City of Longing

George picked up the racing suit with a cold expression. "It's a deal."

Hearing that he was really going to race, the group of friends around them panicked and kept trying to talk him out of it.

"George, he's been racing for years. You've never even been on a track. There's no way you can beat him! Don't gamble with your life like this, okay?"

"Yeah, you're married now. There's no need to risk your life for Kimberly! If something happens to you, what about Cora?"

Even so, George would not listen to a word. He even automatically ignored Cora's name when his friends mentioned it. Instead, he looked deeply at Kimberly, who was standing to the side.

"I won't lose. I can give her the thrills she wants too."

Hearing his resounding declaration, Cora's eyes flickered. She unconsciously clenched her hands.

Several friends saw that Cora had arrived and rushed over, asking her to help persuade him. They pushed her toward the prep room.

Looking at the door so close in front of her, Cora's emotions churned. She did not understand racing, but she knew George had no chance of winning.

Racing against a professional driver so rashly, he might not even make it off the track alive.

Although she had already decided to let go, she still could not bring herself to watch him go to his death. So after careful consideration, she raised her hand to push open the door.

The next second, Kimberly walked out from inside. Seeing Cora, her eyes lit up with a meaningful smile. "Did you come to convince George to give up the race? I'd suggest you not waste your effort, because George won't possibly listen to you.

"Do you know how much he loves me? Once, on a whim, I said I wanted to run away with him. He got on a plane with me without any hesitation. After we were caught and brought back, he'd rather endure family punishment than betray me.

"In high school, so many people sent me love letters. He tore up every single one he saw, forcing them to transfer classes or drop out. He even got into a fight with a whole group of people for me and ended up hospitalized while covered in blood.

"To him, you're just a fallback option, a second choice. How could he possibly give me up because of something you say?"

Looking at Kimberly's undisguised gloating expression, Cora felt a sharp pain in her heart.

"He loves you that much, but what about you? Since you've chosen to be with him, why aren't you stopping him when you know he'll definitely lose and might even die?"

Kimberly looked as if she had heard something hilarious. She showed a mocking expression.

"Why would I stop him? Don't you think it's fascinating to watch a man abandon his principles and throw himself into danger for you? Since I've decided to choose him, of course, I want him to prove that he loves me enough to give up his life for me.

"This is the perfect test, isn't it? Of course, it's normal that you don't understand. After all, George would never risk his life like this for you."

Each word hit Cora like a blow, making her chest tighten painfully.

Many words surged to her throat. Her lips parted slightly, but she could not get a single word out.

Watching her expression, Kimberly took her phone and dialed George's number.

"Since you still won't give up, I'll prove it to you one more time. Call him and say you've been in a car accident and you're in the operating room. Let's see if he'll give up this race for you."

The dial tone echoed through the hallway. Soon, the call connected.

"Cora, I'm in a meeting. Whatever it is can wait until I get home."

He did not even give Cora a chance to speak before hanging up.

Looking at the screen going dark, Cora's hand dropped limply to her side. She lowered her head. A resigned smile curved her lips as she said softly, "You won again."