Chapter 3

"Tess! You're finally awake!" The moment Tessa opened her eyes the next morning, she saw Clifford lying beside her. He reached out to feel her forehead with concern. "Why didn't you call me when you had a fever? Do you know how panicked I was when I came back and found you unconscious?" Tessa wondered if calling him would have made a difference. After all, wasn't he busy with Tania and his precious baby? "I'm fine now," she croaked as she pushed his hand away. He frowned. "Are you upset?" "No, I'm not." "I can tell when you are." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Didn't you say that you've always wanted to go horseback riding? How about I take you today?" As Clifford spoke, he gently helped her out of bed and guided her to freshen up, just like he used to. Not wanting to raise suspicion, Tessa went along with whatever he wanted. Just as they were dressed and about to head out, Tania timidly appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Jones, Mrs. Jones, are you going horseback riding? I'm so jealous! I've never ridden a horse before. May I join you?" She cradled her baby bump with both hands, and her eyes were full of anticipation as she looked at Clifford. "No," he said firmly while frowning. "You're pregnant." Tania bit her lip. "But I really want to go… Being cooped up at home all the time isn't good for the baby either…" Her voice trailed off. She sounded soft and coquettish in a way that was hard to ignore. Tessa turned and walked out without saying another word. She knew Clifford too well. He could never say no to a pitiful plea like that. As she expected, just as she stepped outside, she heard his sigh of resignation behind her. "Fine. But only if you follow my lead the entire time." After getting in the car, Tessa realized that Tania had actually tagged along. Clifford personally helped her into the car, his hand constantly hovering behind her back like she was something fragile that might break at any second. After they got out of the car, he fussed over her every step of the way, completely forgetting who he had planned to come to the ranch with. "Watch your step. The sun's strong. Put on your hat. "Slow down. Don't overdo it." Every word of concern felt like a dull blade slicing into Tessa's heart. She quietly made her way to the stables and picked a calm mare, skillfully saddling it. Clifford had taught her all of this himself on her 20th birthday, and they'd spent the whole day riding at his private ranch. Now, that same man was fully focused on another woman, tightening her gear for her and adjusting her stirrups, not wanting her to feel even a little bit of discomfort. He held onto Tania's reins the entire time until his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and slightly furrowed his brows. Tania, feigning understanding, said sweetly, "Mr. Jones, go ahead and take your call. I've got the hang of it now. I'll be fine on my own." Clifford hesitated, then double-checked that she was steady before stepping aside to answer. Tessa pulled her horse to a stop at the edge of the arena, watching it all unfold. The sun stretched Clifford's shadow across the ground, and she caught that familiar little habit of tapping the back of his phone with his index finger while on a call. She knew that gesture all too well. "Mrs. Jones." Tania suddenly rode over, her smile overly sweet. "What do you think happens when two horses crash into each other? I've never seen it before." Before Tessa could answer, Tania squeezed her legs against her horse's sides hard, prompting the two horses to slam into each other. Startled, both mares reared up on their hind legs. Tessa clutched the reins tightly, but it was no use. Her horse went wild, screaming and bolting straight toward the fence. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tania "accidentally" let go, falling off her horse in dramatic slow motion. "Tania!" Clifford rushed forward frantically and caught her just before she hit the ground. At the same time, a group of panicked horses broke through the fence, thundering straight toward Tessa. "Clifford… Help me!" Tessa screamed through the chaos, her voice swallowed by the pounding of hooves. She saw him glance her way before turning and running away without hesitation while clutching the unconscious Tania in his arms. Dust kicked up by the stampede stung her eyes. She felt the reins slip from her grasp, and the next thing she knew, her body was flying through the air. And then she remembered that on her 20th birthday, Clifford had looked her in the eyes right here at this ranch and said, "Tessa, if you ever call out to me, I'll always come to you." The wind howled as she hit the ground hard. Before everything went black, the last thing she saw was Clifford desperately carrying Tania to the car. A sharp pain exploded in her ribs, but it was nothing compared to the way her heart felt like it had just been torn in two. She curled up in the sand, listening as the stampede closed in, and slowly shut her eyes.