Death Race For Love

Chapter 15: Behind the Perfect Life

The photograph stayed on Bill's mind long after he returned home.

As he walked into the Thompson mansion, the silence felt heavier than usual. The laughter he had shared with Maya only an hour earlier seemed like a distant memory.

He climbed the staircase quietly, hoping to avoid another confrontation with his father.

"Bill."

He stopped.

Monica stood at the top of the stairs, a gentle smile on her face.

"I was beginning to worry."

"I'm sorry, Mom."

She studied him for a moment.

"You look... happy."

Bill chuckled.

"Do I?"

"You do."

She linked her arm with his as they walked toward the family lounge.

"I haven't seen that smile in years."

Bill hesitated before answering.

"I met someone."

Monica wasn't surprised.

"I know."

Bill looked at her.

"You know?"

"A mother notices these things."

She smiled warmly.

"Does she make you happy?"

Bill thought of Maya showing him the streets of Todu, laughing at his terrible jokes, and speaking so passionately about becoming a nurse.

"Yes."

"Very happy."

Monica squeezed his hand.

"Then don't lose that feeling."

Before Bill could reply, Gerald's voice echoed through the hallway.

"Monica."

She looked toward her husband.

"We'll talk later," she whispered before walking away.

⸻

The following morning, Bill arrived at the office earlier than usual.

He hoped finishing his work ahead of schedule would keep Gerald from questioning him.

Instead, Gerald entered his office carrying a thick folder.

"I have something for you."

Bill accepted it.

Inside were architectural drawings and financial reports.

"Our new commercial project?" Bill asked.

Gerald nodded.

"You'll be leading it."

Bill looked up in surprise.

"Alone?"

"It's time people stop seeing you as my son and start seeing you as my successor."

For a moment, Bill almost smiled.

Then Gerald continued.

"That means fewer distractions."

Bill already knew where the conversation was heading.

"If you're talking about Maya—"

"I am."

Gerald's expression remained calm.

"I've made inquiries."

Bill frowned.

"You investigated her?"

"I gather information about anyone who gets close to this family."

"She's done nothing wrong."

"That isn't the point."

Bill closed the folder.

"Then what is?"

"The point is that your future cannot be built on emotion."

Bill stood.

"My future should be built on my choices."

Gerald's eyes narrowed.

"Be careful, Bill."

"I've spent my entire life making sacrifices for this family."

"I'm asking you to make one more."

Bill met his father's gaze.

"I'm done sacrificing my happiness."

Without another word, he left the office.

⸻

Meanwhile, Maya was helping Gladys close the bakery for the afternoon.

Mr. Collins smiled as he counted the day's earnings.

"You two have worked hard."

"We had a good teacher," Gladys replied.

Mr. Collins laughed.

"I'll pretend I believe that."

As he disappeared into the office, Gladys turned to Maya.

"So..."

"So?"

"When are you seeing Bill again?"

Maya pretended to rearrange a basket of bread.

"I don't know."

"Liar."

"I'm serious."

"You've been smiling at your phone all day."

Maya pulled the phone from her pocket.

"There isn't even a message."

"Not yet."

Gladys leaned closer.

"But you're hoping there will be."

Maya sighed.

"Maybe."

Before Gladys could tease her again, Maya's phone vibrated.

Her eyes widened.

"It's him."

Gladys clapped excitedly.

"Open it!"

Maya tried to remain calm as she read the message.

Bill: Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow evening? Nothing fancy. Just somewhere quiet where we can talk.

A smile slowly spread across her face.

Gladys didn't need to read the message to know the answer.

"Well?"

Maya looked up.

"I think..."

She couldn't stop smiling.

"...he's asking me on a date."

Gladys squealed so loudly that Mr. Collins poked his head out of the office.

"Should I be worried?"

"No!" Gladys laughed.

"Everything is perfect."

Mr. Collins shook his head, smiling, and disappeared back inside.

Maya stared at the message for another moment before typing a reply.

Maya: I'd love to.

She pressed send.

Almost instantly, another message appeared.

Bill: I'll pick you up at six.

Her heart raced.

This wasn't another coincidence.

This wasn't another chance meeting.

It was the first time either of them had chosen to spend time together.

⸻

That evening, Maya sat on the porch with Thomas, watching the sun disappear beyond the rooftops.

Thomas noticed the thoughtful expression on her face.

"Something on your mind?"

Maya smiled softly.

"Dad..."

"Have you ever been afraid of being happy?"

Thomas looked at her curiously.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Because sometimes..."

She searched for the right words.

"When something feels too good..."

"I'm afraid it won't last."

Thomas rested a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Life doesn't promise tomorrow."

He smiled gently.

"But that's no reason to be afraid of today."

Maya leaned her head against his shoulder.

"I needed to hear that."

⸻

Across town, Gerald stood alone in his study.

Richard Hayes entered carrying a sealed envelope.

"The background report you requested, sir."

Gerald opened it slowly.

His eyes scanned the first page.

Dorcas Carter.

Thomas Carter.

Maya Carter.

Then he reached the final page.

His expression changed.

A faded photograph was attached to an old newspaper clipping from twenty years earlier.

Gerald stared at it in silence.

His hand tightened around the paper.

"No..."

he whispered.

"It can't be."

Outside the study, Monica paused as she heard his voice.

She had never seen her husband look frightened before.

Whatever was inside that envelope...

It had awakened a past Gerald Thompson thought had been buried forever.