Chapter 3

“Julia, are you awake?” Kane’s voice cut through the fog in my mind.

I blinked my eyes open and saw him leaning over me, his expression tight with worry.

“You had a fever all night—why didn’t anyone call me?” he asked, his voice hoarse, as if he'd been running or shouting. “I came by to check, and you weren’t responding… I thought I was too late.”

But you were too late, weren’t you?

“I’m fine now,” I said flatly, pulling my hand from his.

His brow creased. “Are you mad at me?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Julia…” He moved closer, his voice softening. “You always go quiet when you’re upset. I can tell.”

I didn’t respond.

For a moment, he just stared at me. Then, like a reflex, he leaned in and brushed a kiss against my forehead. “Didn’t you say you wanted to go horseback riding on the snow plains? The weather’s clear. Let’s go.”

He stood and began gathering my clothes, moving through the room like he still belonged here, like nothing had changed between us.

I didn’t protest. I didn’t help either. I just moved through the motions—getting dressed, brushing my hair, washing up—like I was back in the old days, playing the role of the obedient partner I used to be.

We were just about to head downstairs when a soft knock came at the door.

“Are you two… going out?” Lilian stood in the doorway, her hands resting gently on her rounded belly.

“I’ve never been to the snow plains stable,” she said with a small smile. “Do you mind if I come along? I promise I’ll ride slow.”

Kane hesitated. His jaw tightened. “It’s probably not safe to go too far right now.”

She looked down, stroking her stomach tenderly. “I just feel so cooped up inside. It’s starting to affect my mood, and… that’s not good for the baby.”

I didn’t wait for his decision. I just turned and walked downstairs.

And just like I expected, when I climbed into the car, she was right behind me, helped in by Kane himself—gentle, cautious, attentive.

The whole ride there, he hovered around her like a guardian angel, adjusting her scarf when the wind got strong, checking her seatbelt twice, making sure she was comfortable.

At the stables, the horses had already been prepared.

I chose a calm brown mare and adjusted the saddle myself, tying the reins with steady hands. I didn’t want anyone’s help. Not anymore.

Lilian picked a sleek black horse. Its hooves echoed ominously against the snowy ground. The stable hand warned it could be temperamental.

But she just smiled. “It doesn’t mind me. We’re already familiar.”

Kane didn’t stop her.

Instead, he crouched and secured her gear himself, murmuring, “Don’t go too fast. Take it easy, alright?”

That voice.

Those hands.

They used to be mine.

I stood quietly, invisible, watching him care for her the way he used to care for me. Watching my old life play out in front of me… without me in it.

I mounted my horse without a word.

I remembered being twenty and terrified the first time I tried to ride. Kane had held the reins with me and whispered in my ear, “Don’t be scared. I’m right behind you. Always.”

He was still here now. Only, the person he was behind… wasn’t me anymore.

He turned to say something, but his communicator buzzed in his hand.

He looked between us. “I need to take this. Julia, stay close to her. Make sure she doesn’t wander off.”

I didn’t answer. Just guided my horse away.

Lilian followed.

Then her voice drifted over to me. “Julia?”

I turned slightly.

“What happens if two horses collide?” she asked, tone far too casual.

Before I could respond, she jerked her reins hard and charged at me.

My horse reared up with a terrified neigh, hooves clawing the air. I held tight, but the sudden force was too much. My balance slipped and my mare bolted, galloping wildly across the snow-covered field.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lilian fall—conveniently, softly.

“Lilian!” Kane’s voice cracked with panic.

I turned my head just in time to see him sprint across the field like his life depended on it. He caught her before she hit the ground, holding her tightly, checking her for injuries, barking orders for help.

“Kane!” I yelled, desperate.

But the wind swallowed my voice.

He didn’t even glance in my direction. Didn’t even look. He carried her away like nothing else mattered.

Then I heard it—thundering hooves.

A group of horses had broken free, charging straight toward me like an avalanche. I tried to grip the reins again, but they slipped through my fingers. The saddle bucked. I lost control.

And then—everything went white.

I felt myself lift into the air, as if time had slowed.

And in that moment, I remembered his promise: "Julia, as long as you call my name, I will turn back."

But I had called.

And he didn’t turn back.

The impact was brutal.

I hit the ground with a sickening crack, the cold seeping straight into my bones as the world spun and the pain hit me like a tidal wave.

Lying in the snow, my body broken and breath knocked from my lungs, I watched as Kane disappeared into the distance, carrying her into the car like she was the most fragile, precious thing in the world.

So careful.

So protective.

So hers.

When she fell—someone caught her.

When I fell—there was only snow.

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