After I Let Go My Alpha He Knelt in Regret

Chapter 41

I hesitated for a moment, fingers hovering over my phone before I finally typed out a response. "No, I'm just helping a friend with something small,"

The reply came almost immediately, accompanied by a disappointed emoji. "Alright, but if you ever want to return, please let me know, Ever since you left, our racing team's performance has been declining. We haven't won a championship in three years." My breath caught in my throat as I read the message. The Sparco Racing Team-once a powerhouse in the racing world, a team that had gathered the top drivers from around the globe, consistently ranking at the top of every competition-had fallen from grace. I couldn't help but ask, fingers trembling slightly, "What happened?*

The answer came swiftly, and it stung. "After you retired, a new team emerged- Flash Lighter Racing. They offered exorbitant amounts to lure away our drivers and crew. Now, Sparco Racing Team isn't what it used to be. Only a few old friends who truly love the team remain. We all miss

you, Cheryl."

The weight of the words hung heavily in the air, wrapping around my heart like a vice. I had once been at the center of that world, my life intertwined with the roar of engines and the thrill of victory. But that was three years ago, before everything changed.

"I'll think about it," I finally replied, though I wasn't sure if I was saying it for their sake or my own. The truth was, I had no idea what to do. I closed my phone and let out a long, shaky breath, leaning back against the cool leather of my car seat.

The street race earlier had been a rush of adrenaline, a flashback to the days when I was unstoppable. But it was also a harsh reminder of how much time had passed since I'd last raced seriously. The victory I had snatched tonight had been by the thinnest of margins- three years ago

wouldn't have even been a contest.

*Can I really return to that world?* I wondered, staring at the ceiling of my car. The doubts crept in like shadows. If I did return, could I truly meet the expectations of those who still believed in me?

Just then, my phone buzzed again. I expected it to be another message from the racing manager, perhaps a plea to reconsider. But when I glanced at the screen, the name that flashed up made my heart skip a beat.

Lorik.

voice was low and controlled when I answered, but I could sense the underlying tension. "Where

After I Let Go My Alpha, He Knelt in Regret

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did you rush off to earlier?"

hesitated, my thoughts racing. I knew exactly what he was referring to-the moment I had pushed him away and left without explanation. "I had something important to take care of," I replied, my tone more clipped than I intended.

There was a brief pause on the other end, then his voice, tinged with frustration, came through. "You

didn't think I deserved to know what it was?"

I could hear the irritation, the jealousy, simmering beneath the surface. In the past, I would have scrambled to apologize, to make things right. But something had shifted in me. "Lorik, we're just pretending to be a couple," I reminded him, my voice firm. "I don't owe you an explanation."

He

was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice had softened, a note of vulnerability slipping through. "I just wanted to pick you up and bring you home," he admitted, almost as if he

feared I wouldn't return. Then he added, "A letter arrived for you at home. Trust me, you'll want to see this."

His words piqued my curiosity, and despite my earlier frustration, I found myself eager to see what had come. "I'll be there soon," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of the excitement I tried to

suppress.

When I arrived back at the villa, Lorik was waiting for me in the hall, his expression unreadable. As soon as I stepped inside, he stood and handed me a formal, exquisitely crafted envelope, sealed with golden wax bearing an olive branch emblem. I took it, my fingers brushing over the intricate seal. "What is this?" I asked, but I already had an

inkling.

"Open it and see," he said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

I carefully broke the seal and unfolded the letter within. My eyes widened as I read the contents,

"I can't believe this..." I whispered, more to myself than to Lorik.

"What does it say?" he asked, though the knowing glint in his eyes told me he already knew the answer.

After I Let Go My Alpha, He K