Jack sat on the rooftop terrace of the hotel, the cold night air prickling his skin as he tried to clear his mind. The weight of Lena's betrayal gnawed at him, but he knew he couldn't let it affect his performance any longer. If he was going to survive the Paris League, he needed to figure out how to get past the distractions—Aiden, Lena, and his festering anger.
That's when he heard the familiar shuffle of heavy boots behind him. Diego Vargas, his old mentor, approached quietly and sat down beside him. Diego's grizzled face carried the same steady calm Jack had always relied on. He had been more than just a coach—he was a guiding force when Jack's life felt like chaos.
---
"Still carrying that grudge, aren't you?" Diego said, lighting a cigar, the ember glowing softly in the dark.
Jack ran his hand through his hair, leaning forward. "It's not just about Aiden. There's too much... everything's a mess."
