Chapter 40
<Chapter>Chapter Forty: Standing Tall </Chapter>
Gianna furrowed her brows and looked at Jonah, "Jonah, thanks for standing up for me, but I really don't want you involved in this. It's a personal matter!"
Seeing the displeasure in Gianna's eyes, Jonah felt as if a needle had pricked his heart, his face paling slightly.
She fell silent, turning to enter the elevator with Felix close behind. Outside, Jonah's head hung low, his expression unreadable, but his last words likely stung.
The elevator doors slid shut, and with a derisive snort, Felix spoke up, "All that stuff you said to Jonah... You were just trying to cut ties quickly because you're scared I might actually do something to him. You sure do look out for him!"
Gianna's face remained impassive as she faced him. "It has nothing to do with you."
"Say it has nothing to do with me one more time. I dare you!"
Patience was something Felix found himself short of these days, especially with the ongoing tensions with Gianna. If she kept giving him the cold shoulder, he wasn’t sure what he might do.
Gianna looked at him with a hint of resigned indifference. "What do you really want, Felix?"
His gaze grew cold and focused on her. "Come back to me, and we'll pretend none of this ever happened."
Gianna's gaze lowered, and after a pause, she spoke, "I can't. There's no other way for us but divorce."
"Felix, I've explained this to you. Belle and I have nothing between us anymore. Why can't you let it go?!" he implored, frustration lacing his tone.
Taking a deep breath, Gianna shook her head. "It's not about holding on. I just want a divorce. That's all."
"It's not happening!"
"If that's impossible, then let’s just go our separate ways and stay out of each other's business," she declared with finality.
Her eyes, so clear-cut in their resolve, reflected his figure, but the love that once dwelled there had evaporated, leaving behind nothing but lifeless stillness.
"Go our separate ways?" The phrase left Felix with gritted teeth, and a chill seemed to emanate from him as if to freeze everything around.
Gianna nodded, "Yes, if you can accept that, then I'll never bring up divorce again."
A suffocating silence enveloped the space inside the elevator, Felix's deep eyes locked on her, unreadable, brooding.
Ding!
As the elevator doors opened, Felix pulled her back to the room, tossing Gianna onto the bed.
Gianna frowned, preparing to rise, but Felix held her down, trapping her between himself and the mattress.
His eyes bore into hers, blazing with an untamed fire, "You want to play? Well, I'm game!"
In the next instant, his long fingers began to unfasten the buttons of her blouse.
Gianna's complexion shifted slightly as she caught his hand. "Felix, I've lost all interest in you!" she stated coldly.
Felix smirked wickedly as he moved closer. "But I'm not done with you yet. Maybe one day, when I've had my fill, I'll let you go. How about we make that our deal?"
"If I had any sort of feelings for you, maybe I would consider your proposition, but as it stands, the mere touch of you makes my skin crawl!"
Felix's face became cold as he looked at Gianna with barely hidden disdain. "Repulsed? But in the hotel last time, it seemed like you were having a great time."
Gianna let out a cold laugh, "That was because I was drugged and out of my mind. If it had been any other man, my reaction would've been no different."
"Say that again!"
Raising an eyebrow and smirking disdainfully, Gianna said, "You don't seriously expect me to rely on pills to suppress my revulsion every time we're together, do you?"
The anger in Felix's eyes could have ignited a bonfire; he looked as though he wanted to strangle her right there and then.
Gianna shoved him away and stood up, eyes ice-cold, "If you're feeling needy, go see Bella. After all, this isn't the first time for either of you."
At her words, Felix frowned. "Gianna, I've explained it to you—I have nothing going on with Belle!"
"Right, if you say there's nothing, then there's nothing."
Watching Gianna's indifferent expression, a wave of unprecedented frustration and irritation washed over Felix. It was as if no explanation would matter to her.
She was like punching a pillow, and he didn't know how to handle their interactions anymore.
After a moment of silence, Felix got up and left the room.
Gianna didn't bother with where he was heading. After a bit of rest and applying sunscreen, she went out to explore the resort.
This trip was meant for relaxation, not for squabbling with Felix.
As she wandered, Gianna found herself at Horse Ranch Boulevard.
It had been a long time since she last rode, and the urge was instant. The promise of equestrian activities partly fueled the idea of joining Natalie at the resort.
Heading toward a nearby work area by Horse Ranch Boulevard, she noticed it offered a variety of equestrian supplies for rent or sale—though purchasing there would admittedly be pricey.
A staff member approached as she entered.
"Hello, Miss Redstone. Can I assist you with anything?"
Gianna nodded, "I'd like to buy some riding gear and a few equestrian accessories."
"Right this way, please. The riding apparel is on the left," the staff member directed.
Gianna selected a chestnut-red riding outfit, including gloves, a helmet, and boots. After grabbing a crop and tack, she changed into her new attire and followed a staff member to the stables to pick a horse.
Considering her height, the instructor selected a relatively smaller horse for her.
"Miss Redstone," the instructor offered with a gentle tone, "this horse here has a mild temperament and is particularly well-suited for a lady rider. You're welcome to spend some time getting acquainted. I'll lead you around at a walk to start, and then you can try picking up the pace gradually."
Gianna's gaze glided fleetingly over the recommended steed but settled on a robust chestnut horse tucked away in the corner.
With a flick of her riding crop, she pointed at the chestnut and confidently declared, "I want that one."
The instructor's eyes showed a flicker of surprise. He was about to reply when a mocking voice spoke up from behind.
"Some people really overestimate themselves, picking a spirited horse like that. Won't be funny when they end up taking a nasty fall!"
Gianna turned her head, her eyes narrowing as she recognized Felix, Uriah, and a few others not far behind her.
Jasmine was the one speaking, seemingly not chastened by the previous encounter, as she was quick to provoke Gianna once more.
Uriah exchanged a glance with an impassive Felix before admonishing Jasmine with a frown, "Jasmine, you might want to tone it down."
Jasmine's expression soured, but before she could retort, Bella chimed in.
"Uriah, Jasmine just worries about our sister here. After all, no one wants to see her fall off the horse," Bella reasoned.
Uriah had no desire to argue with the women over Gianna and chose to remain silent.
Gianna couldn't be bothered with their pettiness. She turned to the instructor and said, "I've made my choice. Please bring that horse over here. Seems like we have a bit of a buzz around, and it's quite distracting."
Jasmine clenched her teeth in anger; the stables were clean—there were no flies. Gianna's comment was a deliberate jab at her and Bella.
While Jasmine fumed, Bella caught her wrist and flashed her a conspiratorial look, signaling her to watch and wait for the drama to unfold.
Gianna taking on a wild horse promised a spectacle. At best, she would be injured; at worst, the girl might not walk away at all. Secretly, Jasmine relished the thought of such an outcome. After all, how could a country bumpkin like Gianna possibly know how to ride?
Mitchell wore a knowing grin, sensing from Felix's attitude that there had been another argument with Gianna. Otherwise, he wouldn't have simply stood there, observing Gianna choose the spirited horse, without stepping in.
Raymond, however, frowned deeply and spoke up, "Felix, I'm not sure I could handle that horse, let alone Gianna. She will get hurt. Maybe you should talk some sense into her."
After all, as Gianna's husband, Felix held the influence and responsibility to intervene in a situation that seemed destined to end with her in harm's way.
Felix carried an air of indifference, his eyes devoid of any warmth.
"It’s her choice of horse. If she gets hurt, she has only herself to blame."
