Chapter 4 Aria galloped across the training field at full speed , riding a fierce black horse beneath the freshly rising morning sun Suddenly , in the distance , she spotted Mason and Crystal slowly approaching on a single white horse . ] Crystal leaned intimately against Mason's chest in her white riding outfit , while he , dressed in sleek black equestrian gear , bent down , whispering close to her car , clearly enjoying their private conversation . Aria had waited an entire day and night , but Mason never came home . ] Just before burning their old photographs , she had hesitated and she even called him . But he had answered firmly , saying Crystal was having an appendectomy and wouldn't be coming home for now . ] And now that same " post - op patient " was riding a horse ? ] Aria was still in a daze when Crystal suddenly spotted her and let out a high - pitched gasp . ] " Wow , brother ! That woman looks a lot like my sister - in - lawr " ] Mason immediately lifted his gaze . [ ] In the distance , Aria sat tall on horseback , her fitted riding gear hugging her graceful figure . Her eyes were cool and sharp . brimming with cold disdain . He dismounted and walked over , looking up at her . From his angle , he could only see the cold line of her pale , elegant jaw . " Honey , you came riding without telling me ? " Aria shot him a chilly look . Just picturing how close he and Crystal had been , sharing one horse like lovers , made her stomach churn She instinctively covered her mouth , gagging slightly before replying blandly " You didn't pick up . Who was I supposed to talk to , the wall ? " Aria wasn't usually this sarcastic unless she was truly furious . Mason's expression faltered for a second , but he quickly recovered and smiled apologetically . " That was my fault . I left my phone in the car . Turns out Crystal was fine and it was just a regular stomachache . We panicked over nothing . Since she's competing in the International Equestrian Championship next month , I brought her here to practice . " Aria remained seated , not dismounting . Mason , craning his neck to explain himself from below , looked oddly submissive . ] Crystal shifted her gaze with visible irritation . Tugging her reins , she rode over with a pout : ] " Brother , you don't have to explain everything to her . Come on , get back on the horse . I still don't have the hang of that technique you just taught me . " 1 Mason instinctively turned to mount the horse again , but Aria's icy voice stopped him mid - step : lly needs " She's about to enter a professional championship , and she still needs an amateur like you to teach her ? If she really help , I'll do it . " Mason picked up her cue immediately : " Exactly . Your sister - in - law won the International Equestrian Championship back in the day . She's way more qualified to teach you than I am . " m . " 1 A bitter smile tugged at Aria's lips . Amazing , he actually remembered that . Crystal bit her lip . " But ... " ] After all these years , Aria knew better than anyone the games she played behind that sweet exterior . [ ] She raised a brow . " No buts . Come on . I'll take you for a ride . " ] Before Crystal could react . Aria cracked her riding crop across the hindquarters of Crystal's horse . The white horse neighed loudly and bolted forward , throwing Crystal into a panicked scream as she was forced to cling on for dear life . ] Mason clutched his chest in shock . " Arial What are you doing ? She wasn't ready- " ] Aria gave him a sideways glance , her dark brown eyes calm and cold : [ ] " Good coaches strike when least expected . Holding her in your arms like that won't teach her anything . She'll never get anywhere that way . " With that, she spurred her own horse forward and shot after them , galloping away in a cloud of dust . The fine sand kicked up by the horse's hooves sprayed directly into Mason's face . He stood there , cheeks burning , as if someone had stabbed him square in the back Out on the field , the two women began to compete in earnest Though Aria had started a bit later , her black horse quickly overtook Crystal's white one . [ ] Crystal yanked on her reins , glaring at Aria's graceful form as she rode with confidence and strength . [ ] For five years , all she had ever seen of Aria in the Jensen household was obedience , submissive , silent , self - sacrificing This was the first time she had seen such power and presence radiate from her . [ ] But when someone who's been crushed for too long finally starts to shine , the ones who tried to extinguish her are always the most unprepared to handle it . The more Crystal watched her fall behind , the more indignant she became . ] She was riding the best horse in the entire stable . Her riding skills had reached professional levels . And yet no matter how hard she pushed herself , she still couldn't catch up- Then , as Aria once again rode past her , something dark flashed through Crystal's mind . Acting on impulse , she pulled a hairpin from her pocket and hurled it at Aria's horse . [ ] It was a silver pin - sharp , gifted to her by a friend at her birthday party . She had stuffed it in her pocket earlier , worried it would fall out during riding . ] The silver tip pierced the horse's hindquarters . The animal reared up with a terrified whinny , bolting uncontrollably . No matter how hard Aria tried to regain control , the horse bucked and thrashed wildly . Moments later , Aria was thrown violently from the saddle . The black horse galloped away in a frenzy as Aria landed flat on her back in the grass . A sharp pain seared the back of her head - she'd hit a rock Her ears rang , her vision darkened . She instinctively tried to sit up . ] Suddenly , a foot stomped hard onto the back of her hand . " Ah- " she gasped , pain bursting through her body . ]