Chapter 22 - VICTOR SLOANVictor accepted a plea agreement related to illegal wagering and financial misconduct.
He cooperated extensively.
His sentence was not enormous.
Some fans hated that.
Cole understood why.
But Victor's evidence had helped expose dozens of manipulated transactions and protected fighters who otherwise might never have spoken.
Before reporting to serve his sentence, Victor asked to see Cole.
They met in an empty boxing gym.
Victor looked older.
"You didn't have to come."
"I know."
Victor smiled faintly.
"I watched the fight again."
"Why?"
"I wanted to see where everything went wrong."
Cole sat on the ring apron.
"And?"
Victor looked around.
"I think it went wrong years before I met you."
Cole said nothing.
Victor continued.
"I thought getting close to powerful people meant becoming powerful."
"Common mistake."
"I thought everybody in boxing was dirty, so being a little dirty didn't matter."
"Another common mistake."
Victor laughed.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little."
Then Cole became serious.
"Why did you manage me?"
Victor answered immediately.
"Guilt."
Cole expected that.
Then Victor continued.
"At first."
Cole looked at him.
"After a while, because I believed in you."
"Those things can both be true."
Victor nodded.
"I loved Ethan."
Cole's expression hardened.
Victor didn't retreat.
"I did. And I betrayed him."
The sentence hung between them.
Finally Cole said, "That's why betrayal hurts."
Victor's eyes watered.
He looked away.
"When I get out, I'm done with boxing."
"Good."
"Thinking about working with addiction recovery programs."
"Also good."
Victor looked at him.
"I don't expect forgiveness."
"Good."
A sad smile.
"But if I become somebody better?"
Cole stood.
"Then become him."
He walked toward the door.
Victor called after him.
"Cole."
He turned.
"I'm sorry."
Cole looked at him for a long time.
"I believe you."
May you like
It wasn't forgiveness.
But it was true.
