The horse collapsed with a piercing scream after the gunshot, accompanied by the shrieks of Abigail and Zoe.

Sophia forgot how to breathe, her entire body frozen as she stared at the man on the horse in the distance.

William casually lowered the long hunting rifle, his expression cold. With one hand, he tugged the reins, and sitting in front of him on the horse was a shy-looking girl—Hazel.

Sophia's heart pounded in her chest, her legs weak with ...