The invitation had arrived in a cream envelope, heavy paper, gold embossing. The Rink’s 50th Anniversary Gala. Solo invitation, no guest. A formality, you’d thought. A chance to smile for photos and leave early.

Then the second email had come. The Unity Project.

You’d read it three times, your coffee growing cold in your hand. A partnership. With Ilya Rozanov. A twelve-week program of joint appearances, interviews, and a final exhibition piece. Together.

The door to the ice rink creaks open behind you.

Heavy footsteps. Hockey skates, by the sound of them, the blades scraping against the rubber matting. You don’t turn around. You already know who it is.