” and walked away. I stood there watching him rejoin the team, the ache in my chest growing heavier.

A few minutes later Maya approached. “You’re very protective of him.”

I looked at her, keeping my voice down as I spoke. “It’s my job.”

“Of course.” She said, her tone made the words feel less innocent than they sounded. She glanced toward the field. “We used to have a physiotherapist who was almost as protective as you. She left after we broke up.”

I didn’t know what to say, I mean, I have something to say but I didn't think it was right to say it at this time.

“Jace gets difficult when he’s injured.”

“I know.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “You know him well.”

“I’m around him a lot.”

“I can see that.” She stepped closer. “You know, Jace doesn’t like people getting too attached.”

My fingers tightened around the clipboard. “I don’t think I’m attached.”

“Good.” She smiled again, then walked away.

She hadn’t threatened me. She hadn’t insulted me. She hadn’t done a single thing I could complain about. Yet somehow I understood exactly what she was saying. She knew something I didn’t—or perhaps she simply knew Jace better than I ever had.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

That evening I arrived home late. Jace wasn’t there. For the first time in years I didn’t wait for him. I ate dinner alone, watched television without really seeing it, and went upstairs.

It was almost midnight when I heard the front door open. I stayed in bed. I heard footsteps moving through the hallway and stopped outside my door. I held my breath deeply.

The door opened and the scent of Jace's cologne hit me first. He moved to me on the bed and his eyes settled for mine. “You’re awake.” He said. “You didn’t wait for me.”

“I didn’t know you were coming.”

He stared at me, something shifting in his expression that made my heart beat faster. “You’ve been acting strange all day.”

“I sat up. “I’ve been acting normal. Maybe you’re just noticing me now.”

His jaw tightened. “What is that supposed to mean?”

I stared into his eyes and almost told him the truth. That his wife was tired of feeling like a stranger in her own marriage. Instead, I shook my head with a deep breath. “Nothing.”

He moved closer. “Did Maya say something to you?”

“No.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

I gave him a small, sad smile. “Nothing is wrong.”

“Then why are you avoiding me?”

“I’m not avoiding you, I'm tired, Jace.”

The air between us was thick, I felt tense, I wanted his explanations , his assurance. But Jace never said anything. Then his phone rang. He looked at the screen. Maya’s name lit up, and I saw the immediate change in his face.

He answered. “Hey.”

My heart sank as he turned away, already smiling at whatever she said on the other end. I looked down at my hands.

I had spent three years pretending I didn’t care. Maybe it was time I stopped. Because the truth was painfully simple.

Jace didn't care about the love I had for him.