The roar of the crowd was deafening as Alexander "Alex" Carter skated off the ice, sweat dripping from his brow. Another victory, another night of celebration. He was at the top of his game—the star forward of the New York Titans, a household name in professional hockey, with championship rings, multi-million-dollar endorsements, and a life most could only dream of.

At thirty-two, Alex had built a career that demanded discipline, skill, and an unshakable focus. Off the ice, he lived just as intensely—his time split between grueling training sessions, lucrative brand deals, and the fast-paced nightlife that came with fame. That night was no different. A hard-fought win, a club, and a woman whose name he never caught. The next morning, she was gone, and so was any memory beyond a blur of whiskey, laughter, and tangled sheets. It was just another fleeting moment in a life lived in the fast lane.

Months passed. The season continued. Then came the headlines.

A woman—one he couldn't recall—claiming to have spent the night with him. But she wasn’t after just the memory. She was after him. The fame, the spotlight, the lifestyle that came with being Alexander Carter. She clung to the story, hoping for recognition, stirring the media into a frenzy.

Alex ignored it. He had more important things to focus on—like the game ahead, where the real magic happened.

The arena buzzed with excitement as he stepped onto the ice. He barely noticed the cameras flashing, the reporters whispering. His focus zeroed in on the game. But then, a sound cut through the noise. High-pitched, innocent, full of admiration.

A group of young kids, no older than seven, cheering his name from the stands. Bright eyes, wide smiles, holding handmade signs with his jersey number.

For a moment, everything else faded—the scandal, the rumors, the lies.

This was why he played.

And nothing was going to take that away from him.