Chapter 1

Before the motorcycle race, my fiancé Lucas stopped me just as I was about to take the starting line.

"Nora, you're giving up your spot today. Lina rides first — you're her backup."

I froze.

This was the most important race of my career.

The one that could cement my place as the world's number one female rider.

And he wanted me to play backup for a rookie.

I refused, flat out.

Lucas frowned.

"Lina needs this win. You've already taken five championships — what's one more going to prove?"

"Nora, if you don't fall in line, you know what happens."

I laughed.

"You're going to fire me?"

Lucas didn't deny it.

And every single team member who had stood beside me through all five of those championships — every one of them stayed silent, accepting the decision without a word.

In that moment, I understood. It wasn't that Lina needed the championship.

It was that they had decided the team no longer needed me.

I unclipped the team badge from my chest and pulled off my engagement ring.

I dropped them both in front of Lucas.

"Fine Then I'm done with the team. And I'm done with you."