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.

After completely giving up, Allison found a strange calm instead.

She focused on preparing her farewell performance in Eldoria.

On rehearsal day, Braydon somehow got the news and rushed to the site to support her.

As one dance piece ended, he approached with a bouquet of fiery red roses, just like he had done a thousand times before. "Allison, that was incredible. I can hardly imagine how stunning the actual show will be."

Allison ignored him and took the water from her assistant.

His hand with the flowers hung stiff in midair, a bit awkward.

Just as he opened his mouth, his gaze locked on something, and his face drained of color.

Allison followed his stare and spotted the little pregnant woman he had been caring for so tenderly.

That woman wore work overalls and directed the workers with ease as they adjusted the props.

A soft thud sounded as the roses hit the floor.

Braydon rushed over in a panic.

They stood too far for Allison to catch their exact words.

She could clearly see a flash of anger cross the usually mild-mannered Braydon's face.

Soon after, the woman clutched her face and ran out crying.

Braydon seemed ready to chase her but glanced back at Allison and forced himself to turn around instead. He explained in a rush. "That woman... my company worked with her before. She has a terrible work ethic. I worried she might ruin your show, so I gave her a piece of my mind..."

A clumsy lie.

Allison sneered inwardly but could not be bothered to call him out. She just nodded coolly.

After rehearsal wrapped, she needed some air and wandered out to the outdoor terrace.

She did not expect to stumble upon the two in the middle of a tug-of-war.

Braydon sounded worked up. "Kathleen, did I not tell you to stop working and rest for the pregnancy? What if you stir up complications?"

Kathleen tilted her face up with a stubborn edge. "I'm pregnant, not useless. I need to work. I need to support myself."

"You're carrying my child. It's only right that I take care of you."

"And after the baby comes?" Kathleen's eyes rimmed red in an instant. "Can you support me forever?"

"Why not?" Braydon blurted out.

Kathleen stared at him through misty eyes, stunned.

Braydon realized his slip right away, cleared his throat, and backpedaled fast. "What I meant was, once the child arrives, the child will be well taken care of by me and Allison. As for you, I won't leave you short. I'll give you a large sum so you can live worry-free for the rest of your days."

The light in Kathleen's eyes snuffed out. She bowed her head as a single tear fell silently. "Understood, Mr. Saunders. I'll stick to our deal and give you and your wife the child."

At her tear-streaked, pitiful look, Braydon softened despite himself. He pulled her into his arms and patted her back to soothe her. "Don't cry. Too much emotion isn't good for the baby."

They looked so wrapped up in each other, like a real married couple.

Allison could not bear to watch anymore and turned to leave.

Back in the empty center of the venue, she felt all her strength drain away.

In that moment, she grasped it crystal clear. Braydon had not just cheated physically. His heart drifted farther from her with every passing day.

The man who once had eyes only for her would never return.

She pressed a hand to her chest, where an awful emptiness gaped.

The gut-wrenching pain from the past few days had already run its course.

Now only desolation remained after the hollowing out, like a cold wind whistling through.

In a daze, Braydon's gentle voice sounded from above her head, as if nothing had changed. "Allison, is it over? Let's head home. I have a surprise for you."

She never imagined his surprise would fill the room with roses and candlelight.

By the time she finished her shower, he lay on the bed strewn with petals, nearly naked, his firm muscles teasing in the soft glow.

When she emerged, he plucked the rose from between his lips, his eyes hazy and voice husky. "Baby, I missed you so much."

Allison stared at Braydon's handsome face and alluring body. Her first reaction was disgust.

In the past, when she returned from abroad, they truly made the most of their brief separations. They spent entire days in bed.

Now, looking at him like this, her mind filled with images of him tangled naked with Kathleen.

Her stomach churned. She clapped a hand over her mouth and rushed into the bathroom. She dry-heaved violently.

Braydon hurried after her with concern in his voice. "Allison, what's wrong? Is your stomach acting up?"

His hand touched her shoulder. She heaved even harder.

She never imagined she would one day loathe Braydon this much.

As she pondered how to escape this suffocating situation, Braydon's phone rang.

He came back from the call with the same old excuse. "Work issue. I have to head out. There's medicine in the kit. Take it. I'll be back soon."

He had no idea that the moment he left, Allison received an anonymous text. "Come to Grand Plaza Hotel, Suite 18. Got a show for you."

The stage was set. How could she miss it?

Allison arrived at the suite door. Someone left it ajar on purpose. Braydon was already inside.

His face looked frosty. He spoke coldly. "You dared to get my woman drunk. Tired of living?"

Kathleen huddled behind him and trembled.

A middle-aged man who seemed like a boss bowed repeatedly. He groveled. "Mr. Saunders, we're so sorry. We had no idea Ms. Murphy was yours. We won't dare again. Please let it slide."

Braydon snorted. "You think there's a next time? She's done working here. Good luck to you."

With that, he took Kathleen's hand and strode out with commanding presence.

Allison ducked behind a nearby cleaning cart. She heard Braydon say to Kathleen. "Quit this lousy job. If you can't sit still, come to Saunders Enterprises."

Kathleen murmured agreement. Then she asked. "If I join Saunders Enterprises and your wife finds out?"

At the word wife, impatience flickered across Braydon's brow. "Don't mention her. She's a pain."

They walked farther away. Allison caught the rest of their talk from her phone.

That unknown number sent a recording. "Why can't we mention your wife? Aren't you two doing great?"

"She's off on that tour for months. No sign of her. Finally back, and now she's busy with some solo ice show. Never home."

Next came the sound of a sports car unlocking. They must have gotten in.

Braydon let out a long sigh. "Tonight was perfect, but she felt off. Wouldn't let me touch her. I'm about to lose my mind."

After a long silence, Kathleen asked cautiously. "Mr. Saunders, are you that uncomfortable? Maybe... I can help?"

"No." Braydon rejected her sharply. His breathing grew heavier though. "That night I drank too much. I won't betray Allison again."

"Just with hands. That doesn't count as betrayal. You helped me. I want to help you too."

What followed was sticky, breathless panting.

Each sound sliced into Allison's nerves. It hurt beyond words.

Braydon never was the fairy-tale prince on a horse. He was just a fickle man.

His body and heart no longer belonged to her.

Fine then. Allison drew a deep breath. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat.

From now on, Braydon could play around however he wanted. It had nothing to do with her.