Chapter 239

The name of Nathaniel's horse had a celestial theme. Was that star a reference to his beloved, Celeste Rivers?

Chasing the stars, chasing the one who held his heart...

Nathaniel leaned close to Evelyn's ear when he noticed her distracted expression. "What's on your mind?"

Evelyn snapped back to reality, running her fingers through the horse's mane. "Nothing. It's a magnificent horse."

"You enjoy riding?"

She shrugged. "It's decent."

Without warning, Nathaniel's hand settled on her waist, his breath warm against her ear. "This trip wasn't fun for you. Next time, we'll come alone."

Evelyn stiffened. Is he delusional? The contract expires in two months. There won't be a 'next time' for us.

His fingers traced her waistline, as if inspecting fine silk. "You eat so much, yet you're still this slender," he teased.

Evelyn scowled. "Not my problem."

Nathaniel chuckled. "Eat more. A little softness would feel better in my hands."

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she swatted his hand away. "Control yourself. Hands off!"

"Keep squirming, and I'll show you just how little control I have."

Evelyn gritted her teeth. Riding double with him had been a terrible idea.

Back at Silver Peaks Ranch, Gabrielle and the others had gathered in her room.

Nathaniel and Evelyn arrived to find a crowd hovering around Gabrielle's bed while a doctor examined her injury.

After a thorough check, the doctor's expression turned grave. "She needs immediate surgery. Without proper equipment here, I can't confirm the extent, but based on symptoms—her ligament is likely torn."

Torn ligament?

Gabrielle's face was ghostly pale, but she forced herself upright. "Doctor... will I still be able to dance?"

The doctor hesitated. "With recovery, yes. But your flexibility may never be the same."

Her eyes widened in horror. "I'm a principal ballerina! If I can't perform perfectly, what's the point of living?"

"Gabrielle, don't panic," Benjamin soothed. "Let's get you to the hospital first. The damage might not be permanent."

Dominic nodded, already calling for an ambulance.

Gabrielle trembled, tears streaming as she fumbled for her phone. The call connected.

"Celeste... I can't do this anymore," she whispered hoarsely. "If there's another life... let's be sisters again. Goodbye—"

The phone slipped from her fingers as she collapsed, unconscious.

Benjamin grabbed her shoulders, shaking her frantically. "Gabrielle! Wake up! Doctor—!"

The doctor checked her pulse. "She's fine. The pain and emotional distress caused her to faint. But she needs a hospital immediately."

A sudden ringtone cut through the tension. Benjamin paled at the caller ID but answered swiftly. "Amelia, I'm with Gabrielle! She's hurt, but it's not life-threatening!"

His voice softened. "Don't worry. I've got her. Oh—Nathaniel's here too. Yes."

Turning, he extended the phone toward Nathaniel. "My sister wants to speak with you."