Frozen Promises

Allison Palmer had just wrapped up her world tour when the media announced her pregnancy.

Paparazzi snapped photos of her husband Braydon Saunders heading to the hospital for a prenatal checkup with some mysterious woman.

Everyone assumed that woman was Allison.

After all, Braydon's love for her was common knowledge.

The heir to Eldoria's elite circle had pursued this figure skater for three full years.

He remained chaste and showed unwavering devotion until he finally married her.

No one could imagine such deep affection leading to infidelity.

But Allison knew better than anyone that she was not pregnant at all.

She figured it was just fake news and brushed it off as she headed to the Saunders residence for the planned dinner.

Right outside the door, she overheard Braydon's voice. "I already had someone pull the trending topic. We can't let Allison get suspicious."

His mother, Madison Saunders, just gave a cold laugh. "It might be good if she finds out. She's too focused on her career to have kids. Plenty of women would step up to carry on the Saunders line."

"Mom, Allison is the only one in my heart. Kathleen and I was just a mistake. Once the baby arrives, we'll cut ties completely. Please stop meddling."

...

Allison stood frozen outside the door as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her head. It chilled her to the core and made her teeth chatter.

She could not believe it. The Braydon who loved her so fiercely had gotten another woman pregnant.

She remembered how he practiced skating just to get close to her back then. He bruised himself so bad from all the falls.

He followed her to every competition and cheered wildly from the stands with flowers in hand.

Even after they started dating and he took over the family business with barely a moment to breathe, he still recorded videos to cheer her on during her overseas events.

When they tried to set him up with an arranged business marriage, he went on a hunger strike and ended up in the hospital on an IV drip.

Allison could never forget how he lay there weak on the hospital bed, gripping her hand tight with a raspy but resolute voice. "Allison, no one but you. I won't have anyone else."

Those searing promises still echoed in her ears as if they had happened yesterday.

How had it all soured so fast?

She refused to accept it.

Maybe it was all a misunderstanding.

She wiped the tears from her face and pushed the door open with a calm expression and a smile. "Honey, I'm home."

A flicker of panic crossed Braydon's eyes, but he recovered quickly and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Allison, I missed you so much."

Madison switched to a warm smile right away. "Good to have you back. Let's eat."

They prepared that meal just to welcome Allison home. Every dish on the table was her favorite, clearly arranged by Braydon on purpose.

Throughout dinner, he barely touched his own food and kept piling hers higher with a tone full of concern. "Eat more. You've gotten so thin from all the exhaustion."

His genuine worry almost convinced Allison that what she heard earlier was just her imagination.

But before they finished, his phone buzzed.

The moment he glanced at the screen, his face shifted slightly. He excused himself and stepped out to the backyard.

When he returned from the call, he grabbed his suit jacket. "There's an emergency at the office. I have to handle it. You two take your time. Don't wait up."

He was already rushing out the door before he finished speaking.

Allison caught a hint of desperation in his retreating figure.

Five minutes later, she set down her fork. "Madison, I'm full. I have something to take care of. I'll head out."

She left the Saunders residence with steady steps, got in her car, and sped straight to the private clinic from the news where Braydon had taken that woman for her checkup.

She waited at the entrance for ages.

Just as she mocked herself for overthinking and turned to leave, Braydon showed up.

He had his arm around a woman and gently rubbed her still-flat belly with a tender look.

He stood tall and handsome, his presence striking even in the dim night.

Allison used to love watching him from afar like that because she knew no matter the distance, this remarkable man belonged to her.

Now he just seemed distant and unfamiliar, like a stranger slipping away.

The pair drew closer and passed right by her car.

She quickly dimmed the windows.

Then she heard Braydon say, "That fall scared me half to death. Thank goodness you and the baby are okay."

The woman's voice came out soft and sugary. "The little one's tough, just like Daddy."

"Of course my child wouldn't be fragile." Pride edged his tone. "It's getting late. Get in. I'll drive you home."

She lowered her eyes. "Mr. Saunders, you're spoiling me too much. Go back to your wife. I can just take a cab."

Allison watched clear as day as Braydon bundled her into the passenger seat without a word, buckled her seatbelt with care, and cupped her face with earnest words. "Forget about her. Right now, you matter most."

In that instant, the last spark in Allison's heart flickered out.

She watched their Bentley fade into the distance, took a deep breath, brushed away the tears at her eyes, and made a call. "Mr. Fuller, about the resident performer spot at your Norland ice theater. I'm in. When do we sign?"

He sounded shocked on the other end and let out a scoff. "Didn't you say you couldn't bear to leave your husband? What changed your mind so suddenly?"

"I'm getting divorced. No husband anymore." They set it for next month in Norland. Allison hung up and the tears fell again.

She once believed Braydon was her whole world.

To spend more time with him, she retired from skating early.

She even planned to leave the ice for good after this tour and settle into life as Mrs. Saunders.

But reality slapped her hard across the face.

She realized nothing lasted except her career. It would endure forever.

She would not be Mrs. Saunders anymore. She would reclaim her place as Allison Palmer, shining bright on the ice.