In Nagano after Worlds, Bella seriously proposes that Katarina skate with Garrett now that the Lin siblings are planning to split. Bella argues that Katarina and Garrett would be a strong technical and physical match, and Katarina immediately sees the logic: Garrett’s steadiness could balance her intensity in ways Heath no longer can. The idea forces Katarina to admit that her partnership with Heath has been deteriorating since their move to Los Angeles and that his skating is limiting her progress.

Katarina resists because she knows Heath would be devastated. Bella tries to separate the personal and professional stakes, suggesting Katarina could still date Heath while skating with Garrett, but Katarina understands Heath would experience the change as abandonment. Even so, she also recognizes the practical advantages: skating with Garrett would give her a real shot at the top of the sport and bring financial security through endorsements. Unable to decide immediately, Katarina asks for time to think.

After dinner, Katarina chooses to walk alone through rainy Nagano so she can sort out what she wants apart from Heath. She ends up in a quiet garden near the hotel, hoping the water and solitude will calm her. Instead she finds Ellis Dean there smoking, and after some guarded conversation he asks about the rumored problems between her and Heath.

Katarina tells Ellis that the Lins are looking for new partners, and Ellis quickly realizes Garrett has asked for her. Ellis bluntly tells Katarina she would be foolish to refuse, framing the choice as one between an ordinary boyfriend and a rare elite skating partner. When Ellis asks whether she can become a champion with Heath, Katarina finally says the truth out loud: she cannot. Speaking it aloud brings her relief, and she goes further, admitting that Heath has been holding her back for years.

Then Katarina realizes Ellis has been watching someone behind her. Heath is standing at the garden entrance, having overheard everything. Katarina understands at once that Ellis manipulated the conversation so Heath would hear her confession. She runs after Heath through the rain, falls, gets back up, and keeps chasing him, desperate to explain.

Katarina finally spots Heath blocks away and screams his name. He pauses but does not turn around or come back. In that moment, Katarina knows she has lost him, and the emotional break between them becomes unmistakable.