Chapter 13
Rachel jerked her head up, peering through the car window at the man in the passenger seat-
It was Jaxon Rothschild, the hottest superstar in Formula 1 history and the youngest driver to ever win a championship. He was also her former fiancé.
And the key witness who’d testified against her in court that day.
“Get in.”
Jaxon looked genuinely shocked at how rough she looked. When Rachel didn’t move, he let out a cold laugh. “What? You’re seriously gonna walk home? The Leroix place is in Midtown-that’s like ten miles from here. Look, I get that you’re pissed, but don’t be stupid about it.”
Rachel’s resolve wavered. He wasn’t wrong. This was way out in the suburbs, and she’d probably collapse before making it halfway home on foot.
She wasn’t that spoiled princess anymore-the one who’d throw tantrums without thinking things through. Without another word, she opened the door and slid inside.
All of Manhattan knew the story. The Leroix princess had chased after the Rothschild racing prodigy for years while he couldn’t have cared less. It was all just Rachel’s pathetic one-sided obsession.
Everyone called Rachel Jaxon’s stalker.
For years, Jaxon had kept his distance from women, focused solely on racing. Rachel thought maybe she could eventually break through that ice-cold exterior. But the moment Sophie entered the picture, even the racing world’s most notorious lone wolf was completely smitten.
That day in court, watching Jaxon comfort a trembling Sophie right in front of her, Rachel felt something break inside her
chest.
Every single person had lied for Sophie.
They’d all said the same thing: Sophie was Dan’s daughter, so Rachel owed her this sacrifice.
This was her debt to pay.
But Rachel didn’t owe anyone anything. Dan Covey had chosen to run back into that burning car for his cross necklace. Even as she was losing consciousness, Rachel had begged him not to go back. But Dan wouldn’t listen.
He’d pried her fingers loose and walked toward the car. The explosion was the last thing she remembered before everything
went black.
Jaxon’s gaze drifted over her, taking in her gaunt frame. Something complicated flickered in his expression. “You seem… different. More mature, I guess. Prison must’ve been rough, but maybe it toughened you up.” Thinking of the girl who used to follow him around like a lost puppy, his voice softened slightly. “Now that you’re out, just try to keep your head down, okay? Don’t start drama with Sophie. She’s sweet and innocent-not calculating like you.”
Rachel found it almost laughable. She shot him a cold look. “Oh, prison definitely taught me something. How to spot bullshit from a mile away.”
Jazon’s mouth dropped open. He clearly hadn’t expected that response. For a moment, he was completely speechless.
Chapter 13
The car fell into uncomfortable silence until they pulled up to the Leroix mansion.
Rachel was the first to get out, not bothering to look back. “I’m not getting out to run away from you, by the way. I just can’t sit in there another second without throwing up.”
The moment she stepped into the foyer, she saw Arthur and Joanne sitting on the couch, deep in hushed conversation. They immediately went silent when they spotted her.
Joanne was the first to react, rushing forward with tears already forming in her eyes. “Rachel! Oh honey, you’re finally home!”
Rachel shifted slightly to avoid the embrace, her lips pressed into a thin line. She still couldn’t bring herself to say “Mom.”
Seeing how painfully thin Rachel had become, Joanne’s heart clearly broke. Reading the mood, she gently patted Rachel’s hand and guided her upstairs. “Come on, let’s get you changed.”
Joanne led her toward the guest room, but as they passed Rachel’s old bedroom, Rachel’s steps faltered. She couldn’t help but glance inside-everything had been completely redecorated.
“OWWW!”
A sharp scream cut through the moment. “Shit! I burned myself! My soup-I’ve been working on it all morning!”
“Sophie!”
“Sophie!”
“Sophie!”
Three different voices rang out as all three family members rushed toward the kitchen.
Without a second thought, Joanne dropped Rachel’s hand and hurried downstairs.
Rachel watched the scene unfold, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. Three years, and Sophie had successfully replaced her completely, becoming the real Leroix princess.
Whatever. Rachel had stopped caring about that title a long time ago.
She didn’t spare them another glance and walked away.
