Desired by All and He Threw Away 37

Chapter 37 

“Mind if i join you?” I ask. 

“of course not,” she says brightly. “Im Lara.” 

“Taylor.” 

Her smile widens. “I know. Welcome back.” 

the words catch me off guard but her tone isnt cold. if anything, its gentle.“Thanks,” i say softly taking a sip of my coffee. “so… you have been here long?” 

“Just a few weeks. Started around the same time as Vanessa.” 

At her name, I glance up. “She seems… confident.” 

Lara chuckles. “Thats one way to put it.she is well she got this presence. You know? Comes from a family with money, connections in sports management. poeple are drawn to her.” 

i nod slowly pushing a piece of fruit around my plate. “She seems to fit in easily.” 

“Effortlessly,” Lara agrees.“Shes already made friends with half the staff. i guess when you look like that and know how to talk doors just open.” 

There is no malice in her voice just quiet observation.still the comparison burns somewhere deep in my chest.Vanessa floats through rooms while i tread carefully trying not to leave footprints. 

we eat in companionable silence for a moment. Then Lara leans closer. “for what its worth people here know you are good at what you do. That still matters.” 

“Thanks,” I murmur. “I hope so.” 

after breakfast i barely make it to my workspace before Dr. Harlan calls me in again.hisexpression is unreadable. 

(( 

there has been a small restructuring,” he begins. “Management decided that only one therapist position will remain permanent after the training camp concludes.” 

My pulse stutters. “Only one?” 

He nods. “Yes. Both you and Vanessa will be under review during the program. Performance professionalism and feedback from the athletes- it will all factor into the decision.” 

i feel the hit sharp low and cold- but i dont flinch. 

“i understand,” i say evenly. ” then let my abilities speak for themselves.” 

something flickers across his face- surprise maybe respect- but he only nods. “Thats the spirit we expect.” 

When i step back into the hallway my reflection in the glass window looks composed.but beneath the surface i can feel the storm building. i have fought too hard to let anyone- especially someone who treats the job like a stage to take what I have earned. 

the afternoon sun casts golden light across the training field when i finally make it outside. the rhythmic thud of 

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Chapter 37 

+25 Bonus 

soccer balls being kicked the sharp whistle blasts the low hum of chatter- it all wraps around me like the heartbeat of a place i used to know., 

And then i see him. 

Aiden. 

hes on the field body in motion hair damp with sweat focus sharp as a blade. thesound of his cleats hitting the turf echoes across the field–steady relentless. 

for a second everything else fades. 

He looks… different.not the man who sat beside me in the car voice low with frustration and fear.not the one who smiled when i told him he deserved his life back.this Aiden is all precision and control- the athlete the world expects him to be. 

When our eyes meet briefly, he gives nothing away.just a curt nod before turning back to the coach’s directions. 

the coldness cuts deeper than i expect.i stay professional clipboard in hand making notes checking times recording drills.But inside my thoughts spiral. 

why is he pretending nothing happened? Why is he shutting me out like Im just another staff member? 

the wind carries the scent of grass and sweat the sounds of shouted encouragement laughter from the sidelines.And through it all i stand still–nwatching him feeling the distance settle like fog. 

by the end of the session my hands ache from gripping the clipboard too tightly. 

Aiden passes by without a word towel slung over his shoulder.for a fleeting moment i think he will stop say something anything.but he doesnt. His jaw is set his stride purposeful. 

the ache in my chest is sharp but fleeting.i straighten tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. 

if this camp is my test then i will pass it. 

Vanessa can play her games. Aiden can wear his armor. But im not here to crumble. Im here to prove i belong.As the sun dips low over the training field painting everything in shades of amber and gold imake a quiet promise to myself:no matter how cold the air gets i keep walking through it. 

Because i have already learned how to survive the storm. 

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