Page 4 of Redeeming Melodies

"Keep smiling, darling," she whispered, lips barely moving. "We wouldn't want anyone thinking there's trouble in paradise, would we? Especially not with the custody hearing coming up."

My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack. "You didn't have to bring him here."

"Oh, but I did. The press loves a good family story, and right now, you need all the good press you can get." Her smile never wavered. "Remember what the lawyer said about public image?"

Before I could respond, Tommy tugged at my racing jacket. "Dad, can I come to the garage later? I want to see the car!"

Looking at his hopeful face, I wanted to say yes more than anything. But one glance at Vanessa told me that wasn't happening. "Sorry, buddy. Got some important post-race stuff to do. But hey, you had the best seats in the house for the race, right?"

"Front row center," Vanessa confirmed, her tone suggesting she was doing me a favor. "Though we might have to leave early. Tommy has soccer practice."

Another thing I was missing. Another moment I'd never get back. "Right. Wouldn't want him to miss that."

"Mr. Blue!" A young reporter near the front raised her hand. "Your family has always been a cornerstone of your racing career. How has their support influenced your success today?"

Fuck. I looked at Tommy's beaming face, at Vanessa's warning stare, at the sea of eager reporters waiting to dissect my every word. The truth burned in my throat: that today's win came from driving like I had nothing left to lose, because some days it felt like I didn't. That the roar of the engine was the only thing that drowned out the sound of my life falling apart.

Instead, I pulled Tommy close, feeling Vanessa shift perfectly into frame beside us. "Having these two in my corner?" I forced warmth into my voice. "That's better than any trophy. Tommy's my good luck charm, aren't you, bud?"

"Yeah!" Tommy bounced on his toes. "And Mom says if you won today, maybe I can stay over at your place next weekend!"

The room went dead silent. Vanessa's smile froze, a crack in her perfect mask. My heart thundered in my chest.

"We'll discuss that later, sweetie," Vanessa cut in smoothly. "Daddy needs to focus on his career first."

Something snapped inside me. All the careful lies, all the perfect smiles, all the missed moments with my son - it all crystallized into a single moment of clarity.

"Actually," I heard myself saying, my voice steadier than I felt, "I have an announcement to make."

The reporters surged forward, sensing a story. Even Vanessa paused, something like real fear crossing her face. Tommy broke free of her grip and ran back toward me.

"That was my last race. For a while, at least."

Everyone gasped when the words left my mouth. I watched Vanessa's perfect mask crack completely, showing something that might have been fear underneath.

"Mr. Blue!" Lilah shouldered her way forward. "Are you saying you're retiring?"

"Taking a break," I corrected, feeling lighter with each word. "Some things are worth more than trophies. My son needs me more than the track does right now."

The questions came rapid-fire: "Is this related to your personal situation?" "What about your contract obligations?" "Will you return to racing?"

I answered them all with a calm I didn't know I possessed. Yeah, my team was probably having an aneurysm, and mysponsors would be losing their minds, but watching Tommy's face light up made it worth it.

"You really think I'm worth quitting racing?" Tommy whispered, his eyes huge.

I pulled him closer, not caring about the cameras anymore. "You're worth everything, buddy. Racing's just a job. Being your dad? That's who I really am."

"Elliot." Vanessa's voice cut through the chaos, sharp as broken glass. "A word. Now."

But I just ignored her. "I've loved every minute of racing. The speed, the competition, the incredible support from fans and sponsors alike. But my son? He only gets one childhood. And I'm done missing it."

The room erupted in camera flashes and shouted questions. Through it all, Tommy stayed pressed against my side, his small hand gripping mine like a lifeline. Vanessa stood frozen, her perfect plan shattering in front of the very media she'd tried to use against me.

"Dad?" Tommy's voice came small but steady. "Does this mean we can build that go-kart now? Like you promised?"

"Yeah, champ." I met Vanessa's arctic glare over our son's head. "That's exactly what it means. Time to start keeping my promises."

Sometimes the hardest races weren't the ones you fought on the track. Sometimes they were the ones that forced you to choose between the life you'd built and the life you needed to live.

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