Chapter 212: We’re A Family.

My mind stalled. "What...?! You lost your sprinter world record?"

"Yes," she admitted, her voice cracking slightly as her shoulders slumped. "It’s gone, Ethan."

"How? Why didn’t you tell me?!" I demanded, a sudden wave of sharp guilt washing over me.

She opened her mouth to reply, but couldn’t bring herself to say anything, looking away in quiet frustration.

It hit me like a kick to the chest—this was entirely on me. If my entire focus and media feeds hadn’t been completely consumed by music production, diner acquisitions, and Ruby’s viral album campaign over the past few weeks, I would have seen the news instantly. I had been so wrapped up in my other ventures that I let my star athlete—and someone I cared deeply about—fall completely off my radar when she needed support the most.

"That’s why the house looks like this," she confessed softly, biting her bottom lip as her tough exterior completely shattered. "I... I had a breakdown after the meet. I sent all the staff home, locked the gates, and just... cried. I couldn’t face anyone."

It was clearly agonising for a proud, elite athlete like May to admit that kind of vulnerability out loud.

Without saying another word, I stepped right up to her, wrapped my arms around her waist, and pulled her into a tight, warm hug.

"I’m so sorry, May," I murmured into her hair, holding her close. "I’m so sorry I wasn’t around when it happened."

May stiffened for a second, trying to maintain her usual tough persona. "Okay... big guy... that’s enough," she mumbled, her hands resting weakly against my chest as if she was going to push me away.

But she didn’t push. Instead, her hands slid up around my back, and she completely melted into the embrace, resting her forehead against my shoulder and soaking in every bit of the comfort and warmth she had been secretly starved of for days.

I looked down at her, holding her firmly by her shoulders as I stared straight into her eyes.

"I’m going to help you get your record back, May. I promise you," I said, my voice dead serious and laced with absolute certainty.

May let out a soft, breathy laugh, her usual fiery spark beginning to flicker back in her eyes. "Easier said than done, big guy. That new time is insane... but I’m not sitting around feeling sorry for myself forever."

She pulled back slightly, wiping a stray tear from her cheek before tossing her towel over her shoulder with a stubborn, resolute tilt of her chin.

"That’s why I sent everyone away and got on this treadmill," she continued, her breathing steadying as her athletic pride took back over. "I had my cry. Now I train. I can’t stand down, Ethan, and I am never giving up. That title belongs to me."

Listening to her speak, a massive wave of relief washed over me. Her raw grit and unyielding champion mindset were still completely intact—she hadn’t broken; she was just bloodied and fighting back in silence. Her talent rating had dropped from the sheer weight of isolation and fatigue, but the core of who she was had never left.

"That’s the May I know," I said, a confident smirk spreading across my face as I clapped her on the shoulder. "And with the right investment, the right training regimen, and Zenith fully backing your comeback, we aren’t just going to break that record—we’re going to shatter it so high no one will ever touch it again."

She smirked back, dusting her hands off. "Alright, boss. What’s the master plan?"

"First things first," I told her, pulling out my phone. "I’m going to make a few calls tonight. We’re locking down the absolute highest-tier elite facilities, biomechanics labs, and specialized sprint trainers available. We are going to refine every single millisecond of your stride and make you faster than you’ve ever been."

"Ethan, wait—" May caught my wrist as I turned to head for the door. Her eyes softened with a rare, quiet vulnerability. "Don’t tell the girls... please. I don’t want a pity party from everyone."

"Why would we give you a pity party?" a voice chimed in from the doorway.

We both snapped our heads toward the entrance. Ruby was leaning against the doorframe, crossing her arms. She had clearly come down to check on us—partly out of her little possessive streak when she noticed how long I’d been hugging May in the gym, but as soon as she overheard the truth, her playful pout completely evaporated.

"May... why didn’t you tell us?" Ruby asked softly, her eyes brimming with genuine sadness and care.

Behind her, Chloe and Patricia stepped into the doorway, having followed the conversation down the hall. In an instant, the exact atmosphere May dreaded washed over the room—three pairs of eyes filled with overwhelming sympathy and concern.

May sighed, her shoulders tensing up as she looked away awkwardly. "See? This is exactly what I didn’t want..."

Before she could retreat back into her defensive shell, I stepped between them, putting a arm around May while looking directly at the girls.

"Hold on, May," I said gently, my voice calm but firm. "Look at them. This isn’t a pity party, and nobody here looks down on you. We’re a family. When one of us takes a hit, everybody feels it. Them getting worried and stepping up isn’t pity—it’s proof that we care about you and we’ve got your back no matter what."

Ruby walked straight up to May and wrapped her arms around her in a tight, unreserved hug. "He’s right. You’re our absolute superstar, May. We’re going to help you crush that record, okay?"

Patricia gave her a warm, supportive nod, and Chloe smiled, crossing her arms. "And starting tomorrow, the whole team is getting this estate back in order so you can focus 100% on training."

May looked at all of us, her lips twitching as the last of her tension melted away into a genuine, touched smile. "Alright, fine... thanks, guys."