Chapter 2

Even though Taryn had her heart shattered, her performance on the racetrack didn't drop at all. If anything, she drove more fiercely than ever before. In the rearview mirror, she spotted the No. 27 race car. It was Bernice. After just a few laps, Taryn got a rough read on her. Bernice was a rookie who wasn't very skilled. Normally, someone like that would be eliminated in the first round. Redline Motorsports wasn't a place that accepted just anyone. If Bernice hadn't used her connections, there was no way she would have been accepted. Taryn let out a disdainful laugh and pressed the accelerator harder. A sharp turn lay ahead. Most rookies would never attempt to overtake there. Just then, she saw the shadow of another car closing in fast. Her eyes darkened, and through the side window, she caught Bernice's challenging gaze. In that instant, Taryn understood what Bernice was trying to do. So, a rookie wanted to beat her? What a joke. Taryn floored the accelerator and turned the steering wheel. The car slid through the turn at an extreme angle. Behind her, Bernice clenched her teeth and copied the move. If Taryn could do it, she could too. In the grandstand, Zane sprang to his feet the moment he realized what Bernice was attempting. His eyes widened, and his body stiffened. Then, with a loud crash, Bernice's car flipped. She didn't have Taryn's skills. She had forced the turn, and the car rolled onto its side. Just seconds ago, Zane had been sitting in the grandstand. In the blink of an eye, he jumped off the six-foot-five platform. His eyes were red as he sprinted toward Bernice's overturned car, brushing past Taryn's car as it sped by. Without any accidents or surprises, Taryn crossed the finish line and once again took first place. This time, though, no one cared. The No. 27 race car lay overturned, and all the medical staff rushed toward the wreckage. Zane had completely lost control. His hands gripped the deformed car door, and he looked worried and panicked. Taryn had never seen him like this before. His hoarse shouts carried all the way to the outer edge of the racetrack. He yelled, "Bernice, don't fall asleep! You can't sleep! I haven't confessed to you yet. I like you!" Taryn's expression stiffened. She felt as if needles were stabbing straight into her heart. It was so suffocating that it felt like an invisible hand had wrapped around her throat. The person she secretly loved, her fiance, was in love with someone else. Her nose burned, and her eyes stung. The first time Taryn had met Zane was at a party. She didn't want to stay at that kind of social event, so she climbed out through a window. After jumping from the second floor, she landed straight into his arms. Their eyes had met, and in that instant, she had heard her heart pounding wildly. Immediately, she knew she was done for. She had lived her life wild and free, never having liked or loved anyone before. As a woman overflowing with feelings but lacking experience, she could only stumble forward clumsily. The only way she could think to get his attention was to confront him head-on. Everyone said Taryn and Zane were sworn enemies, but no one knew how much love she hid in her eyes every time she looked at him. The ambulance siren snapped Taryn back to reality. Bernice had been pulled from the wreckage, covered in blood, and was now cradled in Zane's arms. The scene felt painfully familiar. Once, Zane had held Taryn like that too. Not long after they had first crossed the line with each other, someone had tampered with her car during a race, causing it to catch fire halfway through. He had run straight into the flames and dragged her out without caring about his own safety. She hadn't been hurt at all, but he had burned his arm. Even now, the scar remained. She remembered his heartbeat and his warmth back then. But now, he was holding someone else. Taryn couldn't watch anymore and turned to leave, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes. She wasn't that pathetic. If Zane didn't like her, she wouldn't chase him. After all, she was the youngest champion racer. She was beautiful, skilled, and could have any man she wanted. Just as Taryn was about to step away, someone grabbed her wrist. Zane said urgently, "Bernice has Rh-negative blood. Your blood type matches hers. Just in case, come to the hospital with me." Taryn turned her head and stared at Zane. She snapped, "Why should I? Why should I save a woman who went after my fiance? Didn't you once say you would never let me bleed for anything?" Zane frowned as a flash of guilt passed through his eyes. Those words had only been sweet talk murmured in heated moments. He hadn't expected her to take them seriously. Feeling awkward, he said in a slightly pleading tone, "Taryn, don't be so harsh. Bernice isn't a mistress. Just tell me your terms. What will it take for you to donate blood?"