Jack sat on the bench, his head buried in his hands, the echoes of Diego's words still ringing in his mind: "Your fight isn't with Aiden—it's with yourself." The truth hit harder than any punch he'd taken in the ring. Anger, pride, and frustration had consumed him, leaving behind a trail of damage, both in his personal life and his career. He needed to change—but how?
His phone buzzed beside him. It was a text from Lena, though Jack hesitated to open it. Things between them had been strained for weeks. They hadn't talked properly since their last argument, and Jack feared what he might find if he dug too deep. With a sigh, he ignored the message, deciding to focus on what he could control.
Later that evening, Jack headed to Derrick's gym, needing advice from the person who had been with him since the start. Derrick was taping a heavy bag when Jack entered, the smell of sweat and old leather hanging in the air.
"You look like hell," Derrick said without looking up. "Come on, kid, spit it out."
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "I think I've lost my way, Derrick. I'm so caught up in trying to prove myself to Aiden... I don't even know why I'm fighting anymore."
Derrick finished taping the bag and folded his arms. "You think Aiden's the problem? He's not. You've been fighting ghosts—trying to prove something to everyone but yourself."
Jack nodded slowly. "Diego said the same thing."
"Well, that makes two of us," Derrick replied, his tone softening. "Look, Jack, this whole thing... it's not just about beating the next guy. It's about you. Why did you start fighting in the first place?"
Jack thought for a moment, struggling to find the answer. "It gave me purpose. After everything I went through... fighting made me feel alive."
Derrick gave him a long, hard look. "Then fight for that. Not for revenge. Not for some jerk who's trying to mess with your head. Fight for yourself—and fight to be better."
Jack exhaled deeply, feeling a small but important shift inside him. Derrick was right. Fighting wasn't just about survival anymore—it had to mean more.
"Okay," Jack said. "But I need to make some changes, Derrick. I want to train differently. I need to clear my mind, reset everything."
Derrick grinned. "Now you're talking. First thing? We rebuild that mindset of yours. You've got the power—we just need to sharpen it with focus and strategy."
They spent the next hour mapping out a new training plan. It wasn't just about physical conditioning; Jack would need to work on his mental strength too. Derrick suggested meditation and visualization techniques to help Jack stay calm in the face of pressure, and for the first time in a long while, Jack felt a spark of hope.
---
The next morning, Jack returned to the gym with renewed purpose. As he worked through his drills, he felt the familiar rhythm returning—this time without the burden of anger weighing him down. With each punch, he imagined the fighter he wanted to become: controlled, strategic, and unbreakable.
In the middle of a sparring session, Diego approached him.
"You seem different," Diego observed, watching Jack move with a newfound fluidity. "Less angry."
Jack gave a small smile. "Yeah... I'm working on it."
Diego nodded approvingly. "Good. Stay on this path, Jack. You've got what it takes—just remember, the real fight is always with yourself."
As the two men exchanged nods, Jack felt a sense of camaraderie with Diego that hadn't been there before. It wasn't just about mentorship anymore—they were in this fight together.
---
Later that day, Jack decided it was time to confront the situation with Lena. He couldn't keep avoiding the tension between them. He sent her a message: Can we talk?
A few hours passed before she responded. We need to, Jack. Come over tonight.
When Jack arrived at her apartment, the air felt heavy with unspoken words. Lena greeted him with a cautious look, her arms crossed as she leaned against the kitchen counter.
"So," she said quietly. "What's on your mind?"
Jack took a deep breath. "I know I've been distant... obsessed, really. I put the fight ahead of us, and I'm sorry."
Lena's expression softened, but there was still a trace of hurt in her eyes. "I get that your career is important, Jack. But it felt like I didn't matter anymore."
Jack ran a hand through his hair. "I never meant to push you away. I'm trying to change. I want to be better—for you, for me."
There was a long pause. Then Lena spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to be honest with you, too. I... I've been slept with someone else."
The words hit Jack like a blow to the chest, but he forced himself to stay calm. He knew this was a consequence of the distance he had created between them.
"I'm sorry, Jack," Lena said, her voice thick with regret. "It just... happened."
Jack clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to react with anger. Instead, he nodded slowly. "I get it. I wasn't there when you needed me."
Lena looked at him, surprised by his composure. "Where do we go from here?"
Jack took a moment to think. "I don't know. But I want to figure it out—with or without us being together."
Lena gave him a sad smile. "I hope you do, Jack. You deserve that."
As Jack left Lena's apartment, he felt a strange sense of peace. It hurt—more than he wanted to admit—but for the first time in a while, he wasn't running from his emotions. He was facing them head-on.
---
The next few weeks were transformative. Jack threw himself into training with renewed discipline, balancing his underground roots with the technical skills he had learned from Diego and Derrick. Meditation helped him quiet the noise in his mind, and for the first time, he felt in control—not just in the ring, but in his life.
He no longer cared about Aiden's taunts or the media's judgment. His focus was on becoming the best version of himself. Every session with Diego and Derrick brought him closer to that goal, sharpening both his mind and body.
One evening after a particularly grueling session, Jack stood in front of the gym mirror, drenched in sweat but smiling. He wasn't just fighting for wins anymore—he was fighting for redemption.
Diego walked over, clapping him on the back. "You're ready, Jack. This new mindset? It's going to take you far."
Jack nodded, a quiet confidence settling in his chest. "Yeah... I think it will."
He still had battles to fight—inside and outside the ring—but for the first time in a long time, Jack felt like he was on the right path. And this time, he was fighting not just to prove something to the world, but to himself.
The road to redemption was just beginning.