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

playfully, "a little

under his breath, and I like that he isn't

he teases. "We'll pick up the pace soon

cue, a few horses at the far

the ground in

our horse gently, preparing to follow

the excitement building in me

But then-

The music cuts off.

Abruptly.

music to

the sound of murmurs

are looking around now, whispering, frowning, standing from their seats

quietly, feeling a strange

shifts beside

he mutters. "This has never

booms through the speakers, shattering what little calm

proceed to the inspection point for re-evaluation." My stomach

to a stop, some shifting uncomfortably as if

smiles at

It's just standard procedure

on." He jumps

he directs the hørše to

Arnold, and every

at me with a

is a

Zayan asks, and

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

speak when a middle-aged man says, "Please use the

as we turn to use a gate different from everyone

when the answer is slapped right in my

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

of pity.

I need to know that

eyes so cold I'm shocked we haven't been frozen

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

right now. Maybe dealing with Arnold is not so bad

Right?

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

do admit. This

as I steady myself, but

doesn't say a

Doesn't even blink.

looking like he