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.

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

I say playfully, "a little speed wouldn't

and I like that he isn't taking this too

pick up the pace

a few horses at the far end start moving slightly faster,

ground in a rhythmic,

horse gently, preparing

can feel the excitement building in

But then-

The music cuts off.

Abruptly.

loud music to

blink, confused, as the sound of murmurs ripples

standing from their

quietly, feeling a strange tightness in my

beside me, frowning

don't know," he mutters.

booms through the speakers, shattering what little calm

proceed to the inspection point

some shifting uncomfortably as if they

smiles at

just

He jumps on

directs the hørše to

Arnold, and every hair on my

at me with a sick smile on

is a

Zayan asks, and I don't know how to answer his

met him once and I'd be happy if I didn't

a middle-aged man says, "Please use

but doesn't question it as we turn to

ask why when the answer

see Ryan first. In his cute haircut and round reading glasses,

of pity.

need to know that his royal highness

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

and then back to me. He checks out

right now. Maybe dealing with

Right?

me down from the horse like a gentleman - though right now, I wish he wouldn't. I wish we could turn around and ride far, far away from the ice storm

admit. This was a

as I

say a

Doesn't even blink.

there, hands in his pockets, looking like he owns the