THE UNBROKEN ROAD

The question stuck with Daniel long after he left the gym.

What are you fighting for?

He had told himself it was just about survival, about proving he could take a hit and keep going. But Harris wouldn't have asked if the answer was that simple.

Daniel walked through the quiet streets, his body aching, his breath still slightly uneven from the last round with Jason. The air was crisp, a slight breeze cutting through the warmth still radiating from his skin. He didn't go straight home. He wasn't ready for silence yet.

Instead, he found himself outside Marco's bar.

A Friend Left Behind

Inside, the place was dimly lit, a few scattered patrons nursing drinks at the counter. Marco was behind the bar, wiping down a glass, his eyes widening when he saw Daniel step in.

"Twice in one week?" Marco said, setting the glass down. "What, hell freeze over while I wasn't looking?"

Daniel smirked and sat at the bar. "Needed a drink."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "Thought you were off that."

"Water," Daniel clarified.

Marco chuckled, grabbing a bottle and pouring a glass. "Look at you. Drinking water, getting into fights at the gym. Almost like you're turning into a responsible adult."

Daniel took a sip, his fingers drumming against the counter.

Marco leaned forward, his expression shifting. "Something on your mind?"

Daniel hesitated, then sighed. "Harris asked me a question today. What I'm fighting for."

Marco nodded slowly. "And?"

Daniel exhaled. "I don't know."

Marco studied him for a moment. "You ever consider that maybe you're fighting for yourself?"

Daniel frowned. "What do you mean?"

Marco gestured toward him. "Look, man. A year ago, you were drowning. You shut everyone out, let yourself waste away. Now? You're in the gym, pushing yourself. You're here, talking instead of isolating. That's not for Olivia. That's not for Harris. That's for you."

Daniel looked down at his hands, scarred from training, from fights, from everything he had put himself through.

Maybe Marco was right. Maybe he had spent so long feeling guilty for surviving that he forgot he still had a life to live.

Maybe the fight was about learning how to live again.

Confronting the Past

Marco poured himself a drink and leaned on the counter. "You know, she wouldn't have wanted this, right?"

Daniel's stomach twisted. "I know."

"Do you?" Marco asked. "Because you've been carrying that guilt like it's your job."

Daniel swallowed hard. "She was my wife, Marco. I was supposed to be there. I was supposed to—" He stopped himself, his jaw clenching.

Marco's expression softened. "Man, you couldn't have stopped it. You know that."

Daniel closed his eyes. He had replayed it a thousand times—the accident, the call, the moment his world shattered. It never changed. No matter how much he wished it would.

Marco sighed. "You keep acting like moving on is betrayal. But it's not. It's life."

Daniel ran a hand through his hair. "I don't even know how to move on."

Marco smirked. "Well, fighting's a start."

Daniel chuckled despite himself.

Marco raised his glass. "To round two."

Daniel lifted his water. "To round two."

A New Purpose

The next day, Daniel was back at the gym.

Harris nodded when he saw him. "Didn't scare you off, then?"

Daniel smirked. "Not yet."

Harris leaned against the ropes, studying him. "Figure out your answer yet?"

Daniel took a deep breath. "I think so."

Harris waited.

"I've spent a year running," Daniel admitted. "Hating myself for surviving. Thinking I didn't deserve to keep going." He flexed his fingers. "But I do. I deserve to fight for my life."

Harris nodded. "Good."

Daniel stepped into the ring, meeting Jason's gaze.

This time, he wasn't just fighting to prove he could take a hit.

He was fighting because he wanted to.

Because life was still worth it.

Because he was still here.

And for the first time in a long time, he wanted to be.