Lost the Trophy

Violetta

As a coach whose team had never suffered defeat, I was left shaken when I heard the commentator's words. 

“Watch a match! No one could ever imagine the Frostline would actually lose this match. An excellent…”

I paused, freezing in my steps. Impossible. How could my team ever lose my husband's team. His team had barely made it to the finals. How did we lose to him? I raised my head up to look at the scoreboard, I could have heard the commentator's words. My stomach twisted. 

I walked deeper into the stadium, expecting some answers. My players spaced out across the field, although their gear didn't let me see their expressions but I already knew what it was. 

Every one of their heads hung now. I never thought they could be such a moment for my team.

Knox dashed past me, rushing to his teammates but they ignored him. 

The team moved away from the field, and I sank to my knees. I felt a tear in the corner of my eye. How could this happen?

It was a sure win, how could…

I ran my hand through my hair, and sunk deeper into the ice. This match would determine everything for the team, and we lost?

I sniffed, pulling myself up to my feet. This wasn't the time to feel dejected.

Their locker room was filled with a stench of sweat, tears, and rage mixed together. I held my breath as I worked deeper. Knox sat on the floor while the others just watched in silence.

With their clothes changed, I could see the clear expression of disappointment, fear and anger all over their faces. 

I cleared my throat. “Although, I don't know what went wrong, and the defeat was definitely not a plan but…” I was cut short before I could finish. Jason, a forward emerging from the bathroom, changed into casual wear. 

“This was my only chance. We've messed it up already, there's no but.” Jason declared, grabbing his bag.

“There's still a chance. We've made it this far already, the investors wouldn't leave so easily.”

I spoke, my eyes darting through the room but all their heads remained low. 

“The Reapers are also rising talent, and they are not only rising but also won the league. Who in their right senses would choose to keep funding us?” Gordon spoke up, and the team snickered in agreement. 

Knox’s lips remained sealed, and I couldn't help but swallow hard on nothing. 

“This defeat was only because of Knox’s absence. Ex…” 

“Just stop it already.” A voice rang out from the corner, as his face came into view, I realized I hadn't heard a word from him since I got in. 

“Who are you putting on this act for?” He got up to his feet, walking closer. “We've lost. Isn't that what you wanted?”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, an eyebrow raised. But he remained unshaken, his hands twitching viciously. 

He pointed at me, his eyes burning with anger and hatred. “You are married to the captain of the other team, aren't you?” I scanned their faces, the other members had their heads hung low. 

I had kept my marriage a secret, specifically because I knew this would eventually happen but my team was still supposed to have trust in me. 

“And? I've been married for so many years and we've never lost since then, have we?”

The disbelief was evident in my eyes. My eyes darted through the room, expecting at least one person to want to stand up for me but all of them kept their heads lowered. 

“Right. That's why we trusted you. But who knew you were just getting out hopes to let us down in the finals.” He said, grabbing his bag and walking away. 

He was confident of his claims, and the others seemed convinced too, the ones that weren't, doubted me heavily.

“Giving the strategy to my husband will ruin my entire career! I would never do that.”

I said in my defense but they weren't ready to listen to me. They only kept their heads lowered, taking their bags and leaving one by one. 

I stood frozen at the door step. 

How did this happen?

Why now of all times?

I turned to face Kelvin who still lingered beyond the door, I could see the tears building up at the corner of his eyes. 

This was the last time he would ever play hockey ever again. His parents had made a deal with him, I was the one who helped him with it. Win or never play again. 

We would win. Everyone knew so. But somehow that was not how the match ended. 

“I'm sorry.” 

I managed to say. 

He walked away, his steps heavy on the floor. I ran my hand through my hair and I picked up my phone.  

They had a point. 

The other team really did have an immense understanding of our tactics and somehow they lucked out and managed to play without the star player of the team. 

There was definitely more to it. 

I pulled down the phone, the call had been cut from his side. A thought formed in my head immediately but I pushed it off. 

“Impossible. He could never.” I muttered beneath my breath, and placed a call over to him again, this time he picked up the call. 

I smiled. “Hello.” I pitched my voice higher, trying my best to sound as excited as possible. 

“What do you need?” Alaric’s cold voice sounded from the other end of the call. I gulped hard. Our marriage had begun since we got closer to the finals. 

Alaric always tried to discuss with me about my team, but I wouldn't say much. But he would make a huge deal of it, claiming I didn't trust him. 

At one point, he didn't even bother to speak to me anymore. He would return home late at night, also making sure we missed each other and never got the chance to meet. Even on the weekends he kept his distance. 

“I want to talk to you about something. Are you free?” 

“No. I'm…” His words are cut short by a sharp, excited voice. The voice I would always recognize no matter when it was. 

My eyes twitched, hands instinctively tightening around my phone. 

Lilith.