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Chapter 30
~Zara’s POV~
~Earlier The Previous Evening~
I stormed out on Snow, my mind spinning. How had I let things get this far?
He spoke with a smug demeanour, manipulating everything to his benefit—the agreement.
I facepalmed, stupid Zara.
I should have known better than to sign anything without reading it carefully. But I was so desperate to escape Ivan and his chaos that I didn’t care.
And now, Snow had control. Complete control. I intimately and personally manage my damn schedule. Tsk.
I felt my pulse quicken as I walked towards my room, grateful for the only space I had from him.
He had casually laid everything out, treating me like a piece on his chessboard that he could move whenever he pleased.
I’m not yours, I had told him. But even as the words left my mouth, a part of me—damn it—knew that wasn’t entirely true.
The undeniable raw attraction between us pulled me under. One thing was certain: this was not a game. It was something darker and deeper that I wasn’t sure I could escape from.
I reached my room and slammed the door behind me, leaning against it. My breaths came out in shallow bursts, Astrid’s presence swirling inside me, pushing against my control. She was loving every second of this. Damn wolf.
"I told you, you shouldn’t have signed that contract," she whispered in my head, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "Now look where we are. Although it’s a good bargain I can work with."
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temples.
Astrid chuckled. "You can fight it all you want, but we both know you want him just as much as he wants you."
I shook my head, trying to block her out. "This isn’t about wanting him," I corrected her. "It’s about power. He thinks he has me cornered, but he doesn’t know what I’m capable of."
"And what exactly are you going to do, Zara? Fight him with paperwork?" Astrid teased. "We’ve already crossed the line. You might as well enjoy the ride. I can’t wait for us to fuck him."
I growled softly, pushing her down again. "Not now, Astrid. I need to think."
But the problem was, I couldn’t think clearly. Every time I tried to focus, all I could picture was Snow’s face, his intense gaze locking onto mine, the way his lips had felt against mine just moments ago. And the worst part? I had kissed him back. I yearned to do so.
I paced the room, replaying the conversation over and over—his arrogance, his confidence. How dare he assume he could just take control like that?
No. I wasn’t going to let him have the upper hand. Before I could fully gather my thoughts, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, half expecting Ella to check on me, but was wrong.
It was a number I didn’t recognize. Not again.
I stared at the screen, a sense of foreboding creeping over me as the unknown number flashed.
Unknown: I know who you truly are. I can help you fulfil your destiny. Meet me tonight. Same place. Same time.
My heart thudded in my chest. The last message had rattled me, but I ignored it. I thought it was just someone messing with me. But now it was clear. Whoever this was, they weren’t playing games.
For a moment, I considered texting back, but something in my gut told me not to. Instead, I lay on the bed, fingers tapping nervously as I shut my eyes.
What did they mean? Same place, same time? Had I met them before?
I forced myself to sleep and not think about it.
The next morning, after getting ready for work, I had my meal packaged and sent up to my workplace. Just as I picked up my handbag, the soft voice of one of the maids called out.
"Ma’am? Your meal is ready."
I headed out. When I took the bag from her, she lowered her head and started to leave, but before she could do so, I called her back.
There was something I needed to know.
"How long have you worked here?"
"My Lady?" She glanced at my raised brows and looked away. "I huh... 8 y-years now," she stuttered, fidgeting with her gown.
"Good. So you know about Storm and Zoe. Tell me, is she Storm’s mother?"
The maid fidgeted, fear descending upon her. "I-I uh..."
"Silvia, there you are. I was looking for you." I looked up, my eyes locking on the chauffeur as he made his way towards us.
"Lady Zara. Good morning. Is anything the matter?" The look in his eyes earned a smile from me, and I shook my head.
"No. I was just thanking her for getting my meal. That’s all."
"Okay. I’m afraid she is needed in the kitchen to prepare the master’s meal."
Without saying much, I gave a nod and walked ahead of them. But I felt a fierce stare on my back. Was he monitoring me?
I dismissed the thought from my mind and departed for work. At night I got a message from Snow concerning the meeting by 10 a.m. and immediately went researching.
Luckily, the meeting went well and the slides I presented were well accepted; excellent thing I personally handled them in my father’s company prior.
But Marcus’s proposal lingered. Something about the man unsettled me. I couldn’t put my finger on it. I decided to keep my distance, but fate, as always, had other plans...
Just then there was a knock at the door, followed by it swinging open. My head snapped up.
"Zara." Snow’s voice filled the new office I was given, sending a chill down my spine.
I straightened, locking eyes with him. His gaze was unreadable, but it made my skin tingle.
"Didn’t anyone teach you to knock before entering?" I asked sharply, trying to hide my racing pulse.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "This is my company, Zara. I can walk in whenever I damn well please."