Aurélie lifted a brow. “To the FIA Awards?”
I trailed my hands lower, gripping her hips. “No, so I can marry you again.”
She threw her head back, laughing. “You are unhinged.”
“And desperately in love with you.”
She cupped my jaw, kissing me softly, sweetly, reverently. “I know.”
I closed my eyes briefly, savoring the warmth of her, then stood, linking our fingers together as I led her to the door.
Our last night in Formula 1 as a racing couple. Our first night stepping into the future together.
The stage felt different tonight.
It felt… final.
I stood at the center, my hands steady, my breath even, the weight of twenty years pressing against my ribs—but not crushing me, not suffocating me like I half expected.
Because I wasn’t sad.
I wasn’t lost.
I wasready.
The crowd was silent. The entire room—drivers, team principals, engineers, reporters—watched me, waiting for me to speak, to make some grand statement about my career, my legacy.
I let my gaze sweep over them, taking it all in. The men I had fought against, the teams that had built me, broken me, rebuilt me. The sport that hadmademe.
And then I looked at the one who mattered the most.
Auri was sitting at our table, poised and radiant, her golden hair catching in the low, warm lighting of the gala. That damn dress—baby blue, ethereal, like she had stepped out of a dream, a fairytale. Her own trophy sat on the table beside her, glinting in lights.
She held my gaze, soft, knowing, something deep and unreadable swirling in her green-gold eyes.
My wife.
My chest tightened. My lips curved—soft, reverent, private. Just for her.
I took the mic.
“Throughout my tenure in Formula 1, and my racing career as a whole, I’ve built a network of people who’ve supported me. All the way down to the very end. My teammate and best friend, Marco, who I’m fortunate enough to congratulate, came second in the World Driver’s Championship and helped Vanguard Racing win another Constructor’s Championship. Marco, mate, I’m going to miss you next year. The entire team that has made this season, and all the others, a complete success. But this year,someone else came around me to support the change of my life’s trajectory.”
My eyes scanned the room, at the people watching, the entire FIA and the other motorsports in this room. Many of whom I knew, many I didn’t.
“I’ve spent the last twenty years chasing one thing—winning.” I paused, letting the words settle, my voice even, measured. “I was relentless. I was ruthless. I gave everything I had to this sport because I loved it with my entire soul. I still do.”
A murmur rippled through the room. I felt every eye on me, but none of it mattered.
Not compared to her.
I exhaled slowly, eyes locking onto Auri’s. She had no idea what I’d prepared to say tonight.
“But this year, I realized something.”
I let the silence stretch, just for a moment.
This is it.
