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Chapter 25: Why Do You Care?
publish date:
2026-08-29 20:35:09
Latest chapter
The Ice Between Us Chapter 50: The Making of Something Beautiful
DERICK'S POVThe first lift nearly killed me.Not literally, but close enough. Ciel had been patient, explaining the mechanics for the tenth time while I stood on the ice, my legs already burning from two hours of edge work. He made it look effortless when he demonstrated, his body arcing through the air like it weighed nothing. Then he'd land, glide back to me, and say, "Your turn."I'd grab his waist, try to hoist him, and we'd both end up in a heap on the ice."You're thinking too much," Jess called from the boards. "Stop analyzing and just do it.""I am doing it.""You're lifting with your arms. Use your legs. Your core. Everything."I tried again. Ciel jumped. I caught him. For one glorious second, he was airborne, suspended above me, his gray eyes wide with surprise. Then my skate caught an edge, and we went down.He landed on top of me, his elbow in my ribs, his breath warm against my face."You almost had it," he said."I almost died.""Same thing."I laughed, despite the pain
The Ice Between Us Chapter 49: The Fear and the Want
DERICK'S POVWarren's finger hovered over the remote.The rink was silent except for the hum of the old compressor and the distant sound of that engine getting closer. Ciel's hand was cold in mine, his body pressed against my back like he was trying to shield me from what was coming."You have ten seconds," Warren said. "Give me the evidence, and I'll let you walk away. Refuse, and your father and Eli become collateral damage."I could feel Ciel trembling against me. Not from fear. From rage."You're lying," Ciel said. "You wouldn't blow up the cabin. The evidence is in there. You need it."Warren's smile didn't waver. "I don't need the evidence. I need it destroyed. There's a difference."The engine outside grew louder. Headlights swept across the rink windows, cutting through the dim light. Warren's eyes flicked toward the sound, just for a second.That was all I needed.I lunged.My shoulder caught Warren in the chest, sending us both crashing onto the ice. The remote flew from his
The Ice Between Us Chapter 48: No More Pretending
DERICK'S POVThe figure on the ice was gone before I could blink.I stood on the porch, my heart pounding, staring at the empty stretch of frozen lake where someone had been standing just moments before. The sun had dipped below the treeline, casting long shadows across the snow. There was no sign of anyone. No footprints. Nothing."Derick?" Ciel's voice pulled me back. "What is it?"I turned to look at him. His silver hair caught the fading light, his gray eyes searching my face. He looked tired, worn down by everything we'd learned today. But beneath the exhaustion, there was something new. A fire I hadn't seen before."Nothing," I said. "Just thought I saw something."He stepped onto the porch beside me, following my gaze to the lake. "What kind of something?""A person. On the ice. They waved at me."Ciel's expression didn't change, but I saw his jaw tighten. "Warren?""I don't know. They were too far away."He was quiet for a moment. Then he reached out and took my hand. "We'll d
The Ice Between Us Chapter 47: The Rebuilding
CIEL'S POVThe car ride to the cabin took longer than expected. The roads were slick with ice, and my father drove slowly, his hands gripping the wheel like he was afraid the car might disappear if he let go. I sat in the back seat with Derick, my hand in his, my mind still reeling from everything he'd told us.A sister. A twin. Dead before I could even remember her.I wanted to ask more questions. I wanted to demand answers. But every time I opened my mouth, the words caught in my throat. So I just stared out the window, watching the frozen landscape blur past, and tried to process the impossible.Derick squeezed my hand. "You okay?""No." I looked at him. "But I will be."He didn't push. He just held on.We stopped at a small motel about an hour from Lake Placid. My father said we needed rest before facing Eli. I didn't argue. I was too tired to fight, too hollow to think.The room was small and cold, with two beds and a radiator that barely worked. Leo and Jess took one bed. Derick
The Ice Between Us Chapter 46: The Severing
CIEL'S POVThe parking lot was empty when my mother found me.I'd walked out of the administration building alone, needing a moment to breathe. Derick had stayed behind with Leo and Jess, talking to the board about next steps. The sky was gray and heavy, promising more snow. I stood by the frozen fountain, my breath clouding in the cold, and tried to remember what it felt like to be free.I heard her heels before I saw her. That sharp, precise click against the pavement. The sound that had haunted my childhood, signaling either praise or punishment."Ciel."I turned. She stood a few feet away, her black coat buttoned to her throat, her face a mask of controlled fury. The security guards had released her after questioning. No charges yet. But the investigation was ongoing."Mother.""Don't call me that." Her voice was ice. "Not after what you did in there."I didn't flinch. I was done flinching."What I did was tell the truth. Something you've never been brave enough to do."She laughe
The Ice Between Us Chapter 45: The Stand
CIEL'S POVThe campus was a nest of whispers. Everywhere I looked, students huddled in groups, their phones raised, their eyes darting toward us as we walked past. The article about Derick's disownment had spread like wildfire, and the gossip was vicious."Did you hear? His father cut him off completely.""No money. No car. No nothing.""Serves him right. He was always a spoiled brat."I felt Derick tense beside me, his hand tightening around mine. He didn't say anything, but I could see the way his jaw clenched, the way his eyes stayed fixed on the path ahead. He was trying to be strong. Trying not to let them see how much it hurt.I stopped walking."Ciel?" He looked at me, confused. "What are you doing?"I didn't answer. I just turned to face the crowd that had gathered behind us, their whispers dying as they realized I was looking at them."You want to talk about Derick?" My voice carried across the courtyard, sharp and clear. "Then talk to me."A few students shifted uncomfortabl
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