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Chapter 153
~Zara’s POV~
I couldn’t stop crying. My tears soaked into Zade’s shirt as he held me, his arms firm yet comforting.
He murmured soothing words, but I couldn’t focus on them. My thoughts were consumed by the images on my phone—Snow with Jenna, his face between her bare breasts, and his hand touching her in ways that were supposed to mean something.
I recalled our first time together.
How blissful it was even though the effect of the full moon made our actions erratic. I thought about the following morning, hiow he wanted me and I wanted him.
But I guess to Snow it was nothing more than just sex. And I had become the stupidest person alive.
I thought I escaped Ivan but in my quest for independence, did I jumo into anothe rmistake? I made series of such from the state.
First the contract, second my assuming feelings and letting myself get carried away. I should be stronger than this, not let feelings hurt me this way but genuinely, I felt something for him even though I tried to hide it and I blame myself for doing so.
"Zara," Zade’s voice was firmer now, drawing me out of the haze of pain. His tone held an edge I’d rarely heard from him. "Who hurt you?"
I pulled back slightly, reluctant to meet his eyes. His gaze bore into me, a quiet intensity that made my breath hitch.
"Who hurt you?" he repeated, his voice low but demanding.
I swallowed hard, the words clawing at my throat. "It’s... it’s Snow," I whispered, my voice breaking. "But it’s my fault, not his. I shouldn’t have fallen for him... but I did."
Zade’s jaw clenched, and his eyes flickered with something that made me tense. Was it anger? Sadness? Whatever it was, it left me feeling exposed and shocked a stranger could feel such for someone they barely knew.
"It’s not your fault," he said after a moment, his voice soft but resolute. "Don’t ever blame yourself for loving someone, Zara. That’s never a mistake."
I bit my lip, my tears slowing as his words sank in.
"Come on," he said gently, helping me to my feet. "Let’s get out of here. You need a change of scenery."
At first, I thought he’d take me back to the ranch we visited before—the peaceful quiet of the horses would have been soothing—but I couldn’t face the solitude.
"Somewhere with people," I said quickly, surprising myself. "I... I don’t want to cry anymore. I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts."
Zade studied me for a moment before nodding. "Alright. The park it is."
We drove in silence, the hum of the car engine filling the void. My heart still ached, but having Zade beside me kept me grounded.
The park was busy, families and couples scattered across the open space. Zade led me to a shaded bench beneath a sprawling oak tree, its branches offering some privacy amidst the crowd.
We sat in silence for a while, my emotions pressing down on me. Finally, Zade spoke.
"What happened?" His voice was calm, patient with me as if giveing me all the time in the world.
I stared at my hands, my fingers twisting the edge of my sweater. "I got a message," I began, my voice trembling. "It was pictures. Of Snow and this girl, Jenna... together..."
I swallowed hard, fighting the tears threatening to resurface. "He was... he was with her, Zade. In ways I thought..." My voice broke, and I covered my face with my hands. "It hurts so much. I didn’t think it would hurt this much."
Zade’s hand rested gently on my back, rubbing soothing circles. "Are you in love with him?"
My first instinct was to deny it, but the words stuck in my throat. I wanted to say no, but the pain in my chest told me the truth. I nodded, barely able to meet his gaze.
"Yes," I whispered. "I think I’ve been in love with him for a while now. I just... I didn’t want to admit it."
Zade’s expression softened, his hand moving to pat my head lightly. "I’m sorry, Zara. You don’t deserve this."
The sincerity in his voice brought a fresh wave of tears, but I held them back.
"Can I see the pictures?" he asked gently.
I hesitated, clutching my phone like a lifeline. "Why?"
"I just want to look," he said, his tone even. "From what I know of Snow, this doesn’t add up. If he were going to do something like this, he’d make it clear where you stood first. It doesn’t seem like him."
Doubt flickered in my mind, but I handed him the phone anyway. Zade studied the images, his brows furrowing as he zoomed in.
"This might not even be him," he said finally, handing the phone back.
"What?" I snapped, my anger bubbling to the surface. "Are you seriously defending him right now? After everything?"
"Zara—"
"No!" I cut him off, my voice rising. "I saw the pictures, Zade! It’s him. Stop making excuses for—"
"Hello!"
Andrew’s voice cut through the tension, and we both turned to see him strolling toward us. His easy grin faltered slightly as his eyes landed on my tear-streaked face.
"Fancy finding the siblings here at this hour," he said lightly, but his tone carried a note of concern. "What did I miss, and how was it? Was it not what you guys hoped?"
"What are you talking about?" I asked sharply, my voice still trembling with anger.
Andrew raised an eyebrow, his gaze darting between Zade and me. "The reunion, obviously."
"What reunion?" I demanded, my confusion mounting.
Andrew blinked, his face scrunching slightly as if he realized he’d said too much. "Uh... you know, stuff and all that."
I was about to respond when his earlier words played in my mind. "Wait." I turned to Zade, catching the glare he sent Andrew’s way. "What does he mean by the words siblings?"
Andrew winced, clearly regretting his words. "Oops."
Zade groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Andrew..."
"You said you’d tell her today eventually!" Andrew protested, throwing his hands up.
"Tell me what?" I demanded, my heart pounding.
Zade sighed, his shoulders slumping as he turned to face me. His expression was a mix of guilt and resignation.
"Zara," he began carefully, "there’s something you need to know..."
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