Chapter 17 Unequal Hearts
Kairo's confession echoes in Zephyra's thoughts all night long.
“I like you. I'm in love with you.”
She lies conscious beside him. Looking at his chest upward thrust and fall. His face is peaceful in sleep.
She desires to whisper the three phrases. They take a seat on her tongue. Prepared. Ready.
However, they won't come out.
Fear holds them hostage.
Morning light filters through the curtains. Grey. Bloodless.
Kairo wakes to discover her already dressed. Hair pulled back. Face distant.
"You're visiting my mom today." It is not a question. Dalia informed him too.
"She demanded I come on alone."
His jaw tightens. "She's testing you again."
"I know." Zephyra's voice is small. Scared.
She sits on the edge of the bed. Close enough but not touching.
"Kairo, about last night... what you stated—"
He stops her lightly. His hand overlaying hers. "You do not owe me anything. Love is not a debt to pay off."
But his eyes betray hurt. She sees it. The price of his vulnerability. The risk he took was that she couldn't fit.
Guilt twists in her like a knife.
"It is not that I don't... I simply..." She struggles for phrases. "Every person I've ever loved has hurt me. Used me. Left me."
"I am not one of them."
"I understand that in my head. But my heart—" Her voice cracks. "My heart is terrified."
She looks at him subsequently. Really look at him.
"My mother died. My father destroyed everything I built. Felix left me when I wanted him the most." Tears blur her vision. "Everyone I like leaves. Or dies. Or betrays me."
"I will not."
"You can't promise that."
"I will. and I do."
"What if you're wrong? What if something takes place? What if—"
He crosses to her. Cups her face with each hand.
"Then permit your heart to be terrified. Feel it. However, do not let worry make your choices."
His thumbs wipe away her tears.
"I'll wait, Zephyra. A day. A month. A year. However long you need." His voice is consistent. Sure. "Because what I feel for you does not have an expiration date."
Her breath catches. The certainty in his voice undoes her.
He kisses her brow. Lingering, mild.
"Go face my mother. Show her the strength I see each day." He pulls his lower back. Looks into her eyes. "And whilst you're ready— not when you think you should be, but when you definitely are—I'll be right here."
The words wrap round her like armor.
The car ride to Dalia's property feels limitless.
Zephyra stares out the window. The metropolis offers manors to sprawling estates. Manicured lawns. Gates that cost more than houses.
Kairo's phrases echo in her mind.
“ I will wait. However lengthy you want.”
She whispers to her mirrored image. "Why can't I just say it? I like him. I realize I do. So why won't the words come?"
Her cellphone buzzes.
Text from Kairo: "You're the bravest individual I know. You've got this."
Clean tears come. Hot. Surprising.
She sorts back with shaking hands. "Thanks for understanding what I cannot explain."
Then he responds.
"I understand fear. I lived in it until you showed me what courage looks like. Take it slowly, love. I'm not going anywhere."
The phrase "love" on the give up is casual. Certain. Patient.
It makes her breath seize.
She clutches the smartphone to her chest. Like it may anchor her.
The gates to Dalia's property open slowly. Ominously.
The driveway stretches like forever.Lined with flawlessly trimmed hedges. Marble fountains. European beauty.
This is vintage money. Generations of it.
And Zephyra is just a lady from nothing. Who built something from scraps.
The car stops. A butler opens her door.
"Ms. Lione. This way, please."
She follows him in. The residence is enormous. Every floor sparkling. Art is really worth millions.
He leads her to a sitting room she's never seen. Smaller than the others. More intimate.
More dangerous.
Dalia waits. Perfectly composed. Cream match. Pearls. Hair swept back, like a queen.
Tea service laid out on an antique table.
"Sit down, Zephyra." Dalia gestures to the chair from her.
Zephyra sits. Lower back directly. fingers folded. Armor in place.
"We have much to discuss about my son's heart." Dalia pours tea. Precise movements. "And whether or not you're worthy of it."
The words hit like a slap.
"Worthy?" Zephyra's voice is constant in spite of her racing heart.
"Yes. worthy." Dalia's eyes are sharp. Assessing. "My son confessed his love for you. Did he let you know that?"
"He told me."
"And what did you say when he told you?"
Silence stretches. Suffocating.
"Not anything," Zephyra finally admits. "I said nothing."
Dalia's expression would not change. But something glints in her eyes.
"Interesting."
"I wanted time."
"Time." Dalia sips her tea. "And what kind of time do you need? A week? A month? all the time?"
"I do not know."
"Then you definitely are not worthy of him now."
The words cut deep. Surgical.
Zephyra's arms clench in her lap. "You do not know anything about me."
"I know you're afraid. I understand you are using that fear to keep him at arm's length." Dalia puts down her cup. "I realize my son deserves more."
"Better than what? Someone who wants to be sure before they destroy him?”
"Someone who's courageous enough to take a risk."
"I've taken nothing but to risk my entire existence!"
"Professional risks. Career risks." Dalia leans ahead. "But love? You're a coward when it comes to love."
The accusation hangs in the air like poison.
Zephyra stands. "I don't have to pay attention to this."
"Sit down."
"No."
"Sit down. Down."
Something in Dalia's voice makes her hesitate.
She sits.
Dalia studies her. Long. Quiet. Then she does something unexpected.
She smiles.
"Good. You've got a heart in any case."
"What?"
"I needed to see if you'd fight for him. Or if you'd run." Dalia's smile fades. "Too many people in Kairo's life take from him. Use him. His name. His money. His power."
"I'm not—"
"I know. That's why I am testing you."
Zephyra's head spins. "What?"
"You think I called you here to break you? To scare you away?" Dalia laughs. Soft. Almost kind. "I called you here to see if you're strong enough to stay.”
"I don't understand."
"My son loves you. sincerely loves you. I've never seen him like this." Dalia's expression softens. simply slightly. "However, love isn't always enough in case you can't meet him halfway. If you cannot be courageous enough to say it back."
"I'm courageous—"
"Then show it."
The challenge hangs between them.
"How?" Zephyra whispers.
"Tell me why you cannot say it. The real reason. The truth."
Zephyra's throat tightens. "Because if I say it, it becomes real. And real things cease.
" Dalia's voice is mild now. "However, they also heal you. Complete you. Save you."
What if I disappoint him?"
"What if you don't?"
The question stops her cold.
What if she
doesn't?
What if loving Kairo would not break her? What if it builds her instead?
Can she risk believing that?