Chapter 7
On the winding, high–stakes racetrack, two race cars sped forward neck and neck, neither one giving an inch. Priscilla stood in the bleachers, her eyes fixed on t giant screen that kept updating their speeds in real tline,
The
Josiah’s car had been maxing out from the beginning, but no matter how fast he went, he could not shake off Floyd, who stayed close behind with a cool, calculated pase. Even someone with zero racing experience could tell that Floyd was just toying with him, provoking him on purpose.
Josiah ignored it completely and kept his focus. He slammed the gas pedal all the way down on the final lap. But despite pushing the car to its limits, the gap between him and Floyd only widened.
Then, as if mocking him, Floyd began taking every comer from the outer edge, deliberately slowing just enough to let Josiah catch up. The entire crowd recognized the humiliation and could already see how this would end. They sighed, resigned to Josiah’s inevitable loss.
Priscilla picked up her purse, ready to leave. But just seconds later, a wave of panicked screams erupted behind her. She turned around in shock and saw Josiah’s blackcar veer out of control in the final curve, ramming full–force into Floyd’s vehicle like a madman
Floyd’s white cat swerved violently off track in a split second to avoid a collision and crashed through the safety barrier. Josiah seized the moment, shot forward. and crossed the finish line.
However, the price he paid was brutal–he could not slow down in time and slammed straight into the guardrail. His car flipped over and slidded across the track, and its front end shattered beyond recognition as flames burst from the engine,
Gasps echoed across the entire stadium, No one had expected Josiah to go so far and to risk everything for the win. Even Brittany, who had been looking bared until then, screamed and rushed onto the track.
Josiah, bloodied and staggering, climbed out of the wreckage when he saw her. With her by his side, he limped over to Floyd’s wrecked car. He raised his am high and made the signature victory gesture.
come near
“You lost. From this day on, you’re never allowed to come near Brittany again!”
of fire and
In the nine years Priscilla had known Josiah, he had always been composed, elegant, and aloof. This was the first time she had seen him this wild and full o pride. It would also be the last.
As the crowd exploded with cheers and applause, she quietly tumed around and walked out of the arena. This time, there was nothing left in her heart to hold onto
By midnight, Josiah still had not retumed home. Instead, he texted and said that he had to leave for a week–long business trip.
Shortly after, Brittany sent Priscilla a photo of Josiah at a victory party, surrounded by friends, with his arm around her. “Josh said that winning felt amazing. He’s taking me overseas to celebrate.”
Priscilla replied with a single word, “Okay.”
That week, she packed up her things and finalized a detailed travel plan. Once everything was in order, she booked a one–way flight back to her hometown.
When the airline called to confirm her itinerary, she listened carefully and repeated, “Yes, it’s a one–way ticket for next week…”
“Tacker? Where are you going?”
The familiar voice caught her off guard. Josiah was back, and she had not even heard him come in. She hung up the phone and answered honestly, avoiding his cunsus gave..
She said, “I’m going home to see my parents”
josial nodded and did not ask anything else. Instead, he pulled out a neatly wrapped gift box. “Celia, I remember you said you didn’t want jewelry or designer bags aymore. So this time, I picked out a perfume. Let me know if you like it.”
Priscilla opened it, gave it a light sniff, then set it down. “I like it.”
Herindifferent tone caught Josiah off guard. He stepped forward and gently wrapped his anns around her, his voice soft with concem. He asked, “What’s going on with you lately? I’ve been gone for days, and you didn’t send une a single message. Are you upset with me?”
She was surprised that he had even noticed, especially while he was off with Brittany. But then she remembered how she used to share everything with him, trom Junny gossip to a flower she saw on her walk
He had spent three years being annoyed by those messages from someone he did not cate
Naturally, he would notice when they suddenly stopped.
Realizing that, she no longer found his awareness surprising. When she remained silent, Josialt leaned down, thinking she needed comfort, and tried to kiss her
But for once, Priscilla did not lean into him. She gently pushed lam away and walkeyt into the bathroom. She curtly said, “Period.”
Josiah stared at her retreating back, stunned that she was still on her period. After all, her cycle had started weeks ago. He wondered why it still wasn’t o
