Page 112 of Break My Heart

There was never anything you did, little brother, that I wasn’t aware of. I am so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished.

If things went wrong—if somehow I’m not there to say any of this in person—there’s one thing I need you to promise me. Don’t come back. Don’t shrink yourself because you think duty requires it. Don’t let guilt chain you to a life you managed to escape.

I spent years watching how brilliant you are. Don’t regret finding happiness in your freedom. I’m not.

I hope you found your true family. Not one born of blood nor obligation. Family isn’t a hardship, Leo. It’s proof people choose you. Ours was horrid. The life I’ve built with Lila and Alex has shown me family are those who sit on floors beside you when life falls apart. People who love you loudly enough that you finally stop wondering if you’re worth staying for.

Leo, I want that for you. I hope you’ve found love. Real love. The kind I have with Lila. The kind we created with Alex. It’s terrifying but unbreakable. The kind of love I hope you’ve found will see every damaged part of you and stay anyway.

Because I know you, brother. You’ve spent your whole life believing people will kick you aside. I hope someone’s proved you wrong. You deserve that. You always did.

One last thing? Choose your life the way you want to live it. The world won’t end if there’s no Viscount Raleigh.

I love you.

Albie

After placing my brother’s letter aside, I bury my head in my hands and sob.

I’m not crying because of what he wrote. Not entirely. I’m releasing the emotions of the years we lost. For everything I never understood. For a father who caused such a divide that two brothers couldn’t reach out.

Except in death.

I’m not certain how much later it is before Christin finds me out of bed.

I lift my head, and she is standing in the doorway, looking at me like I’m still someone worthy of everything. Suddenly, clarity cuts through the grief and anger of today.

Because my father spent my entire life teaching me that love isn’t worth much.

Christin is the person who makes me realize how precious it is.

41

BLOCKING: LEGALLY PREVENTING A PASS

Two weeks later, I stand beside my father just offstage, the low hum of media chatter bleeding through the walls. There are too many cameras. The room is wall-to-wall with reporters. Unlike most post-race media obligations I’ve witnessed, there’s no team-brand banner stretched behind the long table. Just a long black drape.

I mutter to him, “Why does this feel worse than your press conferences ever were?”

His eyes meet mine. “Likely because there’s twice the coverage here than there was for any of mine. I mean, you’re talking about not only an F1 driver, but a newly minted member of the British peerage.”

I glance toward the monitors, watching the crowd gather. It’s standing room only, and wedged in between is speculation of what Leo’s about to announce. I whisper, “This might actually be better attended than when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping away from active royal duties.”

He snorts. “I’m sure Leo would love to hear your game day analysis.”

I roll my eyes. “Supportive. As always.”

“I’ve always been supportive.”

Despite everything, a small smile tugs at my lips because this bantering with my father is the only normal thing that’s about to happen today.

“You doing all right, Pumpkin?” he asks softly.

“I’m worried for him, Dad,” I admit.

My father studies me for a moment, then nods. “Good. That’s what you should be feeling for the man you love.”

Leo isn’t far from us. He’s talking with Dario on one side and Alistair Heythrop on the other. His suit is black, perfectly tailored, every line of him exuding control. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was calm.