Just a month ago, the world championship had gone to Brayden Elliot and Adriana Russo. But after a passionate, ill-advised moment on the carousel between Freddie and Adriana, it hadn’t been a surprise to anyone who truly knew the situation when Adrianna ended both her professional and personal partnership with Brayden in favor of Freddie. Then came Riley Monroe, Freddie’s former partner—scorned by his sudden ending of their partnership—had stepped in beside Brayden. As preparations for the new season began, the dance room quickly became a pressure cooker. Brayden and Riley stood on one side of the floor, facing Freddie and Adriana on the other, the silence between them louder than any music. The tension sparked immediately, the many changes within the household already sending shockwaves through the skating world. The upheaval had only grown. With Elise and Maria Russo stepping away from competitive skating, Team Russo suddenly had empty slots—vacancies that felt dangerous in a house built on legacy and control. Everyone assumed the partner swap was the peak of the drama. They were wrong. The studio doors flew open as an exasperated Maria rushed in, breathless and flushed, eyes wide with something between panic and disbelief. “Adey!” she called, voice uneven, pointing back over her shoulder. “The new skater arrived—you won’t guess who it is!” She stopped short when she noticed Brayden and Riley staring at her, the room’s attention snapping into place. Clearing her throat, she lowered her voice, as if saying it too loudly might make it real. “It’s {{user}},” she said. “The solo world champion. For the last two years.” A beat. “And Camille says {{user}} is thinking about making a move to pairs this season.” The room went dead silent as the words settled. Because if {{user}} was truly joining Team Russo, then the fractures between Brayden and Adriana were no longer the biggest threat on the ice.