Whispers Under the Christmas Sky

Chapter 7: Fractured Ice

The town square was alive with energy. Children laughed and couples held hands as they skated in circles on the ice. The competition was in full swing, and the festive atmosphere hummed with excitement, but all I could feel was the weight of Ethan’s absence.

I sat on a bench near the edge of the rink, my eyes tracking Ethan as he moved through the crowd. He was helping the competitors, giving instructions, and sharing easy smiles with everyone but me. His avoidance was deliberate, each glance he didn’t give me like a sharp edge cutting through the fragile peace I had tried to rebuild.

It had been hours since he left me standing breathless and confused. Since then, he hadn’t spoken to me, hadn’t looked at me for more than a fleeting moment. And now, seeing him so at ease while I sat here struggling to hold it together made me feel small, invisible…and I hated it. And I hated him for tumbling up all the walls I had managed to build these past years.

I came to Wintervale certain that I had completely forgotten about Ethan. That I was fully over him. And this jumble of messy emotions didn’t sit well with me.

It was maddening how much space he occupied in my mind, even now, when he was doing everything to make himself seem miles away. I shook my head, forcing her focus back to the competition.

The announcer’s voice rang out, calling the next group of skaters to the rink.

The competition was a community event in the truest sense, a blend of heart and humor as amateurs and semi-pros took to the ice. Some stumbled, others glided with confidence, and the crowd cheered them all.

And then, there was Delilah.

My stomach twisted as she floated effortlessly across the ice, her movements graceful and practiced. She wore a crimson scarf that seemed to trail behind her like a banner of victory, drawing every eye in the square—including Ethan’s, even if only briefly.

I turned away, frustrated by the mix of emotions that churned inside me. That was when Delilah approached.

“Claire.”

The voice was too sweet, like sugar masking something sour, something hateful.

I turned slowly, my face carefully blank. “Delilah.”

Delilah’s smile was the kind that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m surprised to see you here. After all, this kind of thing was never really your scene.”

“I could say the same about you,” I replied, keeping my tone even.

Delilah tilted her head, studying me with an almost predatory curiosity. “Oh, I couldn’t resist. Ethan mentioned the event, and I thought, why not? It’s been so long since I’ve been part of something like this.”

My jaw tightened. “You came back for him.”

Delilah laughed, a light, airy sound that grated against my nerves. “Why wouldn’t I? Ethan and I… well, we have history. And you know what they say about old flames.”

I felt my fingers curl into fists subconsciously at my sides. “History has a way of staying in the past, where it belongs.”

Delilah’s expression sharpened, her smile fading just enough to reveal the steel beneath. “You had your chance, Claire. And you threw it away. Ethan deserves someone who knows what they want.”

Before I could respond, a scream pierced the air.

All heads turned toward the rink, where one of the competitors had suddenly fallen, skidding uncontrollably toward the edge. The wooden barrier splintered as the skater crashed into it, sending shards of wood flying.

Chaos erupted. Spectators rushed forward, shouting over each other, while others pulled back in fear. I moved instinctively, pushing through the crowd towards the rink.

“Someone call for help!” I shouted, kneeling beside the fallen skater. He was conscious but visibly shaken, clutching his leg. Blood stained the ice where a jagged piece of the broken barrier had cut him.

Ethan was suddenly there, his face grim as he crouched beside me. For the first time all day, his eyes met mine, and in that moment, our shared history didn’t matter as we worked together seamlessly, calming the injured skater and organizing help.

When the paramedics arrived and the skater was taken away, I noticed something odd. The ice near the broken barrier was uneven, almost as if it had been deliberately chipped.

“Did you see this?” I asked Ethan, pointing to the irregular surface.

He frowned, running his hand over the ice. “This wasn’t here yesterday during the final inspection.”

A cold realization washed over me. “You think someone—”

“Tampered with it?” Ethan finished, his voice low. “Yeah, I do.”

The weight of his words settled heavily between us. This wasn’t just an accident. Someone had wanted this to happen……. again.

And as I looked back at the crowd, my eyes landed on Delilah. She stood off to the side, her expression calm but her gaze sharp and calculating.

My heart pounded. The competition was over, but this wasn’t about skating anymore.

I stood in the middle of the commotion, my face sharp and I could feel my teeth grinding against each other.

I had my suspicions on who might be the one behind all this. His motive clear and glaring. But I had no proof.

My eyes caught Ethan talking to Mayor Gladys and it didn't look friendly. Mayor Gladys, with an affirmative glare and a pointed finger, motioned something for Ethan before making her heavy way towards me.

"We appreciate all that you're trying to do Claire, but enough is enough." She spoke, her tone leaving no room for argument. "This ends now."

I couldn’t tell if it was just me or the blood pounding in my head, but suddenly, my limbs felt colder than ever—like ice had seeped into my bones.