Gliding Past Yesterday

The biting chill of the massive, echoing ice arena immediately wrapped around Stella and May the second they stepped through the glass doors. The vast space was practically empty, bathed in the sharp glare of the overhead spotlights reflecting off the smooth ice. Down by the pristine surface of the rink, Nolan Pierce leaned gracefully against the frosted metal railing, taking a brief moment to rest.

The rapidly rising, internationally recognized figure skating star wore a sleek, form-fitting black training uniform that hugged his slim, perfectly proportioned figure. With his delicate, ethereal features and effortless posture, he looked like an exiled celestial being resting against the cold ice.

"Quick, call him Mr. Nolan." Stella nudged her daughter forward gently, a warm smile spreading across her face.

"Mr. Nolan, you are so handsome and ethereal! I shall call you Mr. Aurora." May chirped, her voice bright and clear.

The little girl tossed every single one of her strict Vance etiquette lessons to the wind, her loud, unfiltered praise ringing across the quiet arena. She stared up at the skater with wide, adoring eyes, captivated by his presence.

Charmed beyond measure by the little girl's earnest praise, Nolan smiled shyly. A dusting of pink spread across his pale cheeks. He unzipped his duffel bag resting on the nearby bleachers, rummaged inside for a moment, and pulled out a small, intricately woven white bracelet. He leaned down and gifted it to the delighted girl.

May squealed in excitement, eagerly slipping the woven band onto her tiny wrist. She turned and wandered off to play near the edge of the rink, admiring her new treasure under the bright arena lights.

As soon as the child was out of earshot, Nolan’s smile faded. He cast a deeply concerned look at Stella, his eyes scanning her face.

"I heard about your news in the media. Are you alright?" he asked. His voice was soft and probing, carrying the genuine worry of an old friend who knew the harsh reality of her recent past.

Stella shrugged her shoulders indifferently, keeping her face a mask of calm. "It is all in the past. I am doing pretty well now."

Nolan studied her in the harsh arena lighting. He sensed keenly that she had not yet recovered from the heavy toll of her painful divorce. The subtle tension in her shoulders and the guarded look in her eyes gave her away. Hoping the familiar rush of the ice would lift her spirits, he tapped his skate against the rubber floorboards. "Why don't we run a light figure skating routine? It has been a long time since we shared the ice."

Stella felt a sudden, bright spark of enthusiasm at the thought. She agreed, her eyes lighting up for the first time that day. "I would love to, but only if May joins us on the ice."

Nolan disappeared into the back room and retrieved fitted skates and protective gear for both mother and daughter. Within minutes, the trio eagerly took to the gleaming ice.

Nolan started with May, holding her small, gloved hands in his. He patiently taught her the basic strides, showing her how to push her weight from one foot to the other. The little girl learned remarkably fast. She giggled as she finally found her balance, wobbling slightly like a newborn fawn before standing firm on her dual blades. Her bright laughter echoed warmly through the cold space.

Seeing her daughter's infectious joy, Stella pushed off the rink wall. She gracefully glided over to the center of the rink and took her daughter's other hand. Together, the two adults and the adorable child skated in perfect harmony. A small, scattered audience sitting in the upper bleachers quickly noticed them, murmuring awe-struck praise at the beautiful, synchronized sight.

Melodious, sweeping classical music began to pour from the arena's overhead speakers, filling the chilly space. Stella leaned into the powerful rhythm. She utilized her exceptional, innate dancing skills, her movements fluid, confident, and mesmerizing. She and Nolan effortlessly balanced and spun a giggling May between them, their blades carving precise, elegant arcs into the smooth ice.

Stella immersed herself in the passionate rhythm of the music. Her blonde hair flew behind her like a golden banner with every twist and turn. She looked like a mysterious, enchanting elf dancing across the ice, free from the burdens of her broken marriage. Nolan pulled her into a synchronized spin, his gaze fixed upon her flushed face. His eyes softened with a tender, affectionate smile as they moved together.

Meanwhile, up by the main entrance, the heavy arena doors pushed open. Vanessa and Declan walked into the chilly venue, stepping onto the rubber matting of the viewing deck.

"Wow! What a perfectly harmonious family!" Vanessa exclaimed. She pointed toward the center of the rink, her voice cutting through the sweeping strings of the classical music.

Declan stepped forward and looked over at the three gracefully skating figures gliding under the bright spotlights. Because Stella and May both wore heavy, obscure helmets, he did not recognize them at all. However, as he watched the woman spin with magnetic elegance, even his cynical heart thought the synchronized scene was undeniably beautiful. He stood in silence, mesmerized by the fluid grace of the skaters.

The sweeping classical music finally faded to an end, leaving only the sharp sound of skates carving into the ice. Stella glided over to the edge of the rink and came to a smooth, practiced stop.

She reached up, unclasped the tight strap under her chin, and took off her heavy helmet. She shook her head, flicking her long, sweat-dampened blonde hair coolly over her shoulder.

"That was truly awesome!" she laughed. Her face was flushed with genuine joy, a bright, unburdened smile lighting up her delicate features.

Up in the stands, staggering surprise washed over Declan's arrogant face as he recognized his ex-wife.

He stared down at the ice, his dark eyes locked intensely on her radiant smile. His grip tightened on the viewing deck railing until his knuckles turned white. *I never knew that Stella could skate. Not to mention being able to skate so gracefully,* he thought, his chest tightening with an unfamiliar, heavy emotion he refused to name. He watched her wipe a bead of sweat from her forehead, her carefree laughter drifting up to him. *In my impression, apart from having a dishonest nature, she is a dull and boring person.* The vibrant, beautiful woman on the ice fiercely contradicted everything he believed he knew about her. She looked alive, untethered, and undeniably captivating.

Down on the rink, oblivious to Declan's sudden arrival in the stands, May removed her own small helmet. She clung tightly to Nolan's large hand, looking up at his handsome face with pure adoration. "Mr. Aurora, can I not address you as Mr. Nolan? How about you be my father instead?"

The little girl's loud, innocent remark echoed clearly across the quiet ice, traveling straight up to the viewing deck.

Hearing those words, Declan's face abruptly turned dark and sullen. The shock in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by an explosive, possessive fury that darkened his entire demeanor. A sudden, terrifying, bone-deep chill radiated from him, dropping the temperature around him even further. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, his jaw set so hard a muscle twitched in his cheek. He glared down at the man holding his daughter's hand.

Standing beside him, Vanessa took a fearful step back. She felt her heart skip a fearful beat as she stared at the menacing, terrifying storm brewing in Declan's dark eyes.

Unaware of what her daughter had just loudly proclaimed to the arena, Stella turned to her friend with a bright, oblivious smile. "Noly, help me look after May for a little while. I am going to the bathroom to freshen up."

She turned and walked off the ice, stepping onto the thick rubber matting designed for skates. She navigated the long, quiet corridor leading away from the bustling rink, the sound of her skate guards clicking softly against the floorboards. She pushed open the heavy wooden door to the women's restroom and stepped inside, taking a deep breath of the warmer air. The quiet atmosphere of the bathroom offered a brief moment of respite.

As soon as she crossed the threshold, the heavy wooden door slammed shut behind her with an echoing bang.

Startled by the aggressive noise, Stella turned around, her hand flying to her chest in alarm.

She was met with a gloomy, fiercely sullen face. Declan stood firmly blocking the exit behind her. His tall frame cast a dark, oppressive shadow over her. Pure malice and unyielding ruthlessness filled his dark gaze as he stared her down in the confined space, trapping her inside.