Chapter 42 42

Chapter 42 42
Zara’s POV

“Elara,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the tension coiling tightly in my chest. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Her smile widened, effortless and bright like she had never broken anything in her life.

“Oh, I’m just picking up a few things for the wedding,” she replied, lifting her shopping bag slightly as if to emphasize her point.

The wedding the word hit harder than I expected even though I know she should be preparing for it already.

My throat tightened but I kept my expression neutral, her gaze shifted to Bella. “And who is this?”

For a second, I hesitated. I didn't want her to be curious about Bella less she mentioned who I was to her and Bella won't never forgive me for not informing her first.

A ridiculous, irrational part of me wanted to shield Bella like somehow Elara’s presence alone could take something else from me.

I knew it was unfair to blame her for accepting Kaelan proposal especially because she wasn't informed about me but my emotions didn’t care about fairness. Whenever I see her I can only remember Kaelan betrayal but can someone actually get over their mate though?

“This is my best friend, Bella,” I said finally, gesturing toward her.

Bella gave Elara a measured look one filled with awareness. She knew exactly who she was looking at and she knew the history. The betrayal and the quiet destruction wrapped in a pretty smile.

Elara extended her hand politely, Bella stared at it for a beat too long but I nudged her lightly.

She blinked, then forced a smile and shook Elara’s hand. “Nice to meet you,” Bella said, her tone controlled but not warm.

“Elara Lycarr,” she introduced herself smoothly. “Darius’ daughter… and Kaelan’s fiancée.”

The title hung in the air like a challenge and I felt it, I knew Bella felt it too.

“An honor,” Bella replied, though there was a faint edge beneath her words.

Elara didn’t seem to notice or maybe she chose not to.

“What are you two doing out here?” she asked, her gaze moving between us curiously.

I glanced at Bella before answering.

“Just spending the day together,” I said. “Nothing serious.”

“A girls’ day,” Bella added, her tone a little brighter now.

Something flickered across Elara’s face, It was brief almost unnoticeable but I saw it.

“Oh…” she murmured softly. “That sounds… nice.”

There was something off in her voice now, something quieter almost uncertain.

“I’ve never really had that before,” she admitted after a moment, looking down at her hands. “A real girls’ day, I mean. I’ve never had… real friends to do things like that with.”

Bella and I exchanged a quick look.

It was hard to believe that Elara Lycarr the beautiful, powerful and most admired was claiming she had no real friends?

“You’ve never had friends?” Bella asked, voicing exactly what I was thinking.

Elara gave a small shrug, but there was a shadow behind her smile now.

“Not the kind that stay,” she said quietly. “People tend to… keep their distance or they want something. It’s easier not to get close.”

For a brief, unexpected moment… I felt something twist in my chest not jealousy but something softer I didn’t want to feel but Bella’s subtle shake of her head pulled me back instantly.

No, I wasn’t doing this. I wasn’t letting sympathy blur reality.

I slipped my hand around Bella’s arm and straightened.

“It was nice seeing you,” I said, my tone polite but firm. “But we should get going.”

Elara’s expression faltered slightly.

“Oh… okay,” she said, clearly disappointed. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

I gave a small nod and turned, guiding Bella away before anything else could be said.

I could feel Elara’s gaze lingering on my back as we walked off.

“She’s… something,” Bella muttered the moment we stepped into the boutique.

I exhaled slowly. “That’s one way to put it.”

We didn’t dwell on it.

Instead, we focused on what we came for.

Bella tried on dresses too many to count and each one was more extravagant than the last.

Soft fabrics, bold cuts, shimmering details that caught the light every time she moved.

She finally settled on something elegant yet daring and for her sister Sapphire she chose a ruby bracelet, delicate but undeniably expensive.

A small heart charm hung from it, engraved with her name. “It’s perfect,” Bella said, admiring it. “It is,” I agreed.

After shopping for hours we went to a popular restaurant and for a while… things felt completely normal and almost peaceful, we laughed, teased each other and talked about everything and nothing over dinner afterward.

It was fun and I really enjoyed myself especially since I had been busy for a while now and for a few hours, I forgot about Kaelan and Elara and about the mess my life had become.

By the time Bella dropped me off, the sky had already darkened. “Thanks for today,” she said softly.

I smiled. “You don’t have to thank me, I also needed it.”

We hugged briefly before I stepped out of the car and just like that the silence in my life returned again and I was back to the reality I was facing.

My house loomed ahead, quiet and heavy.

I stepped inside, the stillness wrapping around me instantly, nothing had changed and It never did.

Since my father was taken everything felt like it had stopped moving.

My chest tightened as I glanced toward the stairs, my mother hadn’t come out of her room in days.

I checked on her that morning, but she barely spoke and she barely looked at me, she was fading and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into fists at my sides.

If she didn’t come out tomorrow, I’d call someone.

I had to because I couldn’t lose her too not when everything else was already falling apart.