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 look so

"a little

and I like that he isn't taking this

teases. "We'll pick

few horses at the far end

in

our horse gently, preparing to follow

the excitement building in

But then-

The music cuts off.

Abruptly.

music to

as the sound of murmurs ripples through the

frowning, standing from their seats to

happening?" I ask quietly, feeling a

beside me,

mutters. "This

booms through the speakers, shattering what little

stop immediately and proceed to the inspection point

some shifting uncomfortably as if they can sense the change

at me, "No

just

He jumps on

there as he directs the

closer, my eyes land on Arnold, and

a sick smile

man is

asks, and

be happy if I didn't have to

about to speak when a middle-aged

turn to use a gate different

to ask why when the answer is slapped right

In his cute haircut and round

of pity.

need to know that

looking calm as ever with green eyes so cold I'm shocked we haven't been

over at Zayan and then back to me. He checks out my new attire and locks

so enthusiastic about reaching him right now. Maybe dealing with Arnold is

Right?

down from the horse like a gentleman - though right now, I wish he

admit. This was a

as I steady myself, but my eyes

doesn't say

Doesn't even blink.

his pockets, looking like he owns the damn world