All Chapters of The Coach's Forbidden Play: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Sage's POV As I followed Marcus, the soft lighting and calming aroma of essential oils began to work their magic, slowly easing the last vestiges of adrenaline from my system. He led me to a private treatment room, a serene sanctuary with a plush massage bed, soft ambient music and a gentle waterfall feature that trickled melodically in the corner. It was exactly what I needed after the morning's drama."Make yourself comfortable, Miss Sage," Marcus said, his voice now entirely soothing. "I'll be back in a few minutes after I prepare everything."He left me to change into the soft robe provided. The fabric felt like a whisper against my skin, a stark contrast to the rough emotions that had just churned within me. I lay on the heated massage bed, closing my eyes and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to simply be. The world outside with its arguments and anxieties, seemed to fade away, replaced by the gentle hum of the spa.Marcus returned shortly, his hand

Sage's POV My mind was a whirlwind of questions, each one more pressing than the last. Why was Anastasia here in New York? And more importantly, who was the man she was with, the same man I’d seen her with before? “Sage? Earth to Sage?” Michael’s voice, closer than I expected, pulled me sharply back to the present. He was holding out a ridiculously large soda, his brow furrowed in concern. “You okay? You’re looking a little green.”I forced a shaky smile, my gaze still involuntarily darting back to Anastasia. She was laughing now, a bright, carefree sound that seemed utterly out of place given the turmoil churning within me. “Fine,” I mumbled, taking the soda from him. “Just… thought I saw someone I knew.”Michael shrugged, oblivious to the earthquake rumbling beneath my calm facade. “Probably just a doppelganger. Come on, the movie’s about to start.”He steered me towards the theater entrance, his hand a light, insistent pressure on my back. I took one last glance over my shoulder

Sage's POVMichael's question was like a cruel counterpoint to the chaotic air of the wedding reception. "Sage? What is she talking about?" he repeated, his voice laced with genuine bewilderment. His eyes were open and searching, a mirror reflecting my own shock. But his shock was about my presence and not about the fact that this was Caroline's wedding. The reality of it slammed into me again, a fresh wave of mortification. This wasn't just a wedding; it was her wedding. The thought was a venomous bite.I couldn't speak. My throat felt constricted with a tight knot of disbelief and humiliation. Every carefully constructed defense and every ounce of defiance I'd mustered had crumbled into dust. The emerald green dress suddenly felt heavy and suffocating. The sleek bun felt like a helmet, trapping the frantic buzzing in my brain. I was an imposter, a fool who had stumbled into the very heart of a family drama she had desperately tried to avoid, completely oblivious to its central playe

Sage's POVI was shocked, and a wave of annoyance washed over me. Did he really just say that? After everything, after the drama and the humiliation, he was still making jokes and trying to flirt? My eyebrows shot up, and I stared at him, utterly dumbfounded."Michael!" I exclaimed, my voice a mixture of disbelief and indignation. "Are you serious right now? We just had a huge scene in there, and your sister just got married, and you're... you're asking for a kiss?"He straightened up, a wide, innocent grin spreading across his face. "Whoa, whoa, easy there, tiger! It was just a joke, Sage! A little levity to lighten the mood, you know? You don't need to get all worked up. And besides," he added, his eyes twinkling mischievously, "I didn't say you had to give me a kiss. I just said you could." He paused, then tilted his head, feigning thoughtfulness. "But if you're feeling really grateful and you insist on getting me something, you could always get me dinner."I rolled my eyes, a relu

Sage's POV "What are you trying to say?" I pressed, my voice barely a whisper, the fear in my stomach growing.Anastasia's smile widened, a predatory glint in her eyes. "Oh, nothing much. Just that Andrew is currently with his new girlfriend. He might propose to her soon since he is really into marriage."The air in the restroom seemed to thicken, pressing down on me. My vision blurred for a moment and I felt a sudden wave of dizziness. Andrew was in a relationship with someone else?"That's a lie," I choked out, though even to my own ears, my voice lacked conviction. It had to be a lie. She was trying to hurt me, to manipulate me, to make me feel small and insignificant.Anastasia simply shrugged, a picture of nonchalant elegance. "Believe what you want, Sage. But a little birdy told me Andrew was quite relieved when you left. Gave him the perfect opportunity, you see. No messy scenes, no awkward explanations. Just a clear path to his future." She leaned in even closer, her voice a