Isla’s POV
The charity match took place at sunset, long after the practice with the children ended. The community hall had transformed into a festival of sound and color. Paper lanterns glowed overhead like floating moons, casting warm light across the crowd gathered around the small rink. The air smelled of grilled food, sugar, ocean salt, and excitement so thick it pulsed like a heartbeat in the space. Music played from old speakers, rough and joyful, echoing off the painted walls that told stories of fishermen, waves, and childhood. People sat on benches carved from driftwood, cheering whenever children skated in uneven lines across the ice. Their skates scratched gentle arcs that reflected the sky.
And then Chase stepped onto the rink in his jersey.
The entire hall shook with applau
