Chapter 40
I shifted gears
at just the right moment, my car surging ahead with a burst of speed. The other driver tried to match me, but it was too late. I crossed the finish line just ahead of him, my heart pounding in my chest.
The crowd erupted into cheers as I brought the car to a stop. I could hardly believe it myself–I had
Won.
Before I could even step out of the car, the door was yanked open, and I was lifted off my feet. Shadow, the one I had met earlier and helped out, was spinning me around in circles, laughing like a kid on Christmas.
“You were amazing!” he shouted over the noise. “I knew you had skills, but that? That was something else! You’re like a professional racer!”
I smiled, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through me. It was a thrill I hadn’t felt in years.
I took off the helmet and handed it back to him. “Here,” I said, my voice steady despite the rush of emotions. “And don’t forget the keychain.”
He laughed, pulling out the fluffy cat keychain and handing it to me. “A deal’s a deal”
Just then, the muscle–bound driver stepped out of his car. To my surprise, he wasn’t angry. He walked over, offering me a nod of respect. “You’ve got serious talent. Ever think about joining our racing club?”
I shook my head, though I appreciated the offer. “Thanks, but I can’t. I’m already under contract
with another team.”
The crowd, which had been buzzing with excitement, suddenly grew quiet.
“Wait, you’re a pro?” someone asked, their voice tinged with disbelief.
“Yeah,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. “I used to race with the Sparco Racing
Team.”
The moment I said the name, the entire crowd fell silent. People exchanged wide–eyed glances, Whispering among themselves. Sparco Racing Team was one of the biggest names in the racing
world. No one could believe someone from a team like that would show up in a street race.
One voice broke the stunned silence. “I’m a huge fan of Sparco Racing Team, but I’ve never seen you
ace with them.”
sighed. I had been expecting this. “I retired almost three years ago. I had a non–compete clause in my contract. I couldn’t race for anyone else for three years.”
The young man, who had been so excited earlier, suddenly grew serious. His eyes locked onto mine, as if he was trying to piece something together,
“Wait,” he said slowly, “what’s your name?”
I hesitated. For a long time, I had kept that part of my life burled, using a different name whenever i raced. But something about the way he looked at me made me feel like I owed him the truth.
Sherley” I said quietly.
The moment the name left my lips, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Several people immediately recognized it. Sherley had been a rising star in the racing world–a prodigy who had taken the racing
scene by storm.
The young man’s face lit up in recognition, but just as quickly, his expression turned angry.
“You’re *the* Sherley?” he asked, his voice a mixture of disbelief and frustration. “Why did you quit?
You were on top of the world! You didn’t even race in the Monaco Grand Prix! You could’ve been world champion!”
He looked at me, his face full of hurt. “I was your fan. I saved up everything I had to watch you race. And then, the day before, you just… disappeared. You let everyone down.”
His words stung, and I didn’t know how to respond. He didn’t know the full story. Three years ago, my father’s financial ruin had left me with no choice. Andrew, Lorik’s father, had demanded that I marry Lorik in exchange for saving our pack from crippling debt. I had to give up everything I loved, including racing.
But how could I explain that to him?
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, unable to meet his gaze.
“Sorry?” he snapped. “You weren’t just irresponsible to your fans–you were irresponsible to yourself! You had a gift, and you threw it all away!”
With that, he turned and walked off, leaving me standing there, guilt and regret swirling inside me.
I stared after him, his words echoing in my mind. Had I really thrown everything away? I had sacrificed so much for a life that wasn’t truly mine. Maybe it was time to take something back.
After I Let Go My Alpha. He knelt in Regret
As I stood there, lost in thought, the girl I had saved earlier came over, thanking me softly. I nodded. and offered her a ride home, needing something to occupy my mind.
Later, as I sat in the driver’s seat, my phone buzzed with a new message. It’s from my old fleet
manager.
I glanced at the screen and saw a picture attached. It was a shot of me, taken by the crowd when I won that street race not long ago.
Beneath the picture, a simple message followed:
“Miss Champion, I heard you’ve been street racing lately? So, are you considering making a comeback?”
After I Let Go My Alpha. He knelt in Regret
