Chapter 3

3.

The pain in my chest made it hard to breathe.

Then, the TV started broadcasting the results of the World Championship.

"Congratulations to the newcomer, Dustin Creed, for winning the World Championship!"

"Mr. Creed, we heard you've never competed in a major race before. You're a true dark horse."

"How does it feel to take home this global title?"

Dustin was charming in front of the camera.

My two childhood sweethearts were standing on either side of him like trophies.

That moment should have been mine.

Agitation flared in my gut. I shut off the TV. Right then, my phone buzzed. It was Lyra and Luna.

"Skyler! Where are you? Come to the victory party!"

The music on their end was so loud I could barely hear them.

Even without being there, I could feel the excitement in the air.

Why wouldn't they be excited?

That was the World Championship. Every racer's ultimate dream.

I was supposed to be the one standing on that podium.

But at the final second, the people I trusted most stabbed me in the back and sent me to hell.

My eyes went dark. I turned them down.

"I'm not coming. It's not a good time."

Lyra and Luna's voices turned sharp instantly.

"Skyler! What is your problem?"

"Is this because Dustin won and you didn't?"

"You've won so many trophies already. Do you really have to be this petty over one win?"

"Mom and Dad were right. Selfish people like you belong in a group home!"

The words stung. I couldn't believe these insults were coming from the women I'd lived with for twenty years.

My hand shook as I held the phone.

Suddenly, a doctor walked in. "Mr. Sterling, it's time to change your bandages."

The girls on the other end went quiet for a second.

"Are you in the hospital?" Lyra asked.

I let out a bitter laugh. "Where else would I be? Did you expect me to be in the morgue?"

"Maybe then I'd finally be out of your way, and Dustin could really sleep easy."

I was telling the truth, but it seemed to strike a nerve. They exploded in rage.

"Skyler! Enough! That cliff wasn't even that high. Stop acting like you're dying!"

"Exactly! You're clearly fine. Get your ass over to Dustin's party right now, or I'll tell Dad to fire you from the firm and pull the club's funding!"

I didn't care about my job at Lennox Corp anymore.

But I couldn't let my racing team suffer.

After a moment of silence, I got into a wheelchair and headed to the party.