Page 45 of A Billionaire's Secret

“Yeah, well, maybe I can be her next jokey,” I joked nervously and patted his back.

He smirked but didn’t respond. I pulled a hundred-dollar bill from my pocket and handed it to him. “Thanks, Tony, that was a great session. I’ll be in touch for the next one.”

“Alright,” he nodded, crumbled the money, and shoved it in his pocket.

My heart raced with anxiety, tightness crushing my chest. As the sky turned gray, indicating an upcoming storm, so did my mind. I knew something was off with Tony’s line of questioning, and I had to find out if he knew our secret.

21

Victoria

“Whoaboy,whoa,slowdown.” I patted Mischief’s neck as he slowed down to a strut. I dismounted him and reached for my water bottle. The summer heat felt heavier under the dark clouds clustered above me.

“Victoria,” a familiar voice sounded from behind me.

“Diana?” I exclaimed.

“We need to talk,” she began, her voice filled with anxiety and determination.

Without a word, I returned Mischief to his stall, locked the gate, and motioned Diana toward a secluded gazebo.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my eyes swimming in curiosity.

Diana took a deep breath, her gaze focused and earnest. "There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just come straight out with it. I doped my horse Desert Rose, Victoria," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I cheated in our race, and I beat you unfairly. I’m so sorry for what I've done. It was a terrible mistake, and I can't begin to express how remorseful I am, and I’ll understand if you hate me for it."

My heart sank as her words hung in the air, each syllable resonating with the weight of her actions. Even though I already knew, hearing the words come out of Diana’s mouth made the realization wash over me, exposing anger, betrayal, and a strange sense of relief that the truth was finally out in the open.

“I know,” I looked down at my feet, and then my gaze pierced hers. “Why, Diana? Why did you feel the need to do something like this.”

Tears filled her eyes as she struggled to find the right words. "I was overwhelmed, Victoria. I wanted to prove myself, to be good at something for once. But instead of working harder, I took the wrong path. It was selfish and foolish, and I can never forgive myself."

A flicker of empathy surfaced at the forefront of my feelings. Diana's confession laid bare the complexities of human nature, the flaws that sometimes lead us astray. Before me stood a girl in pain, burdened by her own weakness and insecurities.

"But I don't understand, Diana," I said with genuine confusion, placing my hand on her shoulder. "You always seemed full of confidence, the life and soul of the party. You're always laughing, joking, and brimming with confidence. All the boys love you, and all the girls want to be you. Diana, you have everything anyone could ever wish for."

Diana's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability. "Yes, you're right, Vicky," she sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. "I may have everything money can buy, but unlike you, I have no real talent. I just flit from one thing to the next, never really finding my true calling. I'll think, 'Yeah, I'll try that,' and then when I realize I'm not as good as I thought, I get bored and move on to something else."

I shook my head gently, dispelling the notion that Diana was lacking in talent or worth. "Diana, don't sell yourself short. You have so many amazing qualities, and talent takes time to develop. It's not about instant success but about perseverance and growth. Maybe you just needed more time, more training, and support."

Diana's eyes welled up with tears, and I pulled her into a comforting embrace. We sat, holding each other tightly, as the weight of our shared struggles enveloped us.

“Do you think I should confess and face the consequences?” She asked her head still on my shoulder.

“And ruin your future?” I deliberated. “I think you should learn from this mistake and promise yourself to have dignity and never do anything like that again.”

“What if someone else finds out?” Diana’s fears exuded. “Can we all live in fear forever?”

“I wish I could answer all your questions and put all your fears to rest, Diana. But I can only promise you that your secret is safe with me, and I will support you no matter what.” I comforted her.

"Vicky," Diana pulled out of our hug, her voice quivering with emotion. "There’s something else.”

She reached into her pocket, her hand trembling slightly, and handed me the golden daisy charm I had lost at their house that first night with Christian.

My heart skipped a beat as I looked at the familiar charm, the memories flooding back. Shame washed over me like a tidal wave. I had slept with Diana's father, and now she was standing here, holding the symbol of our tangled affair.

"Diana, I—" I began, my voice choked with guilt and regret.

"No, Victoria, let me speak," Diana interrupted, her voice firm but filled with compassion. "My father told me everything. I think he really loves you.”

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