My Husband Caught Me Having an Affair - Chapter 58

It was the next day.

The summer was nearing its end, and the weather was pleasantly cool. Perhaps because of the slight cloud cover, the sunlight streaming through the windows felt much softer than usual.

‘Maybe I’ll go for a horseback ride today. It’s been a while.’

One thing I had discovered after possessing Camille’s body was that she enjoyed horseback riding as much as attending banquets.

During my time under house arrest, I had felt quite stifled, and I didn’t want to raise suspicions by abruptly giving up a hobby I used to enjoy. So, I had gone to the stables a few times.

To my surprise, I found it quite fun.

It was as if my body remembered how to ride, just like with dancing, so I picked it up quickly. I had been quite into it for a while, riding regularly until the weather became too hot.

I didn’t have any banquets coming up soon, nor was it time yet for the volunteer work I had promised Audrey. And since I had already ordered the dresses yesterday, it would take some time for them to be ready.

I called for Marie and instructed her to prepare for a ride.

***

“Madam is going horseback riding?” Victor asked with wide eyes.

He continued, “She’s going right now? Where is she headed? The estate’s stables as usual, or is she going outside?”

Marie, surprised by Victor’s unusually rapid-fire questions, blinked like a startled rabbit.

“Uh… yes. That’s right. She said she’s going to the northern stables, as usual, and she asked me to prepare immediately.”

Victor checked his pocket watch. It was just past 3 p.m.

‘The master said he would be back before 4 today… The timing is perfect. The heavens are on my side.’

Marie looked at Victor, puzzled, and asked, “Uh, butler? Is something wrong?”

“What? No, it’s nothing. Just take good care of the Madam.”

“Yes… okay.”

Marie still seemed confused as Victor hurried off somewhere.

“Go to the knights’ quarters and tell Sir Mael that the Madam will be heading to the stables shortly.”

“Yes, sir.”

Victor instructed one servant, then sent another to relay the same message to Jacques.

‘This has to work.’

***

I was riding alone in the northern stables of the Dumont estate.

‘This feels amazing.’

The breeze felt refreshing as it brushed against me. Though the clouds made it somewhat darker for midday, the weather was perfect for riding.

‘It’s really great to have money. There’s an enormous stable like this right on the estate.’

And I had the whole stable to myself.

‘I should do this more often. It clears my head and lifts my mood.’

After two laps around the course, I slowed down to take a break and headed toward the shady spot where Marie was waiting.

Just then, I saw someone approaching on horseback from the direction of the stables’ entrance.

‘…No way.’

Officially, only Ethan and I were allowed to use this stable. But in all the times I had ridden, I had never run into Ethan.

We soon got close enough to see each other’s faces.

It really was Ethan.

As expected, he looked incredible in his riding attire. The clothes fit him perfectly, showing off his form in a way that was almost annoyingly flawless.

He frowned slightly as he asked, “What are you doing here?”

I gave him a blank look. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m riding at the stables. What else would I be doing?”

He glanced around a few times before asking again, “Where’s Mael?”

“Why are you looking for Mael here?”

“I arranged to meet him here. Didn’t you see him?”

“No. As you can see, I was alone before you arrived.”

“That’s strange. He said he’d be here before me.”

“What, were you two planning a race or something?”

Judging by his expression, I had hit the mark.

“You sure love a competition. You were itching to spar with Sir Mael the last time, too.”

“Not just with anyone. Only when the opponent is worth my time.”

I could understand that. Being so exceptional in every area, it must have been hard for him to find a worthy rival.

“It’s odd, though. You refused to spar but agreed to a race?”

“I didn’t agree. It was Mael who proposed the race.”

“Really? How strange.”

Something felt strangely off. It wasn’t just that Mael had suggested the race first; it was also odd that, despite making the arrangement, he was late. It was entirely unlike Mael.

“Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you could clear the course. I don’t want any unnecessary distractions during this rare opportunity.”

Ethan’s blunt tone annoyed me.

“Unnecessary distractions? That’s a bit rude, isn’t it?”

“I’m just asking you to clear the course so I can race. What’s the problem?”

“You could phrase it a bit more politely. It’s not what you say, but how you say it.”

“What else am I supposed to call a distraction but a distraction?”

“Oh, forget it. I should’ve known better.”

I clicked my tongue and turned my horse. Just as I was about to head back toward Marie, I paused.

“…Actually, why should I? I was here first. Why do I have to move just because you showed up later?”

“When did I ever tell you that you had to move? I only said I’d appreciate it if you could.”

“And what if I refuse? Are you going to give up and go back?”

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Refuse? Why would you refuse?”

“Like I said, I was here first. I was just enjoying a good ride. Why should I give up my spot just because you ask?”

“I already explained. I arranged to race Mael. It’s a rare opportunity, and I don’t want to miss it. Can’t you understand that?”

“Sure, I understand. But I could still refuse. Especially when the person asking isn’t very polite about it.”

“Have you forgotten who owns this stable?”

“Oh, so now you’re going to say it’s your stable and I have to move? How petty.”

“…I said I’d appreciate it if you could move. That was out of respect for you being here first.”

“Well, it sure didn’t sound respectful to me.”

Ethan’s eyebrow twitched. “What exactly is your problem with me? Why do you act like you can’t stand me every time we meet?”

“When have I ever done that? If that’s really how you feel, maybe you should ask yourself why.”

“……”

Ethan clenched his jaw, glaring at me, and I stared right back.

‘Ugh, how infuriating. Why does he always have to speak so irritably?’

The first thing out of his mouth was, “What are you doing here?” Then he called me an “unnecessary distraction.”

‘So what if he’s handsome? It’s not like I’m going to spend my whole life staring at his face. If I have to live with someone, it should be with someone who can’t live without me.’

My resolve to divorce Ethan only solidified.

A moment later, Ethan tugged on his reins sharply, turning his horse back the way he had come. I clicked my tongue again and turned my horse to head in the other direction.

But just as I took a few steps, something cold hit my head.

‘…What?’

I looked up. The once white clouds had turned a dark gray.

“What the—rain?”

The raindrops, which had started as a light sprinkle, quickly turned into a downpour, drenching my head and shoulders. I urged my horse forward. That’s when a flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a deafening crack of thunder.

For a moment, everything went white, and my whole body stiffened. Then, memories from long ago surged through my mind like a tidal wave.

***

“Ahhh!”

At the sound of the high-pitched scream, Ethan whipped around.

He saw Camille huddled on her horse, clutching her head and curling into herself.

Not understanding what was happening, Ethan froze for a moment. Then, another clap of thunder rumbled across the sky.

Camille screamed again, curling up even tighter. She looked like she was about to fall off her horse.

Ethan quickly yanked on his reins and raced toward her. His horse, Antares, was well-trained and didn’t flinch at the sound of thunder. But there was no guarantee Camille’s horse would remain calm, especially with its rider so panicked.

“Camille! What’s wrong?”

He called out as he neared her, but it didn’t seem like she could hear him. Ethan dismounted just as another boom of thunder rolled through the sky, causing Camille to convulse.

Then, in the next moment, her body began to tilt dangerously to the side.

“Camille!”