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Chapter 23
~Zara’s POV~
Luckily, I found my way to Ella’s apartment right after my confrontation with Snow but as I made my way up to her apartment, I froze midway.
I blinked, a tear slipping past my eyelids.
I wiped it off, my eyes glancing at my fingertips. How? Why?
I sniffed.
Was I stupid? I had just started my so-called marital life and ran to Ella’s comforting arms. I shook my head. My friend couldn’t see me like this.
With no other choice, I turned around and made my way for the entrance, exiting the building. Finding a cab that took me to a hotel, one my family invested in did not take time.
But my arrival only made things worse. As soon as I paid the cab driver and stepped out of the cab, walking towards the entrance of Hotel Regal, my heart still raced from the emotions Snow had stirred within me.
I barely had time to process everything when I saw them—Ivan and Clarissa—sauntering out of the reception, both wearing smug expressions that made my skin crawl.
At first, they froze, like teens caught in a wrong act. But soon enough their shock morphed into something else.
"Well, well, look who it is," Ivan’s voice dripped with sarcasm. "What brings you here, Zara? Didn’t expect to see you so soon after your... wedding. Or has Snow already kicked you out?"
Clarissa giggled behind him, casting a sideways glance at Ivan. "Oh, Ivan, don’t be mean. She’s probably just here to lick her wounds. After all, it’s only been what... a few days? Quite the record," she said, her eyes narrowing on me with mock pity.
I took a deep breath, straightening my back. "I’m not in the mood for your pathetic games," I shot back, trying to maintain my composure.
Ivan stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Or maybe you’re here to cheat on Snow, hmm?" he suggested, his grin widening. "Couldn’t take the heat at home, so you’ve come crawling to some other man. Is that it?"
I felt the anger bubbling up, but I clenched my fists at my sides, refusing to let them get under my skin.
"Funny how you think your assumptions matter to me," I said, locking eyes with Ivan. "The only people whose opinions I care about are far from this pathetic spectacle."
Clarissa didn’t miss a beat. She stepped forward, her red lips curving into a sneer.
"Oh, sweetie, I wouldn’t be so sure," she taunted. "After all, you’re the one staying in a hotel just days after your grand wedding. What would people think? That maybe... Snow’s already had enough of you? Or you came here to prostitute yourself?"
I let out a bitter laugh, the sound surprising even myself. "Clarissa, your obsession with my life is really starting to get embarrassing," I said, keeping my voice steady. "It’s sad how low your IQ is. What makes you think that every female going into a hotel is going to prostitute herself? Last I checked, I am not you, the cheap whore jumping from one taken man’s bed to another."
Anger shot through her eyes and I smirked. "Or what? He..." my eyes raked over Ivan in a disgusted manner, "he already got a new chick and has to fuck you here in a hotel?"
"You know nothing about our love, bitch."
"Easy on the ’B’ word cousin. You do not want people thinking you are mad or anything, considering you’re the one selling yourself to a man who never dared to make you, his."
My words had cut deep as the next second, I saw Ivan clench his fingers into fists. "Shut up, Zara. You know you love me. Aren’t you tired of being spiteful already? Perhaps if you beg enough, I can consider accepting you as my mistress."
"And who would be your woman, this whore?" I scoffed cutting him short. "Your delusion amuses me." I turned my attention back to Clarissa. "But let me make one thing clear. If anyone’s going to be tossed aside, it’s you and your delusions."
Her eyes flared with anger, but I didn’t care. I was done playing their games.
Ivan let out a bark of laughter. "Wow, she’s got some bite after all," he mocked. "But trust me, Zara, Snow’s not one to keep playing with his toys for long."
I narrowed my eyes at him, my voice cold and sharp. "If I were you, Ivan, I’d worry less about Snow’s marriage and more about the mess you’ve made of your own life. But that’s none of my business, is it?"
Clarissa’s face twisted in anger, but I didn’t give her a chance to respond. I turned on my heel and walked past them, my head held high.
As I entered the hotel lobby, I could still feel their eyes burning into my back, but I refused to give them the satisfaction of looking back.
The moment I reached the reception desk, I felt my shoulders relax slightly. I needed space—away from Snow, away from their poisonous remarks, away from everything.
"Hello. Good evening Miss..." the hotel receptionist greeted.
"Good evening. Please I’d like to book one of your suites please."
I handed my card to the receptionist, barely registering the pleasantries exchanged as she processed my booking.
The tension from the confrontation with Ivan and Clarissa still weighed on me. I know to most people, I’d be seen in a different light but I couldn’t go to my parents’ house either.
I know I wasn’t disowned, yet but I wasn’t ready to face them either. The only thing I needed now was space—space to breathe, think, and gather my thoughts.
"Here’s your key, Miss Zara," the receptionist said with a warm smile. "Your suite is on the 14th floor. Please enjoy your stay."
I forced a smile in return, thanking her before heading to the elevator. Once inside, the doors closed, sealing me in the quiet box. I leaned against the wall, exhaling deeply. The silence was comforting.
And perhaps a night here was what I needed to properly think and plan how I want my life to go, henceforth.
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