Chapter 19
Clayton-who was supposedly tied up in an “emergency meeting”-was there, dressed in riding gear, trotting along the field with Joyce. Side by side. Matching outfits. Easy smiles. They looked like the perfect couple in a lifestyle ad.
“Oh great, it’s them again,” Clarice groaned. “Talk about killing the vibe.”
Aline gave a small, emotionless smile. “Let’s just pretend they don’t exist.”
Unfortunately, pretending wasn’t an option-Clayton and Joyce had already seen her.
Clayton rode over immediately, pulling up in front of her with a furrowed brow. “Why are you here?”
Aline gave a cold, mocking laugh. “Better question-why are you here? So this is your ‘important emergency meeting,’ huh?”
A flicker of guilt crossed his face.
Clarice snorted. “Wow, must be nice. Holding emergency meetings on horseback now? What’s next-board meetings in bed?”
Clayton’s face darkened. “Watch your mouth. I don’t care if you’re Aline’s friend. Keep talking like that, and I won’t let it slide.”
“Oh yeah? Try me.” Clarice lifted her chin with a smirk.
His jaw tightened, his expression growing darker.
Aline stepped in front of her friend. “Clayton, if you so much as threaten her again, I’ll make everything public. I’ll tell the world exactly what you and Joyce have been doing behind closed doors.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he snapped.
“Try me,” she said calmly.
She knew full well how hard he’d worked-and how much money he’d thrown around-to bury that scandal. The last thing he wanted was for it to flare up again.
Just then, Joyce rode over and stopped beside him, looking down at Aline from atop her horse, smug and superior. “Is this really all you’ve got? Playing dirty, clinging to men, dragging down other women just to make yourself feel bet- ter? Do you honestly think any of this is going to bring Clayton back to you?”
Clarice looked like she was about to go off, but Aline gently held her back and turned to face Joyce.
“You got involved with a married man and I’m the disgrace? That’s rich,” she said evenly. “You don’t find it the least bit pathetic to call me dirty, when you’re the one who crossed the line?”
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Chapter 19
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“Oh, please. Love isn’t wrong. If, after three years, you still couldn’t make Clayton fall for you, maybe the problem is you,” Joyce shot back. “Women like you wouldn’t understand what it means to be independent, to ride free, to live confidently. That’s what men are drawn to-not whatever it is you think you’re offering.”
With that, she kicked her horse into a gallop, flying across the field with practiced grace. A round of applause rose from nearby spectators.
Clayton watched her, captivated, until she disappeared into the distance. Then he turned to Aline and said with a cold edge, “A woman like Joyce doesn’t get caught up in petty nonsense. Aline, I suggest you stop being so small-minded- and stop following me around trying to stir up drama.”
With that, Clayton spurred his horse and followed after Joyce.
Aline was left standing there, stunned. He really thought she’d come all the way to the riding club just to follow him?
Clarice was fuming, her perfectly done makeup practically trembling with rage. “Unbelievable! Those two have no shame. Stalking him? Please. Who the hell would bother stalking him?”
“Let it go,” Aline said lightly. “Once the divorce is finalized, whatever they do won’t have anything to do with me.”
“Well, I can’t let it go,” Clarice snapped. “And that Joyce-what is she so proud of? Riding horses? Flying planes? Big deal. You were in the special forces. Is there anything you can’t do? And let’s not forget, you flew fighter jets! Com- pared to you, she’s nothing. Yet she has the audacity to talk down to you like that?”
A flicker of emotion crossed Aline’s eyes-nostalgia. She remembered those intense years in the special forces: the bonds with her teammates, the grueling training, and the thrill of slicing through the sky in a fighter jet, completely free.
