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Amara could hardly believe it.

After years of tireless practice, late-night training sessions, and countless competitions, her dream was finally within reach.

She'd been selected to represent her country in an international competition—a chance to step onto the world stage and prove herself among the best skaters in the world.

The news spread quickly among her teammates and her coach, and she could feel their excitement, their pride.

But it was the person waiting for her at the rink that meant the most to her.

As she walked down the hall after her training session, she spotted Liam leaning against the wall, his face lighting up the moment he saw her.

"Amara!" He pulled her into a tight hug, his voice brimming with pride. "You did it! I knew you would."

She laughed, feeling the joy bubbling up inside her as she wrapped her arms around him. "It still feels unreal. I've been working for this my whole life, and now it's actually happening."

Liam took a step back, holding her shoulders as he looked at her with a seriousness she rarely saw. "You've earned every bit of this, Amara. No one deserves it more than you."

She felt a wave of emotion rise within her, and she quickly blinked back the tears. She didn't want to let herself get emotional, not yet. There was too much work ahead, too much to prepare for. But knowing that he would be there to support her made it all feel less daunting.

The weeks that followed were a whirlwind.

Her days were packed with intensive training sessions, meetings with her coach, and travel preparations.

Liam, true to his promise, was by her side every step of the way, helping her manage everything from her schedule to the occasional moment of doubt that crept in.

They spent evenings reviewing videos of her past performances, analyzing every move, every jump, and every spin, with Liam giving her quiet encouragement as she pushed herself further.

She appreciated how he let her talk through her frustrations, her nerves, her excitement—listening without judgment, offering support when she needed it most.

One night, as they sat in her small living room, Liam turned to her with a gentle smile. "You know, I've never seen someone as focused and determined as you. Watching you work so hard, seeing the discipline you put into this... it's inspiring, Amara. I feel like I'm learning from you."

She laughed, nudging him playfully. "I'm just trying to keep up with you! You've built a whole business empire, Liam. This is just a competition."

He shook his head, his expression softening. "This isn't 'just a competition.' This is your dream. And what you're doing—putting everything on the line for something you believe in—is more than admirable."

The sincerity in his words gave her a surge of confidence.

She didn't realize how much she'd needed to hear that, how much she valued his belief in her.

It felt as though they were partners in this journey, each lifting the other when doubt crept in, each reminding the other why they'd chosen this path.

As the competition date grew closer, they kept their relationship hidden from the public eye.

Liam went to great lengths to shield her from the media's prying eyes, knowing how distracting rumors could be. He'd discreetly attend her practices, blending in with the other spectators, his presence a comforting reassurance that she wasn't alone.

On the day of her flight to the competition, he was there to see her off.

They stood in a quiet corner of the bustling airport, the hum of travelers around them.

She'd packed her things, her skates and gear carefully tucked away, and was ready to embark on the journey that would bring her one step closer to her dream.

Liam took her hands in his, his gaze steady. "Remember, I'll be right there, cheering you on. You don't have to be perfect, Amara. Just do what you love and trust yourself."

She smiled, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you, Liam. For everything. I don't know if I could've gotten here without you."

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his eyes filled with pride. "You would've gotten here no matter what. I'm just lucky to witness it."

They shared a long embrace, neither of them wanting to let go, knowing that this goodbye carried a weight of its own.

When they finally parted, Liam pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his hand lingering on her shoulder as he pulled back.

"Go show the world what you're made of, Amara. I'll be right here, waiting for you."

With one last smile, she turned and made her way to the gate, a thrill of excitement and nerves tingling through her.

She was scared, yes—but she also felt ready.

She was no longer just a skater with a dream; she was a skater with someone who believed in her, who wanted her to reach her fullest potential.

As the plane took off, Amara glanced out the window, her thoughts drifting to Liam. No matter what happened at the competition, she knew that she would return stronger, more confident, and ready for whatever awaited her—both on the ice and off.

And she had him to thank for that.