Chapter 118
Gwyneth’s eyes sparkled at the mention of race cars, and for a moment she wondered if Violet already knew about her secret deal with her mom. A flush of embarrassment crept up her cheeks.
“How about this-today, your dad and I will take you to a real racetrack. You can experience it for yourself. Sound good?”
It was only then that Gwyneth realized Violet was dressed differently than usual. She was wearing a sleek racing suit, and one of the house staff handed Ms. Marchand a stylish helmet.
“Wow, that looks amazing!” Gwyneth couldn’t help but gush, completely taken with the helmet in particular. It looked so cool.
McNeil accepted the helmet from the staff and turned to Violet, his tone tinged with concern. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
He didn’t really approve of Violet heading to the racetrack, especially since she was still recovering from a serious illness. High-speed racing wasn’t exactly gentle on the body.
“It was a stomach illness, not a heart problem,” Violet replied, light but determined. “Besides, it’s been years since I’ve even thought about Formula One. Today’s just a warm-up, a chance to check out the track. And with you there, I know I’ll be fine.”
She smiled, then ruffled Gwyneth’s hair in imitation of McNeil’s usual gesture. “And-didn’t you say you always wanted to see a real race up close? Think of today as my gift to you. You and your dad can watch me take the wheel for real. What do you say?”
The words had barely left Violet’s mouth before Gwyneth leapt into the air, more excited than she’d been about any video game Victoria had ever promised her. She threw her arms around Violet’s neck and planted a flurry of enthusiastic kisses on her cheek.
“Ms. Marchand, you’re the best! You’re amazing!” Gwyneth’s eyes practically sparkled with adoration. To her, Violet wasn’t just cool for being a gamer and a real-life racer-she was also incredibly kind.
Seeing his daughter so happy, McNeil felt some of his anxiety ebb away. Still, he weighed the helmet in his hand and shot Violet a look that was part warning, part worry. “You’re not fully recovered. Maybe this could wait.”
He trusted Kelvin’s medical expertise, but Violet was only human—and she’d been pushing herself hard at Quantum Core Technologies as it was.
“For Gwyn, it’s nothing I can’t handle. And you know how much racing means to me-it’s a part of who I am,” Violet said firmly, her gaze unwavering. She had always been fiercely independent.
Once, she’d been bright and lively, the kind of girl everyone wanted to be around -open-hearted, quick to laugh, beautiful in a way that drew admiring glances from half the school. Even McNeil had fallen for her. But everything changed years ago, when McNeil’s father intervened and pushed him to marry Victoria. The heartbreak had led Violet down a dark path, and she’d struggled with depression ever since.
But before all that, she’d been the tomboy who got along with everyone, bold and magnetic. Now, standing before McNeil in her racing suit, she looked every bit the part-confident and ready for anything.
“McNeil, I’m not Victoria,” she said quietly. “I don’t want to spend my life hidden away, your little songbird in a gilded cage. I want to be a woman who stands beside you as your equal, not someone you need to shelter. I love racing. I studied finance because I wanted your grandfather’s approval, to prove I could be your partner in business as well as in life.”
She paused, her tone softening. “I know I can’t have children, but we have Gwyn now. She’s wonderful, and even if she’s not my flesh and blood, I love her like she’s my own. Not being able to have a baby isn’t the end of the world, McNeil.” Her eyes were gentle, full of hope for what the future could still hold.
“Violet. That’s enough.” McNeil’s voice was suddenly sharp, and his expression frosted over.
She hadn’t realized how far she’d gone until he cut her off, cold and distant.
“Victoria isn’t the person you think she is.” His words hung in the air, final and forbidding.