Chapter 3The Race Driver Who Wouldn't Drive

The first thing I did when I fully regained consciousness was to grab the doctor’s hand beside me. “Doctor, my baby? Where is my baby?”

The doctor’s face lit up with relief at my awakening, then immediately fell. “I’m so sorry. We did everything we could. The baby was in the birth canal for too long, oxygen deprivation…”

My brow furrowed in agony, as if my very heart had been ripped from my chest. She paused, then added, “Child, life is still long. There will be other chances.”

I suddenly recognized that voice. Peering at her familiar, masked face, I realized she was the attending physician who had saved my life.

“Thank you, Doctor. Thank you for saving me.”

“It was my duty. Just try to keep your spirits up. You’ll be transferred to a regular room today.”

I closed my eyes, memories flashing. I had defied my parents for Ryan, staying in the country to marry him. He loved racing, so I became his agent, supporting him every step of the way until he became the nation’s top race car driver. In the beginning, I endured countless snubs just to secure him a spot in a race. I drank endless rounds of alcohol for sponsorships, often ending up hospitalized with stomach bleeding.

Everyone in the racing world knew I was a top agent, and they also knew I only represented one driver: Ryan Brooke, his exclusive agent. After he found success, we kept our marriage private for the sake of his public image. To boost his fame and appeal, he became the ultimate racing knight in the eyes of countless young women.

Now, I was leaving. And everything I had given him, I would reclaim.

The first thing I did in the regular hospital room was to contact a lawyer and draft divorce papers. The lawyer sat by my bedside, asking, “Are you sure you want to go through with this divorce?”

Silently, I tapped open my phone. Sure enough, the news story the nurses had mentioned dominated my feed.

“#RyanBrooke: Top Race Car Driver Risks All For Love!”

“#BlewThroughTenRedLightsToRushGirlfriendToHospital!”

“#RyanBrooke’s All-Night Vigil: Caring For Girlfriend For 24 Hours!”

My baby died while he was rushing his girlfriend to the hospital. My life hung by a thread while he was tending to his girlfriend. He wouldn’t drive me, suffering in childbirth, yet he blew through ten red lights for his girlfriend.

Chloe Green had just posted an update: “My knight is always there, ready to face anything for me. So touched, I’ll love you forever!”

The accompanying picture showed my husband gently feeding her porridge.

Then you two can be chained together for eternity. I’ll make sure of it!

I looked up, meeting the lawyer’s gaze with unwavering resolve. “Absolutely. Please have the papers ready today.”

After booking a flight out of the country for the next day, I dialed a number. “Hello, Martha? I’m being discharged tomorrow. Could you come pick me up from the hospital?”

Martha’s voice on the other end was hesitant, fumbling. “Ma’am, Mr. Brooke… he asked me to come take care of… Miss Green.”

The phone was snatched away, Ryan’s voice laced with mocking amusement. “You’re getting discharged so quickly? Didn’t the doctors say your condition was critical? I knew they were exaggerating. You’re not that easy to kill, are you?”

“Why do you need someone to pick you up? Just take a taxi home. What woman doesn’t give birth? So dramatic.”

I was about to speak when Chloe’s saccharine voice cooed from his end: “Ryan, darling, my foot hurts…”

“Can’t talk, I need to take care of my patient now.” The call was abruptly cut off. He hadn’t even asked about the baby.

He truly didn’t deserve to be a father. And yet, my heart was strangely devoid of any ripple of emotion.

Chloe Green was the assistant I’d hired for him, worried that my pregnancy would prevent me from fully managing his races. I had no idea when they’d started their affair. But I knew, if it wasn't her, it would have been someone else. It takes two to tango. When a heart changes, an affair is only a matter of time.

I almost sacrificed my precious life for a man like him. He absolutely didn’t deserve it! He’d taken so much from me. I would reclaim every single thing.