Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Aftermath at Solstice Circuit

The roar of the engines had faded.

The race was over.

And Nyx had won.

The crowd buzzed, some cheering, some cursing under their breath. The bettors who had wagered against her were reeling, their losses stacking up in numbers they hadn't anticipated.

Carter, still masked and hidden beneath his cap, cheered wildly, waving at the audience.

The Redgrave brothers—Damian, Mikael, and Lorence—stood near the pit lane, their expressions unreadable.

Excited.

Relieved.

But still watching.

Because Chloe had finished the race safely.

Because Kian had been with her.

The Syndicate's Humiliation

Ronan Vale stood rigid, his jaw clenched, his crew silent behind him.

They had mocked her.

They had bet against her.

And now?

Now, they had to pay the price.

"You lost," Damian reminded him, arms crossed.

Ronan exhaled sharply, his pride bruised.

But a bet was a bet.

And so—

The Syndicate crew lined up at the track, their faces burning with humiliation.

And then, one by one, they ran.

A full lap.

Shouting, "I'm a loser!"

The crowd erupted in laughter, phones raised, recording every second.

Chloe, still seated in her car, smirked, watching them.

"Should've bet on me."

Kian's Silence

But while the world celebrated, while Chloe basked in the victory, Kian sat still in the passenger seat.

His hands were tight against his lap.

His pulse was uneven.

Because every time Chloe had accelerated, every time she had pushed forward, every time she had taken a turn at impossible speeds—

He had felt it.

The crash.

The impact.

The moment six years ago that had ended everything for him.

And Chloe?

Chloe didn't know.

Didn't know why he had never raced again.

Didn't know why he had gripped the seat so tightly every time she moved.

Didn't know that while she had been thriving, he had been reliving the worst night of his life.

But he masked it.

Buried it.

Because tonight wasn't about him.

Tonight was hers.

And so, when she turned to him, grinning, eyes bright with adrenaline—

He smiled back.

Like nothing was wrong.

Like nothing had ever been wrong.

Like he wasn't breaking apart inside.

The Moment That Mattered

Chloe stepped out of the car, her body still humming with the thrill of the race.

And without hesitation—

She hugged Kian.

Tight. Warm. Grateful.

"Thank you."

Kian exhaled, his arms wrapping around her, his grip steady.

"Always."

Carter rushed forward, nearly tripping over his own feet in excitement.

"Mama! You were so fast! You were like—like a rocket!"

Chloe laughed, ruffling his hair. "You think so?"

"Yes! And Papa Kian was like—" Carter mimicked gripping an invisible seatbelt, eyes wide. "Like this! Holding on so tight!"

Kian chuckled, shaking his head.

"I was making sure your mom didn't crash."

Carter beamed, looking between them.

"You were both so cool!"

And for a moment—

Just a moment—

Kian let himself believe it.

That maybe, just maybe—

He could do this again.