Chapter 53: A Heartbeat Unlike Any Other
Luna was still reeling as the Solar Flare crossed the finish line.Her hands gripped the steering. wheel, her mind struggling to catch up with her body.
“Luna! You won!!”
She turned to see Shane, his helmet off, his eyes twinkling.He reached out, removing her helmet, her dark hair cascading down.She fought to regulate her racing heart.In Shane’s eyes, she saw only her reflection.
in
una, welcome back,” he said, his voice tender, his gaze adoring.“You were always the champion my heart.” He was still exhilarated, his chest rising and falling, the air thick with unspoken
energy.
Luna looked at him intently.“Ever since I saw the Solar Flare, I’ve wondered how you knew I was Luna.” Before her reunion with her family, she’d been known as Lucy Lane, and her racing license used that name. She’d thought her dual identity was
was well–hidden.
Shane leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. “Because I’m the owner of Lunar Racing.
eyes widened. “You… you recruited me to Lunar Racing?!”
Luna’s eyes
“Mm–hmm,” he murmured, a playful glint in his eyes. I made you Luna.” Luna had joined Lunar Racing with one condition: absolute privacy.She was unknown then, and few investors were willing to back a female racer.Shane had been the one to take a chance on her.She’d already achieved financial independence through shrewd investments, pouring her earnings into building the undefeated Solar Flare She’d poured her heart and soul into her passion, assuming love worked the same way- that passionate devotion would be reciprocated. She lowered her head, her dark hair shielding her emotions.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“You don’t owe me anything. Lunar Racing was built around you; without you, it wouldn’t exist. I chose you to prove my judgment was sound, to demonstrate that you were exceptional.But…” Shane’s voice trailed off.Signing her retirement papers had left a gaping hole in his chest.He’d realized too late the depth of his feelings.He’d kept his love for her hidden in his heart. A tap on the window. Luna looked up to see Damon standing at the car door. The window rolled down.
Damon regarded Luna like a predator assessing its prey.His breathing was even now, but his heart still hammered in his chest.It had been a long time since anyone had affected him this strongly, his blood thrumming in his veins.
He produced a business card, writing the Blackwood mansion address on it and sliding it into the window.
“Ms. Luna, you can collect your car at Blackwood anytime.”
Luna took the card, but as Damon released it, the expensive card slipped from her gloved hand, falling to the ground, his name smudged with dust.He frowned; a professional racer wouldn’t drop a card.
Timmy rushed over, gazing at the Solar Flare with adoration.
“Hi, Luna.I’m Timmy Blackwood. I’m a huge fan! Can we be friends?‘Despite his privileged upbringing, he was nervous approaching his idol.
< Chapter 53 A Heartbeat Undke Any D
There was no response.
“Luna?” Timmy peered inside.
Sean emerged from the car, sensing the tension between the Blackwoods and Luna.A competitive spark ignited within her.
“Luna, right?I hear you’re a motorcycle racer.I’m a biker too.How about a one–on–one?“She intended to win back Damon’s loss. While Luna was a professional racer, her motorcycle skills were probably amateurish, and she’d be physically drained
physically drained from the
Still, no response.
race.
His admiration
would return to
soared.
her.
Don’t be so aloof,” Sean insisted.“Let’s have some fun.” Timmy’s eyes lit up.“Luna rides motorcycles too?!”
Sean smiled. If she beat Luna,
If she beat Luna, Timmy’s attention Damon looked down at his discarded card.A woman, elevated by Shane, had become arrogant. “I’ll give you a million dollars to race Sean,” he said, his usual commanding tone returning Money could solve anything.
Luna almost laughed.Damon’s indulgence of Sean had reached ludicrous levels.He displayed the payment QR code on his phone.
Ignoring him, Luna leaned towards Shane, whispering a few words.Damon watched their exchange with growing annoyance.Their closeness irritated him.
Shane nodded and addressed Damon. “Luna says she’ll race Sean.If she wins, the loser has to run back to the finish line–the distance of their loss.”
*Did you call me gender non–conforming?!”
Sean’s face turned crimson. She lunged towards the car, trying to rip off Luna’s helmet. Shane slammed the car door, trapping Sean’s arm.
“AAAAAHHHHH!!!”
Sean screamed, her face swelling.The window rolled down, revealing Shane’s cold, protective demeanor.
“Uncivilized,” he said, his voice cutting. Sean recoiled, intimidated. She looked to Damon for support.
Damon, his nicotine craving triggered by the adrenaline rush, lit “Want to race her?” he asked Sean.“Winner takes all?”
a cigarette.
Sean glared.’Fine! If you lose, you get down and crawl to the finish line!” Luna opened the car door and stepped out.
“Deal,” she said in English, altering her tone and accent to disguise her voice. Timmy stared, scratching his head. “Mom?“He’d heard her speak English before.