His Chains My Wings Chapter 02
News of Alivia’s withdrawal from the competition spread quickly, causing an uproar online.
“Alivia is injured! The tenth consecutive championship title is in jeopardy!”
“Without the ‘Ice Legends’ dominating, are we going to lose and get humiliated again?”
Similar headlines were alarming.
Alivia and Wesley, known as the undisputed rulers of figure skating, had dominated pairs skating for nine years.
Rival nations, nursing long-held grudges, had lived under their shadow for those nine years.
Securing a tenth consecutive title this year would have been a historic legend, but it was cut short by her accidental leg injury.
Alivia leaned back in her hospital bed, scrolling through the comments. The expressions of regret or anger didn’t stir her.
She’d endured the agony of breaking. Mere words were nothing to her now.
Her coach called her soon after.
“The brand for your and Wesley’s endorsement wants the shoot done ASAP.”
Alivia didn’t object, silently accepting the arrangement. The dull ache in her right leg reminded her of her harsh reality: she needed money to leave.
The set was brightly lit, smelling of perfume, a stark contrast to the hospital’s disinfectant.
The first shots were the pairs segment with Wesley and Alivia.
Considering her injury, they only needed to hold poses showing their synergy and beauty. But after several takes, the director, Terrance Tilson, was still unsatisfied and approached them.
“These poses are too plain. They don’t showcase your skill as ‘Ice Legends’. How about trying a small lift?”
“Alivia, can you manage that in your current condition?”
Alivia’s heart sank slightly. Even a small lift was a huge strain. As she was about to politely refuse, Wesley spoke first.
“She can,” Wesley said gently, with a hint of encouragement. “Just a try. We can change it back if it doesn’t work. I believe in Ali. Even off her game, she’s still got the skills.”
He looked down at Alivia, his gaze intense. “Right, Ali?”
She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.
Noticing her hesitation, Wesley remarked casually, “You were so decisive in giving up such an important competition spot. Why so hesitant now during a shoot?”
Alivia looked up, meeting his gaze.
In her previous life, he broke her leg for Micaela. Why did he care so much now that she was giving it up willingly?
But she just pressed her lips together before replying flatly, “I understand… Let’s try it then.”
The faint expectation in Wesley’s eyes died out under her calm compliance.
He turned to Terrance, his tone professionally detached. “Let’s proceed as planned. I’ll control the intensity and range of the moves.”
However, during the actual shoot, those so-called basic moves, under Wesley’s guidance, became anything but basic.
Every lift pushed the limits of her leg injury.
She gritted her teeth, a fine cold sweat beading on her temples.
“Cut! Alivia, watch your expression!
“Cut! The movement is too stiff!”
Terrance’s frown deepened. The shooting was interrupted repeatedly.
Wesley never offered another word of encouragement, only silently steadying her.
Finally, her right leg gave out. Her body went limp, and if Wesley hadn’t caught her in time, she would have fallen awkwardly onto the ice.
The set fell silent.
Wesley held her, feeling her uncontrollable trembling. “It seems the leg injury is affecting her more than we thought.”
Leaning against his chest, Alivia closed her eyes, a burning pain shooting through her right leg.
This was the price of refusing to back down.
“Ali, are you okay?” Micaela had arrived at some point, holding a warm drink, her face full of concern.
She approached Terrance. “Mr. Tilson, since Ali has limited mobility, maybe I could try some of the simpler shots for her?”
Terrance spoke disdainfully, “You’re a skater who hasn’t even made it past the international competition qualifiers. What makes you think you can compare to Alivia?”
Micaela’s smile froze. She looked at Wesley with reddening eyes.
Wesley patted her shoulder, then looked up. “Mr. Tilson, that’s not entirely fair. Talent is important, but opportunity and training matter too.”
He paused, his gaze settling on Alivia over the crowd, implying, “I got Ali to where she is. I can put the right person on the right stage.”
Terrance waved a hand. “Alivia, take a break. We’ll resume after lunch.”
But when they prepared to shoot again, Alivia noticed the crew looking at her strangely.
Photos from her shoot, taken from misleading angles, spread online.
One of the photos showed her sitting and resting while Micaela carefully offered her water, and that was framed as her ignoring Micaela.
Her wincing in pain was interpreted as impatience with the staff.
The caption was vicious, accusing her of cashing in despite being unable to compete, calling her greedy!
The initial sympathy was quickly drowned out by a flood of doubt and insults.
Labels like “making excuses to avoid losing”, “drama queen dragging Wesley down”, and “bullying her sister” were slapped on her.
Terrance, unable to withstand the pressure, soon suggested a replacement.
Then, Wesley finally spoke up, “Given the public opinion, for the sake of the ad’s success, let Micky take your place.”
