When He Gives Me His Warm Love

6

When I was 6, I had a car crash and had to take a year off from school to recover, missing out on the chance to join the national youth team.

My parents died in that crash, and my family ended up paying a fortune in damages.

I met Jason Wright when I was at my lowest.

From 17 to 18, he filled the emptiest part of my life, supported me, and helped me rebuild my confidence.

After my leg injury healed, I signed with Radiant Wings based on my past performance and started competing in commercial tournaments, training and earning simultaneously.

I thought everything was finally looking up.

I didn't expect to hit a dead end so soon.

Three days later, I paid the penalty as agreed.

When I was packing to head to the capital, Jason blocked me at the school gate, furious.

"Grace Miller, I didn't agree to terminate the contract, how dare you!"

Thinking about it now, it's laughable. We dated for a year, and he hid his real identity while offering me training opportunities yet holding me back.

I once told him, "Jason, badminton is all I know."

He'd joke, "I'll support you in the future."

But during a fight, he snapped, "Is badminton all you have? Haven't you thought about what I need?"

I didn't get it back then.

But now I do.

"Jason, I'm not your pet. I won't come and go as you please. You have no right to dictate my life. We're done."

"Done?" Jason scoffed, "Grace, do you know I fought with my family over you?"

"So that's why you lied and manipulated me?" I brushed his hand off, incredulous.

"What more do you want?! Can't you just obey?"

I grabbed my bags, done with the drama.

But he grabbed my arm and yelled, "Tell me, where did you get two million? Did you sleep with someone?!"

I struggled free and slapped him, "Do you think everyone's as corrupt as you?"

He sneered, "If you leave, I'm engaged with Ava, no regrets."

"Get in the car, Miss Miller." The driver came over and stowed my luggage.

As the car window closed, I saw Jason's grim face in the distance.

"Are you going to Badminton Premier League in March?" A deep voice interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up, and he was closing a document, looking at me intently.

He had striking features, sharp eyes, and carried himself with an air of elegance and authority.

The annual cover star of "Real" is Lucas Wilson, heir to a vast business empire and a top mogul in various industries, only thirty years old.

But his real passion is sports.

"I remember you haven't competed in the past two years. How's your leg?"

I was taken aback, "It's fine now."

Talent and excellence are never in short supply in this industry.

From being in the spotlight to being overlooked, I was surprised he still remembered me.

Three years ago, he handed me a business card after I easily won the American U17 women's singles final.

I still remember the name "Dawnstar" on it—a top club known to everyone.

Because I was facing selections for the national team later, among other reasons, I declined.

"The talent is there, but you're not quite ready."

I remember that line well.

Before he left, he said, "Whenever you're ready, you can reach out to me."

His look seemed to say I'd definitely seek him out.

Three years later, he still looked the same.

And facing him felt just as intense as before, like the pressure was something he was born with.

"It's the off-season now, so there will be a lot of active players, but for now, you can only enter C-level."

"I'll go."

"Good," he said calmly, anticipating my choice, "Warm up and boost your points this year."

After a pause, I finally asked, "Why... do you believe in me so much?"

"I'm always good at judging people."

Confident and decisive.

When you're under a cloud, hearing someone say you can still rise up, see clearly, and keep moving forward can be overwhelmingly reassuring.

In that moment, I almost cried from relief.