CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: BOTH FALL—THROWN FROM THE HORSE INTO THE WATER

Frances Fordham reined in her horse, watching as the out-of-control horse carried Stella Grant far away, and the smile on her face became even more apparent.

She sneered coldly in her heart.

Corinne, it’s best if this woman falls to her death. A novice riding such a wild horse could end up either dead or crippled.

By then, you’ll be my legitimate sister-in-law.

Having a superstar as a sister-in-law is quite impressive.

"Thud, thud, thud—"

The urgent sound of horse hooves approached from behind.

A pure black steed shot out like an arrow, racing in the direction where Stella Grant had disappeared.

Stella Grant was already scared out of her wits.

The horse was completely out of control, darting into the adjacent woods and galloping madly along a faint path.

She could only grip the reins tightly, her knuckles turning white from the exertion.

She absolutely could not fall off! Absolutely not!

The rough reins burned her palms painfully, seeping with blood, yet she dared not loosen her grip even a fraction.

Aiden Fordham sped his horse into the woods.

He saw the figure ahead, teetering on horseback, and his heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

"Stella Grant! Don’t be afraid!" he shouted loudly, "Hold onto the reins! Don’t be afraid!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Stella Grant instinctively turned her head.

Aiden Fordham’s figure drew closer amidst the swaying shadows of the trees.

The tightly wound string in her heart loosened just a little.

"Aiden Fordham! Help! Ah—"

Before the words were out, the horse jolted again, almost throwing her off.

The horse suddenly burst out of the woods, into an open area, but there was no path forward.

Ahead was a steep grassy slope, with a rushing river below.

The frightened horse seemed to sense the danger as well, suddenly rearing up on its hind legs.

Stella Grant held onto the reins with all her might, her body tilting backward from the inertia.

It’s over!

These two words were all that remained in her mind.

Her body had lost its balance, and she was about to fall off the horse.

At that critical moment, a strong arm suddenly wrapped around her waist.

The world spun.

The two of them clung tightly to each other, rolling down the steep grassy slope.

Aiden Fordham kept one arm tightly around her waist, using the other arm to protect the back of her head.

Their rolling speed was too fast, the impact immense.

Thud!

They couldn’t stop, rolling directly into the icy river.

The biting cold enveloped her instantly, making her shiver uncontrollably.

"Aiden Fordham! Help!"

Stella Grant flailed her arms wildly in the water, trying to surface.

"I’m afraid of water... cough, Aiden... Fordham..."

She choked on several mouthfuls of water, the icy river flooding her nose, making her eyes squeeze shut in discomfort.

"Don’t be afraid! I’m here!" a steady voice sounded in her ear.

"I’m here! Open your eyes, look at me!" Aiden Fordham’s voice held an undeniable strength.

She struggled to open her eyes, her vision blurred, and both of them bobbed in the icy river, the swift current pushing them downstream.

Aiden Fordham used one large hand to support her waist, allowing her to lift her head fully out of the water to breathe.

Stella Grant was soaked to the skin, shivering from the cold, still in shock.

Her face was wet, indistinguishable between river water and tears of fright.

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here!" his voice resonated again, imbued with a comforting strength.

The river was too swift, and with him holding her, they couldn’t reach the shore. His eyes quickly scanned both banks.

"Do you see that branch sticking out up ahead?"

He pointed to a sturdy branch hanging down from an old tree on the riverbank not far downstream.

"When we get there, grab hold of it, hold on tight!"

"I’ll let you go, climb ashore first, then pull you up."

Stella Grant instinctively shook her head, her eyes filled with fear.

Let go? She didn’t dare.

"Don’t be afraid."

He repeated, his tone more resolute.

"I’ll save you, but remember, once you grab it, don’t let go, do you hear?"

The cluster of trees drew nearer, the current pushing them quickly closer.

Stella Grant looked at the branch bobbing on the water’s surface and finally nodded heavily.

She reached up with her frozen stiff hands.

At the moment her body touched the branch, she used all her strength to grab the life-saving branch tightly.

Almost simultaneously, she felt the arm around her waist release.

A massive wave of fear hit her again, and she could only hold the branch tighter, shutting her eyes firmly, not daring to look or think.

After a while, a warm hand grasped her right wrist.

"Stella Grant!" It was Aiden Fordham’s voice, close by.

She snapped her eyes open.

A powerful force pulled her upward with all its might.

She was yanked out of the icy river, landing heavily on the grassy riverside.

Aiden Fordham also collapsed beside her, breathing heavily.

Stella Grant lay on his chest, greedily inhaling the earthy air by the riverside, her heart still pounding wildly.

After a long while, Aiden Fordham propped himself up, ignoring his own state, nervously checking on her condition.

"Stella Grant? How are you? Are you hurt anywhere? Any pain?"

His voice was hoarse with lingering fear.

With his question, the feelings of injustice and fear following a narrow escape erupted.

Stella Grant’s tears burst forth without warning.

She sniffled, her voice choked with sobs, speaking haltingly, "Hand... my hand hurts..."

Aiden Fordham immediately and carefully rolled up her soaked sleeve.

On her arm, where she had been injured and bandaged earlier, the gauze was soaked through with water, and dark red blood seeped from the edges.

Fortunately, the doctor had reinforced it with a splint earlier; otherwise, after all they’d been through, the wound would have long torn open completely.

Aiden Fordham looked at the bleeding wound and the scars on her hands, his face darkening.

"The wound has torn a bit," he said solemnly. "Anywhere else uncomfortable?"

Stella Grant shook her head, shivering nonstop, her teeth chattering.

It had been truly terrifying, she thought she was going to die this time.

Aiden Fordham stood up, scanning the area, seeing a small cave on the grassy slope nearby.

"There’s a cave over there. I’ll take you there to rest and make a fire," he said.

He bent down and lifted her into his arms again.

Their two soaked bodies pressed tightly together, even through their wet clothes, the mutual warmth oddly brought a hint of heat.

He carried her quickly toward the small cave, which was small but sufficient to block the wind.

Aiden Fordham carefully set her down, letting her lean against a relatively dry rock wall.

He reached into his pocket.

His phone had been lost during the tumble and fall into the water.

Thankfully, he still had a waterproof lighter in his pocket.

He swiftly gathered some dry branches nearby and returned to the cave.

"Click—"

The lighter sparked a flame, soon igniting the branches.

A small fire began to burn, crackling, the orange glow illuminating the little cave, driving away some of the cold.

Stella Grant hugged her knees, curled up by the fire, her body still shaking uncontrollably.

Aiden Fordham watched her small, pitiful figure, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

He silently added more wood to the fire, making it burn brighter.

She stared at the fire, her eyes red, but she understood who had put her in this situation.

"Aiden Fordham, we’re even now!" she said softly, referring to the debt of gratitude for saving her life.

When she jumped into the deep sea, narrowly escaping death and almost becoming a vegetable, this time he saved her, so now they’re even. From now on, there would be no further attachments.

"Even?" Aiden Fordham’s heart felt like it had been hit by something.