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, we

say playfully, "a little speed wouldn't

like that he isn't

teases. "We'll pick

on cue, a few horses at the far

in a

gently, preparing to

the excitement building in

But then-

The music cuts off.

Abruptly.

loud music to

sound of murmurs ripples

whispering, frowning, standing from

happening?" I ask quietly, feeling a strange tightness in my

beside

he mutters. "This has

through the speakers, shattering

the

slow to a stop, some shifting uncomfortably as if they can sense the

smiles at me,

It's just standard

He jumps

he directs the hørše to

we step closer, my eyes land on Arnold, and every hair

at me with a sick smile

man is

and I

met him once and I'd be happy if I didn't have to meet him again."

speak when a middle-aged man

question it as we turn to use a gate different from everyone

to ask why when the answer

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

of pity.

need to know that his royal highness

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

back to me. He checks out my new attire

now. Maybe dealing with Arnold is not so

Right?

as Zayan helps me down from the horse like a gentleman - though right now, I wish he

admit. This was a

to Zayan as I steady myself, but my

say a

Doesn't even blink.

hands in his pockets, looking