Page 56 of Captured By Fate

The next morning when I wake up, it’s to an email with the results of the investigation.

It was the socialite herself who leaked the club’s information simply because she wanted to ruin her marriage. I finish reading the email and set my phone down. The club will punish the woman.

I glance over at Kelley, the immense feeling of guilt weighing heavily on my shoulders. I have a lot to make up for, but I’m willing to spend the rest of my life making sure she never feels betrayed by me again.

35

KELLEY

The roar of the motorcycle engines fills the arena. It’s so loud it’s almost deafening. It’s been six months since Jackson rescued me from Benny’s clutches and things have never been better.

The club is absolutely thriving. And the money…well, there’s never been more of it.

Jackson and I just won a million-dollar bet in the underground motorcycle racing club. The adrenaline is still coursing through my veins as I stand here, with Jackson’s helmet in my hand, beside his bike. The roar of the crowd is deafening, but all I can focus on is Jackson's grin as he runs a hand through his sweaty hair.

"Can you believe it, Kelley? We did it!" he shouts over the noise, his eyes sparkling with triumph.

I nod, still trying to process everything. The race was intense, the competition fierce, but we managed to come out on top. Every risky maneuver, every tight corner, every ounce of skill we poured into this race—it all paid off.

I look around the dimly lit arena, the flickering neon lights casting eerie shadows on the walls. The other racers and spectators are still buzzing with excitement, some congratulating us, others muttering in disbelief. I can see a few sour faces in the crowd, the ones who bet against us, but I don't care. We won fair and square.

Jackson wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.

"We need to celebrate," he says, his voice laced with excitement and relief.

I laugh, feeling a weight lift off my chest. This money means everything to us. It means freedom from debts, a chance to start fresh, maybe even open that custom bike shop we've always dreamed about.

We took a huge risk, but it was worth it. The thrill of the race, the taste of victory, the promise of a better future—it's all I ever wanted. And now, standing here with Jackson, I know we can face whatever comes next. Together.

The moment is electric, the air thick with the triumph of our victory. Jackson and I walk towards the makeshift office, the weight of our million-dollar win still sinking in. His arm is draped casually over my shoulders, and I can feel the warmth of his excitement radiating through me. This is the happiest I’ve ever been.

But then, Jackson suddenly stops. I turn to him, puzzled. His face is serious, a stark contrast to the jubilant energy all around us. The crowd is still buzzing, some already celebrating with drinks and cheers.

Jackson takes a step back, his hand slipping from my shoulder. My heart skips a beat as I watch him walk towards the center of the arena, the spotlight inadvertently following him.

"Jackson, what are you doing?" I call out, my voice barely carrying over the noise.

He turns to face me, a smile slowly spreading across his face. The crowd starts to quiet down, sensing something significant is about to happen.

He drops to one knee, and my breath catches in my throat. The arena goes silent, all eyes on us. Jackson reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small, velvet box. My hands fly to my mouth as tears immediately well up in my eyes.

"Kelley," he begins, his voice steady yet full of emotion. "From the moment I met you, my life has been a whirlwind of excitement, passion, and love. Tonight, we achieved something incredible together, and I want to make this night unforgettable for another reason."

He opens the box, revealing the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. The diamond catches the light, sparkling brilliantly. My heart is pounding so hard I can barely hear anything else.

"Kelley, will you marry me?" His eyes lock onto mine, filled with hope and love.

For a moment, everything stands still. The crowd holds its breath, waiting for my response. I can feel the tears streaming down my face, but all I can think about is how much I love this man. How much we’ve been through together. How much I want to spend the rest of my life with him.

"Yes," I whisper at first, then louder. "Yes! Yes, Jackson, I’ll marry you!"

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause. I can barely hear myself think over the noise, but none of that matters. Jackson stands, slipping the ring onto my finger before pulling me into his arms. He kisses me deeply, and I can taste the salt of my tears mixed with his.

We pull apart, both of us laughing and crying at the same time. The crowd surges around us, friends and fellow racers patting us on the back, offering congratulations. It’s a whirlwind of emotions, but in the center of it all is Jackson and me, holding onto each other like we’ll never let go.

As we stand there, surrounded by the people who have become our family, I know this is just the beginning. We’ve conquered so much together, and now we’ll face the future as partners in every sense of the word. The night is ours, the future is ours, and I couldn’t be happier.

Jackson kisses my forehead and whispers, "I love you, Kelley."

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