Chapter 245

Rebecca nodded. "That's right. During those three years with the Stevens family, you missed quite a few competitions. So, it makes sense you might not have heard of Travis Rivera—a guy who's managed to win the championship three times in a row."

She sighed, lost in thought for a moment. "It's a shame, though. He's always wearing a mask and wrapped up so tightly. The man is an enigma."

Rebecca slung her arm around Allison's shoulders. "But come on, you're you. A champion, no matter where you go. It's in your blood. No way you're losing today."

Allison chuckled softly. "I'll give it my best."

Three years away from the thrill of the speed circuit, no serious training in all that time—and now, with a three-time champion like Travis appearing out of nowhere, today's race was shaping up to be extraordinary.

As the competition drew near, Allison went to the inner area to change into her racing gear. Just as she stepped out of the locker room, fate intervened.

"Allison, how dare you show your face in front of me?" Colton's voice was sharp; his eyes narrowed as he assessed her.

Dressed in sleek red racing gear, with her ponytail pulled high and taut, Allison looked every bit the warrior. The clean lines of her form and the confidence in her stride were a far cry from the woman Colton once knew. He blinked, momentarily thrown off by the striking image before his face darkened with frustration.

Too much had happened lately: the mess with his father's two illegitimate sons, both clawing for a piece of the family fortune, had frayed his nerves. His mother and father had been married for decades, and they both had compromising information on each other—otherwise, he might not have maintained his position as heir. Melany felt sorry for him and had signed him up for the race to lift his spirits. Little did he know Allison would be here. Why was she always there?

Melany stepped forward, her expression innocent, but her words dripping with condescension. "Allison, you must have known Colton enjoys these races, right? I didn't expect you to show up here, too." The implication—that Allison was merely following Colton—was clear.

But Allison wasn't the type to let passive-aggressive nonsense slide. "I should be asking you the same thing. Why are you two always where I am?" Allison never hesitated to turn their tactics against them.

The words hit their mark. Colton's face reddened, his temper flaring. "How could I possibly be chasing you?" he practically spat, his anger boiling over. "I've told you before, Allison—no matter how many races you compete in, it won't change the fact that you'll never catch my attention. In fact, it only disgusts me!"

Allison laughed at the absurdity of his words, the memory of their early days of marriage flashing through her mind. She remembered the first year of their marriage, when Colton would brood and disappear into races. She had tried to join him once, thinking it might ease his mood, only to be coldly mocked. He had told her to go home, that her place was indoors, keeping house, hidden from the world. Back then, she had swallowed her hurt, bent to his will, and played the role he wanted. Three years of marriage had suffocated her soul.

But now? Now, she was free. Everything she owed him had been repaid, and the past was nothing but dust.

"So, what now?" she quipped, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Has dear Colton, heir to the Stevens family, been humbled by his grandfather's cane again? I swear, you haven't changed a bit!"

Standing beside her, Rebecca smirked, unable to hide her glee. "Exactly. Do you even know who you're talking to? How dare you speak to Allison like that? Pathetic!"