Save Myself from Desperation

Miranda noticed something off about Ashley and quickly asked, “What's wrong, Ashley?”

Ashley stared at the driver in black and confirmed again, “You're saying the guy in the black clothes is Bradley?” Miranda nodded, puzzled, “Yeah, why? What's up?”

Ashley smiled bitterly, thinking. ‘Bradley? Heh, he even takes a fake name. That’s obviously Ryan!”

“Did he tell you his name was Bradley?” Ashley hesitated and asked Miranda,

“Yes, he said his name was Bradley, Ashley, why do you ask this? Could it be...” Miranda asked in surprise. “That's not his real name?”

That's not his real name.” “What?” Miranda was astonished, pausing for a moment before murmuring. “He gave me a fake name... Then what is his name? Do you know him?

Ashley remained expressionless and calmly said, “His real name is Ryan, and he is from the Ramos family. Before | cut ties with them, he was my brother.

“What? A member of the Ramos family?’ Miranda’s eyes widened in shock as if she had heard an unbelievable joke, and it even felt hard to breathe.

She didn’t know Ryan, didn’t understand him, but hearing that he was one of the Ramos made her guess that Ryan must have been abusing Ashley like Frankie and Jeremy, mistreating her, far from a decent family member.

Yet, during their recent interactions, she always thought Bradley was at good person, even developing a liking for him. Despite not understanding racing, she had even traveled abroad to watch his competition.

But now, the truth was that Bradley was Ashley’s despicable brother.

After a long moment, Miranda snapped out of her daze, suddenly standing up. “Ashley, the race doesn’t start for another hour. | want to go find Bradley and ask him about this. Will you come with me?”

11:07

“Alright.”

Ashley stood up and went with Miranda to the driver’s rest area. Typically, spectators weren't allowed near the driver’s rest area.

But last night, Bradley told Miranda that he had arranged with the staff for her to visit the lounge any time before the game started.

Last night, Miranda had even felt a sweet sense of being specially treated because of his actions.

Upon seeing Miranda approaching, Bradley was surprised.

However, the next second, his expression turned sour as he saw Ashley beside Miranda, his brows furrowing into a scowl. Witnessing such a stark change in Bradley’s expression, Miranda instantly realized that everything Ashley had said was true. Ryan had been using the alias “Bradley” to deceive her.

The Bradley she thought was a good guy was actually Ashley’s despicable brother.

Miranda suddenly lost the will to ask. Her spirits dampened as she lowered her eyes. “Ashley, let’s go back.”

Ashley couldn't bear to see her so dejected. “Miranda, if you...”

Just then, Bradley, or Ryan, ran over in a panic, calling out, “Miranda!”

As he reached them, Ryan glared at Ashley. “Ashley, did you say something? | warn you...”

“Shut up!” Miranda suddenly cut him off sharply, her hands clenched. The emotions she had been suppressing burst out, her eyes reddening. but she stood firmly before Ashley.

“Miranda...” Ryan opened his mouth, his voice barely audible.

Ashley was taken aback. She hadn't expected Miranda to defend her. A wave of tenderness washed over her heart, and she patted Miranda's shoulder.

“lll wait over there,” she said.

Ashley could tell Miranda had something to say to Ryan.. 2/6

11:07

“Okay.” Miranda nodded.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

Ashley didn’t go far, standing a short distance away.

Over here, Miranda looked at Ryan and suddenly realized. “Yesterday at the airport, right after | told you that Ashley was coming to pick me up, you suddenly said you had to leave because of some issue with your team. But there was no issue, right? You were just trying to avoid Ashley, right?”

Ryan didn’t deny it. “Yes.”

He hadn’t known Ashley would be coming to the car race, so he had invited Miranda.

But when he learned that Ashley would come, he had a feeling his secret of being Ryan would come out in front of Miranda. He just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Miranda closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering. “Why did you tell me your name was Bradley? Why didn’t you tell me your real name?”

I...” Ryan glanced at Ashley and spoke regretfully. “I knew you were friends with Ashley, so | didn’t reveal my real name at first because | was worried...”

“Worried that if | knew you were from the Ramos family, Ashley’s former brother, | wouldn’t give you the time of day, right?” Miranda cut him off.

“Miranda...” Ryan took a step forward, trying to explain. But Miranda stepped back. “Since you know it, let’s not see each other anymore.” Ryan’s brow furrowed. “We've gotten along so well these past days. Why let Ashley affect our relationship?”

Thinking back on their recent interactions, Miranda lowered her eyes, tears welling up. “The person | enjoyed being with was Bradley, not Ryan.”

In front of Ashley and the Ramos family, she would unconditionally choose Ashley.

Let the Bradley she thought she knew to stay in the past forever.

After saying this, Miranda turned and walked away.

11:07

Ryan, however, suddenly grasped her wrist, shouting, “Miranda, don’t you really remember me?”

Miranda paused and looked at him. “What do you mean by remember you?”

Ryan stared at her, his eyes bloodshot with a vivid red. “Two years ago, the hospital, Christmas Eve.” Back then, he had injured his right leg and the doctors had declared he would be disabled for a lifetime. This meant he could never return to the racetrack. How could he possibly be a race car driver as a cripple? From the moment the doctors said he couldn't be cured, he felt his life. had collapsed, and he became lost. On that cold Christmas Eve night, Ryan dragged his injured right leg down to the hospital garden and sat on a bench. Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, but he felt no cold.

Agroup of naughty kids passed by, throwing branches and clumps of dirt at him, mocking him as a cripple. Ryan didn’t even try to dodge, letting those kids circle around him and laugh at him.

Somehow, a girl with a sweet smile appeared out of nowhere, helping him fend off the naughty kids and handing him a bright red apple.

When Ryan looked up, he saw the girl smiling with two charming dimples.

She sat down to chat with him.

On a snowy night, under the warm glow of a street lamp, in his darkest. and most desperate moment... The girl with the sweet smile who gave him the red apple stayed with him for two cold hours.

She only left after making sure those kids wouldn’t come back.

Miranda was utterly astonished as Ryan recounted this memory. She couldn’t believe that the Ryan before her was the same little cripple bullied by those kids.

4/6

11:07

“Your leg...is cured?” she asked. Ryan’s voice was hoarse. “Yes.”

The Ramos family found a top-notch, internationally renowned doctor who only operated on national figures and refused to treat Ryan.

Somehow, the doctor had changed his mind and agreed to treat Ryan. His right leg finally healed, and he returned to the racetrack he had longed for.

At the same time, he began searching everywhere for Miranda, wanting to thank her for bringing warmth into his darkest, most despairing

moments. Ryan was thrilled when he saw Miranda had become a celebrity. However, Miranda became good friends with Ashley.

He hesitated for a long time, worried that Miranda wouldn't accept his identity as a member of the Ramos family, and he never dared to approach her.

It wasn’t until the charity dinner back then, when he encountered. Miranda in a near car accident, that he began to interact with her under the alias of Bradley.

After hearing all this, Miranda finally understood. It made sense now. why Ryan had left his number at the charity dinner, insisting she call him if needed, even though the accident wasn’t his fault.

“I've been looking for you for two whole years, Miranda.”

Ryan gripped Miranda’s wrist, his eyes reddening. “Can we...not let Ashley affect our relationship?” Ashley stood at a distance, waiting patiently.

Not long after, Miranda returned.

“Ashley...”

Miranda’s eyes were welled up with tears. Her eyelashes trembled as she looked at Ashley.