Chapter 5

Aurora's POV

The car passed through a succession of iron gates before coming to a halt in front of the city's most exclusive private equestrian club. This place had always been open only to a select few of the powerful and wealthy.

Tall white fences surrounded the entire grounds, with neatly manicured grass stretching into the distance.

Everything was expensive and dignified. Yet, for some reason, the moment I stepped out of the car, I felt an inexplicable unease.

It was too quiet. The usual stream of riders coming and going was nowhere to be seen, and even from the direction of the stables, there was hardly any sound.

I stood there for a moment, scanning the area. But I didn't see Leonardo.

My unease grew stronger, so I turned around to leave.

Suddenly, the rapid sound of hoofbeats rang out from behind me, and a tremendous force slammed violently into my back.

I was sent hurtling forward, my right leg crashing heavily onto the ground. A searing pain instantly tore through my entire body.

The hoofbeats came to a stop not far away, and I heard a laugh I knew all too well.

"Were you looking for Leonardo?"

I struggled to push myself up and looked toward the source of the voice.

Sofia sat astride a tall chestnut horse. The sunlight fell upon her, making that face of hers all the more dazzlingly beautiful.

However, her eyes were filled with a malice that sent a chill down my spine.

"Stop looking. He's not here. I was the one who called you here."

Almost at the same moment, two tall, broad-shouldered Soldati emerged from behind the stables.

They flanked the exit, completely cutting off any escape.

Fighting through the pain in my leg, I stood up and said icily, "What do you want?"

Sofia laughed softly, as if she had heard something amusing. She urged her horse closer, the hooves stopping just inches away from me.

"I just have one question I've never been able to figure out," she said, her voice soft but dangerous. "Aurora, you've already become a laughingstock across the entire internet.

"Everyone has seen you dead drunk and barely dressed. Both your image and reputation are ruined, and your career is on the verge of collapse."

At this, the smile on her face slowly faded away. "So why does Leonardo still refuse to divorce you?"

I looked at her and suddenly found her somewhat pathetic. After all the effort she had put into scheming and plotting, this was still the only thing she cared about.

"I haven't been trying to hold onto him," I said slowly.

Sofia let out a scornful laugh. "Of course you haven't. Because you know that you could never win against me."

She spurred her horse forward and slammed into me hard once again.

I stumbled backward, my lower back crashing violently against the fence. The pain was so intense that my vision went black.

Sofia only laughed with increasing delight.

"Even so, I still find you a terrible eyesore. I heard you've insured that face of yours for an astronomical sum. Then again, it's what kept you basking in the limelight all these years with such a dazzling career. How I envy you."

Sofia raised her hand, and one of the Soldati immediately handed her a riding crop. The black leather whip gleamed with a cold light under the sun.

My breath caught sharply in my throat.

"It was such a shame that I didn't get to properly enjoy the sight of you making a fool of yourself at the party last time. But today we have an entire afternoon. I'd like to see how you'll show your face in front of the cameras once it's been ruined!"

She raised her hand, and the riding crop came slashing violently toward my face.

I threw myself to the side on pure instinct and rolled across the ground. The whip struck the earth heavily, just an inch from my head, kicking up a cloud of dust.

I scrambled desperately toward the fence, my palms scraped raw and bleeding from the rough gravel.

But I hadn't crawled more than a few steps before Sofia was already shouting at the Solfadi, "Hold her down!"

The Soldati lunged at me, grabbing my arms and wrenching my head up with force.

I watched Sofia ride closer.

"Sofia, please, don't do this." I finally heard my own voice, laced with a desperation I had never known before.

Sofia burst out laughing immediately, the sound dripping with malicious pleasure.

"Just look at the great Donna Bianchi groveling in the mud. I've waited years for this moment."

She raised the riding crop high, aiming straight for my face.

I shut my eyes, bracing for the searing pain about to strike my face, when Leonardo's roar exploded like a thunderclap.

"What do you think you're doing?"