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Chapter 264
~Zara’s POV~
Sterling’s gaze flicked to briefly before returning to Snow. "Simply to extend a warm welco and express my admiration for your... lovely wife. The Eastern Colonies have heard much about her."
Snow’s hand subtly tightened on my waist, a silent signal that didn’t go unnoticed by Sterling, whose smile only grew sharper.
"Your reputation precedes you," Sterling continued, swirling his champagne lazily. "I’ve no doubt tonight’s gathering will be... morable."
Sothing about his words made goosebumps appear on my skin and I shuddered. Snow’s expression remained unreadable, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.
"Let’s hope so," Snow replied in a clipped tone.
Sterling inclined his head again before stepping back into the crowd, his parting words lingering like smoke. "Enjoy your evening, Lord Snow. Lady Zara."
As he disappeared, I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
"Who was that?" I asked softly, glancing up at Snow.
"Trouble," he muttered, his jaw tight.
Zade stepped closer, his gaze following Sterling’s retreating figure. "Want to keep an eye on him?"
Snow nodded curtly. "Discreetly."
I bit my lip, a sinking feeling settling in my chest. The night had only just begun, but it was clear that beneath the glittering façade of the party, there was a storm brewing.
The rest of the party unfolded in a blur of faces, handshakes, and polite smiles. The nobles, with their flowery words and false sincerity, ca one after another, their attention fixed on more than I would have liked.
"Lady Zara, you’re even more beautiful than the rumors suggest," one man drawled, bowing low.
"Such grace and charm," another woman chid in, her eyes gleaming with calculated intent.
I nodded and smiled where it was expected, but exhaustion tugged at the edges of my composure.
anwhile, Snow remained at my side for most of the evening, keeping safe.
Ever the gracious host, Kaid gracefully navigated through the crowd like a master conductor, orchestrating the night with ease.
Occasionally, his gaze would find mine, and he would give a small, reassuring smile, as if to reassure that he had this, not that I cared.
But despite the grandeur, my thoughts kept straying back to Sterling. His sharp smile and veiled words lingered in my mind like a shadow I couldn’t shake.
There was sothing that didn’t click well with .
"Almost over," Snow murmured beside , his voice low enough that only I could hear.
I nodded, grateful for the reassurance.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the party began to wind down. The crowd thinned as guests started making their farewells, their voices fading into the night.
When the last guest departed, I exhaled deeply, leaning briefly against Snow’s arm.
"Go rest," he said gently, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "I’ll handle anything else that cos up."
I gave him a grateful smile and headed toward my chambers, my feet aching and my mind buzzing.
I did my best to avoid any unnecessary guests, smiling where I needed to, ignoring their winding gossips, which, to my anger, failed thanks to my heightened senses.
Inside my room, I slipped out of my gown and into sothing more comfortable, the soft fabric soothing against my skin. I sank onto the edge of the bed, letting out a long sigh.
The peace was short-lived as my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I reached for it, my brows furrowing at the na on the screen.
Ella.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I answered, "Ella, hey girl. How are you?"
"Zara!" Her voice was warm, but there was an edge to it that I imdiately picked up on. "What’s up? I called you before."
"I’m fine. Just... tired. Kaid’s party was a bit much," I admitted, lying back against the pillows. "What about you? How’s everything on your end?"
There was a pause, long enough to make my heart skip.
"Ella?"
"I’m here," she said quickly, but her tone was tight.
"Don’t lie to . Don’t even for once think of telling everything is okay because I can tell it is not. Ella, what’s going on?"
She hesitated briefly before opening up. "It’s... It’s Styles."
That got my attention. I sat up straight, the exhaustion of the evening forgotten. "What about Styles?"
"He’s leaving," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"Leaving?" My stomach dropped. "Why? What’s going on?"
I was happy that she found soone not from the past, but now he was leaving? Did they have a fight? Did she inform him of her feelings or what?
Whatever the issue was, I was sad I wasn’t there to hold her in my arms. "Ella, please," I pleaded and waited for her, my heart already pounding heavily in my chest.
"It’s complicated," Ella replied, the hesitation in her voice making my chest tighten.
"Ella," I pressed. "Please," my voice softened, "Talk to . What’s going on?"
After another pause, she whispered, "His na isn’t Styles."
My heart began to race, each beat loud and insistent.
At once several thoughts from my last life began to flood my mind and my heart skipped another beat.
"No. This is wrong. It cannot be happening. Did I fail like in the past?"
Just as I was letting my negative thoughts overwhelm , I felt a hand around my heart.
"It isn’t your fault. You did not do anything bad, Zara. Keep calm and listen."
"You’re right, Astrid. Ella is still alive. That counts."
I cleared my throat and asked, "What do you an his na isn’t Styles?"
"I... I don’t know everything yet," Ella admitted, her voice heavy with emotion. "But there’s more to him than any of us realized."
The line went quiet for a mont, and I could feel my breathing quicken.
"Ella, tell everything," I urged, my voice trembling despite my attempt to stay calm.
But she didn’t respond, and the silence on the other end of the call only made the unease in my chest grow stronger.
"Ella!"
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