Chapter 7
The track was insane–tivists, turns, pure chans. Two cars going head in head, either barking down.
Adele stood in the stands, eyes locked on the screen at the speed numbers kepis flickering like crazy.
Byron was gunning it pedal to the floor, full throttle the entire time. But no rakter how hard he pushed, he just couldn’t shake Zauber Flynn The white rar stayed right on his tail like it wasn’t even trying.
Tast. Then slow. Then right back up again.
Even someone who knew nothing about racing could tell–Xavier was messing with him.
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Byron, however, didn’t take the bait. Ile doubled down, slamming the accelerator to the floor as they hit the final lap.
And yet–despite giving it everything–he was still trailing far behind.
Then, something strange happened.
At every curve, Xavier deliberately swung wide, drifting to the outer edge of the track–just enough to close the gap between them.
Everyone watching knew exactly what that meant. He wasn’t just racing. He was humiliating Byron.
People in the crowd groaned in frustration.
Adele sighed, picked up her purse, and turned to leave,
But seconds later, shrill, hysterical screams tore through the grandstand.
She froze.
Spinning around, she caught sight of Byron’s black race car veering violently into Xavier’s at the final turn–like a predator lunging for its prey.
In a split–second reaction, Xavier jerked his wheel, swerving hard to avoid impact–only to lose control and spiral off the track.
Byron surged forward and crossed the finish line.
But the price he paid–He couldn’t slow down in time. His car slammed into the guardrail with a deafening crash, flipping over before bursting into
flames.
The front end was mangled beyond recognition. Smoke and fire erupted into the air.
No one had expected him to go that far. No one thought Byron would risk everything just to win,
Scarlett, who had looked bored moments before, now shrieked and bolted down toward the track.Bloodied and barely steady, Byron stumbled out of the wreckage.
When he saw her, his face lit up–not with pain, but with victory. He pulled her in close and walked with her to Xavier’s car.
Then, raising his arm high means he had won.“You lost. Stay the hell away from Scarlett!“For nine years, he’d always been poised, composed, almost untouchable.This was the first time Adele saw Byron wild and reckless.Also it would also be the last.
As cheers thundered around her like crashing waves, she turned and walked away–quietly, without regret.
There was nothing left to hold onto anymore.
By midnight, Byron still hadn’t returned.
Instead, he sent a text:Going on a business trip. Back in a week.
Not long after, Adele received another message–this one from Scarlett.
“Byron says that win was too good to waste–we’re throwing a celebration tonight. He’s taking me for a little victory trip.”
-Haart. The Love That Never Been Chosen
3.6%
Chapter 7
Attached was a group photo: Byron sitting beside her, wine in hand, smiling.
Adele replied with a single word
Well”
While he was away, she packed her things.She made a list. Organized her travel plan down to the hour. Then, she booked a one way flight back to her
hometown.
The airline called to confirm her details.
She listened carefully, then repeated them aloud ‘Yes, that’s right.Flight’s next week
“A flight? Where are you going?“Byron’s voice cut in behind her.
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his eyes, she ended the call.
She turned around, startled to see him there. She hadn’t even heard him
coming
“Just going home. Thought I’d visit my parents.”
He nodded slowly, not pushing further.Instead, he pulled out a sleek gift box.
You said no more jewelry or handbags, so… I picked out a perfume. Like it?.”
She opened it, took a polite sniff, then set it aside.
“It’s nice. “Her flat tone caught him off guard.He stepped closer and gently pulled her into his arms.
6
“You’ve been kind of distant lately. I’ve been gone for days and didn’t hear a word from you. Are you upset about something?”
Adele didn’t respond right away.
She remembered how she used to text him about the smallest things–funny stories, pretty flowers, dumb gossip.
Three years of daily chatter.Now that it had stopped, of course he noticed.She didn’t even find it surprising anymore.
Still quiet, she didn’t meet his eyes.
Byron, thinking she was still mad, leaned in to kiss her.
She turned away.“I’m on my period”
He froze, watching her walk into the bathroom.A flicker of confusion crossed his
ace.
Still?
Hasn’t it been… a while already?
Chapter 8
