HIS FIRST LADY(SANDRO MARCOS)

Chapter 17: Back In Your Element

"Will he bring you, Rafha, as his wife? Or maybe he'll bring that other woman again?"

"That's none of your concern, Sandro," I retort. I know he's trying to provoke me—probably as a way to punish me for the lies I've told tonight. I shouldn't let him see how easily his words can wound me.

But after the confrontation with Samuel and Kaylee this evening, I'm too exhausted to hide how shattered I feel. After ten years of marriage, even if the love is gone, I still deserve respect.

Samuel and Kaylee offer me none, and it seems neither does Sandro.

Sandro notices the change in my demeanor immediately. His expression softens. "Rafha..."

I dismiss whatever he was about to say. I don't want to argue more right now.

"I want to go home," I say. But where is home anymore? If I go back to the house, Samuel will make me sleep in the car in the garage. I can't go to my father's house without drawing suspicion. I'm not ready for those discussions.

"I'll call you a cab," Sandro offers. Before I can protest, he's already on the phone. Maybe this is his way of apologizing for being insensitive, or perhaps I look worse than I thought.

With my main options gone, I need a place to stay for the night or even a few days. The cab driver will need a destination.

Quickly, I unlock my phone and text Steph. It's late, but I know she stays up late since her divorce.

I type: *Can I crash at yours for a few days?*

Her response comes almost immediately: *Finally. I've had the spare room ready for you for weeks.*

I stay with Steph for the next few days. I miss my children terribly, but since they have phones, we can keep in touch. I go to their house in the mornings to make breakfast and again after school to care for them until Samuel comes home.

Samuel doesn't acknowledge me when he sees me. He acts as though I'm invisible, and I respond in kind.

When I'm not with the kids, I immerse myself in work. The Fuentes decide to move their mounted shooting event up, so I put in extra hours to prepare the country club by the weekend.

By Saturday, despite my exhaustion, I feel a sense of pride. Celest, the staff, and I have managed to pull everything together.

Steph, a wealthy divorcée, has her own invitation but chooses to attend as my plus one. We stand outside the clubhouse, near the start of the dirt path that winds through the forest.

The country club's stables are in full swing, with stable hands bringing down horses for those who didn't bring their own.

At the other end of the field, a gunsmith has set up a station to test and adjust the competitors' guns.

Steph, holding her own rifle, looks stunning in a form-fitting riding suit, more revealing than I remember. It seems she had it tailored post-divorce to accentuate her figure.

"It's great to see you like this," Steph says, her smile warm. "Back in your element."

"What do you mean?"

"For someone who loves organizing events and being around people, you seem genuinely happy here," Steph explains. "This is the happiest I've seen you in a long time."

Her words almost make me feel guilty for feeling good. After all, I'm not at home. I try to spend as much time with my children as possible, but I feel like I'm neglecting other important parts of my life.

"Did I ruin it?" Steph asks, her smile fading.

"No," I reassure her. I appreciate her support, but what's really dampening my mood is who I just spotted in the horse fields behind her. "He did."

Steph turns and curses under her breath.

In the horse fields, Samuel is holding the reins of a horse, trying to steady it for Kaylee to mount.

I immediately recognize the horse as Sparkle Heart, a 15-year-old mare with a gentle temperament that I helped raise from birth. I used to care for her during college semesters and even brought my children to see her occasionally.

Samuel knows Sparkle Heart is my horse. Maybe he's chosen her for Kaylee because she's patient, or perhaps he's trying to provoke me.

Thea has never shown interest in horses like I do. I've never seen her around the stables.

I'm too far to hear their conversation, but Samuel seems to be urging Thea to mount the horse. Kaylee, nervous, is struggling to position herself correctly.

As she tries to get into the stirrup, she accidentally kicks Sparkle Heart, causing the mare to shift and snort in discomfort.

"Stand still, you damn animal!" Samuel yells, yanking hard on the reins, making Sparkle Heart neigh in distress.

Fear and anger seize me, and I start moving forward without realizing it.

Thea tries again as Sparkle Heart continues to fidget. Kaylee manages to get a better grip, but Sparkle Heart rears, throwing Thea to the ground.

Samuel's face contorts with fury. He raises his hand, ready to strike Sparkle Heart with the riding crop he's holding!

Samuel should know better than to hurt the horse. Kaylee needs guidance, not punishment for the horse.

"Samuel!" I call out, rushing forward. Despite my efforts, I'm too slow to stop him.

Fortunately, another rider intervenes.

Sandro rides in on his black stallion, impeccably dressed in a crisp white shirt and gray vest that matches his riding pants. His polished black boots shine in the sunlight.

He looks almost regal as he expertly guides his horse close and kicks the riding crop from Samuel's hand.

Samuel stumbles back, dropping Sparkle Heart's reins. The mare trots a few steps away before stopping to graze.

"Striking a horse like that is cruel and senseless," Sandro says, glaring down at Samuel. "But I suppose I should expect such acts from someone lacking in sense."