The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 159

She spoke up, her tone light and daring. "Impressive. I'll pick a horse and challenge her to a race!"

Whether it was horseback riding or rock climbing, Millie was good at just about everything. She'd even earned her pilot's license—she could fly a plane. As for riding, in Millie's mind, that was hardly worth mentioning.

She picked out a horse and headed for the changing room.

Out on the field, Danielle was riding full tilt, her hair streaming behind her. After two laps, she felt a little winded and swung down from the saddle in a single, fluid motion, pulling off her helmet and shaking out her hair.

There was something bright and unrestrained about her; her presence lit up the riding arena.

"Way to go!" someone called, whistling and breaking into enthusiastic applause.

Danielle gave a small, nonchalant smile and said nothing.

A stable hand led her horse, Thunderbolt, aside to remove its tack.

Danielle kept her eyes lowered, adjusting her riding jacket. By now, Millie and her family had changed and come back out.

Danielle looked up and spotted them immediately. She arched a brow, expression cool and unreadable.

What are the odds, she thought grimly. Trouble just has a way of finding me.

"Mom, you'll look way cooler than that lady out there," Raffy said, gazing up at Millie with open admiration.

Millie smiled, serene and sure, then turned to Alexander. "Could you check if my helmet's straight? I think it's a little crooked."

He lowered his gaze, eyes softening, and reached up to adjust her helmet. Alexander was never this patient or gentle—except, it seemed, with her.

The three of them—happy, close, a picture-perfect family.

This is what a real family looks like, Danielle thought bitterly. That coldness she and Niki had endured before… it was just the absence of love, nothing more.

She turned away, her gaze distant.

Just then, the coach came over with Niki, complimenting her practice run.

Danielle ruffled Niki's hair affectionately. "Want to ride a little longer?"

Niki nodded, eyes bright. "Just a little, then let's go eat."

That's when Raffy, sharp-eyed, spotted Danielle and Niki by the exit, deep in conversation. He strode over, his tone mocking.

"If you two don't even know how to ride, what are you doing here? Trying to embarrass yourselves?"

He shot Danielle and Niki a scornful look.

Millie followed Raffy's gaze. "Don't take the saddle off. I'm riding this one."

The stable hand paused, grinning. "You again? Let's see if you can handle him today."

Niki decided she'd had enough, and walked off to fetch the little bag she'd set down earlier.

Millie approached, taking Thunderbolt's reins. She glanced over at Danielle. "Niki says you know how to ride. Care for a little race?"

Danielle's face was unreadable. "Not interested."

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

Millie tugged at the reins, perhaps a bit too sharply for Thunderbolt's liking. The horse's ears flattened, and suddenly he reared up, hooves flailing in the air. Millie lost her grip, and Thunderbolt broke free, charging wildly.

"Whoa—!"

Startled, Millie instinctively grabbed Danielle, and the two of them ended up standing side by side as the horse barreled toward them, its intentions unclear.

Hearing the commotion, Danielle spun around just in time to see Thunderbolt bearing down on her. Her heart plummeted.

"Watch out!" someone shouted, panic slicing through the air.