Marla’s POV
Suddenly, an announcement echoed through the air: "The second race will now begin!"
Without hesitation, Jason stood up, his presence commanding as ever. Shane clapped enthusiastically beside him, her excitement almost nauseating.
Jason mounted Chestnut with a single, fluid motion. His authority was unshakable, and despite my irritation, I couldn’t deny that he looked completely in control.
“Go, Jason!” Shane cheered loudly, as if she were his personal cheerleader.
Chestnut started strong, taking an early lead. But halfway through the race, it became obvious something was wrong. The horse looked tired, its pace slowing. Jason’s expression turned cold, his frustration visible even from a distance. Despite his efforts, Chestnut only managed to finish in third place.
As Jason dismounted, Shane spun toward me, her eyes blazing.
"You’re not taking proper care of your horse! Chestnut always looks exhausted! You’re such a lazy owner!"
With Jason not nearby, I refused to back down. Raising an eyebrow, I gave Shane a look that could cut glass.
"You don’t know a damn thing," I snapped. "So shut your mouth before I make you regret it."
Shane blinked, stunned by my boldness, but she quickly recovered, her face twisting with anger. Before either of us could escalate further, Jason appeared, his sharp gaze immediately silencing the tension.
"What the hell is going on here? Are you two fighting?" His voice was calm, but the dominance in it was unmistakable.
I clenched my fists, shooting Shane one last glare before turning to face Jason. But before I could speak, Shane jumped in, her tone sharp.
"You’re only in third place, Jason, and I just spent $50,000 betting on you!"
I rolled my eyes, biting my tongue to keep from saying something I’d regret.
Jason didn’t flinch. Instead, he shrugged, his tone cold and decisive. "Then I’ll buy the horse that came in first place. Problem solved."
His words weren’t directed at Shane—they were aimed at me. His icy blue eyes locked on mine, as if he wanted to offer some twisted version of reassurance.
But I wasn’t having it. "I’ll check on Chestnut," I said flatly, turning on my heel before either of them could say another word.
I made my way to the horse farm, my anger simmering beneath the surface. Chestnut stood in his stall, looking utterly drained. I grabbed some feed and gently placed it in front of him, feeling a pang of guilt for the way he was being used.
As I fed him, I heard footsteps behind me.
"Are you Jason’s fiancée?" a woman’s voice asked.
I turned around, recognizing her as the farm’s administrator.
"Yes. Why?"
She hesitated, then gave a small smile, as if what she was about to say wasn’t important.
"Oh, nothing. It’s just… Chestnut was sold. Jason arranged it earlier today."
I froze, the words hitting me like a punch.
"W-What?"
She shrugged, as though it was just business. "The horse that won first place? That’s going to replace Chestnut. Jason made the deal right after the race."
I stared at her, unable to process what I’d just heard.
"Jason loved that horse," she added thoughtfully. "But, well… I guess he loves winning more."
"Where is he now?" I asked, my voice low but steady.
"In the VIP lounge, I think. He’s with someone—"
I didn’t wait for her to finish. The anger inside me had reached its boiling point. I stormed off toward the VIP lounge, each step fueled by frustration and disbelief.
When I reached the door, I noticed it was slightly open.
"Jason!" I called out, but my voice faltered as I heard something inside.
I froze.
"Oh, Jason!" Shane’s voice rang out, breathless and filled with desire.
"Oh, fuck, Shane. You’re so fucking delicious." Jason’s voice was low, guttural, and unmistakable.
My heart stopped. I stepped back, the reality of what was happening crashing down on me. The sounds—the slap of skin, the wet noises, the moans—left no room for doubt.
I stood there, paralyzed, unable to believe what I was hearing. Every part of me screamed to turn away, to leave, but I couldn’t move.
My world shattered in that moment, and all I could do was stand there, drowning in the betrayal.
