Chapter 44

Aurora leaned back in her seat. “It’s so late. Where are we going?”

“I have a friend who runs a racetrack in the mountains. Want to check it out?” Lucas turned the steering wheel. “The view at night is stunning. You can see the entire city skyline from up there.”

Aurora paused for a moment, then her eyes lit up with excitement. “Street racing? Seriously?” She straightened in her seat.

“I used to race with my friends back in college, but after I started working, I barely had time for it.”

“Perfect. Tonight, you can relive the thrill.” Lucas smirked and increased the speed slightly.

The car sped toward the mountain racetrack. The cool night air drifted in through the half-open window, carrying the crisp scent of the hills, sweeping away the fatigue of the day.

Before long, the black Maybach pulled into the racetrack’s parking lot at the mountaintop.

As the car came to a stop, Lucas got out first and walked around to open the door for Aurora like a gentleman.

A man dressed in black casual wear approached them.

He had sharp yet refined features, an air of sophistication, and a calm, composed demeanor. There was a quiet elegance to him, but beneath that, he seemed unfathomable.

He smiled, his tone familiar. “Well, this is a rare sight! What’s this? Finally willing to bring your wife along?”

His gaze shifted to Aurora, scanning her up and down. “The rumors don’t lie. You’re even more beautiful in person than in the pictures.”

Aurora looked at Lucas in confusion, her eyes questioning him.

Lucas tightened his grip on her hand, a subtle smile playing on his lips, his eyes filled with amusement.

“This is Byron White, a friend of mine. Byron, this is my wife, Aurora Walton.” His tone carried an almost imperceptible hint of pride.

Byron raised an eyebrow, smiling as he extended his hand.

“Nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Walton. I’ve heard a lot about you. Lucas has mentioned you many times, but seeing you in person is far better than just hearing about you.”

Aurora shook his hand politely. “Hello, Mr. White.”

Byron withdrew his hand, his gaze lingering on her for a moment with a hint of curiosity.

“Didn’t expect Lucas to keep such a big secret from us. Took him long enough to finally bring you out to meet us.”

Aurora smiled faintly but didn’t say anything.

“Alright, let’s not just stand around. I brought her here tonight for a few laps.”

“Don’t worry, everything’s ready.”

With that, Lucas led Aurora toward the racetrack. Byron followed behind them, occasionally glancing at their intertwined hands, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

After selecting her car, Aurora looked up to see Lucas smirking slightly.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice soft as he gazed at her through his helmet, a trace of fondness in his eyes.

A sudden thrill surged through her. It had been a long time since she had been behind the wheel of a race car.

“Of course!”

At the sound of the whistle, both of them launched their cars forward, speeding off in unison.

Aurora’s red car shot ahead like a streak of lightning, cutting a beautiful arc around the curve.

The night wind howled past her ears, lifting the strands of hair across her forehead, igniting an exhilaration deep inside her.

For the first time in a long while, she felt like her old self again – free-spirited and untamed.

Not the Aurora who had once loved in vain, who had tread carefully, afraid of losing.

Lucas didn’t go easy on her.

Aurora’s driving skills were even better than Lucas had expected. Every drift was crisp and precise.

On the final straightaway, she seized the perfect moment and executed a flawless overtake. The red race car shot past the finish line like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Lucas followed closely behind, the two of them coming to a stop almost simultaneously.

Aurora pulled off her helmet. “I won!”

She blinked, her voice carrying a hint of triumph and exhilaration. In this moment, she shone with an unmistakable brilliance.

Lucas removed his helmet as well and walked up to her, his gaze flickering slightly. “Looks like I lost.”

Byron chuckled from the side. “Mrs. Walton, with skills like yours, it’s a shame you’re not a professional racer!”

Aurora laughed at his exaggerated tone. “I’m not that good. Just some old tricks from my younger days.”

Back then, she loved the thrill of racing.

But ever since Joseph came into her life, she had changed in so many ways.

Now, as she stood there, feeling the cool night breeze, that lingering sense of loss in her heart seemed to fade away.

Fortunately, she had chosen to walk away before it was too late.

After a short break, the three of them headed to the mountaintop viewing deck.

From up there, the entire city skyline stretched out before them, glittering under the night sky.

Byron had someone bring over beers and grilled food.

As the night went on, both he and Aurora drank a little too much.

Lucas made sure his assistant sent Byron home before taking Aurora back.

When they arrived at the house, Lucas carried her out of the car.

Aurora swayed unsteadily on her feet, her gaze dazed, cheeks flushed from the alcohol.