Zilia was flipping through a baby magazine when a specific mory surfaced.
’June, you’ll be the first to know when I’m pregnant. We’re friends, after all.’
A knot of guilt tightened in her chest. It felt like a betrayal of the promise she had made to Juniper back in the palace.
Driven by a sudden, restless urge, she walked over to the side table near the recliner and picked up her phone. She scrolled through her contacts until she found Juniper’s na and pressed dial.
Instead of a ring, an automated voice filled the line: "The number you have dialed does not exist."
Zilia lowered the phone slowly, biting her lower lip as the silence of the room closed in on her.
"What’s bothering you?" Cassio asked, entering the room. He carried a tray with a bowl of nutrient-dense salad, but he stopped short when he saw the look on her face.
"Cassio," she said, turning toward him as he set the tray down on the table.
"Let’s go see Juniper," she stated firmly.
Cassio looked at her, caught off guard. "What? Why this sudden request?"
"It is sudden," Zilia admitted, her voice shaking slightly. "But I can’t shake this guilt. June was a good friend to , she still is. I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. In the middle of my own happiness, I forgot that she’s out there struggling. She was already attacked once. I need to see her and make sure she’s actually okay."
Cassio saw the determination in her eyes. He knew that for Zilia, this wasn’t just a whim; it was a debt of friendship she felt she hadn’t paid. He sighed, glancing at the healthy al he’d just brought her.
"Zilia, she doesn’t want to see us. I reached out and told her I wanted to talk in person, but she refused," Cassio said, walking over to her. "She’s upset with us. Honestly, I think it’s better to give her the space she asked for."
"She’s upset because none of us ever tried to understand her," Zilia countered. "Especially . I’ve been thinking about it constantly since the truth about her family ca out. She lived with a constant fear of abandonnt, and in the end, that’s exactly what we all did to her."
Cassio remained silent, unable to refute her words. The guilt was a weight they both carried.
"She’s in San Ravendale, as you know," he finally affird, giving in to her resolve. "We’ll have to take a flight. Teleportation is too risky now that you’re pregnant with triplets. We can’t take any chances with the babies."
Zilia placed a hand on her stomach. "A flight is fine. As long as we get there. I just need to see her face and know she isn’t suffering alone. I know she is. Everyone was blaming her."
Cassio nodded, already ntally preparing the logistics for the trip. "I’ll look into the next available flights. But Zilia, if she refuses to see us even when we’re there, we have to respect that."
"Okay. I’ll have the maids pack the luggage. I’m planning to stay in San Ravendale for a few days," Zilia stated, her mind already moving toward the trip.
"Sure. Gabriel and Alie are there, along with Kate and Sage," Cassio answered.
"If June allows it, I’d like to stay with her," Zilia added.
Cassio stopped what he was doing and looked at her sharply. "You can’t do that. I don’t fully trust her. What if she tries to harm you?"
"She isn’t that kind of person," Zilia whispered, her voice defensive. "Can we just decide once we’re there?"
"She was jealous of you in the past, Lia. I have to consider that," Cassio replied, his tone hardening. "Call it prejudice if you want, but I’m being protective of you and our babies. I won’t take risks with her volatile history."
Zilia looked away, knowing Cassio’s protective instincts were difficult to override, especially now. She knew Juniper had made mistakes, but the thought of her friend being treated like a threat hurt.
"We’ll see how she is when we get there," Zilia murmured, though she wasn’t ready to give up on the idea of reconnecting.
"Okay. But I think staying at Gabriel and Alie’s place will be better for you," Casaio replied. "I won’t be able to stay there for too many days since the capital needs ."
"I know. Then, I’ll stay with them. I won’t worry you," Zilia assured him.
"Great!" Casaio smiled and dialed his Beta’s number.
~~~~
"I’ll take my leave now," Denzel said, pushing back his chair after they finished their als. "I’ve already coordinated with the building security to ensure no one gets near your apartnt. I’ll pick you up and drop you at the office tomorrow morning."
"No, please don’t bother yourself," Juniper replied, politely.
"It isn’t a bother. I need to connect with the new manager anyway to discuss the project that was pitched last ti," Denzel explained. "And don’t worry. I’ll handle the arrival discreetly. No one at your workplace will be gossiping about us."
Juniper humd in response.
"Thank you, Denzel," she added softly as he walked toward the door.
He paused, giving her a brief nod. "Lock the door behind . I’ll see you at eight in the morning."
"Yeah!" Juniper nodded and gave him a small smile. He stepped out of the door, and she locked it from inside.
Outside Denzel, pulled the car’s door open when Cillian’s voice stopped him.
"A gamma shouldn’t be intervening in my family affairs," Cillian said.
"I’m not. I am simply doing my duty," Denzel replied, turning to him and shutting the door after him. "Don’t bother Juniper. She has nothing to do with the Vittileo family."
"Dad wants to see her for the last ti. That’s why I ca to her. I have no interest in seeing her after that. My father is dying, Denzel. What do you expect to do?" Cillian suddenly lost his temper.
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