Chapter 3

I followed Claire and her entourage to a private dining lounge.

When I pushed the door open, her friends were loudly cheering, egging the two of them on to kiss.

Austin didn't pull away. He slid his arm around Claire's waist, gazing at her with intense longing.

Claire rested her hands against his chest, blushing with coy hesitation.

The charged atmosphere broke the moment the door swung open. Everyone turned to look at me.

Claire froze, quickly pulling herself out of Austin's embrace.

"Logan? What are you doing here?"

I stayed silent, my eyes locked on her face.

Ridiculously enough, there was neither shame nor guilt in her expression. She casually walked over and looped her arm through mine.

"Since you're here, why don't you join us? We're celebrating Austin's win."

She knew the truth.

She knew damn well that medal was earned with my blood!

Then again, how could I forget? Austin had always been the one who got away—the golden boy she secretly pined for.

Even on the day of my finals, she had abandoned me on the roadside just because Austin called her, speeding off to meet him without a second thought.

I had almost missed my weigh-in because of her.

And afterward, she hadn't even offered a simple apology.

Austin was always the exception to every rule.

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.

The bitterness in my heart was nothing compared to the sharp sting of seeing this reality with my own eyes.

Austin stepped forward, lowering his gaze in mock contrition.

"Logan, I'm sorry. I know Claire is your girlfriend. We were just playing a party game earlier. Please don't be mad."

He deflected the real issue entirely. Did he really think that was what I cared about?

The gold medal was still hanging proudly against his chest. He was pretending to apologize, but his eyes were dripping with smug condescension.

With so many friends watching, the tension was suffocating. Claire gave me a firm shove.

Frowning, she whispered harshly, "Austin already has silver and bronze. If he hadn't missed his chance earlier, you wouldn't have won in the first place!"

"You've already got plenty of medals at home. What's one less to you? If it bothers you that much, just go win another one next year!"

Watching their synchronized routine, I scoffed in utter disgust.

I even started wondering if Claire had ever loved me for who I was.

Or if she had only ever loved the prestige and trophies attached to my name.

I nodded calmly. "We're done. Let's break up."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked away.

Claire clearly hadn't expected the usually compliant boyfriend to dump her on the spot.

She chased me out into the hallway, shouting with growing irritation.

"Logan! What is your problem?!"

"Winning a medal is easy for you! But Austin missed the finals because of an old injury—this was his last chance to have no regrets. Can't you show a little basic empathy?"

"Throwing out break-up threats every time you don't get your way... I am sick of it!"

An old injury?

Before the tournament, Austin had been speeding on his motorcycle to impress some girl. If he hadn't crashed while trying to show off, would he have been hurt at all?

Besides, even if he had stood in that ring, he wouldn't have lasted three rounds against me!

I didn't care to listen to another word. I picked up my pace.

Claire tried to run after me, but Austin's pained voice echoed from behind.

"Claire... my leg... the old injury is flaring up. It hurts so bad. Can you take me to the hospital?"

Without a second's hesitation, Claire turned back to support Austin, her voice drenched in frantic worry.

"Are you okay?! Hang on, I'm taking you to the ER right now!"