The next evening, while Luna was preparing to leave, Nick's phone buzzed with a sharp ping. A notification appeared from his racing club.
A new race had been announced—organized by none other than Alex Valeria Organizations.
Nick froze. His breath grew heavy as he read the details. The race wasn't underground or illegal this time—it had official approval from the police. There would be heavy security, luxurious settings, and it was scheduled at the most exclusive racing club in the city.
That same cursed club where Max had once betrayed Luna.
Nick clenched his jaw, unsure if it was fate or misfortune. But when he showed the notification to Luna, her eyes lit up with a fragile hope.
"Nick… Alex is there. We can find him!" she said, her voice trembling between happiness and desperation. She hugged Nick tightly, like a sister clinging to her last hope.
Nick's heart softened, though his mind warned him of danger. "Luna, listen to me. That place isn't safe. The crowd is full of wolves—rich, dangerous men who think they own the world. You must stay close to either me… or Alex, if you find him. Promise me."
Luna nodded. "I promise, Nick. But please… let me race. He's on the players list, right? Maybe, just maybe… if I stand on that track, he'll see me. He'll listen."
Her eyes begged, and Nick's defenses melted. "Fine," he sighed, shaking his head with a half-smile. "But don't blame me if you regret it. And one more thing—this isn't just speed, Luna. This is survival. You'll have to drive like a devil if you want to keep up."
That night, Nick trained her personally. He handed her the keys to his own sports car and took her to the deserted racing track. Luna floored the accelerator, her red dress fluttering as the car tore through the wind. She wasn't just racing for fun—she was racing for love.
For three hours, the sound of engines roared against the silence of the city night. When Luna screeched to a halt, Nick chuckled nervously.
"You drive like a maniac," he said, pretending to scold her. "One wrong move and I'd be picking your bones off the track."
Luna only smiled faintly, her eyes distant. "I don't care, Nick. Tomorrow, I'm going to face Alex. No matter what."
The Night of the Race
The next evening, Luna transformed herself. She tied her hair in a cute bun, her cheeks glowing with soft blush. She wore a dark crimson velvet dress that flowed like fire, paired with YSL heels that clicked dangerously with each step. For the first time in weeks, her reflection made her smile—though her eyes still carried the weight of sorrow.
Nick arrived at her doorstep in his sleek black car. "You look…" He hesitated, trying to lighten the mood. "…like someone who could break ten hearts in a second."
Luna rolled her eyes but smiled. "Let's go."
At the club, the atmosphere was electric. Neon lights flickered across expensive cars, the crowd buzzing with money, danger, and arrogance. Engines purred like wild beasts waiting to be unleashed.
Meanwhile, Elsa arrived with her fiancé, Jake. She held his hand tightly, whispering, "It's only pretend. Just a fake kiss. It's about saving a life, Jake."
Jake, wise and calm, nodded reluctantly. "You're a better woman than me, Elsa. But remember, lies always hurt."
On the Starting Line
"Player Luna?" the race official asked as she registered. "Your car to the starting lane, please."
Nick parked her car beside the other competitors. And there—two lanes away—was Alex.
He sat behind the wheel of his black Lamborghini, his face partially hidden under a cap and glasses. But Luna's heart knew. She screamed from her window, "ALEX! Alex, it's me!"
But Alex stared straight ahead, refusing to look at her. His hands gripped the wheel like iron, his jaw clenched as though any glance at her would shatter his resolve.
The referee lifted the flag. Engines growled, ready to explode.
"3… 2… 1… GO!"
Tires screeched, smoke filled the air, and the cars launched forward like missiles.
Alex surged ahead instantly, his skill unmatched. Luna pushed the car with every ounce of courage she had, weaving dangerously between two bulky racers. The crowd roared, the neon lights streaking past like fireflies.
For a moment, she caught Alex's taillights. "I'm here, Alex… look at me!" she whispered, gripping the wheel tighter.
But Alex never turned.
The race thundered on—Alex taking sharp drifts, Luna close behind, Nick shouting encouragement from the sidelines. At one point, Luna almost spun out, but she regained control, her determination burning brighter than her fear.
Finally, the checkered flag waved. Alex crossed first. Luna was second.
The crowd erupted, but Luna didn't care about winning or losing. She leapt out of her car, running straight to him.
"Alex, please! Please listen to me—" she cried, grabbing his arm.
He pushed her back coldly. His eyes were dark, empty, almost cruel.
"You cheated on me, Luna. With that bastard Nick," he spat, venom dripping from every word.
"What?" she gasped, her knees weakening.
"And before you did," he smirked bitterly, "I cheated on you first."
He pulled out his phone and shoved it in her face. An image—Nick and Luna, kissing under dim lights. AI-generated, fake. But painfully real in that moment.
Luna staggered back, shaking her head furiously. "This… this isn't true! Alex, it's fake, I swear it! Who showed you this? Please, don't believe this!"
But Alex's rage only grew. He smashed the phone onto the ground, shards scattering like broken trust.
"You betrayed me, Luna. And I made sure I betrayed you first," he said, laughing darkly.
Her tears blurred the neon lights. She screamed his name, but he stormed past her. And then—before her eyes—he grabbed Elsa's hand.
"No…" Luna whispered, her voice cracking.
And then he kissed Elsa.
She fell to her knees, hands clutching her messy hair as sobs tore through her chest. The club went silent, eyes on the broken girl. Nobody moved. Nobody helped.
Until Nick rushed in, pulling her up gently. "Luna… not here. Please, come with me. Don't cry in front of them."
But Luna was lifeless, her spirit crushed. When they reached home, she locked herself in her room. Nick broke the door, terrified she'd end her life.
"I'm not going to die," she whispered through tears. "But inside… I already have."
And in another corner of the city, Alex sat alone, his fists bleeding as he punched the wall. He had broken her to save her—but in truth, he was the one dying inside.
Elsa stood at a distance, guilt in her eyes. Jake held her hand, whispering, "You both are destroying yourselves."
And as days turned to weeks, the wound between Alex and Luna only grew deeper.