Until my Last Breath

2

Barcelona, Spain

I leap down from the car, feeling the solid ground beneath my feet, but the moment is too surreal to process. My hands reach for my helmet, yanking it off, and in an instant, I'm engulfed by my team. Their arms pull me in, voices rising in a chaotic symphony of cheers, hands patting my back, squeezing my shoulders. The noise surrounds me, but it's their joy-our joy-that's overwhelming. I can barely breathe, my suit sticking to me, my chest heaving, but it doesn't matter. The smile on my face, the laughter bubbling up from deep inside, I can't control any of it. It's pure euphoria.

I'm celebrating with my Prema crew, each one of them feeding me the energy I desperately need, when I suddenly feel my feet leave the ground.

"THREE, BIANCHI? THREE?" Arthur's voice booms in my ear, almost drowning out the roar of the crowd. His arms wrap around me, lifting me off the ground, crushing me into his chest. The weight of his words hits harder than I expect, making my heart thud with an intensity that matches the moment. He holds me so tight, it feels like he's trying to share in the very heartbeat of this victory. My chest tightens, but this time, it's not from the race. I wriggle out of his arms only to throw mine around his neck, pulling him into a fierce hug.

"Three, Arch. Three," I whisper, the words feeling heavier now as they leave my lips. My voice cracks, emotions surging beneath the surface. I bury my face into his shoulder, trying to steady myself, but it's useless. The flood I've been holding back for so long finally starts to break through. Arthur senses the shift immediately. His arms tighten around me, grounding me, holding me steady, letting me be vulnerable for just a moment.

When I finally pull away, my eyes catch sight of Charles standing a few feet away, already suited up for his race, that familiar grin stretching across his face. His eyes, though-they say everything. Pride. Love. Understanding. I rush to him, unable to stop myself, and wrap my arms around him, sinking into a deeper, quieter embrace.

"You did it again, Ree," he whispers softly, his voice like an anchor in the whirlwind of the moment. His words reach the part of me that has been holding on to doubt, to pressure, to everything unsaid.

I nod against him, my cheek brushing his shoulder, the tears I've been fighting slipping free. "I did, Charles," I whisper, my voice barely above a breath, feeling the weight of it all crashing down. "I really did."

The tears keep coming, not just for the win, but for everything that led to this moment-the sacrifices, the loss, the weight of a legacy that sometimes feels too big for me to carry. But standing here, in their arms, I realize I'm not carrying it alone.

***

-"Great words. Thank you for your time, Rita. We're all eager to see what you accomplish next."

The best is yet to come.

I offer a simple nod and a polite smile as I step into away, eager to shed the weight of my race suit. My nerves are still buzzing, and the cool-down room feels like a haven-calm, chilled air immediately refreshing my lungs, soothing the heat radiating off my body. As I enter, I notice a few of my fellow drivers glued to the screen at the far end, reviewing the race. The second they spot me, they cheer me on, their voices echoing through the room, lifting my spirits even further. I offer them a wide smile in return, but my mind is already elsewhere.

Grabbing my phone, I notice my mom has left me more than 50 voice messages, no surprise there. Without hesitation, I hit the call button, and her face instantly fills the screen, her grin as wide as ever.

"BEE, MY CHAMP! I MISS YOU!" she exclaims, her voice bright and full of pride.

"I miss you too, Mumii. I really wanted you here today," I reply, my tone softening, the weight of her absence settling in.