Chapter 199: Choosing Lena

Lena’s POV

Silence spread across the arena after the commissioner lowered the microphone. Every camera remained pointed toward centre ice; thousands of people waited for an explanation, and Detective Harper reached the commissioner first. They spoke quietly for several seconds, and Ryan stood beside me with his hand wrapped around mine.

“What is happening?” I whispered.

“I do not know.” His voice stayed calm, but I felt his grip tighten.

A moment later, Harper nodded toward the commissioner, and he stepped back to the microphone. “I apologise for the interruption.”

The crowd remained silent. “The situation has been resolved.”

A wave of relieved laughter moved through the arena.

“The championship presentation will continue.” He said.

Ryan let out a slow breath. “So will we.”

The commissioner smiled again. “As I was saying, this organisation has shown extraordinary resilience this season.”

He lifted the championship trophy, and Ethan accepted it first. Instead of raising it immediately, he turned toward Coach Hartman and Ryan, and the crowd noticed.

Another chant started.

“Ryan.”

“Ryan.”

“Ryan.”

Ethan skated across the ice carrying the trophy. He stopped in front of Ryan. “This belongs to all of us.” He smiled. “But before I lift it…” He extended the trophy toward Ryan. “I want the captain, the man who taught us what leadership really means, to touch it first.”

Ryan looked completely stunned. “You earned this.”

Ethan shook his head. “We earned it because you never stopped believing in us.”

Ryan glanced at me. I smiled through tears.

“Go,” I whispered.

He carefully placed one hand on the silver trophy, and the crowd erupted. The sound was so loud that I could feel it beneath my feet, and Ryan closed his eyes for only a moment. When he opened them again, they were full of emotion.

“I never thought I would stand here again.” He said.

“You never stood alone,” I whispered.

He looked at me and smiled. “No. I did not.”

The celebration continued for almost an hour.

Players laughed, and families joined them on the ice. Children chased pieces of confetti across the rink. For the first time in months, nobody talked about investigations; nobody talked about injuries. Everyone simply celebrated. Eventually, the league escorted Ryan and me into the media room. Rows of reporters filled every seat, and television cameras lined the back wall.

The moderator stepped to the podium. “We will begin with Ryan Kade.”

Hands immediately shot into the air.

The first reporter stood. “Ryan, many people have blamed your relationship with Lena Morales for everything that happened this season.”

Ryan looked toward me before answering, and his expression was steady. “I have heard those opinions.”

The reporter continued. “Do you believe your relationship affected your career?”

Ryan smiled. “Yes.”

The room became completely quiet.

He continued before anyone could misunderstand him. “It made my career better.”

Another reporter stood. “Some executives claimed that your judgement changed after Lena entered your life.”

Ryan nodded. “They were right.”

Pens stopped moving.

Cameras focused even more closely on him. “My judgement changed because I finally stopped believing that winning hockey games was the only thing that mattered.” He reached for my hand. “My health mattered. My family mattered. My future mattered. And she reminded me of that every single day.”

The room remained silent.

Another reporter asked, “Do you believe she cost you opportunities?”

Ryan did not hesitate. He stood from his chair, and every camera followed him. He looked directly into the lenses, and his voice carried clearly through the room.

“I want everyone to hear this.” He squeezed my hand gently. “She did not ruin me.” His eyes met mine. “She saved me. She was my therapist, and everyone was against our relationship, but I never gave up because I knew my heart was right loving her."

For a moment, nobody moved. Several reporters lowered their notebooks, and one photographer quietly wiped tears from her eyes. I felt my own tears fall. Ryan turned toward me completely; he smiled with the same warmth I had fallen in love with months ago.

“I spent a long time thinking that love would distract me from the game.” He laughed softly. “I was wrong.” He lifted one hand to my face. “It gave me a reason to keep coming home.”

I could not stop smiling. “I love you, Ryan.”

His eyes brightened. “I love you too, Lena. More than I could imagine." “There is no investigation. There is no crowd. There is only you.”

He leaned forward slowly, giving me every chance to pull away, but I never would have. I closed the distance between us. Our lips met in a gentle, unhurried kiss. The room stayed completely quiet; no cameras shouted questions, and no one interrupted us. When we finally pulled apart, applause began. It started with one reporter, then another. Soon the entire media room was standing.

Ryan rested his forehead against mine, and he smiled. “I think we finally stopped hiding.”

I laughed through happy tears. “I never want to hide again.”

Just then, the moderator stepped back to the microphone. “There is one final announcement from the league.”

Ryan and I turned together. Neither of us expected the next words.

“The Board of Governors has reached a unanimous decision regarding Ryan Kade's future.”

The applause faded as everyone turned toward the podium. The league commissioner unfolded a single sheet of paper, and he adjusted his glasses before looking directly at Ryan.

“This decision was reached only a few minutes ago.” He said.

The room became completely silent.

“The Board of Governors has completed an emergency vote.”

Ryan squeezed my hand once. I knew he was preparing himself for another fight, and so was I.

The commissioner continued. “After reviewing the medical findings, the independent investigation, and the testimony provided by multiple witnesses, the board has unanimously concluded that Ryan Kade acted in good faith throughout this season.”

A murmur spread across the room.

The commissioner looked back at the statement. “Furthermore, the board has determined that the actions of former executive Richard Moretti violated league policies regarding player welfare, medical transparency, and organisational ethics.”

Every camera flash seemed brighter than the last.

“The league has permanently suspended Richard from holding any position within professional hockey.”

I looked at Ryan; he did not smile. Instead, he quietly lowered his head, and I understood why. This victory had cost too much.

The commissioner continued. “The board also recognises that Mr Kade's willingness to report concerns regarding player safety has led to significant reforms that will benefit every player in this league.” He paused before reading the final paragraph. “Beginning next season, the Player Medical Protection Policy will officially become league policy.”

Reporters immediately began whispering to one another.

The commissioner smiled. “This policy will require independent medical oversight for injured players during the playoffs.”

I felt tears filling my eyes again. Ryan had fought for something much bigger than himself.

The commissioner looked directly at him. "Mr Kade.”

Ryan stood.

“On behalf of this league, I want to apologise." The commissioner said.

The room fell silent again.

“We failed to protect one of our own.” He said.

Ryan looked genuinely surprised.

The commissioner continued. “We cannot change what happened, but we can make sure it never happens again.”

He walked away from the podium. Instead of offering a handshake, he opened his arms. Ryan hesitated for only a second before accepting the embrace, and the room erupted into applause. When they stepped apart, the commissioner smiled.

“There is one more matter.” He said.

Ryan looked at him.

“The ownership group has withdrawn every condition that was attached to your future contract.” He said.

Ryan blinked. “What does that mean?”

“It means your honesty is no longer negotiable.” He said

Another round of applause filled the room.

The commissioner handed Ryan a sealed envelope. “You may open it now.”

Ryan looked at me. “You should do it with me.”

We opened the envelope together. Inside was a formal contract. Ryan scanned the first page before handing it to me, and I read the title aloud.

“‘Lifetime Captain and Director of Player Development.’”

I looked up at him. “They created a new position.”

Ryan smiled in disbelief. “They did.”

The commissioner nodded. “You earned it. Congratulations." You will finish your playing career whenever you decide. After that, you will help protect every generation of players that comes after you.”

Ryan looked speechless. Finally, he managed to say, “Thank you.”

The commissioner smiled. “No", he looked around the room. “We should be thanking you.”

Ryan turned toward me. “This happened because you refused to let me give up.”

I shook my head gently. “This happened because you chose courage over comfort.”

He laughed softly. “And because you kept choosing me.”

“I always will,” I whispered.

The room applauded again. For the first time since this nightmare had begun, the applause felt different. It was not for a victory; it was not for a championship; it was for hope. As we prepared to leave the stage, Vanessa hurried into the room carrying her phone; she looked breathless.

“I have been trying to reach both of you.” She said.

Ryan frowned. “What happened?”

She turned the screen toward us. Every major news network carried the same headline.

League Announces Historic Player Safety Reform.

Below that headline was another one.

Ryan Kade is named the face of a new era in professional hockey.

Ryan looked at me with quiet disbelief. “I never wanted to become famous.”

I smiled. “You did not. You just wanted to do the right thing.”

He nodded slowly. “And somehow…” He looked around the room filled with players, reporters, league officials, and people whose lives had changed alongside ours. “…that became my legacy.”