Shattered Dreams, Redeemed Life

e cheers from the stands. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow ove

dash. His race

, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "This isn't just a

Late-night training sessions, grueling weightlifting routines, endless drills-it had all led to this.

sidelines. Among them was Jake, his best friend since childhood, pumpi

e lived for this. The competition. The

e starting pistol. "Ru

d, planting h

set

ed like springs,

a

g purely on instinct. The world around him blurred as

. But then, like always, something clicked. His legs moved faster. H

sh line a full step before the oth

, and turned to the scoreboard. 1

into the air as his tea

"That was incredible, Ethan. You just p

row, grinning. "I told you,

of Expe

th his family, his father, Richard Carter, flipped th

the page, "is why we pushed you so hard, son

His father had once been a promising athlete himself, but injuries had cu

than said. "I wo

e. "Just remember to take care of yourself

His mind was already on

dden S

t, Ethan sometimes felt an unsettling emptiness creepi

on his athletic success. But

d never have to find out. He was

he t