A Few Months Earlier

The moment Henri saw Eloá leave the barn, an uneasy feeling settled inside him. The hurried way she walked, the cautious words she had chosen, and that air of secrecy immediately raised a red flag.

“This isn’t right…” he muttered to himself, already imagining scenarios he would rather not consider.

He turned back to adjusting his horse’s saddle, determined to go for a ride around the ranch. But instead of going alone, he wanted company—and he knew exactly whose. While waiti