I can't .

~28~

POV Toto:

When I step onto the Monza circuit Thursday morning, y/n trailing just a few steps behind me, the inevitable happens. A small crowd rushes over to her, microphones ready and eyes gleaming with curiosity. The paddock has been buzzing—word is, she's in a relationship with Carlos Sainz.

She knows exactly how I feel about this. And while we've avoided the conversation since Zandvoort, I'm starting to think it's time I stop avoiding it altogether.

One reporter fires off the question that's been haunting me quietly for weeks:
"Are you and Carlos Sainz officially together now, or are you just good friends?"

It's the same question I've asked her myself. And just like before, she deflects.

"I'm sorry, I have no response to that," she says calmly, but I catch the edge in her voice. She quickens her pace and slips away from the crowd, disappearing into George's garage like she's searching for cover.

Later, after spending some time with Lewis, I find her again—this time in a more familiar setting. She's seated in my office, focused behind her laptop, headset on, probably analyzing data.

"Y/n, can we talk for a minute?" I ask.

She looks up, blinking. "Sorry, what did you say?"

I close the door quietly behind me and repeat the question. She nods, takes off the headset, and leans back in her chair. I sit across from her, keeping my voice steady even as my stomach twists with unease.

"I'm going to ask you the same thing those press people asked earlier," I begin, "and I'd really appreciate it if you could be honest with me."

She sighs. "I knew you'd bring this up again eventually, Dad."

I wait, trying to stay calm—but truthfully, I already know what she's going to say. I've seen the way she looks at him, how she ran off to Ferrari's garage that day. And while I want to protect her from getting hurt, I'm starting to realize I can't control her life forever.

"Promise me you won't get mad," she says, looking hesitant.

"I can't promise that," I admit. "But I'll try."

She gives a faint smile. "Okay... if you really want to know—yes. We're together."

I have to look away for a moment, swallowing my instinctive reaction. It's not what I wanted to hear, but at least it's the truth. When I finally meet her eyes again, I manage to speak with more restraint than I expected.

"Okay... at least you were honest with me. But let me be clear—if I find out he's no good for you, I'll kill him."

Her eyes widen at my blunt response. "Wait... so you're not totally against it?"

"I didn't say I was okay with it," I clarify. "But I spoke with your mother, and you know how she is. So... you owe it to both of us to make sure he treats you right. And he better prove to me that he deserves you."

A smile breaks across her face, and she stands to give me a hug. I hesitate only for a second before hugging her back.

"So... dinner with all of us tonight?" she asks with a hopeful grin.

"I'll let you ask him," I reply with a half-smile. "But if he says yes, tell him he better bring his A-game."

POV Carlos:

I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket just as I'm in the middle of media duties. I glance at the screen—y/n. I can't answer right now, so I subtly push her call away. When she calls again a few minutes later, I give the interviewer a quick look.