Until my last breath

19

As I step back into the garage, the chaotic energy of the track feels like a distant memory, but the adrenaline still races through my veins. The noise is deafening, yet it fades into a blur as I'm swept up in a wave of familiar faces.

"Rita!" Marina is the first to reach me, her eyes wide and filled with an intense mix of concern and relief. "What the hell happened out there? Are you okay?"

Before I can respond, I feel a strong pair of arms wrap around me. It's Arthur, his grip tightening around me like a vice. He's shaking, his body trembling against mine as if the sheer weight of fear has made him forget how to speak. I can't find the words to comfort him, but I hold him close, resting my head against his shoulder. In this moment, all I can do is be there, even if I can't reassure him completely.

"Arthur," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the buzz of the garage. "I'm okay. I'm here."

Finally, he pulls back, his face pale, but the worry in his eyes doesn't fade. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. Instead, he just nods, and I know he's just relieved to see me standing there.

Before I can catch my breath, Pascale rushes in, her expression a mix of motherly concern and fierce protectiveness. "Oh, Rita!" she exclaims, wrapping her arms around me in a warm embrace. Her hug envelops me, and for a moment, it feels like home. The softness of her touch reminds me of my mother's hugs—soothing and comforting in a time of chaos.

"Are you okay?" Pascale's voice is laced with worry as she pulls back to look me in the eyes. "You had us all scared half to death."

"I'm fine," I reply, but the tremor in my voice reveals the fear still lingering inside me. "I just... I got a bit caught up in the moment."

"You could have been hurt, Rita. You have to be more careful out there!" Pascale's motherly tone is firm, but her eyes are soft as they search my face for any sign of injury.

"I know, I know," I say, forcing a smile even though the memories of the race flood my mind—the near collision, the weight of the steering wheel, the panic as Darwin bore down on me. "I didn't want to let the team down. I wanted to win."

Marina kneels in front of me, placing a steady hand on my knee. "Winning is important, but your safety comes first. We can't lose you, not like that."

"I get it," I assure them, even as a shiver runs down my spine at the thought of what could have happened. "But I'm here, and I won. That's what matters, right?"

Arthur finally finds his voice, his brow furrowing in concern. "You really scared me, Rita. I thought... I thought I was going to lose you."

"I'm not going anywhere," I say, meeting his gaze with determination. "I promise. I'll be more careful. I swear."

As I look around at my team, the weight of their concern settles over me like a comforting blanket, but it also reminds me of the fragility of what we do. Racing is exhilarating, but it's also terrifying. In this moment, I realize how much I need them—their support, their belief in me—and how much I want to keep them safe, too.

"Let's celebrate the win," I say, trying to shift the mood, forcing a smile even though my heart still races. "We did it together. I couldn't have done this without you all."

The win feels monumental, not just for my team or even my family, but for myself. I fought tooth and nail for this one. As I turn around, my team principal approaches with an approving grin.

"You never disappoint." He pulls me into a strong embrace, and just as I start to feel the warmth of his congratulations, the entire team sweeps me into a group hug, cheering wildly around me. Amidst the shouts and arms surrounding me, my eyes catch sight of him across the room.