Blurb：
For six years, Elara believed her marriage to Cyran Valehart was built on mutual respect and understanding. As a professional show-jumping athlete, she prioritized her equestrian career over starting a family, and Cyran stood by her side against all judgment. But when Celia Dawn—Cyran’s first love—returns pregnant with his child, their perfect balance shatters.
Cyran’s betrayal cuts deep as he chooses Celia and their unborn child over Elara, accusing her of choosing horses over their family. The final blow comes when Cyran sabotages Elara’s international competition, causing her horse to collapse and her dreams to crumble. Amid the ruins of her marriage and career, Elara must confront the truth: Cyran’s devotion was always a lie, and Celia’s shadow loomed larger than she ever imagined.
This emotional story explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the price of ambition. Will Elara rise from the ashes, or will Cyran’s desperate attempts to make amends rewrite their fate?
Content：
For six years of marriage, Cyran Valehart and I lived with measured respect, as if we were partners holding the same scale in perfect balance.
For the sake of my equestrian career, I refused to have children. He shouldered the gossip, endured the judgment, and stood beside me without hesitation.
But when I rode into what should have been my final international competition, he went back home with his first loveher hand resting protectively over her swollen belly.
“All these years, you chose the horses over me,” he spat. “That damned competition meant more to you than our family ever did.”
His voice shook with righteous anger, but his next words cut far deeper. “Six years ago, I abandoned Celia once. Now she carries my child. I won’t betray her again.”
In that instant, my marriage became nothing but a title. I was reduced to a wife in name only, a figurehead in his home, a shadow he no longer cared to see.
During the very competition meant to crown my life’s work, Cyran laced a sharp needle beneath my saddle, each stride of my horse a fresh stab of pain meant to break us both.
I lost the match. My horse collapsed with a shattered leg.
And in that fall, my dream and my marriage were crushed togetherruined by the very man who once swore to protect them.
Later, he paid with everything he had, desperate to make amends. But no matter what he sacrificed, Cyran Valehart was already behind me, nothing more than a ghost I would never turn to face again.
Chapter 1 Shattered Vows
“Elara, Celia is carrying my child. I can’t just abandon her. For me, please endure this.”
“Cyran! You betray me, then expect me to welcome your mistress into our homepregnant?”
My hands shook with fury. The international show-jumping notice I’d been holding crumpled into a tight ball.
“I’ve wanted children for years, but you refusedalways hiding behind your precious competitions. And now you dare to blame me?”
Seeing Cyran flare up, Celia rushed in with feigned sympathy, pretending to play peacemaker. “He only wants a baby so badly. For you, he’s swallowed his pride all these years. Can’t you just”
“Enough!”
I brushed past her, but she gave a startled cry and stumbled back.
Cyran caught her, then shoved me away as if I were the intruder.
I hit the floor, the notice flying from my hand.
He snatched it up. The moment his eyes landed on the words, his face hardened.
“Another equestrian event. Always the horses. Never me. Never this family. God, I regret marrying you.”
He hurled the paper at my face, then wrapped his arm protectively around Celia and led her into the guest room.
My tears slid silently down as I watched their retreating figures.
I had always known Celia Dawn lingered in the shadows.
She had been Cyran’s first love in collegepoor in background, but striking and determined. Yet the Valehart elders dismissed her outright.
Maybe it was our similar upbringings and shared interests, but he grew fond of me quickly, and he never shied from mentioning Celia.
Raised in privilege, proud and self-assured, I never once regarded his former lover as a threat.
For six years of marriage, Cyran treated me with patience and respect.
As a professional show-jumping athlete, I had made it clear: I wouldn’t have children until I won the world championship.
Cyran bore the elders’ relentless pressure and stood by me without hesitation.
I believed we would always support each other, walking toward happiness side by side.
But today, Celia strode in openly, her belly heavy with his child, claiming her place as if it were hers by right.
That was when I understood. His devotion had been a mask, his loyalty nothing more than denial of a flame that never died.
All those complimentsperfect couple, marriage of equalswere lies I had let myself believe.
The bedroom door slammed shut. I wiped my face dry.
“Elara, I lost my temper just now. I’m sorry.” Cyran slipped his arm around my shoulders, his voice soft, coaxing.
“But you never wanted children. And now, someone else can give us one. Isn’t that the best of both worlds? When the time comes, the baby will be yours to raise. You’re so exceptionalyou’ll raise it well.”
Ice spread through my veins. Fighting the nausea and humiliation, I pushed him away.
“When did it start?”
Cyran hesitated before speaking. “Not long. My family’s been pressuring me about children, and then I ran into her I couldn’t hold backjust that once.”
“She’s already showing. At least four months along. How long were you planning to lie to me?” My voice broke as I exposed him.
His lips clamped shut, guilt written all over his face.
“Do you still love me?”
His silence was my answer. A bitter smile tugged at my lips. When I looked at him again, the love I once carried was gone.
“Cyran,” I said coldly, “we’re getting a divorce.”
Chapter 2 The Wife Who Would Not Yield
Cyran froze, staring at me as if the words had knocked the air out of him. After a long pause, he stepped forward like a man pleading for mercy and reached for my hand.
“What are you saying? You’re my only wife. Don’t ever throw around talk of divorce like that.”
I pulled back from his touch.
“Didn’t you already regret choosing me? Divorce would free you to run back to your old flame.”
My relentless push finally stripped away his patience.
“Elara, Celia is gentle and thoughtful. She understands me in ways you never have. She’s so much better than you. Six years ago, I failed her once. This timewhether for her or for the childI won’t let you keep making a scene. Forget about divorce. My wifeand the mother of my childwill always be you.”
With that, he turned and disappeared into Celia’s room.
I looked down at the competition notice in my hand, emotions churning in every direction.
I had planned to retire from the sport after this event, no matter the outcome, and return to family life. But now, there was no reason to.
I called the Wynter family’s attorney and began preparing the divorce papers.
On the final day of training, a sharp cramp twisted through my stomach.
The staff noticed the color drain from my face and called Cyran.
A harsh laugh crackled through the phone. “So now she remembers how to play the helpless victim? I’ve got more important things to do than waste time on her little act.”
Cyran’s scornful voice poured from the speaker, cold and dismissive.
On the way to the hospital, the staff kept stealing glances at me, their eyes heavy with sympathy.
“The issue isn’t serious, but you should be careful with strenuous activity during this stage.”
The doctor glanced over my test results, found nothing alarming, and discharged me.
I had barely stepped out of the ward when I ran straight into Cyran and Celia.
Celia, hand resting on her swollen belly, instantly slipped her arm through Cyran’s the moment she saw me.
“Cyran came with me for my prenatal checkup. Elara, what are you doing here?”
Cyran’s expression tightened, uneasy, as though it hadn’t occurred to him that I might truly be unwell. After a pause, he forced out a few words.
“What happened to you?”
I met his eyes coolly. “Didn’t you say you had no time for me? Of coursethe long-awaited child matters far more than I ever could.”
My words silenced him, wiping the awkwardness from his face.
“Stop with the sarcasm. Right now, Celia and the baby are all that matter. If you’re not on your deathbed, don’t stand here putting on a show for sympathy.”
With that, he guided Celia away.
As we brushed past, Celia’s triumphant smirk flashedher entire demeanor that of a victor basking in conquest.
I stood watching them walk off, my throat burning with bitterness.
To see the man I had loved with my whole heart for six years lavishing his care on another womanno matter how strong I tried to be, there was no way to shake it off so quickly.
The next day, the competition went ahead as scheduled. My horse, Acorn, and I advanced to the finals with the highest score.
When I returned home, I found Cyran massaging Celia’s back.
The moment she noticed me, Celia pressed a hand to her mouth and began to gag dramatically.
“What’s wrong, Celia?”
Cyran patted her back, concern etched across his face.
“I’m fineit’s just a sudden wave of nausea. Must be something I smelled,” Celia murmured, hand still over her mouth.
Then, she glanced at me with feigned innocence. “Maybe it’s Elara. I’ve never been near a stable, so I’m not used to that smell.”
Her words dripped with malice, and Cyran’s face darkened as his gaze swung toward me.
“You come back from the stables without even cleaning yourself up? Filthy smells like that could make Celia sick. What are you trying to do?”
I retreated to my room, a heaviness pressing against my chest.
When Cyran had first fallen for me, he would show up at the stables every other day just to watch me train.
Back then, he never once complained about the smell. He would even roll up his sleeves to help me muck out the stalls and bathe Acorn.
But those days were gone. Now, all his tenderness was reserved for Celia, and to him I was little more than an irritant.
Yet that night, just before I could slip into sleep, Cyran called out to me.
Chapter 3 Fractured Glory
“I watched your competition livestream. You were amazing. Congratulations on making it to the next round.”
For a moment I froze, lost in memories. He used to be the one who wore my victories like they were his own.
“Elara, I still love you. I was never truly against your dream. Once Celia has the baby, everything will go back to the way it was. Why do you have to make such a scene?”
I looked at him and let out a sharp laugh.
“Back to the way it was? What about your heart? Has that never changed either?”
Cyran said nothing, but I didn’t need his answer anymore.
“I’ve already asked my lawyer to prepare the divorce papers. Once the competition is over, let’s part on good terms.”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but I turned away and went back to my room.
After that night, something in Cyran shifted.
I knew he didn’t want the divorce, but it wasn’t about me. It was about my family name, and the status it gave him and his child.
A few days later, as I was heading out for training, Cyranwho was resting at homeoffered to drive me.
I didn’t refuse. But Celia grew restless.
“Cyran, I’m bored sitting around all day. Can you take me with you? I’ve never even been to a stable before.”
At first, he didn’t want to. But when she pleaded with that pitiful tone of hers, he finally gave in.
While I trained, the two of them stood at the edge of the arena, watching.
Celia wouldn’t behave. One moment she was gagging from the smell, the next she was shrieking dramatically whenever Acorn trotted past, pretending to be terrified.
I’d had enough. I pulled my horse to a stop right in front of her.
“If you can’t handle it, then leave. Don’t stand here getting in the way. And if anything happens to that baby you’re carrying, do you really plan to blame it on me?”
Her lips quivered, and she put on that pitiful, wounded look.
“Elara, I know you don’t like me, but how could you curse Cyran’s child like that?”
She hurled her purse straight at me. It struck Acorn’s hind leg. My horse reared suddenly, front hooves clawing the air, a sharp, piercing cry tearing from him.
I gripped tight with my knees and pulled hard on the reins, fighting to keep control, desperate not to be thrown.
Through the chaos, I heard Celia’s shrill scream and Cyran’s panicked shouting.
Then, Acorn came crashing down, bucked twice, and sent me flying.
I slammed shoulder-first against the arena rail. The pain shot white-hotmy arm went limp. I knew instantly my shoulder had dislocated.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Celia crumpled on the ground, clutching her stomach.
Clenching my teeth against the pain, I forced myself to stand, fury burning hotter than the injury.
“Celia, are you out of your mind? You almost”
The word never left my lips. Cyran’s hand cracked across my face.
“How dare you insult Celia?”
The sting of his slap split me open inside. Shock, fear, and humiliationthey flooded me all at once. Tears spilled before I could stop them.
Only then did Cyran glance at my hanging arm and seem to realize just how dangerous the situation had been.
Before a trace of guilt could reach him, Celia’s sobs broke the silence.
“Cyran, my stomach hurts I’m so scared.”
The moment he saw her doubled over, Cyran didn’t spare me a glance. He scooped Celia into his arms and carried her away.
I watched his back as he disappeared, and it felt as though my heart had dropped into a bottomless pit.
In six years of marriage, this was the first time he had ever raised his hand against me.
The stable’s medical staff tended to my shoulder, resetting it with brisk efficiency.
By the time I finally made it home, night had already fallen.
Cyran was there, alone. His face was so dark it was almost frightening.
“Celia nearly miscarried. That damn horse of yours almost killed herand the baby!”
With a furious sweep of his arm, Cyran knocked the trophies from the cabinet.
They clattered to the floor, the very trophies I had earned through years of sweat and sacrifice, the very symbols of triumph he once celebrated with me.
Now they lay shattered, just like everything between us.
Chapter 4 Blood and Betrayal
“You’re done with horseback riding. From now on, you stay home and wait for Celia to have the baby. If you keep this up, that ridiculous equestrian competition will end in disaster sooner or later!”
I suddenly felt drained, too weary to keep fighting with Cyran.
“We’re getting divorced. You don’t have any right to control me.”
A few days later, during the championship round, I spotted Cyran and Celia in the stands. Their presence alone soured the air around me.
Acorn cleared a few obstacles, then gave a sudden shudder. His rhythm faltered, and one mistake tumbled into another.
When he leapt the final fence, his foreleg caught. The massive weight of his body crashed down, pinning me beneath him.
The officials stopped the competition at once. Cyran and Celia hurried down with the staff.
Acorn’s leg was shattered. He thrashed helplessly on the ground.
A stabbing, tearing pain spread through my lower abdomen.
“I warned you this would happenthat riding would land you in trouble. But you never listen!”
Cyran’s voice dripped with scorn, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“This damned horse again. Last time it nearly made me miscarry. Now, it’s crushed Elara. It doesn’t deserve to live another day!”
Celia waddled closer, clutching her swollen belly. She crouched beside Acorn, raised her hand, and struck his broken leg.
“Stop!”
Her scream tore through the arena at the same time as my desperate cry.
In agony, Acorn lashed out. His hoof drove straight into Celia’s stomach. A gush of blood erupted instantly.
Chaos erupted around us when one of the staff shouted in fury, “Who did this? Who put a long needle under the saddle?”
The words froze me. Rage and grief shot straight to my head.
And right then, Celia let out a wailing scream, twisting the moment to her advantage.
“Elara! You wretched woman! This is all your fault! You insisted on riding, you provoked Cyran, and that’s why he slipped the needle under the saddle! My baby could be in danger because of you! You dragged me into thisit’s all your fault!”
I stared at Cyran, utterly stunned.
In an instant, terror, fury, and betrayal crashed over me like a storm.
He shifted uneasily, holding Celia close, guilt flickering in his eyes. But just as quickly, he hardened, speaking with self-righteous indignation.
“I only did it because you refused to give up riding! We’ve been married six years and you still won’t give me a child. Haven’t I been patient enough? Now, Celia’s child is in danger because of that beast you insist on keeping. Are you happy now?”
I looked at him, and suddenly he was a stranger.
Six years. And yet I had never seen the darkness, the cruelty, and the pettiness coiled inside this man.
Fine then. Some secrets didn’t need to wait for the divorce to be spoken aloud.
“Cyran, don’t act so heartbroken. Whether her baby survives or notwhat does it matter to you? It isn’t even yours.”
Celia, who had been on the verge of fainting, snapped awake at once, her eyes wild. “You vile liar! How dare you slander me!”
Cyran glared at me with nothing but contempt.
“Even now, you can’t resist throwing filth on someone else’s name.”
I sneered and told him to call my lawyer.
Cyran scolded me at first, insisting I was talking nonsense, but when he saw the panic on Celia’s face, he still made the call.
A few minutes later, the phone went dead. His face had turned a stormy, iron-gray.
By then, the medical staff had dragged me out from under Acorn.
My white riding pants were soaked through with blood.
Cyran’s eyes fell on me, and his expression shifted instantly. He lunged to the ground, trembling as he scooped me into his arms. “Elara! You’re bleeding so much Don’t scare me like this!”
Pain and blood loss blurred my vision.
In the last fleeting moment before consciousness slipped away, I managed a bitter smile and whispered another secret. “Cyran I’m pregnant.”
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