The reception was in full swing, a beautiful celebration of Sierra and Damian’s union. The guests were enjoying themselves, the hum of conversations mixing with the soft melodies playing in the background. Everywhere you looked, there was laughter, joy, and an overwhelming sense of love in the air. The newlyweds were on the dance floor, their smiles never fading as they danced with each other, occasionally stealing glances at their friends and family who were watching in admiration. The tables, laden with delicious food and drinks, were surrounded by people chatting away and sharing stories. It was a night that everyone would remember, one that felt like the beginning of a new chapter for not only Sierra and Damian but for everyone who loved them. But the best part of the evening was yet to come—the speeches. As the evening went on, the time came for the people closest to the couple to stand up and share their thoughts. One by one, guests stood to offer their congratulations, their
The sunlight streamed through the windows of the car as we drove up the familiar, long driveway leading to Damian’s parents’ manor. The same old stone gate greeted us, the flowers lining the pathway just as vibrant as I remembered. The place was beautiful, timeless, and always had an air of serenity that made you feel like you were stepping into a different world—a world full of history and love. I glanced at Damian beside me, his hands firmly gripping the wheel as he maneuvered the car down the narrow path. His usual composed demeanor was relaxed today, and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him. We’d been married for a while now, and even with two little ones in tow, there was still something so comforting about his presence. He was the same Damian I had fallen for years ago—strong, caring, and somehow managing to make everything feel like it was meant to be. In the backseat, our twins were giggling, their laughter infectious. Emily, our daughter, had her little pigtails bounc
The sounds of the track filled the air—engines revving, tires squealing, the hum of life and competition. I was standing by the side of my car, watching my technical team scramble in their usual frenzy, making last-minute adjustments. They were focused, efficient, their movements a blur of expertise. The sun was beginning its descent behind the grandstands, casting an orange glow across the asphalt. It felt like the perfect evening to race. I ran my fingers along the sleek lines of my car, the cold metal cool against my touch. The smell of burning rubber and gasoline was thick in the air. I had been racing for years, and yet, every single race still made my pulse quicken. It was the only thing that made me feel alive—the only thing that made sense. “Everything’s ready, Sierra,” Marco’s voice cut through my thoughts. I looked up to see him standing by the front tire, nodding toward me. He had that look on his face—calm and collected. Marco knew how much this race meant to me, and he
The office was a sharp contrast to everything I knew—a sleek, sterile space with high ceilings and a cold, polished design that didn’t match the roaring engines or the heat of the racetrack. The walls were lined with glass awards, each one a testament to the world of professional racing, but it felt like a far cry from the real heartbeat of racing. This was corporate. Clean. Calculated. A space where decisions were made with a pen, not a steering wheel. But today, it didn’t matter. Today was about the prize. I stood for a moment in the lobby, taking it all in. The building was full of people who didn’t understand what it felt like to truly push the limits, to risk everything for that moment of glory on the track. But I had already earned my place here. I was no longer the scrappy underdog—I was a winner. And no one could take that away from me. Not even the polished walls of this office. The receptionist, a woman in her early thirties with warm, professional eyes, looked up from he
The sun had already dipped below the horizon, leaving the city bathed in soft twilight. The streets were quieter now, the steady hum of traffic replaced by the occasional sound of tires skimming over pavement. I was alone in my apartment, sipping from a half-finished bottle of water, my mind still racing from the events of the day. But just as the adrenaline started to settle, my phone buzzed on the coffee table. I picked it up, seeing my best friend’s name flash across the screen. "Hey, Lena," I greeted, my voice low and tired. "What’s up?" Her voice crackled on the other end, sharp and urgent. "Sierra, we need to talk. It’s about Liam." I could feel my stomach drop. Liam—my brother. My mind instantly went to the worst-case scenario, the image of his face flashing in my mind. "What’s happened?" I asked, leaning forward, every muscle tensing. Lena paused for a moment, and when she spoke again, there was a weight to her words that made the air feel heavier. "Sierra, we’re runni
The campus was alive with its usual energy as students hustled between buildings, talking and laughing. It felt like any other day, but to me, it felt like an impossible stretch of time. I was walking through the crowd, clutching my textbooks a little tighter than usual, trying to block out the constant hum of the world around me. My mind was elsewhere—always somewhere else, it seemed. Racing. Sam. The constant need to stay ahead. I wasn’t just another student here. I was the one who kept my head down, who kept everything separate. No one knew about my other life. My races. The stakes. The danger. They only saw a student, a "model" student. Top of the class. Dean’s list. They saw my hard work, but they didn’t see the sacrifices that came with it. I pushed through the double doors of the library, where the smell of old pages and quiet focus filled the air. The library was my refuge. The only place on campus where I didn’t feel like everyone was watching me, expecting things from me.
The sound of engines revving echoed faintly in my mind, a constant hum that seemed to follow me even as I sat in the middle of my accounting lecture. The professor’s voice droned on, his pen scribbling equations across the whiteboard as he explained financial ratios with the precision of someone who had done this a thousand times before. Around me, students furiously took notes, their brows furrowed in concentration. I was supposed to be one of them—focused, present, and ready to tackle the formulas that would appear on our next exam. But my mind was elsewhere, caught between two very different worlds. The next race was in two days, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The circuit was one I’d raced on before, but the stakes had changed. The pot was bigger, and with it, the risks. I’d spent hours studying every turn, visualizing the course in my mind like a map burned into my brain. I knew when to accelerate, when to drift, and when to hold back. Still, Mika’s words from yes
The morning chill clung to the air as I walked across the campus, my breath forming soft clouds in front of me. The familiar crunch of leaves under my boots was oddly soothing, a small reminder of normalcy in a life that felt anything but normal. I adjusted the strap of my messenger bag, my fingers brushing against its worn leather, and glanced up at the towering clock tower. It was almost eight, and the campus was already buzzing with activity. On the outside, I was just another student blending in with the crowd—headphones in, bag slung over one shoulder, hair pulled back in a no-nonsense ponytail. Nobody would guess I had spent the night memorizing the map of an illegal race circuit, every turn and potential hazard etched into my mind. I inhaled deeply, pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind. Here on campus, I couldn’t afford to slip. Nobody knew about my double life, and I intended to keep it that way. To everyone here, I was Sierra Carter, the quiet overachiever who wo
The sunlight streamed through the windows of the car as we drove up the familiar, long driveway leading to Damian’s parents’ manor. The same old stone gate greeted us, the flowers lining the pathway just as vibrant as I remembered. The place was beautiful, timeless, and always had an air of serenity that made you feel like you were stepping into a different world—a world full of history and love. I glanced at Damian beside me, his hands firmly gripping the wheel as he maneuvered the car down the narrow path. His usual composed demeanor was relaxed today, and I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him. We’d been married for a while now, and even with two little ones in tow, there was still something so comforting about his presence. He was the same Damian I had fallen for years ago—strong, caring, and somehow managing to make everything feel like it was meant to be. In the backseat, our twins were giggling, their laughter infectious. Emily, our daughter, had her little pigtails bounc
The reception was in full swing, a beautiful celebration of Sierra and Damian’s union. The guests were enjoying themselves, the hum of conversations mixing with the soft melodies playing in the background. Everywhere you looked, there was laughter, joy, and an overwhelming sense of love in the air. The newlyweds were on the dance floor, their smiles never fading as they danced with each other, occasionally stealing glances at their friends and family who were watching in admiration. The tables, laden with delicious food and drinks, were surrounded by people chatting away and sharing stories. It was a night that everyone would remember, one that felt like the beginning of a new chapter for not only Sierra and Damian but for everyone who loved them. But the best part of the evening was yet to come—the speeches. As the evening went on, the time came for the people closest to the couple to stand up and share their thoughts. One by one, guests stood to offer their congratulations, their
The day had arrived—the long-awaited wedding of Damian and Sierra. The sun hung high in the sky, casting its golden glow over the lush gardens where the ceremony would take place. It was the kind of weather that felt perfect, as though the universe itself had aligned for this moment. The soft rustle of leaves in the breeze and the gentle hum of excited voices filled the air, creating an atmosphere of warmth and love. This was a day that would be etched in their memories forever. Sierra stood backstage, her heart racing. She had been waiting for this day for so long, but now that it was finally here, it all felt so surreal. Her wedding dress, a delicate blend of lace and satin, shimmered softly in the light as she adjusted the final touches. Her hair, styled in loose waves, was adorned with a delicate tiara that made her feel like a princess. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back at her. She looked like a dream, but the dream was real
Damian and I had been preparing for this day for weeks. The day I would finally meet his parents—his formidable, larger-than-life parents, who had raised a man as complex and brilliant as Damian. My nerves were getting the best of me, but he was by my side, his usual calm demeanor reassuring me, even though I knew this would be a turning point in our relationship. We arrived at his family’s manor just as the evening sun began to dip, casting a warm golden light over the grand, old building. The manor had an elegant charm to it, with ivy climbing up the stone walls and a well-kept garden that gave off an air of old money. I had heard a lot about his parents from Damian, but there was nothing that could prepare me for actually meeting them. Damian opened the door for me with a small, encouraging smile, taking my hand in his as we approached the grand entrance. As soon as the door swung open, his mother’s voice rang out from inside. “Damian! There you are!” she called, her tone a mix
I watched as Damian entered our home, his posture slumped, clearly exhausted from his day. It was unusual for him to look so worn out; he usually carried himself with an air of unshakable confidence. As soon as I saw the fatigue in his eyes, I couldn't help but rush to him. Without thinking, I stood on my tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, trying to ease the tension I could feel radiating from him. "You look like you need to unwind," I murmured against his lips. Damian’s arms instinctively wrapped around me as if he needed the comfort, too. "I’m fine, just... been a long day," he replied, but I could see through his words. His exhaustion was palpable, and I wasn’t going to let him suffer in silence. “Go take a bath. I’ll make us something to eat,” I suggested gently, nudging him toward our bedroom. He gave me a small, appreciative smile before nodding. "Thanks, love." His voice was softer than usual, filled with gratitude. As he disappeared into the bathroom, I busied m
Damian sat in the large, sterile dining room of his parents' manor, the overwhelming sense of anticipation now replaced by a suffocating tension. His mother’s eyes burned with fury as she stared at him, waiting for the next words to come out of his mouth, as if she could sense he was holding something back. Her lips were pursed tightly, her knuckles white around the edge of her wine glass. He had already sensed her disappointment the moment he had walked through the door without Sierra, but he hadn’t expected it to escalate to this. His father, seated at the end of the table, remained quiet, but Damian could feel the weight of his gaze—a quiet, unspoken judgment. It made Damian feel even more like he was drowning in the sea of expectations that had been placed on him all these years. Finally, after a few painful moments of silence, his mother couldn’t hold back anymore. Her voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Damian, you say you’re serious about this woman, but where is sh
Damian sat back in the leather chair, the quiet hum of the city outside filtering through the window. He could feel the weight of the day bearing down on him, a culmination of weeks of planning, anticipation, and a growing sense of excitement. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago, he had been on a beach in the Maldives, a lifetime away from the familiar comforts of home. The proposal had gone exactly as he’d hoped. Sierra’s joy, the moment they shared under the starry sky—everything had been perfect. But now, the next step beckoned. It wasn’t just about them anymore. There was more he needed to address, more he needed to reveal.He picked up his phone, his thumb hovering over Nathan's name. It had been a while since he'd spoken to his old friend in person, but it was time to bring him into the fold. Nathan had always been reliable, and now, more than ever, Damian needed his help.“Hey, Nathan,” Damian greeted when the phone clicked to life. “I need your help with something.
After the proposal, the world seemed to slow down for a moment. Damian’s arms wrapped around me, holding me close, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like everything was falling into place. I could feel the warmth of the people around us, their happiness radiating in every cheer and smile. The world was our oyster, and for once, I felt like I had everything I ever needed. But then, as the waves gently lapped at the shore and the stars twinkled above us, something hit me, a question that had been sitting in the back of my mind for a while, one I hadn’t quite found the right moment to ask.Pulling away from Damian’s embrace, I looked up at him, my fingers still tracing the outline of his jaw, a smile lingering on my lips. But there was something in my eyes—a flicker of curiosity mixed with a sense of uncertainty. I couldn’t shake the thought.“Damian,” I said, my voice soft but with a serious edge, “I need to ask you something. What about your family?”His eyes narrowed sligh
Three years. Three years of highs and lows, triumphs and challenges. Looking back, it felt like a whirlwind of emotions. From the early days of uncertainty, when Damian and I were navigating the aftershocks of everything that had happened with Liam, to the quiet nights we spent together, finding solace in each other’s company, I never imagined that we’d come this far. I’d thought that life had settled into a rhythm, one where we worked hard, loved hard, and fought for the people we cared about.But tonight, standing on the edge of the Maldives beach, the soft whispers of the ocean as our backdrop, it felt different. The air was thick with anticipation, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, as if something monumental was about to happen. I didn’t know what it was—didn’t even have a hint—but I had a nagging feeling that tonight wasn’t going to be just another beautiful evening under the stars.I glanced around, taking in the scene. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silv