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Chapter 302
~Zaria’s POV~
The candle on my bedside table flickered slightly as the night wind brushed through the partially open window.
I sat in silence, my hands folded in my lap as my fingers traced idle patterns against the silk sheets as I stared out of the window, my mind replaying the events of the evening repeatedly and contrasting it with the past when Zara was a kid.
Zara was gone.
She had left .
Despite everything—the ti we’d spent together, the mories we’d created—she had still chosen to slip away like a thief in the night.
My chest ached, not just from anger but from the sheer weight of disappointnt. I had thought we were finally bridging the gap between us, but now, it felt like she had been one step ahead of all along.
A soft knock at the door pulled from my brooding. I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples as I placed my phone on my bedside table, not bothering to turn away from the window. "Co in."
The door creaked open, and the faint shuffle of footsteps filled the room.
"Luna," a maid spoke gently, stepping further inside. My eyes remained fixed on the dark sky outside, unwilling to give my attention to anything else.
"Greetings Luna." She hesitated.
I finally turned my head slightly, recognising the maid. Mariam. The one who had been closest to Zara these past few days.
"What is it?" I asked, my tone lacking its usual sharpness.
Mariam bowed her head respectfully. "I have sothing here for you."
I barely reacted, my gaze drifting back to the window. "What is it?"
She hesitated for a brief mont before speaking again. "Lady Zara asked to give you this... today."
At the ntion of Zara’s na, my entire body went rigid. My fingers clenched against the fabric of my gown, and I turned my full attention to the maid, my eyes sharp.
"Where is she?" I demanded. "When did she give it to you?"
Mariam lowered her gaze. "She gave it to yesterday. She asked that I deliver it to you today."
Frustration swirled inside , but I knew there was no point in scolding the maid now. Zara had made sure of that.
Exhaling deeply, I extended my hand. "Give it to ."
Mariam quickly handed the neatly folded letter before bowing and excusing herself from the room.
I stared at the paper in my hands for a while, hesitating to open it. Then, with a deep breath, I unfolded the letter and began to read.
But as soon as I began, I recalled I wasn’t alone.
"You may leave," I dismissed Miriam. Once I was alone, I resud from where I stopped.
Dear Mum,
By now I know you’re upset with . Maybe even furious. And trust , I don’t bla you. If I were in your shoes, I’d feel the sa way.
But I need you to understand sothing.
I love you, Mum. I love you more than words can ever express. And these past few days with you? They have been so of the best monts of my life. For the first ti in a long ti, I felt like I had my mother back—not just the Luna of the Golden Claw Pack, but you.
And I wanted to stay. I truly did. But I also have a life—a husband who worries about , a ho I built, and responsibilities I can’t ignore.
I know you didn’t an to, but every mont I spent here, I felt the weight of your wishes pressing down on . I could see it in your eyes every ti I talked about leaving. The hope that maybe—just maybe—I would change my mind and stay longer.
And for a while, I considered it.
But, Mum, I can’t live my life based on guilt. I won’t. I have fought too hard for my happiness, and while I wish I could split myself in two—one part for you, and one part for the life I’ve built—I can’t.
So I did what I had to do.
I left.
Not because I don’t love you. But because I do. And because I know that if I stayed any longer, I would keep finding excuses to delay my return.
Please don’t hate for this.
I promise this isn’t goodbye.
I will always co back. Because no matter where I go, you will always be my ho.
Love always, Zara.
By the ti I reached the end of the letter, I had read it twice, my hands trembling slightly as I traced the edges of the paper.
A single tear slipped from my eye, trailing down my cheek.
A soft, bittersweet smile curved my lips. "I guess I pushed you away." I sighed. "I’m sorry."
With a deep breath, I reached for my phone and typed a short ssage.
I’m sorry, my love.
I stared at the screen for a mont before pressing send.
And then, for the first ti since realizing she was gone... I let her go.
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~Zara’s POV~
Ever since returning, I hoped Mum had found my letter and she could find it in her heart to forgive , but being in this house with Snow brought inexplicable joy.
The scent of freshly cooked food filled the dining room as I sat across from Snow, twirling my fork through my plate of pasta. The warmth of ho wrapped around , and for the first ti in days, I felt like I could finally breathe.
Snow was watching , his sharp blue eyes filled with amusent. "You seem more relaxed," he comnted, sipping his drink.
I exhaled and chuckled softly. "I finally escaped my mother’s guilt trap. I think that alone deserves a celebration."
Snow smirked. "You do know she’ll co up with another excuse to summon you back, right? Mothers just love their kids."
I groaned, rubbing my forehead. "Don’t remind . But then, Luna Star isn’t like that."
"Oh, my mother? First of all, I wasn’t missing for like two decades. Secondly, you should have seen her when Aira went missing for Kane."
I was about to protest when I realised Aira must have frightened them all, especially since she was pregnant. "Well..."
The front door swung open just then, and a familiar voice rang out.
"Zara!"
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l
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