CHAPTER 6 — SHE REFUSED THE TROPHY... AND LEFT THE ENTIRE ARENA IN TEARS
Nearly twenty minutes passed before the competition resumed.
No one talked about scores anymore.
Everyone talked about Emily.
The judges gathered behind closed doors.
After reviewing every technical element, every replay, and every score sheet...
they reached a unanimous decision.
The chief referee returned to center ice holding the golden trophy.
His voice trembled.
"For the highest score ever recorded in the history of this competition..."
"...the winner is..."
"Emily Carter!"
The arena erupted.
Thousands of people rose to their feet.
The applause lasted for several minutes.
Emily stood perfectly still.
No smile.
No celebration.
No victory pose.
She simply looked toward Noah.
The little boy smiled through tears.
"You did it, Sis."
The referee handed Emily the championship trophy.
She accepted it with both hands...
Then did something no one expected.
She placed the trophy back on the judges' table.
Gasps filled the arena.
"I don't need this."
The referee blinked.
"What?"
Emily smiled gently.
"I didn't come here to become famous again."
"I came here because my brother deserves a future."
She pointed toward the prize check.
"That is the only prize I wanted."
Many spectators began crying openly.
Even several rival skaters wiped away tears.
Vanessa slowly walked onto the ice.
Her voice shook.
"I laughed at you."
"I judged you."
"I'm so sorry."
Emily embraced her.
"We all make mistakes."
"What matters...
is what we choose to do afterward."
The audience erupted into applause once more.
But before the ceremony could end...
Noah suddenly clutched his chest.
His wheelchair rolled backward.
"Emily..."
His voice was barely audible.
She dropped everything and ran to him.
"Noah!"
Doctors rushed across the ice.
The crowd fell into terrified silence.
One medic looked at another and shouted,
"His heart rhythm is collapsing!"
Emily knelt beside her brother, holding his trembling hand.
"Please...
stay with me."
Noah looked up at her and whispered only four words.
"You finally came back..."
Then his eyes slowly closed.
The heart monitor emitted one long, piercing tone.
May you like
The entire arena stood frozen...
while Emily screamed her brother's name.
