‘Save it. I have no time for either of you. If I never see either one of you again in this lifetime, it’ll be too soon.’
* * *
Rebel watched Draco walk out, her ashen world turning a soulless, all-encompassing black. From far away, she heard her father call her name. She probably responded, because the worried look in his eyes receded.
‘I know this probably wasn’t the best timing, but I didn’t want to do it after the fact.’
Struggling to think past the pain slashing at her heart, she frowned. ‘Do what?’
‘Tell you that your mother would be proud of you and what you’ve achieved. Whether you win today or not, we’re both proud of you. And I sold our old house. I’m sure you’ll agree we need to make new memories?’
Her breath shuddered. ‘Yes.’
‘I’m seeing a grief counsellor. And I also intend to pay back the money, Arabella. I don’t care how long it takes, I’ll make things right.’
Tears welled in her eyes. ‘Dad—’
‘Miss Daniels, it’s time to go,’ Greta said from the doorway.
She glanced at her father. He nodded. ‘We have a lot to talk about, I know. But you need to go and see all your hard work pay off.’
She blinked the tears away. ‘Will...will you come and watch me?’
He swallowed hard before he nodded. ‘Yes, I will.’
She walked back with Greta, picked up her skis and made her way to the waiting area. She was the first to jump, which helped because once again blocking everything and keeping her mind blank were imperative.
This time it wasn’t just her mother’s face that spurred her on. Her father’s solemn eyes and quiet pride flashed too. Her timing was laser-perfect, and she soared higher than she ever had. But as the snow-white ground rushed up to meet her, a piercing realisation lanced through her.
It’s not enough. I want love too.
Unbidden, Draco’s words from weeks ago when he’d made her realise she was holding herself back from winning popped into her mind.
We never get everything we want.
Her feet crashed to the ground and she cartwheeled into the barrier. A collective gasp rushed through the frigid air. Officials nearby rushed to her aid, but Rebel was already struggling to her feet.
Draco might believe they never got what they wanted, but she had proved otherwise.
She wanted him. She loved him. She’d never got the chance to tell him. No way was she willing to accept what had happened in the VIP room as her fate until she’d stared him in the eye and said her piece.
She was toeing off her skis when an excited Greg and Contessa rushed towards her. ‘Did you see?’ Contessa screeched. ‘You jumped two metres farther than the world-record holder!’
‘My God, Rebel, what happened up there?’
I got my heart smashed into a million pieces.
She smiled and shrugged. They waited in the pen for the remaining competitors to jump. With each one that didn’t make it as far, Greg and Contessa squealed. If they noticed she wasn’t as excited, they refrained from commenting.
Then her name erupted in lights as the winner. Tears welled and her whole body shuddered as she imagined the spirit of her mother wrapped around her in a warm, comforting glow.
Half an hour later, Rebel stood on the podium and waved to the crowd, an even harder determination burning in her chest. Returning to the dressing room, she entrusted her trophy to Contessa and her skis to Greg, then hurried into the shower, with a promise to meet up later.
Slipping on jeans and a long-sleeved top and layering it with a hoodie and beanie to finish off her disguise, she left the grounds and walked to a taxi stand. Whether Draco had left Switzerland or not she still had to collect her belongings from his chalet. But she prayed he would be there. She pulled her phone from her bag and brought up the text app.
When I said we needed to talk I actually meant that I would talk and you would listen. So you owe me another ‘We need to talk’ minus the fire-breathing antics. Where are you?
She pressed ‘send’ with her heart in her throat, and waited.
An answer pinged a second later.
Behind you.
Rebel whirled, her foot slipping on the ice before she righted herself. A black limo crept towards her, its back window slowly winding down as it neared.
Draco’s molten grey eyes pierced hers as the car drew to a stop. He alighted and held the door open for her.
She stayed on the pavement. ‘You were creeping behind me on the off-chance that I would text you?’
‘No, Arabella. My hopes have dropped to nil where you’re concerned.’
Her heart stumbled, but she’d come this far. She needed to see this through. ‘I need to get my things from your place.’