Chapter 2

"The race hasn't even started yet, and you're already talking about divorce? A bit early, don't you think?" I shook my head, my tone carrying a hint of disapproval.

But my refusal only made everyone around me think I was prideful.

"Come on. If you really can't do it, don't force it."

"Yeah, losing to a pro isn't shameful! Don't risk embarrassing yourself."

"This race isn't a joke. Everyone here has some sort of honor to their name."

Seeing my reaction, Timothy snorted and showed no mercy. "Skyler, since you're so confident, how about raising the stakes? Swimming in the lake seems too mild."

"Sure. What kind of stakes do you want to set?" I nodded slightly and said calmly, "Whatever you want to play, I'm in."

Timothy laughed, as if he'd just thought of something amusing. "Let's add quacking like a duck to the original stake. It'll be much more entertaining that way."

Reyna looked at me with growing frustration. "Skyler, have you had enough yet? We've been married all these years! I would've known if you were a cycling enthusiast! What's with this sudden show of strength?"

I couldn't help but smirk inwardly.

We'd been married for three years, and aside from the first few months, she never cared about my hobbies. She didn't even know there was a bike in our basement.

She simply didn't care at all, and now she was acting as if it was perfectly natural for her not to know.

"You should just admit defeat now," Reyna said.

Her suggestion wasn't out of concern for me but to save her dignity.

Her company wasn't huge, but it was well-known enough that some of the smaller business owners here recognized her.

I stayed quiet.

Timothy, sensing Reyna's intentions, quickly tried to comfort her. "Don't worry, Reyna. I'll go easy on Skyler. He won't lose too badly."

Upon hearing this, Reyna looked at him with a look of approval. "If only he were even half as considerate as you are, we wouldn't be dealing with all this trouble."

She said that while giving me a pointed glance.

Seeing them standing together so intimately made my heart ache.

"Alright. Since it's settled, shall we get the race started?"

Timothy began his warm-up exercises as he made his way toward the starting line. "Oh, and Skyler, this is for you."

After I finally managed to borrow a bike from one of the athletes, Timothy threw a pair of cycling shoes at my feet.

When I looked up, I met his smug face as he spoke condescendingly. "You didn't bring your own gear, right? I'll lend you these shoes. Our shoe sizes should be the same, right?"

As I glanced at the shoes, a flicker of disdain crossed my face. "Thanks, but no thanks. You keep them."

My look of disdain was plain for everyone to see, which only invited more mockery.

They all assumed I was clueless, not even knowing how essential cycling shoes were.

As their whispers grew louder, I shook my head and turned to Timothy. "No, I'm not wearing them because I don't need all that gear to beat him."

The moment I said that, it only sounded like more bragging.

"Skyler, why do you always have to embarrass me like this…"

"It's okay, Reyna. That's just how amateurs are. After a few days of practice, they start thinking they can take on the world."

Reyna looked at me with complete disappointment. After Timothy offered a few more comforting words, he began to prepare for the race.

With the flag raised by the referee, Timothy and I started the race.

His speed was astounding from the very beginning, and his pedaling cadence was impressively high.

I glanced over at him and sneered.