บททั้งหมดของ The Coach's Forbidden Play: บทที่ 131 - บทที่ 139

Sage's POV I left Ms. Hawthorne's office with a sense of gratitude and relief washing over me. I had done it. I had used my victory to secure Andrew's future. It was a small step toward making things right, a small way to show him that I cared, that I was fighting for him even when he had shut me out. I felt a sense of purpose, a quiet resolve settling over me. I had faced my demons, I had fought my battles and now, it was time to do the right thing. All of it.I pulled out my phone, my hands trembling slightly as I dialed my parents' number. I hadn't spoken to them since they had cut me off, since they had refused to believe me. A part of me was scared but a larger part of me knew that I couldn't move on with my life until I confronted them and until I told them how I truly felt.The phone rang once, twice and then a man's voice, my father's voice, answered. "Hello?"A wave of emotions washed over me, a mix of anger and relief. "Hi, Dad," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "It's m

Andrew's POVMy conversation with Amelia replayed in my mind. Her words were a mirror, showing me the truth I had been avoiding: my anger wasn't at Sage, but at myself. I had failed Pauline, and in my pain, I had pushed away the one person who had fought for me. The weight of that realization was crushing. I knew what I had to do. I had to apologize to Sage, to thank her, and to tell her how I truly felt. I had to stop running.I drove to the old training grounds, the place that held so many memories of us. As I pulled up, my heart ached with a familiar pang of longing. I saw her there, in the middle of the court, a lone figure in her basketball gear. She was working on her footwork, her movements fluid and graceful despite her limp. A wave of pride washed over me. I had been right outside her house on the day of the game, watching her celebrate. I had so desperately wanted to go in, to wrap her in my arms, to tell her how proud I was, but I had turned back, the fear of rejection and

Sage's POV We stood on the porch, Mia's words ringing in our ears, a cold, empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. Pauline was gone. Mia hadn't seen her, which meant Anastasia also had no idea and Pauline had lied. My mind raced, trying to figure out where she could be. The city was a maze and Pauline could be anywhere. My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic drumbeat of dread.Just then, a thought, a single, clear thought, broke through the chaos. "Kay," I whispered, my voice thick with a sudden realization.Andrew looked at me, a confused expression on his face. "Kay? Who's Kay?""He's the only other person Pauline trusts," I said, my voice filled with a new kind of urgency. "He's her friend. He's been there for her. He's the only one I can think of who would know where she is. He's the only one she would trust enough to tell her where she's staying."Andrew's eyes widened with a dawning realization. He immediately pulled me to his car, his voice urgent. "Lead the way, Sage. We're

Sage's POV She wrapped her arms around both of us, her body a warm, comforting presence against mine. She held us tightly, her head resting on Andrew's shoulder and I could feel the silent sobs that racked her body. We held her just as tightly, our arms a protective shield around her, a promise to never let her go.After a long moment, she pulled away, her eyes still red, but a small, determined smile on her lips. She looked at Andrew, a playful glint in her eyes. "Dad," she said, her voice soft but firm. "If you ever hurt Sage, you don't need my permission to never forgive you. I have no intention of forgiving you."Andrew let out a warm, genuine laugh, the sound of a beautiful melody that was a balm to my bruised and broken heart. "I'll take your word for it, Pauline," he said, a proud, happy smile on his face.Just then, Kay walked back into the room, a tray of hot chocolate in his hands. He looked at us, his eyes filled with a new kind of relief and happiness. "I'm sorry to inte

Sage's POV Anastasia's presence was a toxic cloud, a storm that had just rolled into our little haven. She leaned down, her face a mask of feigned concern, her voice a low, venomous whisper. "Pauline," she said, her eyes boring into my best friend's. "You don't need to force yourself to be with them. You're better than this." She held Pauline's shoulder, a possessive, territorial grip. "I've been so worried about you, sweetheart. Especially when you didn't come home. Come with me. Let's go home."She held Pauline's hand, her fingers lacing with hers, a sickeningly sweet gesture that made my stomach churn. She pulled Pauline to her feet, a silent act of aggression. Then, she turned to Andrew and me, her face a mask of pure hatred. "You two should stop forcing yourselves on my daughter. You're shameless. Whatever is going on between you two, you should keep Pauline away from it."She started to drag Pauline away, but my best friend was stronger than she looked. Pauline pulled her hand