The Rose That Survived the Racing Fire

My name is Shirley Lawrence. On my eighteenth birthday, the sky was gloomy and gray.
I wore the white dress my mother had sewn for me before she passed away, standing in front of the old wooden house, waiting for my father to come home.
Dad said he had a surprise for me to celebrate my coming of age.
I waited from morning until noon, then from noon until evening, and finally saw Dad stumble and rush back, followed by several fierce-looking men.
Dad's face was full of panic. He grabbed my hand, his voice trembling, "Shirley, I am sorry. You just... just go with them."
I was stunned, not understanding what Dad meant.
The leader of those men had sideburns and eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
He scanned me up and down, a cold smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth: "So this is the collateral you mentioned? Not bad looking — should fetch some money."
Collateral?
My heart jolted as I snapped a glance at my father.
Father couldn't meet my eyes, keeping his head bowed, his voice growing softer: "Shirley, I owe them a lot of money. I really have no other choice..."
I felt as though all the blood in my body had frozen, a deafening buzz ringing in my ears.
I gripped my father's arm tightly, shaking him hard: "Dad, you can't do this to me! I'm your daughter!"
Dad shook my hand off, stepped back, avoiding my gaze.
The man with sideburns stepped forward and grabbed my wrist; his grip was so tight it hurt.
"Don't waste your strength. Come with us—you might suffer less."
I struggled desperately, crying out my father's name, but he just stood with his back to me, his shoulders trembling slightly, never turning around.
They shoved me into a black van, the door slammed shut with a bang, cutting me off from the home I had known for eighteen years.
The car had been driving for a long time before finally stopping in front of a remote, abandoned factory.
The place was brightly illuminated, filled with the harsh roar of engines, men's shouts, and whistles all around.
They led me up to a high platform. Below, a dense crowd gathered around a race track ringed with tires.
A man with sideburns grabbed a microphone and shouted down to the crowd:
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we bring you a special 'bet.' This young lady—whoever wins the race tonight takes her!"
The audience instantly erupted; the men's eyes locked onto me like wolves, making my skin crawl.
I curled up in the corner, tears streaming down, my heart drowning in despair.
At that moment, a man dressed in a black race suit strode forward.
He was tall, standing straight and proud, his face concealed by a black mask that revealed only a pair of intense, deep-set eyes.
He approached the man with sideburns and said in a low voice, "I'm entering the race. If I win, she belongs to me."
The man with sideburns appraised him from head to toe and laughed, "Calvin Deer, are you sure you want to wager? This race isn't so easy to win."
Calvin Deer said nothing, only nodding his head.
The race began swiftly; Calvin Deer climbed into a red race car that shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
Dust swirled across the race track, and the roar of the race cars was deafening.
I stood on the high platform, clutching my clothes tightly, eyes fixed unwaveringly on the red race car speeding down the track, silently praying for him to win.
The race was intense; several times, Calvin Deer's car nearly collided with others, making my heart race with fear.
In the final lap, Calvin Deer's race car suddenly surged forward, overtaking every car ahead and crossing the finish line first.
A roar of cheers erupted from the crowd; the man with sideburns looked grim, but he still handed me over to Calvin Deer as promised.
Calvin Deer approached me, his eyes dazed, seemingly still catching his breath after the intense race.
He said nothing, merely reaching out to hold me tightly.
His embrace was warm, instantly soothing my tense body, and tears slipped down my cheeks once again.
After a long moment, he finally released me, his voice hoarse: "Don't be afraid. From now on, I will protect you. I will give you freedom."

From that day forward, I followed Calvin Deer.
We had no fixed home and wandered aimlessly.
Sometimes we stayed in cheap motels; other times, we slept inside his race car.
Our life was difficult, often going from one meager meal to the next.
Calvin Deer took odd jobs, using most of his earnings to buy food for me, while he often survived on a single steamed bun.
I watched his face grow thinner by the day, feeling a deep ache in my heart.
Once, I said to him, "Calvin Deer, let's not do this anymore. I can work; we can earn money together."
Calvin Deer gently touched my head and smiled, saying, "No need. You just need to stay by my side. I'll make sure you live a good life."
Not long after, Calvin Deer went to try out for a racing team.
With his outstanding driving skills, he successfully joined the racing team.
From then on, Calvin Deer began participating in various races.
He was incredibly talented, and with hard work and training, he quickly made a name for himself in the racing world.
In just half a year, he won numerous championships and became a star driver in the racing world.
After every race, he would hold my hand tightly in front of the cameras and say to everyone:
"This is my girlfriend, Shirley Lawrence. Without her, I wouldn't be who I am today."
At that moment, I felt that all the hardships had been worth it.
One year later, I married Calvin Deer.
The wedding was grand, with many celebrities from the racing world invited.
Calvin stood at the church door in a sharp suit, waiting for me to walk step by step toward him.
When the priest asked if he was willing to marry me — to love and care for me forever, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth — he firmly said, "I do."
I looked into his eyes, filled with deep affection, and smiled as I said, "I do."
Life after marriage was blissful; Calvin Deer still loved me deeply.
Though he was often away because of the races, he called me every day to update me on his situation.
Once, Calvin Deer was heading to another city for an important race, so I bought a ticket in advance, hoping to visit him and surprise him.
I didn't tell Calvin Deer and went straight to the racetrack.
The racetrack was bustling, with staff members busy all around.
I saw Calvin Deer's race car parked not far away, so I walked over.
But as I approached the race car, I saw a stranger—a girl sitting in the co-driver's seat, dressed in the racing suit Calvin Deer had custom-made for me. She held a bottle of water and smiled directly at Calvin.
The girl was stunningly beautiful, with pale skin, large eyes, and two small dimples that appeared when she smiled.
Calvin stood beside the race car, his head lowered, speaking to her about something, a smile still playing on his lips.
At that moment, I felt the blood rush to my head, and my heart tore with a pain like stabbing knives.
I hurried over, yanked open the co-driver's door, and shouted at the girl,
"Who are you? Who told you to wear this outfit? Get out of the car at once!"
The girl was startled by my shout. She looked up at me, her eyes full of innocence. "Who are you?"
"What's wrong with me wearing this? Calvin Deer told me to wear it."
"Calvin Deer told you to wear this?" I turned toward Calvin Deer, my voice trembling.
"Calvin, is what she says true? This outfit was specially made for me. How could you let her wear it?"
Calvin Deer frowned, stepped forward, shielded the girl behind him, and looked at me. "Shirley, why are you here?" he asked.
"Listen to me. Jessica is just my assistant. It was hot today, so I asked her to help test the breathability of the racing outfit. Don't misunderstand."
Jessica? So that's her name.
I sneered coldly, "Does testing breathability require wearing my racing outfit? Calvin, do you take me for a fool?"
Jessica hid behind Calvin and whispered, "Shirley, you really misunderstood. Calvin and I just have a normal superior-subordinate relationship. I have no other intentions."
"Just a normal superior-subordinate relationship?" I looked at Jessica. "Does a normal superior-subordinate relationship require you to wear the racing outfit he specially tailored for me and sit in the co-driver seat of his race car?"
Calvin's face darkened. "Shirley, don't go too far! Jessica is very innocent; don't think of her as that kind of person."
"Innocent?" I couldn't believe my ears. "Calvin, you actually say she's innocent? Then what exactly am I to you?"
Calvin looked at me; the tenderness in his eyes was gone, replaced by a trace of impatience.
"Shirley Lawrence, I'm very busy right now preparing for the race. If you have nothing else to do, just go back first and don't make a scene here."
Make a scene?
Looking at this man before me—so familiar, yet so strange—my heart completely turned cold.
I turned and ran away, tears streaming endlessly down my face.

I returned to our home, once filled with laughter and joy, now feeling unbearably cold and empty.
I stepped into the garage and saw the race car Calvin Deer had used when he proposed to me.
This race car holds too many memories; he once told me, from inside it, that he would give me a home and love me forever.
But now, right before my eyes, he's defending another woman.
The anger and disappointment inside me swelled uncontrollably. I grabbed the lighter from the kitchen and walked toward the race car.
I stared at the race car, tears falling onto its surface.
"Calvin Deer, didn't you say you loved me? Didn't you say you would be with me forever? You lied to me—you've only lied to me!"
I flicked the lighter on and threw it toward the race car.
Flames erupted instantly, quickly engulfing the entire race car.
I stood beside the burning car, watching the fierce flames, feeling no regret—only an endless, freezing emptiness inside.
When Calvin Deer returned, the race car had already been reduced to a smoldering pile of scrap.
Seeing the scene before him, his face went pale. He rushed over, grabbed my shoulders, and shook me violently:
"Shirley Lawrence, are you out of your mind? Why did you burn it? That was our memory!"
I looked at him, my face expressionless: "Memory? Calvin, there are no memories left between us. Let's get a divorce."
I said I wanted a divorce, but Calvin wouldn't agree.
He knelt before me, apologizing endlessly, saying he had been momentarily blinded and begging for one more chance.
I looked at him, my heart utterly unmoved.
"Calvin Deer, it's too late. I no longer trust you."
But Calvin Deer refused to give up; every day he stayed at home with me, caring for me, trying to atone for his mistakes.
He said he had already let Jessica go and would never contact her again.
On the surface, I said nothing, but deep down, I could never forgive him.
A few days later, I noticed an unfamiliar perfume scent on Calvin Deer.
The perfume was sharp and pungent, definitely not the brand I wear.
I asked him what was going on, and he said it might have accidentally gotten on at the racetrack.
I didn't press further, but my suspicion grew deeper and deeper.
A few days later, I got into Calvin Deer's car and noticed a cute rabbit ornament on the co-driver's seat.
The ornament was very delicate—obviously something a girl would like.
Holding the ornament, I asked Calvin Deer, "Who put this here?"
Calvin Deer's eyes flickered for a moment before he said, "I don't know—maybe some staff member accidentally left it in the car."
"Accidentally left it in the car?" I sneered coldly, "Calvin Deer, do you really think I would still believe you?"
"This ornament looks brand new; how could it possibly have been accidentally left behind by a staff member? Could it belong to Jessica?"
Calvin Deer's expression shifted; he looked away and said,
"Shirley, stop being so suspicious. I told you, I have no contact with Jessica anymore."
"No contact?" I looked at him. "Then how do you explain the scent of perfume on you?"
"And how do you explain this ornament? Calvin Deer, can you be honest for once?"
Calvin's mood suddenly became agitated. "Shirley, what exactly do you want?"
"I've already apologized, and I've already ended things with Jessica. Why do you still refuse to believe me? Can't you give me some space?"
"Space?" I looked at him, "Calvin, haven't I given you enough space? You're the one who doesn't know how to appreciate it!"
We argued, and it was intense.
Calvin said I was unreasonable, accusing me of always holding onto the past.
I looked at him, completely disappointed.
At that moment, Calvin's mobile phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, and his expression immediately grew tense.
He held the mobile phone and stepped onto the balcony to answer the call.
I faintly heard him say on the phone, "Don't worry, I'm coming right away."
After hanging up, Calvin Deer came up to me and said, "Shirley, I have an urgent matter and need to go out for a while."
"An urgent matter?" I looked at him and asked, "Is Jessica the one calling you?"
Calvin didn't deny it; he replied, "Jessica is sick and alone at home with no one to care for her. I'm going to check on her and will be back soon."
"Calvin!" I raised my voice. "Have you forgotten what you said before?"
"You said you no longer have any contact with her, and now you're going to see her?"
Calvin Deer frowned, "Shirley Lawrence, Jessica is just sick. I'm going to check on her as a friend. Can you please not be so petty?"
"A friend?" I looked at him, "Calvin, if you consider her a friend, then what am I to you? What do I mean in your heart?"

Calvin didn't answer. He grabbed his coat and turned to leave.
With a slam, the door shut behind him.
I stood frozen, staring at the empty room, tears finally spilling down my cheeks uncontrollably.
I realized then, between Calvin and me, it was truly over.
I will never believe anything he says again. I've decided—I must divorce him.
After Calvin Deer went to find Jessica, he never came back.
I called him, but he didn't answer.
I sent him messages, but he didn't reply either.
I lost track of him.
I went to his racing team to look for him, but the staff said he hadn't shown up for work in several days.
I asked if they knew where Calvin Deer was, but they all shook their heads and said they weren't sure.
A teammate who was close to Calvin finally whispered to me after I kept pressing:
"Shirley, actually... Calvin went traveling with Jessica. Before they left, Calvin told us he needed to clear his head with Jessica."
Going on a trip?
When I heard the news, I felt my entire body trembling.
He actually quit his job for Jessica and even went on a trip with her.
The last shred of hope in my heart was completely shattered.
I returned home and looked at the house once filled with our memories; now, it made me feel utterly sick.
I decided to sell the house and leave this place that breaks my heart.
I contacted an agent and put the house up for sale.
Soon, someone showed interest in the house; we agreed on the price and signed the contract.
I started packing my luggage, gathering all my belongings.
While tidying the drawer, I found a prenatal examination report.
That prenatal report was buried deep inside the drawer; I had completely forgotten it.
I picked up the prenatal report, and the date on it shockingly matched the day I found Calvin Deer with Jessica.
Staring at the prenatal report, tears spilled down my face uncontrollably.
I am pregnant—with Calvin Deer's child.
But now, Calvin Deer is off traveling with another woman, completely unaware of our child's existence.
I touched my belly, my heart overwhelmed with despair and helplessness.
This child has truly come at the worst possible time.
I have already decided to divorce Calvin Deer; but what am I supposed to do about this child?
I sat on the floor, crying for a long, long time.
At last, I wiped away my tears and tucked the prenatal examination report into my pocket.
No matter what, I have to divorce Calvin Deer first, then decide what future this child will have.
I rented a new apartment. It's small, but quiet.
I moved my belongings in and began a new life.
I had just finished tidying up the new apartment when Calvin Deer's call came through.
I hesitated for a moment but answered anyway.
On the other end, Calvin's voice was filled with anger: "Shirley Lawrence, what exactly are you trying to do? Why did you sell our house? Who gave you the right to sell it?"
I replied calmly, "The house is our joint property; I have the right to sell it."
"Besides, we're getting a divorce—keeping the house serves no purpose."
"Divorce?" Calvin's voice grew louder. "Shirley, when did I ever agree to divorce you? Don't think you can do these things behind my back!"
"Calvin, divorce doesn't require both parties' consent. Once one party initiates, the court will rule according to the situation." I said coldly.
"There's no love left between us. Dragging it out benefits no one."
"No love?" Calvin sneered, "Shirley, don't forget who saved you back then. Who gave you a better life?"
"Now that you've grown wings, you want to abandon me?"
"I never intended to abandon you; you betrayed me first." My voice trembled slightly.
"Calvin, when you traveled with Jessica, did you ever think about me? Did you ever think about us?"
Calvin Deer fell silent for a moment, then said, "Jessica and I are just ordinary friends. I took her traveling only to help her unwind; don't read too much into it."
"Ordinary friends?" I stared out the window, my heart freezing cold. "Calvin, how long do you think you can keep lying to me? Do you still believe I'll trust you?"
"Shirley Lawrence, you..."
I interrupted him, "Enough. I don't want to argue about this anymore."
"I've already sold the house. I'll give you half the money. Let's not have any contact from now on."
After saying that, I hung up the phone.
After hanging up, I felt a little lighter.
But before I could even catch my breath, the doorbell rang.

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