Chapter 3

Having Alan take me to the racetrack wasn't just about witnessing the prowess of this legendary, undefeated racing prodigy. I also wanted to see if, after seven years away, I could still handle the track on my own.

I slipped on the black gloves that had made me famous during the rainy Newbay race and donned the racing suit Alan had prepared for me.

I glanced in the mirror, not too shabby.

As I stepped out of the changing room, Alan and Danna were laughing and chatting with Alan's close friends.

Danna's eyes widened upon seeing me. "Mia, why are you wearing a racing suit?"

Her words drew everyone's attention to me.

"So, you can wear it, but I can't?"

Danna immediately wore a look of pretending to be hurt. "Mia, I didn't mean it that way. I didn't know what upset you..."

Alan stood protectively in front of Danna, frowning as he reprimanded me. "If there's something bothering you, talk to me. Why do you always target Danna?"

Feeling wronged, I responded quickly, "Honey, it's been seven years. This is my first time here meeting your friend, can't you show me some respect?"

Usually, I adopt a nonchalant attitude toward everything, so seeing me act coy caught Alan off guard. "Alright, let's just move past this, Mia. Come here."

I walked over to Alan, conveniently taking Danna's spot. "Let me introduce you all. This is my wife, Mia."

I greeted them, but they acted as if I was invisible.

Danna, who had been upset, now seemed quietly pleased.

Seeing their indifference, Danna quickly sat next to me. "Well, Mia, they're always like this. Don't mind them."

Suddenly, she let out a gasp. "Is this... could it be..."

Her one hand covered her mouth in disbelief while the other gripped my hand, raising it with such force that I couldn't lower it.

Everyone's gaze fell on the black gloves I wore. "Vera's gloves... impossible..."

"Vera retired seven years ago. How could you have her racing gloves?"

"They must be fake. Vera wouldn't be associated with a housewife. She probably hasn't even heard of Vera."

Alan's friends were talking about it, their words filled with skepticism about my possession of Vera's gloves.

Alan frowned at the situation. "Vera was a legendary figure in the racing world. During the Newbay rain race, seventeen-year-old Vera made a name for herself with the fastest lap, using just these gloves.

When she won the championship, she held the gloves to her heart, and Vera's name exploded into fame. But she retired seven years ago. How do you have her gloves?"

I widened my eyes innocently. "Wow, Vera was that impressive... Is it strange that I have her gloves?"

Danna, looking anxious, whispered to me, "Mia, you're not part of this circle. You don't understand how much Vera means to them. Seeing Vera's symbolic gloves on you, a housewife's hands... It's bound to upset them."

Though meant to be a whisper, her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Well? So, you're saying I don't deserve to be associated with Vera?"

Danna's eyes reddened slightly, embarrassed. "Mia, I didn't mean it like that..."

Alan slapped the table, his expression turning cold. "Mia, Danna was kindly reminding you, yet you bullied her. Do you think we're just going to sit by?"

"Exactly, Vera's not someone you can claim to be."

"No wonder Alan never brought her out in seven years. She's an embarrassment. If I were Alan, I wouldn't either."

"Alan, weren't you invited by Vera once? You know her best."

A hint of pride flashed in Alan's eyes. "Vera invited me several times, but I was too occupied to accept. Mia, Vera truly isn't someone you can associate with. These gloves must be fake."

Watching them speak with such righteous conviction, I couldn't help but laugh. "Do you have the guts to bet with me?"

"What to bet on?"

"Bet on whether I'm Vera. If you lose, we divorce, and you leave with nothing."