Dear Ex Wife Please take me back by The Every Woman

Chapter 41 ~ Fun and a mess

ATHENA

"This is crazy. But fun." I giggle as the handsome stranger whose name I've learned is Zayan pulls on the reins, and the horse moves forward.

The sun is warm against my skin as the horse moves, my heart slows down and starts to beat normally, although I'm still very excited.

I feel... free.

For the first time in weeks, I feel something other than fear and awareness.

Alex sets my soul on fire, but I'm afraid of messing up around him. It feels like I constantly have to be perfect for him, and it's not who I am.

I'm messy, and I love being free. Even with a missing memory, I can tell my marriage is not one that was based on love.

"Not so bad, right?" Zayan whispers in my ear, pulling me back to reality.

"If we didn't have so many eyes on us. It would have been perfect." I taunt.

"I'll organize a private ride with you on our next date then." He teases, and I hold back a laugh knowing cameras are flashing.

That next date will only happen in his dreams, but I don't tell him that, knowing Alex would kill us before he lets me go on a date.

Speaking of which,

Is Alex watching me?

Does he care that I'm with another man?

I highly doubt that. I bet he's soaked in Leah's scent, and nothing else matters to him.

I glance around at the other riders, all moving in a perfect line, their horses stepping gracefully as though they've been trained to walk to music.

Still, I can't help but frown a little.

"Why are we moving so slow?" I whisper to Zayan, tilting my head slightly so only he can hear me.

He grins, glancing down at me like I've asked something innocent and amusing.

I shrug and give him the "I'm new" at this look.

"It's a parade," he says, as if that explains everything. "It's meant to show the

pride of horses — their beauty, strength, and discipline. So, we all move in sync. A perfect rhythm."

I look again, more closely this time.

And he's right.

The other pairs, some women, some men, some mixed like us, are all moving at the same pace, their horses lifting their legs with slow grace, as if dancing to the soft music floating around us.

There's something mesmerizing about it.

lighter than I've felt in forever. With all of us in these riding attires, we

I say playfully, "a little

his breath, and I like that he

teases. "We'll pick

on cue, a few horses at the far end start moving slightly

the ground in a rhythmic,

horse gently,

the excitement

But then-

The music cuts off.

Abruptly.

music

sound of murmurs

around now, whispering, frowning, standing from their seats

ask quietly, feeling

beside

don't know," he mutters. "This has never

booms through the speakers, shattering

riders, stop immediately and proceed to the inspection point for re-evaluation."

shifting uncomfortably as

smiles at me, "No

It's just

He jumps on

remain there as he directs the hørše to the

my eyes land on Arnold, and every hair on my

a sick

is

asks, and I don't know how

happy if I didn't have to

a middle-aged

as we turn to

why when the answer is

haircut and round

of pity.

know

looking calm as ever with green eyes so cold I'm shocked we

to me. He checks out my new attire

right now. Maybe dealing

Right?

from the horse like a gentleman - though right now, I wish he wouldn't. I wish we could

admit. This was a stupid

you," I murmur to Zayan as I

say

Doesn't even blink.

looking like he owns