Be The Champion All You Want

Clara pulled out her usual trick. She tugged at my sleeve and acted all sweet.

I had always believed there was nothing more between them than childhood friendship.

If it had been anything else, I would not have agreed to let Ethan join the team as a substitute when she used the same excuse to ask me.

He did not have much time left, but that did not mean everything had to be about him.

His skills were so lacking that just getting onto our team had been hard enough.

The national finals were on a whole different level. The best players in the country would be participating in this competition.

Sending him onto the field without a valid reason would be a betrayal to the fans and everything I believed in.

So, I firmly refused her request.

“No.”

I looked her in the eye and held her shoulders as I said, “This is not up for discussion.”

I could not betray the beliefs I had held for seven years. I could not let anyone disrespect this sacred space.

When I saw the disappointment in Clara’s eyes, I gently ruffled her hair and said softly, “Life is full of regrets. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You don’t have to carry other people’s expectations.

“Be good. I’ve got a surprise for you after we win this match.”

At that moment, I was ready to give her my whole heart. But she was scheming against me behind my back.

Even if I took a blood test, it would only confirm that I had used stimulants to cheat.

She really left me with no way out!

I crouched helplessly on the ground and trembled uncontrollably. My eyes were bloodshot as I stared at my arm, which was wrapped in bandages.

Was all my seven years of effort really just for this? To end up with a result that left me nailed to shame?

After six years together, did it really have to end in betrayal?

Before I could even ask why, Clara impatiently hung up.

Then, I saw her on the monitor in the waiting room. Her eyes filled with tears as she cheered for Ethan.

Just before the match started, she playfully leaned down and quickly kissed Ethan on the cheek.

The crowd went wild, but my heart sank.

That moment hit me like a punch to the gut.

Ethan walked onto the stage amid cheers, while I was escorted away by the investigators. My pride was gone.

I could not just sit there. While waiting for the results, I rushed back to the scene and was determined to get an explanation from Clara.

“Dominic, how dare you show your face here? Do you want your loyal fans to tear you apart?”

I turned and saw Ethan leaning against the door frame in his team uniform.

Behind him stood a few of my teammates.

They were fuming. One was clenching his fist and was ready to punch me.

I instinctively raised my hand to block. Suddenly, I heard a glass shatter behind me.

A sharp pain hit me. Blood dripped down my forehead.

I slowly turned around and saw Clara glaring at me furiously.

She was holding a broken vase and quickly ran in front of Ethan to shield him protectively.

“Don’t you dare hurt him!”

The teammates who had been angry just moments ago looked stunned by what they saw.

After all these years together, I knew they were just venting. They did not actually hate me that much.

But when they saw Clara smash the vase over my head without hesitation, their anger flared.

Before they could say anything, I tilted my head slightly. I signaled for them to leave.

As the door closed, Clara yelled at me harshly, “Dominic, it’s just a championship. Is it really worth all this drama?”

Then, she quickly softened and turned to Ethan.

“Did you get hurt? Are you okay? If anything’s wrong, just tell me.”