diff --git a/src/pages/api/contact.ts b/src/pages/api/contact.ts
index dd1381a..8fdf1bf 100644
--- a/src/pages/api/contact.ts
+++ b/src/pages/api/contact.ts
@@ -302,26 +302,19 @@ export const POST: APIRoute = async ({ request, clientAddress }) => {
     );
   }
 
-  // Send email
-  try {
-    await sendContactEmail(formData);
-  } catch {
-    logApiRequest({
-      scope: 'api.contact',
-      method: 'POST',
-      path: '/api/contact',
-      status: 500,
-      ip,
-      durationMs: Date.now() - startTime,
+  // Fire-and-forget: send email in background so the user gets an instant response.
+  // Errors are logged/reported but never block the HTTP reply.
+  sendContactEmail(formData).catch(async (err) => {
+    logger.error('api.contact', 'Background email delivery failed', {
+      email: formData.email,
+      subject: formData.subject,
+      error: err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err),
     });
-    return new Response(
-      JSON.stringify({
-        success: false,
-        error: 'Failed to send message. Please try again or email us directly.',
-      }),
-      { status: 500, headers: rateLimitHeaders }
-    );
-  }
+    await captureException(err, {
+      scope: 'api.contact.background',
+      extra: { email: formData.email, subject: formData.subject },
+    });
+  });
 
   logApiRequest({
     scope: 'api.contact',
@@ -334,7 +327,7 @@ export const POST: APIRoute = async ({ request, clientAddress }) => {
   return new Response(
     JSON.stringify({
       success: true,
-      message: "Message sent successfully! We'll get back to you within 24 hours.",
+      message: "Message received! We'll get back to you within 24 hours.",
     }),
     { status: 200, headers: rateLimitHeaders }
   );