Clara Liam Vanessa NovelAfter my divorce, I became a racing queen

I walked into the law firm still wearing my wedding dress.
After eight years of marriage, Id finally decided to divorce my race-car-driver husband.
The lawyer didnt even look up from his paperwork.
If you want to file for divorce, both parties need to sign the papers. Is your husband not here today?
I forced a dry smile. Hell sign them, I said quietly but firmly.
Liam and I had been legally married for eight yearsyet he had canceled our wedding ceremony fifty-two times.
The first time, one of his young trainees needed gas for her car, so he left me stranded in my gown on the outskirts of town. I walked home, barefoot and bleeding, my feet covered in blisters.
The second time, that same trainee had a stomachache and wanted a certain cake from across the city. Liam drove three hours to get it, while I stayed behind, bowing and apologizing to guests, drinking until my stomach burned.
Every time we were supposed to get married, that girl somehow needed him.
And every single time, he left me to stand alone before the altar.
Shes scared of the dark, Clara. She needs company when she trains.
Youre just a housewifeyou dont get the thrill of the track. Vanessa and I share the same passion. Were soulmates.
Today was the fifty-second time.
And just like every other time, a video of Vanessa arrived right on cue.
In it, she and Liam were tangled together on his prized race carthe one hed never even let me touch. Her blouse was half-open, her fingers in his hair as she pressed his face into her chest, and then she looked straight into the camera with a smirka deliberate, mocking challenge.
I knew them too well.
For eight years, she was the reason every wedding was ruined.
Eight years ago, my family had tricked me home from the tracktold me thered been an accident. By the time I got there, they had locked my car, taken my keys, and forced me to marry my dead sisters fianc in her place.
They handed me a crying infant and a wounded man.
And that was itmy career, my freedom, my dreamgone.
I raised the child. I took care of the man.
Eight years of my life, traded for a home that was never mine.
I even forced myself to love them. All I ever wanted in return was the wedding hed promised.
But to Liam, my devotion was nothing more than manipulation. A trap.
And from that moment on, he despised me.
The wedding that shouldve happened eight years ago still never came.
Now the contract of our marriageeight years longhad finally expired.
My sisters son didnt need me anymore.
It was time to start living for myself.
---
When I got back to the villa, divorce papers in hand, the moment I opened the door, a piece of cake smashed into my face.
A maid hurried forward with a towel.
Dont you dare let her wipe that off!
Then came the sharp crack of an ashtray
it hit my forehead so hard I saw stars.
You filthy woman! Who said you could wear my mothers favorite necklace?
Warm blood slid down my face. The maid froze, trembling.
Noaheight years old, the boy Id raisedstood there glaring at me.
Useless! You cant do anything but cook. Youre not even half as good as Aunt Vanessa!
I stared at him, dazed.
This was the child Id given up everything for.
He took a step back, afraid of something he couldnt name.
You better not touch me! Youll never be my mom! Youre not even fit to be our maid! Aunt Vanessa and Dad belong together. You killed my real momand youll try to hurt Aunt Vanessa next! When I grow up, Ill throw you out!
I let out a soft, broken laugh. No need. Ill go myself.
I reached out, wanting to touch his face one last timebut before I could, a door slammed.
Liams voice cut through the tension.
What the hells going on? Look at this mess! You couldnt clean it up? What if Noah stepped on this glass? Of courseyou dont care, do you? Hes not your real son.
Noah ran into his arms. Dad, she yelled at me! She even tried to hit me!
Liams face darkened. Clara, who gave you the nerve? Do you really think youre the mistress of this house?
I lowered my head, hiding my trembling lips. Im sorry. Ill clean it up.
He looked ready to scold me againbut when he saw my blood-stained wedding gown, he froze.
He rushed forward. What happened to your head? Youre bleedingwhy didnt you take care of it?
For a second, I thought I heard real concern in his voice.
Maybe I was just lightheaded from the blood loss, because I almost believed it.
I opened my mouth to answer, but the world tiltedand I collapsed.
---
When I woke up, Liam was beside me, holding a bowl of porridge.
I didnt mean to leave the ceremony yesterday, he said softly. Something came up at the track. I couldnt get away. The weddings set again for three days from now. I swear I wont leave this time.
I looked away, letting my hair fall between us.