Chapter 34

Audrey's POV

Through the reinforced windshield, I could see Laurel Rose in her vehicle, her perfectly manicured hands gripping the steering wheel with visible tension. The contrast between her current nervousness and her earlier bravado was stark.

Just minutes ago, she had cornered me in the prep area. "After you lose today," she’d said, her voice dropping to a low, icy frequency, "you’ll finally have to accept that Blake has moved on."

I’d simply adjusted my racing gloves, a small, knowing smile playing on my lips. "Does he tell you that, Miss Rose? Or are you just trying to convince yourself?"

Her eyes had narrowed. "Since I returned, we’ve been inseparable. I know exactly where his priorities lie."

"Well then," I replied, meeting her gaze steadily. "Since you have his ear, why don't you convince him to finally sign our divorce papers? I truly look forward to attending your wedding—as an invited guest, of course."

Now, the starting lights for the warm-up lap flashed red against the morning sky. Everything else faded as I focused on the track ahead. The lights went dark, my foot found the accelerator, and my car shot forward like an arrow.

Blake's POV

The world seemed to sharpen as Audrey's car tore past the start line. For a moment, I forgot my supposed role as Laurel’s supporter.

Audrey was breathtaking on the track—confident, precise, and flamboyant. She was a far cry from the woman who had spent years quietly managing our household.

"Blake..." Felix’s hesitant voice broke my concentration. "We should stop this. Laurel clearly isn't prepared for this level of competition."

He was right. Turning my attention to Laurel’s car, I watched her struggle. She had strayed off the racing line multiple times in the warm-up alone. Her movements were jerky, betraying a complete lack of experience.

Something didn't add up. Rachel had once told me her sister was a natural on the track. If Laurel was that sister, why did she look like she’d barely had a lesson?

The real race began.

Audrey’s car shot forward with perfect timing. Laurel’s vehicle lurched awkwardly, nearly stalling. The difference in skill was painful to watch. Audrey was already finishing her third circuit while Laurel struggled through her first. I could hear Astrid Wilson’s voice rising above the cheers, her excitement for Audrey palpable.

But then, something shifted. On the approach to the final turn, I saw Audrey slow down. Was she trying to humiliate Laurel by lingering, or was she attempting to give her space to finish with some dignity? Given Audrey’s nature, I suspected the latter.

Suddenly, Laurel’s car seemed to lose its trajectory. It lurched forward, crossing into Audrey’s path at an unstable angle.

The sound of screeching tires and grinding metal echoed through the stands. Gasps and screams erupted from the crowd. Audrey’s car had been forced into the barriers.

I instinctively stood up, my heart hammering. Astrid and Felix were already sprinting toward the wreckage. I squinted, my gaze lingering on Audrey's car for a split second longer than it should have, before I forced myself to walk toward Laurel. As her public partner, I was the only one who could provide her with the appearance of support, even if my mind was elsewhere.

Audrey's POV

It took one lap to see the truth: Laurel might be Hollywood’s darling, but she was no racer. The way she fumbled with the gear shifts made me wonder if she’d only been given a crash course an hour before.

What were you thinking, Blake? To put a novice on a high-speed track was a disaster waiting to happen.

Some petty part of me wanted to win by a landslide to show the world exactly how outclassed she was. But five years away from the sport hadn't erased the sportsmanship Rachel had instilled in me. When you are vastly superior to your opponent, you don't crush them; you show them the courtesy of the road.

I lifted my foot off the gas. I had already lapped her twice; letting her pass me once wouldn't change the outcome of the race. It would give her a small victory to save face.

But as I rounded the final bend, I saw her car swerve. Whether it was a loss of control or a desperate attempt to catch up, her vehicle veered sharply toward mine.

The realization hit me too late. Metal groaned against metal as the impact sent both vehicles into a violent spin. The world turned into a chaotic blur of noise and heat. Through the windshield, I saw the sky and the asphalt trade places as we careened toward the barriers.

Everything faded into a dull, throbbing pain as the world went silent.