Prologue
Cracks Beneath the Ice
September
Amelia
Yesterday, I was the happiest girl in the world. My life felt whole and simple—well, as simple as it gets when you're married to a famous pro hockey player. Now, not so much.
Tonight, I'm watching my husband, Jaxson Kingston, play one of his best games ever. As the star defenseman for the Thunder Bay Titans, he's a confident strategist on the ice.
Even though it's only a pre-season exhibition game for charity, it's intense. The Titans face the Steel Port Ice Hawks, their biggest rivals. When these twoteams meet, you can feel the energy in the packed arena. They're playing like it's a playoff battle, not a charity match.
This game benefits TrueNorth's Hockey Camp for Kids. All proceeds will go toward covering camp fees, equipment, and uniforms for kids who can’t afford them. TrueNorth isn’t just a cold-weather clothing brand; they also focus on supporting the next generation. Jaxson is their paid spokesperson, and they’re his largest sponsor.
Usually, watching from the stands fills me with pride. Jaxson's strong body crashes into opponents, ruling the rink. But tonight, my stomach sinks as I watch the women scream for his attention.
During a break, he skates to the group gathered at the designated fan zone, laughing and flirting. He accepts kisses and touches, signs photos, and even autographs a few body parts.
I want to throw up.
He's a confident, attractive man, and lately he’s been acting as if he knows it. For months, he’s been bringing up the idea of an open marriage, minimizing it whenever I get upset or placating me with assurances that it doesn’t mean anything and that everyone is doing it. Then he turns around and patronizes me by saying I’m overreacting, that it’s just a discussion right now, andthat he only wants honesty between us. I keep telling myself that he doesn’t mean it, that he’s just testing boundaries or trying to get a rise out of me. But the more I resist, the more insistent he becomes.
This morning, he gave me an ultimatum. Open marriage or divorce.
We've been together for five years and married for two. And now, he's telling me he'll leave if I don't agree. I love him so much! He was my high school sweetheart. We've been together since we were sixteen. I’ve never been with anyone else, never wanted another man, and he knows it.
I'm utterly devastated.
