Love 4 Apex | Lando Norris

🏎 48.5 - Papaya On Top

The following races were intense, with Franco pushing himself to the limit, eager to prove his worth before his move to Red Bull next season. The atmosphere on track crackled with rivalry, but Lando held firm, his focus unshakable as he pushed toward the championship. The tension between them simmered, unspoken yet palpable, each lap on the track and each glance in the paddock adding fuel to the fire.

As the season barreled toward its climax at the final race in Abu Dhabi, the air in the paddock was thick with anticipation. Under the soft hum of the overhead lights, the energy of the weekend was electric, every moment charged with the weight of what was at stake.

It was within this atmosphere that Franco approached Rose, his footsteps hesitant but purposeful. She stood near the Mercedes motorhome, scrolling through her phone, her expression distant, when his voice broke the quiet.

"Rose," he began softly, his tone unsure but sincere.

She froze for a moment, her shoulders tensing at the sound of his voice. Slowly, she turned to face him, her expression guarded. "Franco."

He swallowed hard, his eyes searching hers for any sign of the warmth he once knew. "I should have come to see you earlier," he began, his voice hesitant. "But I didn't know how to... approach you." He paused, glancing away for a moment before looking back at her, his expression weighed down with guilt. "I've been carrying this around, and I can't anymore. I feel so guilty, Rose. I need to talk to you. Please."

Rose shifted uncomfortably, crossing her arms. "I don't think there's anything left to say," she replied, her voice steady but cool.

"There is," he insisted, stepping closer but careful to keep some distance. "About what happened... that night. I—I was out of control. I wasn't myself. And I know that doesn't excuse anything, but..." He hesitated, his voice faltering. "I'm sorry, Rose. Truly. I crossed a line—no, I crossed every line."

Her eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—anger, hurt, and something softer she tried to suppress. "You're right. You crossed every line," she said firmly, though her voice trembled slightly. "I don't even recognize the person you became that night. You were... so scary, Franco."

Her voice broke slightly on the last word, and Franco flinched as though her admission physically struck him. He took a step back, his shoulders sagging, his eyes clouded with regret.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice low and heavy with remorse. "For everything. For scaring you, for hurting you... for becoming someone you couldn't trust." He paused, drawing in a shaky breath before continuing.

"I promise I won't stand in your way anymore," he added, his tone calm but tinged with sorrow. "Because, believe it or not, I really care about you, Rose. I always have... even if I didn't show it last time."

He looked down, his hands curling into fists at his sides, as if anchoring himself against the weight of his own emotions. "You deserve better than what I gave you. Better than me."

Rose felt his words sink in, the sincerity in his voice striking a chord deep within her. For the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself a small, bittersweet smile. It wasn't much, but it was enough to show she understood—perhaps even forgave him, in her own way.

Franco caught the faint curve of her lips, and for a fleeting moment, the heaviness between them seemed to lift. He smiled back, soft and fleeting, before turning and walking away, leaving her standing there with a sense of quiet resolution.

But finding peace wasn't so simple on the track.

Under the dazzling floodlights of Yas Marina Circuit, the stakes had never been higher. Lando led the standings, but Max Verstappen was dangerously close behind. This was Franco's last race for McLaren, and he was determined to leave on a high note, honoring both his talent and the promise he made to Rose.