Here wego.
“Luca has a few opportunities lined up, and, as for me, this isgoing to be my final year on the show,” I told her, knowing I was 100 percent doing the right thing.
Her jaw dropped and her eyes went round. “Is this an exclusive? Are you really retiring fromStars on Ice?”
I nodded, relief loosening my shoulders. I’d finally done it—I was going to start a career I dreamed of, not the one my mother wanted me to have.
“Why? Have you got something else in mind? Perhaps a different television show?”
“God, no,” I laughed. “I’m not sure yet, but I’m looking forward to figuring it out. Especially with Luca by my side.”
I looked up at him, and a beautiful dimpled smile graced his lips.
“Luca, do you have anything to add?” She moved the mic tohim.
“Nope,” he said, popping the “p.” “Other than I feel so grateful to have met someone as incredible as Matilda. I don’t really care what we do beyond the show, just as long as Matilda is happy and we do it together.”
The journalist visibly swooned, hand on her chest. She thanked us both for our time, and we turned, scanning the room.
“Ready for the next part, Stevens?” Luca asked me, grabbing a glass of champagne from a tray and passing it tome.
“More than ready.”
“Go get ’em.” He discreetly tapped my arse as I sauntered away.
My mother was already waiting for me by the bar, smiling widely, pleased for our win—but there was a hint of fire in her eyes. Beside her, Mark and Lauren wore mirrored expressions of displeasure.
Taylor wasted no time shaking herself out of her mother’s grip and running toward me. I caught her as she jumped, hugging her tight to my chest.
“You wereamazing,Auntie Matilda!” she squealed. “That was my absolute favorite dance, and I am so, so, so glad you didit.”
“I’m glad you loved it too, Tee.” I kissed her head and set her down. She took my hand and I squeezed, so grateful to have such a loving niece.
“So, what did you think?” I asked in a sing-song voice.
“I amsopleased for you, Matilda!” my mother all but squealed. And for the first time in years, she did genuinely look happy for me. “You’ve finally won—I am so proud.” But then she glanced around the room, eyes roaming to see who was nearby, and stepped an inch closer. “But,” she ground out through a clenched smile, “whydid you change the dance? You were supposed to continue the legacy—remind people about what our family has achieved.”
“I thought it was amaaaazing!” Taylor added, bouncing at my side. “She looked so pretty skating out there.” I smiled down at Taylor, her unrestrained excitement and innocence warming my heart.
“It was the dance we wanted to do.” I lifted the glass of bubbles to my lips and took a leisurely sip as I looked at my mother. “Can’t you just be happy that we won?”
“I have already told you I’m happy you’ve won, Matilda—I really am. But this wasn’t your choice to make.” She stepped another inch closer. “We had made a decision. For once, this wasn’t about what you wanted todo.”
“It’sneverbeen about what I wanted. It’s always been about what you wanted, hasn’tit?”
She flinched, realizing her mistake.
I rolled my shoulders back. “You know I don’t even like competing, right? I hated preparing for the Olympics and skating on the show. But you don’t care about that because it’s only about keeping thelegacy,isn’tit?”
My mother’s eyes widened, and her breath caught. “I can’tbelieve you’re saying this.” She turned to my sister and kick-started her favorite party trick: pitching us against each other.
“Neither can I.” Lauren shook her head, looking me up and down. “Mum just wanted what was best for you. She invested all her time into your career, and you’re just going to walk away from it all?”
“Mum, don’t be mean to Matilda,” Taylor said and hugged my side. I wasn’t going to drag this out any longer; it wasn’t fair for Taylor to have to witness this. I parted my lips to tell them exactly that when Mark chimedin.
“The channel isn’t happy with you either. We didn’t sign off on the last-minute change.” He glanced at my mother and then back at me. “You know the channel will want to bring you in to discuss the matter and how it will affect your place next season.”
My mother’s eyes flared at his words.
