Our Love Withered Before the Petals Fell

Ridgeway Road was lit up like daylight. Rows of modified race cars lined up side by side.

Tania entered her private lounge and came out shortly after in a new outfit.

The black racing suit hugged her waist and long legs, adding a wild edge to her usual cool beauty. For a brief moment, the area around her fell into stunned silence.

She walked straight toward her silver-gray car. Just as her fingers touched the door handle, footsteps sounded behind her.

"Tania, your car is so cool!"

Noemi walked over arm-in-arm with Simone. Her white dress fluttered softly in the night breeze. "Simone, look! Tania's car is prettier than all the others."

Simone glanced at her. "If you like it, you can learn more about it later."

Tania watched them coldly and opened the car door. Just as she was about to get in, Simone called out, "Wait."

He stepped closer, frowning slightly. "It rained last night. There's water on the curves. Watch your speed."

Having stayed by Tania's side for all these years, he knew her habits better than anyone. Whenever she drove, he was always her navigator.

When she trained, he'd scout the road in advance, memorizing every dangerous turn.

But this time, Simone stayed beside Noemi. He only offered a reminder, with no intention of taking the navigator's seat.

"Thanks for the reminder," Tania replied flatly.

Before putting on her helmet, she glanced at Noemi. "You should watch the person next to you. Don't let her wander around."

Noemi's eyes immediately reddened. She tugged at Simone's sleeve, sounding wronged. "Simone, I didn't mean to bother Tania. I was just curious about racing…"

"Va bene," Simone said, patting the back of her hand. He looked at Tania with a hint of helplessness. "It's her first time. She's just curious."

Then, he looked toward an unused white race car nearby and said to Noemi, "I'll take you for a lap. We'll go slow. It won't be dangerous."

Noemi's eyes lit up. "Really? Simone, you can drive race cars too?"

"I picked up a bit back when I used to train with Ms. Tania."

His tone was casual, but no one knew how much effort he'd put in behind the scenes just to better protect Tania. His driving skills were already on par with professional racers.

Tania watched as he opened the white car's door and carefully helped Noemi into the passenger seat. Something stung lightly in her chest.

A navigator was the racer's other half.

All these years, Simone had been by her side. They worked in perfect sync. Even off the track, when she rested in the seat after training, he'd quietly hand her water and a towel, sometimes even offering a few pointers.

But now, the man who had once been her other half had effortlessly given that important place to someone else.