Chapter 108: Joy and excitement
Vivian opened her mouth. No words came out. She was so furious that her eyes reddened.
"You are unbelievable." She pointed angrily at him. "You lost one race, and now you are blaming me? Elias Rowan... You really can’t accept defeat."
With that, she turned her horse around and stormed away.
The moment Vivian disappeared, Elena immediately turned back to Elias. She carefully examined him again from head to toe.
"Are you sure you are not hurt?"
Elias smiled reassuringly. "I’m fine. Nothing happened."
"But..." She looked worried. "You said she played a trick. What exactly did she do?"
Seeing the lingering fear in her eyes, Elias chose not to tell her the truth.
If she learned Vivian had done something to hurt the horse, she would only become more frightened.
"It’s nothing serious," he replied casually. "Vivian has always been childish, arrogant, and impulsive."
He smiled lightly. "She probably startled the horse somehow during the race. I managed to calm him down. So everything is alright now."
Although he smiled reassuringly, Elena still looked upset.
"She is unbelievable. Why did you even pay attention to her?" She frowned at him. "You should’ve ignored her. Why did you agree to race with her in the first place?"
The more she spoke, the darker her expression grew. "Can’t you see she only wants your attention? She is obsessed with you. You should stay as far away from her as possible. And instead..."
She pouted. "You raced with her? What were you thinking?"
Silence fell between them before Elias sighed. He knew she was right. He shouldn’t have accepted Vivian’s challenge.
"It won’t happen again." His voice softened. "Can you forgive me?"
He looked at her almost pleadingly.
Elena crossed her arms over her chest. She lifted her chin with an adorable pout.
"Not that easily. You left your wife standing alone while you went off to race with another woman." She narrowed her eyes. "And now you think a few sweet words are enough to earn my forgiveness?"
Elias chuckled. He couldn’t deny how much he loved seeing her jealous. Stepping closer, he gently traced one finger up her arm.
"You look even more beautiful when you are jealous."
A pleasant shiver ran down Elena’s spine. Butterflies fluttered wildly in her stomach. She hurriedly looked away.
"I’m not jealous."
"Really?" His teasing smile deepened. "You were upset because I left you alone and because I spent time with another woman."
He gently held both her shoulders and turned her back toward him. "Since I made a mistake, I want to make it up to you. Come ride with me."
Elena blinked. "Ride?"
Her eyes instinctively drifted toward the horse. Curiosity sparkled inside them along with unmistakable fear.
"I..."
"Don’t be afraid," Elias interrupted gently. "I’m right here. I won’t let you fall."
Elena bit her lower lip. She looked at the horse again.
Although fear still lingered in her heart, watching Elias ride had awakened a quiet excitement inside her. After a brief hesitation, she nodded.
"Alright. I’ll ride with you."
A bright smile spread across Elias’s face. With one swift movement, he mounted the black stallion. He extended his hand toward her.
"Come."
Elena hesitated for only a heartbeat before placing her hand in his. With his help, she climbed onto the horse.
The next second, his strong arms encircled her protectively as he held the reins. The warmth of his chest against her back instantly eased some of her fear.
Even so, her heart hammered wildly.
"Elias..." She nervously clutched his arm. "Please hold me tightly."
"I already am," he leaned closer. "Now relax... And enjoy the ride."
With a gentle squeeze of his legs, the horse began to move.
At first, it walked slowly across the meadow.
Elena instinctively held her breath, her body stiff with nervousness. Every step made her heart leap into her throat. But gradually, she realized how steady the horse was beneath her.
The rhythm of its movements no longer felt frightening. Instead, it felt strangely soothing.
As the horse broke into a light trot, the cool breeze brushed across her cheeks and swept through her hair. A delighted laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.
The thrill rushed through her entire body. Her fear slowly melted away, replaced by excitement she had never experienced before.
"This is amazing." Her eyes sparkled brilliantly.
Elias smiled behind her. "I knew you’d like it."
Elena looked around in wonder.
From the horse’s back, the scenery looked even more breathtaking. The grassland rolled endlessly beneath the sunlight, like a sea of green silk. Colorful wildflowers swayed in the breeze.
Everything felt peaceful.
Her face brightened with joy and excitement. She wanted to remember this moment forever.
"Elias," she called him dreamily.
"Hmm," he hummed right beside her ear.
"Thank you for bringing me here."
"If you want, we can come here often."
"Really?" She turned her head slightly to look at him.
"Yes."
He leaned in and pecked her lips.
From a distance, Vivian watched Elias and Elena riding together.
The smile on Elena’s face, their closeness, and every intimate gesture between them felt like a knife twisting in Vivian’s chest.
Jealousy and rage consumed her.
How could Elias shower another woman with the affection that should have belonged to her?
She couldn’t bear it anymore.
Reason deserted her. All she wanted was to tear Elena away from him.
"Elias is mine," she muttered through gritted teeth. "No woman has the right to stand beside him except me."
She drove her heel hard into her horse’s side.
The force startled the animal. It let out a loud, frightened neigh and reared onto its hind legs, its forelegs pawing wildly at the air. Its ears flattened against its head, and its wide, terrified eyes darted from side to side.
The next instant, it bolted.
"What?" Vivian’s face drained of color. "What’s wrong with you?"
Panic instantly replaced her anger.
She yanked hard on the reins, desperately trying to regain control. But the frightened horse refused to calm down.
It galloped wildly across the field, changing direction without warning.
Vivian’s entire body was thrown violently with every stride. She tightened her grip on the reins until her fingers ached. Her arms trembled from the strain, and every muscle in her body screamed in protest as she struggled to stay in the saddle.
She was slipping.
The horse suddenly swerved sharply.
"No!" Vivian cried out as she nearly lost her balance. "Help..."
Her heart pounded wildly. Fear flooded her eyes.
She had never imagined losing control like this.
"Somebody, help me."