“Yes, you’d better hurry, dear.”

Henry still watched us silently, and as much as he didn’t actually have a poker face, I wasn’t sure what he was feeling. Disgust, most likely? It might have been for me, my mom, or both.

“I’m sorry,” I said to him again, even though I’d probably ruined everything permanently. I forced my feet to walk, but after a few steps, I realized my mother wasn’t following.

Oh, hell no.

“Mom. Let’s go.”

“Yes, darling, you’d better hurry ahead.” She took a step toward me. “You know how my lower back flares up with all the sitting in those arena seats cheering you on. Go ahead.”

I stood my ground. “So you can grill Henry alone? I don’t think so. Let’s go. You’re not supposed to be here.” Not that Henry couldn’t handle her, but nope. No way. If I had to drag her out screaming, I wasn’t leaving her alone with him.

Again, she puffed up with outrage. “I’m not going to ‘grill’ anyone.”

“I’m calling security,” Henry said flatly.

“This is ridiculous.” Mom lifted her chin and strode down the hall.

I glanced back at Henry, who watched us go. There was so much more I wanted to say, but I had to leave him alone. Tomorrow was the free skate, and we had jobs to do.

Right now, my job was to haul ass to the US network studio, a glass-walled temporary building with a view of the distant mountains. My mother was talking as I escorted her out of the Athletes’ Village, but I mostly blocked her out. The shuttle bus was mercifully approaching on the horizon.

“If Janice asks about Sakaguchi—”

“Mom, stop. It’s my interview.”

“I should come along. I’ve spoken with the federation president in depth about messaging. We can go over some answers on the way.”

It was like the fight had never happened. Like she hadn’t registered a single word I’d said. But this was how it had always been. She wasn’t going to change. For a second, my eyes burned, and I almost burst into tears, the frigid air searing my nose.

No matter how clearly I tried to explain or how angry I got, she’d still try and control me. And I’d still love her, but she’d never be the parent I wanted her to be.

I breathed through an emotion that felt a lot like grief. “Mom, please listen to me. I’m going to do this interview alone. You’re not coming.”

She opened her mouth, but then sighed. “Fine. Will you still be having dinner with us after the free skate?”

“No. We’re going for breakfast the morning after. We went through this. Dad and the girls agree. If I win tomorrow, I’m going to be too busy and tired. If I don’t win—”

“Of course you’re going to win! Why would you even say that?” She wrung her hands. “You can’t let Sakaguchi beat you. What have Manon and Bill been telling you? You know they favor him.” Her breath puffed in clouds in the cold air like exclamation marks.