Chapter 39 ~ A riding prince

ATHENA

"I'll be on the other side as I wait for the final parade. It was a pleasure to meet you miss....."

"Dawson." I respond. Unsure if it's a good idea from how Alex is staring daggers at Arnold who looks unbothered.

"Thank you for inviting me over, Alex." The woman speaks right after the creep

walks away.

"You're welcome." He responds in a tone ive never heard him use on me.

My fingers curl into fists in my lap, nails pressing into my palms as the scent of vanilla wraps around me like an unwelcome embrace.

She stops beside Alex, a soft, knowing smile playing on her lips, and I watch their silent exchange.

"Athena." She finally acknowledges with a smile so plastic, a Barbie doll has nothing on her.

"Hello." I respond, keeping my voice neutral in case I'm wrong about her.

She knows my name while I don't, and it unsettles me.

"I heard what happened to you," she says, her voice full of concern, and I almost raise my brow. "I'm sorry about that."

I force a polite smile, even as her words dig under my skin.

"No need to be. I'm now perfectly fine, thanks to my caring husband." I offer her a smile of my own and her eye twitches.

"That's wonderful. Alex is a caring man, indeed." she continues, her brown eyes scanning my face as if expecting me to cower.

Not happening, sister.

"My name is Leah."

Leah.

The name sits heavy in my chest.

I nod stiffly. "Nice to meet you... again."

She lets out a quiet laugh, the sound delicate, reserved, and poised. Then, without hesitation, she takes the seat on Alex's other side, leaning in like it's second nature.

I watch as her hand skim the fabric of his suit sleeve, as if she has every right to touch him. She laughs at nothing he's said, but he tolerates her, which tells me all I need to know.

She's the other woman.

Alex doesn't move away.

He doesn't acknowledge her touch.

But he doesn't push her aside either.

chest

the edge of my seat, pushing

use the bathroom," I

don't wait for

turn and walk away, each step careful,

But inside?

Inside, I am unraveling.

moment I step away, my chest tightens as though a band is wrapped around my

I blink rapidly to keep the burn behind my eyes

I have blanks in my head, so I

marriage is not only a secret, but i

did we

lost in my

catch me before I can

voice rumbles, warm and smooth like melted chocolate. He has a british accent, which is highly noticeable as he

or trying

at him, caught completely

hard, polished, dangerous kind like

brown eyes sparkle with amusement, framed by thick lashes, and his black hair is neatly trimmed, giving him a clean look that somehow makes him seem more like

that makes me pause, black riding boots, slim white riding pants that tuck perfectly into them, and a fitted dark navy blazer

dress shirt inside, open slightly at the collar, and tucked neatly, giving

It's definitely a prince.

he asks, one brow quirked, his hands

stammer, feeling my cheeks burn as I step back quickly like his

if all women here bump into me like that, I might

despite myself, rolling

with women you almost knocked

ones," he says, flashing me a grin that could probably melt

pick up line is

knows that, and

or maybe I'm just desperate for conversation. So I don't cry myself out

shake my head, my lips

"That's pretty lame."

I better work on my lines then." He glances over my shoulder, as if wondering who I

my tone casual. "Just needed some fresh

leans in slightly, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Or maybe a certain

guard again. "Do you always guess

chuckles. "Only when

I can respond, he glances down at his second glove and starts to put it on while

look like you belong in a place like this," he says casually, shoving his hands into his riding gloves,

and

his laugh is

Who is this man?

me, do you

confused. "Ride

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