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Chapter 39
~Snow’s POV~
In the car, the streets blurred past as I sped toward the hospital. My thoughts were a ss, switching from Zara to Ivan to this new bombshell.
What had happened to Storm’s mother? What complications were they talking about?
Glacier was agitated. I couldn’t let this derail everything. Not when Storm was finally getting to be normal without crying daily for his mother. And now, with Ivan’s circling like a damn vulture, my attention is more than torn.
My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I pulled into the hospital parking lot. One problem at a ti. First, I’d deal with this. Then I’d deal with Ivan.
But Zara... I couldn’t shake her from my mind. Her silence in the car earlier. Her look when she walked away without a word.
What was she thinking? And why did I feel like she was slipping from , just when I needed her the most?
Tsk. We’ll talk later.
I stepped out of the car, pushing those thoughts aside. Right now, I had to find out what the hell was going on with Storm’s mother.
I made the necessary formalities and found Mrs. Primrose, the lady who called earlier. Together we headed for the VIP ward she was admitted in.
I didn’t know what, but sothing different made Glacier purr. As soon as I opened the door and stepped in, my breath caught in my throat.
Her blonde hair shook as she whipped her head slowly in my direction, her familiar blue eyes settling on .
And when she parted her lips to speak, my chest tightened. "Hello, Snow."
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~Zara’s POV~
Restless. That’s the only word describing how I felt since we returned.
My mind wouldn’t stop spinning, replaying every mont, word and every look between and Snow.
Why had I lost control so easily? Why had I let myself be drawn into whatever this... thing was between us?
I sighed, rubbing my temples as I paced around my room. I didn’t even understand myself anymore.
The logical part of scread to keep my distance, to stick to the contract, but the part of that lted every ti he looked at —that part was winning more and more often.
After several minutes, I was too tired to keep thinking about this and I needed a distraction. Anything.
Ice cream. I’ll get so ice cream.
I slipped on my slippers and padded down the hallway, my mind still foggy from everything that had happened. As I reached the stairs, I glanced out of the window just in ti to see Snow’s car driving off.
"Phew!"
Relief washed over . At least he was gone for now. I could finally breathe without feeling his presence lingering over . I headed down the stairs, lost in thought, my feet moving on autopilot.
But I must have been more out of it than I realized because instead of heading toward the kitchen, I found myself in the garden’s greenhouse, the soft glow of lights filtering through the glass walls.
Confused, I paused to get my bearings when sothing caught my attention—a barely audible soft sniffle.
I froze, my ears straining to catch the sound again. And there it was. Quiet, heartbreaking, like a small child trying not to be heard.
I followed the sound, rounding the corner until I stopped short. My heart squeezed painfully at what I saw.
Storm stood before a locked door, his tiny fra shaking as tears stread down his cheeks. He kept muttering the sa word over and over.
"Mum... Mum..."
I stood there, unable to move, my chest tightening with guilt.
"I did this."
"Not your fault, Zara," Astrid comforted .
But the truth was yes. I had been the one to set this little boy on this emotional rollercoaster. He had lost his mother, and now he was stuck in this strange arrangent between and Snow, probably feeling more alone than ever.
I wanted to say sothing, to comfort him, but I didn’t know how. What could I possibly say that would make this any better?
Storm must have sensed because his head snapped up, his blue-rimd eyes widening in surprise. He quickly wiped his tears, his little hands brushing them away as if nothing had happened.
"You didn’t see anything," he mumbled, trying to sound tough. "Mind your own business."
My heart broke a little more. He was just a kid, trying to be strong, and I couldn’t help likening him to his grandfather, whose na he bore.
He was definitely going to be a storm in the future.
As he moved to walk past , I instinctively reached down, placing a hand on his head and ruffling his hair. He stopped, looking up at with confusion, but I didn’t give him a chance to pull away.
Without thinking, I scooped him up into my arms, holding him close and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
"I’m sorry, Storm," I whispered, my voice catching in my throat. "I’m so, so sorry."
Storm stiffened at first, not expecting this. His tough act faltered and for a mont, I thought he might push away. But instead, he stayed still, his small hands clutching my shirt.
"You didn’t do anything," he muttered softly. "You don’t need to be sorry."
I pulled back slightly to look at him, brushing a tear from his cheek. "I’m sorry for what you’re going through," my eyes searched his. "You don’t have to be tough all the ti, Storm. It’s okay to miss her."
He blinked as if the words were too heavy for him to process but for a while, we stood there. Finally, he sniffed again, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
"You’re not my mom," he said quietly, his voice breaking just a little. But... thanks."
My throat tightened as I nodded. "I know I’m not. But I’m here, okay? If you ever need soone to talk to, disturb and play with... I’m here."
He didn’t say anything else, but as I gently set him down, I could feel him warm up. He wasn’t as alone as he thought. Maybe neither of us was.
Before leaving, Storm glanced back at , his eyes still glistening with tears but his voice a little stronger. "Thanks... for not telling Dad."
Wait. When did I agree?
Catching on, I smiled, giving him a small nod. "Your secret’s safe with ."
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