Chapter 7
It was nearly a three–hour flight from California to Chicago.
For some reason, Jenny felt a little nervous.
Once upon a time, Riley had been her best friend. But after today’s wedding… he would return to being a man.
Riley had been born with a frail body and a cursed fate–doomed not to live past the age of three unless he lived as a woman until 30. That was the only way to break the curse and survive.
So, from a young age, Riley had dressed and lived as a girl. Even after becoming the sole heir to the powerful Jensen family, who could stir storms in Chicago with a single word, he still maintained the identity of a
Woman.
Or so he claimed.
Aside from his parents and the family’s butler, the only person in the world who knew the truth was Jenny.
All of it started over 20 years ago because of one unexpected accident.
Riley had come to California with his mother to attend a charity gala hosted by the Yvart family.
Craving some peace and quiet, he had slipped away to the garden–only to fall into the man–made lake.
Jenny had been a tomboy back then. Without hesitation, she dove in after him and dragged his weak body out of the water.
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Chapter 7
While helping him change out of his wet clothes, she discovered hist
secret.
***
Ever since that day, to make sure Jenny kept his secret, Riley had come up with an excuse to stay in California for six whole months–just to “keep an eye on her.”
But things didn’t go as planned. The two grew closer. Before long, they were best friends “girlfriends,” even.
Riley used to tease her. “When I turn 30 and can finally be a man again, I’ll marry you.”
Back then, Jenny had laughed it off like any childhood joke between friends.
She never thought it would actually happen.
Even after she landed in Chicago, it still felt surreal. She couldn’t stop imagining what Riley would look like as a man.
For the wedding, Jenny was set to make her entrance on horseback.
What she didn’t expect was that, after all these years, Riley still remembered her childhood love for golden racehorses.
As she rode the absurdly expensive championship steed down the aisle, fireworks exploded overhead, and for a second, she forgot to breathe–the fireworks had burst into the letters of her name.
The petal–lined path–stretched on, but there was still no sign of the groom.
Of course. Riley–the only heir of the Jensen family, the one who had ruled the business world as a woman for years–was actually a man. The news alone could blow Chicago sky–high.
No doubt he’d wait until the last second to show himself.
Then, the bubble machines kicked in, filling the air with shimmering, rainbow–colored bubbles.
Right then, Jenny’s horse suddenly spooked. It reared up without warning, bucking wildly.
She had been staring off at the end of the aisle, lost in thought, watching. for Riley. By the time she realized the horse had spooked, it was too late to react–she could only cling desperately to the reins.
But the horse was a top–tier racer, powerful and wild, and Jenny’s injured right hand still hadn’t fully healed. A dull ache flared up, leaving her with no strength to hold on–she was seconds away from being thrown off.
“Damn it!”
Jenny gritted her teeth. Was this how her big Chicago entrance was going to end? In total disaster?
She was already bracing herself, mentally planning the least embarrassing way to crash to the ground, only to land smoothly and securely, in a pair of strong arms.
The world spun. She looked up and saw Riley’s face.
It was the first time she’d seen him with short hair. And he was… God, he was even more handsome than that boy band she’d obsessed over years ago.
Jenny was speechless.
Riley raised an eyebrow, his smile a touch smug. “Jenny, you really know how to surprise me.
“W–What?”
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She thought he meant the horseback entrance and was about to explain- but then his lips curled into something softer.
“Jenny, you’re even more beautiful than I imagined.”
And before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her.
