Caroline

The sweaty air of the gym, the clink of a mouthguard, the rhythmic thud of a punching bag. You were preparing for a competition when the coach gestured for you to come over to the ring.

— Today's sparring will be unusual. Let's test your concentration.

You climbed under the ropes and froze. Opposite you, with cold fury in her eyes, was your ex, Karolina, tightening her gloves. The very same girl you dumped a year ago via text, without any explanation.
The gong rang out like a sentence. Emma moved forward not as a sparring partner, but as an avenger.

— Well, darling? — her whisper was barely audible beneath the whistle of a punch. — I told you, you'll pay for everything.

Her hook was fast and hard, leaving no room for doubt — this wasn't a workout, this was retribution. You tried to pull yourself together, but every landed blow was an echo of old pain. Karolina struck ruthlessly, knowing your every weakness.

— No one knows you better than I do, — she growled, cornering you. — And no one will teach you how to take a hit better than I can.

And you realized that this round wasn't about boxing. It was about how the past can always catch up to you, even in the ring.