I Let My Husband Pursue His Freedom, and Now He Regrets It

~~ARIA~~

The cold air of the Silver Eagle arena wrapped around me like an old blanket as I stepped inside.

It was barely six in the morning, and the hallways were still serene except for the distant hum of the ice machines. I liked this time best.

No curious eyes were watching me, nor was stupid gossip following every step I took. Just me, my work, and the control I had fought so hard to win back.

I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder, my fingers gripping it a little tighter than usual. At twenty-nine, I was the Head of Performance for one of the most aggressive teams, the Silver Eagles” in the NHL.

I had earned this position through sleepless nights, endless studying, and pure stubborn will. After everything that had been taken from me three years ago, this job had become my armor. My safe place and I refused to let anyone crack it again.

“Morning, Dr. Vance,” one of the assistant trainers greeted me with a nod as I passed.

I forced a small, professional smile as I responded. “Morning. Please make sure the updated recovery plans for the forwards are ready by nine.”

My voice sounded professional and that is how I liked it. I pushed open the door to my office, dropped my bag on the chair, and reached for the fresh team roster lying on my desk.

My eyes scanned the list of new signings automatically until one name stopped me cold.

“Ward Bennett.”

The paper trembled slightly in my hands. My heart slammed against my ribs like someone had just body-checked me into the boards. For a moment, the room felt too small, the air too thin. Heat rushed to my face, followed by a wave of ice that settled deep in my stomach.

“No.. Not him… He can't be here, not after what had happened in the past.” I tried to convince myself.

Ward Bennett, and the man who had once held my heart in his hands and then crushed it without a second thought. The golden captain who had promised me forever and ever. The same man who had vanished from my life in the most public, humiliating way possible.

Three long and painful years of rebuilding myself from the pieces he had left behind. Three years of ignoring the pitying looks, the gossip, that I had been nothing more than a publicity stunt.

I had cried enough tears to fill an ocean, then locked them away. I had worked harder than anyone to prove I was more than the woman Ward Bennett had thrown away and now he was coming back.

My fingers tightened around the roster until the edges crumpled. A storm of emotions crashed through me, anger that made my chest burn, a deep pang that still ached like an old bruise, and something else I hated even more… a tiny, traitorous flutter of something warm, the ghost of what we once had.

I closed my eyes and took a slow, shaky breath, forcing the unwanted feelings down. No, I would not let him affect me.

I had spent too many nights lying awake, wondering why he had destroyed us so coldly. Why had he blocked me everywhere and let the whole world believe I was just a convenient lie?

“Never again.” I let out.

A soft knock sounded on my open door. I quickly smoothed my expression into cool indifference before turning around.

The general manager stood there, looking a little bit uncomfortable, of course I needed no one to tell me why.

After all, he is one of the reasons why I now work here after being embarrassed in front of the whole world and left jobless.

“Aria, I wanted to speak with you before the official announcement this morning. Ward Bennett has signed with us. His contract is finalized. He will be here this afternoon for his physical and hip evaluation. We really need him healthy for the upcoming season, and… well, you are the best we have.”

My stomach twisted painfully, but I kept my voice calm and professional, even as my pulse roared in my ears. “I understand. I will handle his intake like any other player.”

The GM nodded, clearly relieved by my steady tone. “Good. That’s exactly what the team needs right now, please pure professionalism and no drama.”

As soon as he walked away and the door clicked shut, my legs felt weak. I sank into my chair, staring at Ward’s bold name on the roster until the letters blurred.

Anger bubbled up hot and fierce, mixing with the old pain that I thought I had buried deep. How dare he walk back into my life like this? After leaving me broken and humiliated in front of the entire league?

I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing. My heart was still racing, a confusing mix of rage and something dangerously close to anticipation.

I hated that part of me, the weak part that still remembered the way his touch used to feel, the way his laugh had once made me feel safe.

I picked up my phone with slightly trembling fingers and saw the new team alert pop up.

“Ward Bennett arrives at 2 PM for intake and hip evaluation with Dr. Aria Vance.”

A bitter smile touched my lips.