Chapter 5
The staff at the stables were so shocked that their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
"How... how is this possible?" one of them stammered.
Blizzard was the wildest horse in the stables, notorious for tossing off even the most seasoned riders.
Even Andrew Campbells had only managed to keep it in check with great effort—he'd never seen it act this tame, not once.
But Sophia, this seemingly gentle and fragile girl, just gave it a pat, and suddenly Blizzard was acting like a docile puppy?
Olivia clenched her fists, jealousy simmering inside her.
How is this fair?' Olivia thought, bitterness twisting in her heart.
'Why does Sophia always get what everyone else wants so easily?'
'Men... or even horses.'
Andrew's expression turned stormy, his face darkening with anger.
He felt like Sophia had just publicly humiliated him, right in front of everyone.
Just moments ago, he'd been mocking her for biting off more than she could chew, and now Blizzard was acting all affectionate toward her.
He felt like a complete joke.
"She just got lucky," Andrew insisted stubbornly, trying to save face.
"Just because you can touch it doesn't mean you know how to ride. Don't come crying for help if you fall off," he sneered.
Sophia just rolled her eyes and ignored him.
She vaulted onto Blizzard's back in one smooth, badass move—looking like she was born to ride.
Blizzard snorted loudly, almost like he was welcoming his new owner with a cheer.
"James, wanna race?"
Sophia looked over her shoulder at James, smiling as she invited him to join.
James had already picked out a sleek black Friesian. He smiled and nodded.
"Alright, what's the wager?" James asked.
Sophia tilted her head, thought for a moment, then winked playfully.
"Whoever loses gets stuck with dish duty tonight," she said with a sly grin.
It was the kind of bet you'd make at home—simple, real, nothing fancy.
James's grin widened, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Deal," he said.
Their chemistry was so natural and close, it was as if Andrew and Olivia were just invisible—completely ignored.
Andrew felt like his chest was about to burst from rage.
'Dish duty?' Andrew thought, totally stunned.
'She's really talking about home stuff with another guy?' Andrew fumed, jealousy burning inside.
'Wait, are they living together now?' Andrew thought, the idea slamming into him like a punch to the gut.
That thought hit Andrew like poison, sinking deep and twisting in his chest.
He couldn't take it.
She used to be his, and now she's out there, all bright and alive, showing that side to someone else.
"Count me in!" Andrew yelled, barely able to contain his rage.
He led his Thoroughbred right in front of Sophia, eyes locked on her with pure challenge.
"Sophia, you brave enough to race me?" Andrew called out, daring her.
"If I win, you leave that pretty boy and come back to me," he said, his voice full of arrogance.
He still refused to accept reality.
He still stubbornly believed Sophia was just acting out of spite.
Sophia thought Andrew was being totally ridiculous.
"Why should I race you?" Sophia replied, not even bothering to hide her annoyance.
"Scared?" Andrew taunted, trying to goad her.
"Scared?" Sophia laughed, her voice dripping with contempt. "Honestly, racing someone like you would just lower my standards."
"You!" Andrew roared, his face flushed with fury.
Angry veins popped on his forehead—he was absolutely livid.
Just then, James rode up, positioning himself between Sophia and Andrew.
He looked down at Andrew, his gaze icy and indifferent.
"Mr. Campbells, Sophie doesn't want to race you. Can't you get that through your head?" James said, his voice cold and dismissive.
"Or is chasing after another man's wife just your usual thing now?" he added, his tone sharp and mocking.
The words "another man's wife" hit Andrew like a bomb going off, ringing in his ears.
He looked at Sophia, totally stunned—he couldn't believe his eyes.
"You... you guys are married?" Andrew blurted out, barely able to get the words out.
'No way! This can't be real!' Andrew thought, his head spinning.
'They just broke up, didn't they? Getting the paperwork done and planning a wedding takes forever! This has to be fake—they must be messing with me together!' Andrew thought, panic rising in his chest.
Sophia looked at him, seeing how crushed and on the verge of breaking down he was, and instead of feeling any sympathy, she just felt a rush of pure satisfaction.
She didn't answer him directly. Instead, she turned to James, a sweet, innocent smile lighting up her face.
"Honey, looks like he's super curious about our marriage, isn't he?" Sophia teased, her voice dripping with playful sweetness.
James went along with her act, wrapping his arm around her waist and dropping a soft kiss on her forehead, his tone doting and full of obvious adoration.
"Maybe he's just trying to make up for missing our wedding with a belated gift," James teased, flashing a playful grin.
Their banter was effortless, like they were perfectly in tune—totally natural, as if they'd done this a hundred times before.