Racing Hearts : VOLUME 2

Chapter 11: Secrets and Lies

After two long months of recovery, Mark was finally back on track. His parents, Alessandro and Isabella, had been adamant about him taking more time to heal and take a break from racing, but Mark had convinced them otherwise—thanks to his signature puppy dog eyes. All it took was a few promises, and they reluctantly agreed to let him race again, knowing how much it meant to him.

As Mark walked through the Ferrari paddock, the familiar sights and sounds of the racing world stirred excitement within him. However, the excitement was interrupted by a familiar voice raised in frustration. Charles' voice.

"You don't get it, Arthur! I'm just trying to look out for you," Charles said sharply.

"I don't need you to!" Arthur's voice was equally heated. "You're always acting like you know better than everyone else. I don't want to end up like you!"

Mark hesitated. He didn't want to intrude, but the fight between the brothers seemed intense. After a few more tense words, Arthur stormed away, slamming the door behind him.

Mark watched as Arthur slumped onto a nearby bench. Without thinking twice, he walked over and sat next to him. "You okay?"

Arthur glanced at Mark, his expression still clouded with frustration. "Yeah... no. I don't know," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "My brother drives me insane sometimes."

Mark gave him a sympathetic smile. "Charles isn't that bad. He's just... under a lot of pressure. It gets to him."

Arthur scoffed. "I don't care. I don't want to be anything like him."

Unbeknownst to both of them, Charles had followed Arthur and was now hidden nearby, listening to the conversation.

Mark leaned back on the bench, thinking for a moment before speaking. "You know, I used to feel the same way."

Arthur frowned. "What do you mean? How is this even related?"

Mark chuckled softly. "Believe it or not, I used to be a huge F1 nerd. Before I became a racer, I was just a kid watching every race on TV. I dreamed of being on the track one day."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, confused by the sudden shift in conversation. "So?"

"So," Mark continued with a grin, "your brother was the reason I wanted to be a racer. I remember watching him and thinking, 'That's the guy I want to be like. He's so cool."

Arthur blinked in surprise. "Charles?"

"Yeah," Mark said, nodding. "I looked up to him. Watching him race made me believe I could do it too."

Arthur seemed stunned. "Wait, so... you became a racer because of Charles?"

Mark smiled. "Pretty much. He's the reason I'm here."

Arthur was silent for a moment, clearly processing this. Mark gave him a gentle nudge. "And you know what? Even now, I still look up to him. I might not show it to his face, but I do."

Mark then added with a cheeky grin, "But hey, don't tell your brother about this. Last thing I need is to boost that idiot's ego any higher."

Arthur couldn't help but laugh. "Your secret's safe with me."

From his hidden spot, Charles remained quiet, his heart stirred by what he'd overheard. He had never known Mark felt that way, and hearing it now—after everything between them—touched him more deeply than he expected.

Mark stood up, offering a hand to Arthur. "Come on, let's go find your brother."

Arthur smiled and took Mark's hand, standing up from the bench. "Thanks, Mark."

As they walked back toward the paddock, Charles slipped away quietly, still processing what he had just heard. Something had shifted within him, and for the first time, he saw Mark in a different light—both as a competitor and as someone who admired him. Secrets had been revealed, and old frustrations had started to fade, though there was still more to uncover.

For now, though, it was enough.

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