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Chapter 111
~Zara’s POV~
When Ella asked who was calling, I couldn’t hide my smile and responded, "Andrew."
I expected her to have more questions, considering I never told her about Andrew Blake. Not that the two of us spent much ti together, Andrew, I an, in the first place, but still.
I could tell he liked . Whether it was professional or not, I didn’t know, but I loved how straightforward he was when working and how fast.
I picked up the call, my heart lightening when I saw the caller ID. "Andrew?"
"Zara, glad I reached you. I wanted to check in after hearing what happened. Are you alright?"
My smile broadened at his concern. "Yes, getting there. Thank you. How did you find out?"
"I spoke with soone concerning your father’s issue with Ivan. He ntioned that Snow had stepped in to handle the issues with your family’s company, and your brother updated on the rest. I’m just relieved you’re safe." His voice was steady, warm.
"Thank you, Andrew. That ans a lot."
He continued, keeping his tone gentle. "I’ve postponed the contract signing to next Monday. Gives you ti to focus on recovering. It’ll wait until you’re ready."
I felt a rush of gratitude. "I appreciate that, truly. This gives the chance to catch my breath and return in full strength."
"Of course," he replied. "Take care, Zara. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything else."
With a smile, I thanked him once more and ended the call. I barely had ti to put the phone down before Ella’s knowing smirk t my gaze.
"So... Andrew, huh? What’s with the big smile?" she teased, nudging in the arm.
I laughed, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my face. "I wasn’t smiling like that, Ella. Stop bluffing."
Ella raised an eyebrow. For a mont, I thought she’d probably buy it if I could just maintain a worklike smile, but still, I failed. "You so were! You’ve got a crush, don’t you?"
I rolled my eyes, waving her off. "He’s a business partner, Ella. We’re just... on good terms, that’s all."
"Uh-huh," she said, grinning. "Well, ’just good terms’ never got anyone smiling like a teenager in heat. Admit it, Zara. You’ve got the hots for this guy."
With a sigh, I shook my head, deciding to drop it. "You have such an imagination."
She winked. "Maybe, but I’m rarely wrong."
"Whatever you want to believe."
"Nah. So..." she looked giddy like she caught sothing interesting. "If you have the hots for him, how co you are having the hots for our caring husband, Alpha Snow?" Before I could speak she cut in. "Don’t forget that he is a jelly bean, babe."
"I’m having the hots for no one. Stop this."
"Keep telling yourself that. Just don’t play with fire, babe."
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~Snow’s POV~
After talking with Dare Devil, I left my study and decided to check on Zara. Ella was still with her, and a part of was relieved, knowing Zara had a friend by her side.
Yet sothing gnawed at , a lingering need to see her myself. I took the stairs two at a ti, feeling more eager than I’d like to admit.
As I approached Zara’s room, I heard voices from inside and stopped just outside the door when I heard Andrew’s na from Zara. Ella’s teasing voice ca through first.
"You’ve got a crush, don’t you?" Ella laughed, her words unmistakably playful.
Zara’s response followed, a bit flustered, "He’s a business partner, Ella. We’re just... on good terms, that’s all."
Andrew.
I clenched my jaw, irritation simring at the na. So that was why she’d been smiling. There was sothing oddly unsettling about her chatting with him, and even worse, Ella’s hint that she might be interested in him.
I knew I shouldn’t care about her connections outside our marriage agreent, but the idea of Zara smiling for soone else left a bitter taste. Turning to leave, I froze when I spotted Aira at the end of the hall, giving a pointed look.
"Are you going in or not?" she asked, arching a brow.
Seeing I had little choice, I forced a neutral expression and turned back to the door. Aira followed behind, and together we stepped inside.
Ella noticed us first and greeted Aira with a grin, then shot a subtle look that I couldn’t quite read.
"Snow." Zara’s voice was surprised, almost shy, as she t my gaze.
"Good to see you’re feeling better," I replied, keeping my tone steady as I nodded at her.
She offered a small smile, the light in her eyes dimming a little. "Ella’s been keeping company."
"Good. You need all the rest you can get." Unfortunately, my tone was a bit firr than I intended.
Ella gave Aira a conspiratorial look, then stood. "Co on, Aira. Let’s give them so space."
Aira shot an amused look before following Ella out, leaving Zara and alone.
After a beat, Zara shifted slightly, looking at with a curious expression. "Is everything alright?" she asked gently, but I could sense her caution.
"Fine," I said a bit too quickly. Trying to brush off the strange tension, I took a seat by her bedside. "I just wanted to check on you myself. I... wasn’t sure if you were getting everything you needed."
She tilted her head slightly, studying with a hint of a smile in her eyes. "Well, thanks to your arrangents, I am. Ella’s here, and so is the pack’s healer. I think I’m in good hands."
"Good," I responded, trying to keep my voice casual. "That’s what I wanted."
Her gaze lingered on briefly. "You’re doing a lot to make sure I’m alright."
"It’s my responsibility, Zara. No one sses with what’s mine and gets away with it. I told you before."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn’t look away. "I’m starting to believe that."
Seeing a smile tug at her lips made my heart skip a beat and Glacier stirred within .
I wasn’t sure what else to say. I felt the weight of our silence and looked away. Aira must have sensed it as the next second; she nudged and said, "Why don’t you tell Zara about the surprise you have for her."
At first, I thought they had left but looking back now, they perched by the door.
No sooner had my sister said that; all eyes turned to face and Zara replied with a shocked expression. "What surprise?"
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