Page 52 of Love on the Edge
"A few months ago, I was on tour." She exhales sharply. "A tour Ethan knew about, supported, and encouraged. It wasn’t a surprise. It wasn’t me abandoning my family. It was my career—the same way skating is for Valeria Blaze."
She leans forward, voice thick with resentment. "I was eighteen when I got pregnant. Fresh out of high school. I gave up everything for my family. I stayed. I put my dreams on hold. And how did Ethan repay me?"
Her voice hardens, ice creeping into every word. "By replacing me the second I left."
She wipes at her eyes, shaking her head. "And now? The world worships her. The golden girl of figure skating. But let’s be real—do you really think she got here on skill alone?"
She lets the question hang.
"How many women lose their opportunities the second they get pregnant? But Valeria? She didn’t have to choose. She just took what wasn’t hers."
Her gaze sharpens.
"Sponsors. Fans. Companies backing Valeria Blaze—you’re standing behind a homewrecker. A woman who slept her way to the top."
The video cuts to black.
I tighten my grip on Emilio’s phone, my pulse hammering as I scan the headlines and comments.
Valeria Blaze: The Ice Queen Who Slept Her Way to the Top?
Major Sponsors Pull Support Following Margo Valentine’s Explosive Video
“She doesn’t deserve to compete.”
“Knew she was too perfect. Fake bitch.”
“Drop her from competing for Team USA. She’s a disgrace.”
The phone pings again with a statement from Valeria.
I have dedicated my entire life to this sport. Every success I’ve had is because of discipline, sacrifice, and relentless hard work. The accusations being made about me are false, and I refuse to let them overshadow what truly matters—my performance on the ice.
My personal life has never been, and will never be, a factor in my career. I will not engage in baseless rumors or let them distract me from my goals.
I will be at Nationals. I will be ready. My focus remains on my training, my performance, and my future.
—Valeria Blaze
I grip the phone so hard his knuckles turn white.
Ryan sighs, rubbing his temple. “I’m sorry, man… but Margo just filed for full custody.”
“What?”
CC screams. “No! Daddy, no! Don’t let her take me!”
I pull her into his arms. “Never, sweetie. But I think you need to tell Uncle Ryan what you told me about your mom.”
She looks at me, clearly terrified, but I just nod. I will protect her at all costs.
Silence crashes down over the room, thick and suffocating, wrapping around each of us like a vice. The only sound is CC’s shaky breaths, her little fingers clutching my shirt like I’m the only thing keeping her grounded.
Nina is the first to move, dropping into a crouch so she’s eye level with CC. Her voice is gentle, but her eyes burn with fury. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to be scared. No one—no one—is ever going to let her take you.” She brushes a stray curl from CC’s damp cheek, her hand trembling slightly.
Drew exhales hard, running a hand through his hair, looking like he’s barely keeping his temper in check. “What the hell is wrong with her?” His voice is sharp, his usual easygoing nature completely gone. “She walks away for months, and now she thinks she deserves custody?” He shakes his head, his jaw locked. “Not happening.”
Ryan doesn’t move, doesn’t blink, just crosses his arms, his expression unreadable. But when he speaks, his voice is low and sure. “She won’t win.” His gaze flicks to CC, softening for only a second. “A judge won’t grant her full custody.”
