Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 40

Audrovéa POV

Through the reinforced windshield, | could see Laurel Rose in her matching vehicle, her perfectly manicured

hands gripping the treeerne sehari- Tension. The contrast between her current nervousness and het earlier

bravado was almost amusing.

fast minutes ago, she'd corneredin the prep area, her follywood smile replaced by something far less

camera-ready. After you love today shed under dripping from every word, “stop clinging to Blake.

I'd simply adjusted my racing gloves, unable to suppress a slight smile at her theatrics. She'd continued, clearly

irritated by my lack of reaction: “I’ve never seen someone so shameless. You know Blake can’t stand you, yet

you keep forcing yourself into his life!

“Does he tell you that?’ I'd asked, curious d

despite myself.

The way her eyes had narrowed toldeverything | needed to know. ‘lle doesn’t need to tell me,” she'd

snapped, tossing her expertly styled hair. Since returned from Europe, we've spent every night together. | know

exactly when he comes home!”

My smile hadn't wavered. “Well then, Miss Rose, since you spend every night with him, why don’t you convince

him to sign our divorce papers? I'd met her gaze steadily. “I look forward to attending your wedding.”

Now, The starting lights for the warm-up lap flashed red against the morning sky. Everything else faded away as

| focused on the track ahead.

The lights went dark, my foot found the accelerator easily, my car shot forward like an arrow released from a

bow.

Blake's POV

The world disappeared when Audrey’s car shot past the start line. For a moment, | forgot | was supposed to be

showing support for Laurel.

Audrey's car was speeding up, the meticulously chosen racing line from the woman who used to timidly trail

behind me.

a

testament to her years of experience. She was so flamboyant and confident, a far cry

“Blake...” Felix’s hesitant voice finally broke through my concentration. He sat beside me, looking

uncharacteristically serious. “We should stop this. Miss Rose clearly has no idea what she’s doing out there.”

He was right. Turning my attention to Laurel's car, | watched her struggle through another basic turn. She'd

already strayed off track three times in the warm-up lap alone, each correction more awkward than the last. Her

speed was concerningly slow, her movements betraying complete inexperience.

Something didn’t add up. Rachel's words from years ago echoed in my mind: “My sister's basically a pro on the

track. Yet here was Laurel, barely able to keep her car facing forward.

“Blake?” Felix persisted, real worry creeping into his voice.

| turned to him, letting my tone drop to the coldness that usually ended conversations. “What's wrong? Afraid

you won't get another chance with Audrey if she loses?”

His face flushed, but concern won out over embarrassment. “Look at Miss Rose’s driving,” he said quietly.

“Someone that inexperienced on a professional track... this isn’t just about winning or losing anymore.”

Before | could respond, both cars were returning to the starting grid, taking their positions for the real race. But

something about Felix’s words nagged at me, a doubt | wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge.

The lights went out.

Audrey's car shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, her start perfectly timed. Laurel's vehicle lurched

awkwardly, nearly stalling before it began moving. The difference in skill was immediately apparent.

The crowd's reaction grew more intense with each passing lap. Audrey was already starting her third circuit while

Laurel had barely completed her turst. | could hear Astrid Wilson's distinctive voice rising above the general

cheers, her excitement palpable as her friend dominated the track.

But something was wrong. | could feel it in the way Laurel's car suddenly straightened on the approach to the

final turn. | saw Audrey’s car slow slightly, as

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Chapter 40%

He & noticed Laurel inexperience and was trying to give her take

To be honest, | couldn't quite understand Audreyx actions was the trying to humillate Laurel? lewm bi bir isikol,

ma

was the going to go easy on Laurel so that she wouldn't lose too embarrassingly? But after all that had

happened, cand the rail)

Just as | was lost in thought. | saw Laurel's car lunge forward.

The loud crash that followed made my eyes widen in shock and leftat a loss. All around, there were gasps

and screams from the crowd Audien slammed into the barriers. There was no tto dwell on why Laurel had

done this.

| instinctively stood up, wanting to check on Audrey's condition. However, seeing Astrid and Felix already

dashing towards her, | squinted, then walked towards Laurel instead - after all, | was the only one present who

could show her sconcern.

Audrey's POV

It took one glance during the warm-up lap to see the truth - Laurel might be Hollywood's golden girl, but she

was no racer. The way she fumbled with the gear shifts madewonder if someone had given her a crash

course in basic controls right before putting her in the car.

What the hell were you thinking, Blake? The thought cunbidden as | watched her car swerve again in my

mirror, Putting a complete novice on a professional track wasn’t just poor judgment it was a disaster waiting to

happen. We were lucky the track was closed to other racers today.

Ssmall, petty part ofwanted to take that fifty million by showing exactly how outclassed she was. But

five years away from racing hadn't erased what Rachel taughtabout sportsmanship. When you're that much

better than your opponent, you give them room to save face,

Racing wasn’t about humiliation. Even if the woman in that car had done her best to wreck my marriage, there

were lines you didn’t cross on the track.

So when | caught her desperately trying to catch up, | lifted my foot off the gas. The race was mine anyway - I'd

already lapped her twice - letting her passonce wouldn't change that. Maybe it would give Blake's precious

Laurel one small victory to soften the blow. There was no need to lap her a third time. Let her finish the race with

sdignity intact.

Looking back, I really should have known better. Speople mistake kindness for weakness - especially those

who've never shown any kindness themselves.

That's when | saw her car suddenly straighten in my mirrors, its trajectory changing from uncertain wobbling to a

determined line - straight toward my vehicle.

The realization hita fraction of a second too late. This wasn’t about racing anymore. Her car slammed into

mine with shocking force, the impact sending both vehicles spinning. Metal screamed against metal as we

careened toward the barriers.

Tseemed to slow. Through my windshield, | caught a glimpse of Laurel's face - not panicked, but grimly

satisfied. Then everything was movement and noise and pain.

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