THE UNBROKEN ROAD

The silence stretched between them.

Daniel held the phone to his ear, waiting for Tom Calloway to speak again, to say something that would make this decision easier.

He had imagined moments like this before—the kind of opportunity that could change everything. But now that it was here, it didn't feel real.

Tom's voice cut through the hesitation.

"I won't waste your time, Daniel. You've got raw talent, but raw talent isn't enough. You need the right people in your corner if you want to make something of yourself in this sport."

Daniel paced his apartment, his heartbeat steady but fast. "And you think you're the right person?"

"I know I am." Tom's confidence was unshakable. "I've managed champions. I know how this game works, and I know what fighters like you need."

Daniel exhaled. "What's the offer?"

"A real shot," Tom said. "An official fight. Licensed, televised, and in front of the right eyes. The kind of fight that puts you on the map."

Daniel stopped pacing. "Who's the opponent?"

"Logan Pierce."

Daniel's stomach tightened. He had heard the name before.

Logan Pierce was undefeated. A former golden gloves champion. Fast, aggressive, with knockout power in both hands.

"He's a step above what you've faced before," Tom continued. "But I've seen you fight. You can take him."

Daniel hesitated. He wasn't afraid—but he knew the risk. If he lost, it wouldn't just be another fight. It would be a public loss, a mark against his name before he even got started.

But if he won…

He exhaled slowly.

"What's the catch?"

Tom chuckled. "Smart question. No catch. You win, you get more fights, bigger names, bigger paydays. You lose? You go back to fighting in small arenas and hope someone else takes notice."

Daniel clenched his jaw. This was the kind of moment fighters waited for.

A chance to prove they belonged.

And something inside him—the part that had always been searching for more—knew he couldn't walk away from this.

He took a deep breath.

"I'm in."

The Fallout

The moment he hung up, doubt crept in.

Was he ready for this? Was he really making the right call?

He needed someone to talk to.

So he went to Emily.

She opened the door, took one look at his face, and sighed. "What now?"

Daniel walked inside, running a hand through his hair. "I took a fight."

Emily raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"It's different this time. It's… big."

She sat on the couch. "How big?"

"Televised. Professional."

Emily blinked. "That is big."

Daniel exhaled, sitting across from her. "It's against Logan Pierce."

She whistled. "Damn."

Silence settled between them.

Then Emily leaned forward. "You think you can take him?"

Daniel thought about it.

Logan was dangerous, but so was he.

He met Emily's gaze. "Yeah. I do."

She studied him, then nodded. "Then win."

Daniel smirked. "You're starting to sound like Harris."

Emily rolled her eyes. "God, I hope not."

The Training of His Life

Harris was waiting at the gym the next morning.

"You look like a man with something to say," he said, arms crossed.

Daniel inhaled. "I took a fight."

Harris narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

"Logan Pierce."

Harris's face didn't change. He nodded slowly, then said, "Good."

Daniel blinked. "That's it?"

"You're ready for this," Harris said simply. "You might not believe it yet, but I do."

Daniel swallowed. "So what now?"

Harris smirked. "Now we train like hell."

And they did.

The next few weeks were the hardest Daniel had ever pushed himself.

The usual routines weren't enough anymore.

His morning runs got longer.

His sparring partners got tougher.

His drills became brutal, relentless, unforgiving.

Every second was dedicated to preparing for Logan.

By the time fight week arrived, Daniel was sharper than he had ever been.

Faster. Stronger.

Ready.

The Night Before

The fight was set to take place in a sold-out arena.

The biggest crowd Daniel had ever fought in front of.

As he sat in his hotel room the night before, staring out at the city lights, his mind raced.

Tomorrow, everything could change.

Tomorrow, he could win—or he could fall short.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

He opened it to find Emily standing there.

She didn't say anything—just walked inside and sat on the bed.

Daniel closed the door. "What are you doing here?"

Emily shrugged. "Figured you could use the company."

Daniel sat beside her. "You nervous?"

She smirked. "I'm not the one fighting."

Silence settled between them.

Then Emily said, "No matter what happens tomorrow, you're still you, Daniel."

Daniel exhaled. "You think I'll win?"

Emily didn't hesitate.

"I know you will."

And for the first time that night—Daniel believed it too.