Chapter 2

I gripped the magazine so hard the glossy pages sliced into my palm, leaving deep, red marks.

My stomach churned. I dry-heaved, but nothing came up.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Howard’s number.

The screen showed it went through, but he declined it instantly.

Without a second thought, I ripped off my manure-stained apron and bolted out of the run-down suburban stables.

There was only one place Chloe White hung out—the elite Sky Equestrian Club in the heart of downtown.

I spent my last $50 on an Uber to get there.

The security guards at the gate stopped me, but I managed to slip through a side entrance when a luxury sports car was being waved in.

Suddenly, a sharp, agonizing neigh echoed through the arena.

I knew that sound all too well. It was Scout’s cry of extreme pain.

I ran toward the noise. In the center of the indoor sand arena, Scout was secured to a metal exhibition post by two heavy iron chains.

Chloe was dressed in a pristine white riding habit, holding a professional whip tipped with metal spikes.

She raised her arm and brought the whip down hard across Scout’s back.

A bloody welt bloomed instantly on his coat.

"Still got a nasty temper, huh? Just like your pathetic, crippled former owner!"

Howard stood nearby, holding a glass of red wine. He frowned slightly, but his voice was completely indulgent.

"Careful, Chloe. Don’t let him kick you. He’s wild and untamed."

The blood rushed to my head, boiling hot.

To pay off Howard's $300,000 debt to those shady loan sharks, I had literally knelt before the buyer, begging him to treat Scout well.

Howard had held me and wept, swearing he would do anything to make it up to me.

And now, he was watching my worst enemy abuse my horse, only telling her to "be careful."

I lost control. I charged into the arena and shoved Chloe away with all my might.

Chloe lost her footing and stumbled, crashing hard onto the dirty sand. Her white outfit was instantly ruined with mud.

I turned around, wrapping my arms around the panicked Scout, my rough fingers gently stroking his neck.

Sensing my scent, Scout slowly calmed down. He lowered his head, nuzzling my shoulder with a soft, trembling whimper.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!"

Howard slammed his wine glass down. He marched over, grabbed me by the collar of my shirt, and threw me to the ground.

I crashed onto the hard dirt, my right wrist taking the brunt of the fall.

Pain flared instantly in the exact spot where my tendons had been severed three years ago. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

Howard knelt down, checking Chloe’s arm with deep concern. Once he was sure she didn't have a scratch, he whipped his head around to glare at me.

"Bella? Are you stalking me?"

I clutched my throbbing right wrist and slowly forced myself up, staring directly into Howard’s eyes.

"What are you doing here? You said you were working yourself to the bone!"

"You said the loan sharks were going to kill you!"

"Why are you with Chloe White!"

Chloe dusted the sand off her clothes and walked over to me.

She looked down at my faded t-shirt and my mud-caked sneakers, letting out a sharp scoff.

Then, she raised her hand and slapped me across the face.

The loud crack echoed through the quiet arena.

My head snapped to the side, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

"Know your place, Bella. Do you really think someone like you belongs in a club like this?"

I ignored Chloe, my eyes locked onto Howard.

"Howard! Say something!"

Howard stood up, stepping in front of Chloe to shield her. The warmth and tenderness he used to look at me with were completely gone.

His eyes were dead and cold.

"You see it. It is exactly what it looks like."