Chapter 46 46

Chapter 46 46
Zara POV

“Ethan! What did you just do?!”

Elara’s sharp voice cut through the air from the direction of the terrace, startling me. I hadn’t even realized she was the one watching us. My heart skipped as I turned slightly, catching sight of her standing there, eyes wide with alarm and Ethan froze instantly.

The color drained from his face, and his small hands tightened around the sword. His lips trembled, and his eyes shimmered with tears he was trying so hard not to let fall.

“I......I’m sorry, Zara,” he stuttered, his voice breaking. “I didn’t mean to… I swear, I didn’t…”

His words crumbled into a soft hiccup and just like that, the fierce little warrior vanished replaced by the frightened boy he still was.

My expression softened immediately, dropping to my knees in front of him, I reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay,” I said gently, my voice calm and steady. “It was an accident and I know you didn’t mean it.”

His shoulders shook slightly, but he looked at me, searching my face as if he needed confirmation that I wasn’t angry.

“I’m not mad at you,” I added with a small smile.

His breathing steadied just a little.

“Dad is going to be furious…” he whispered, his gaze dropping to the torn fabric of my blouse.

A flicker of hesitation crossed my mind at Darius’ reaction was not something to take lightly but I pushed it aside for his sake.

“Your father doesn’t have to know,” I told him softly, leaning in just enough for him to feel the sincerity in my words. “We’ll keep it between us.”

His head snapped up, hope lighting his eyes.

“Really?”

I nodded. “Really.”

A faint smile broke through his panic, and he wiped at his cheeks before nodding. “Okay…”

“Go get cleaned up,” I added gently. “Dinner should be ready soon.”

He nodded again and hurried off toward the penthouse, still glancing back once as if to make sure I was truly okay.

I exhaled slowly as I stood, brushing the dirt from my pants and trying to ignore the cool air brushing against the exposed skin beneath the torn fabric of my blouse.

“You’re incredible with him.”

Elara’s voice was softer now as she approached and I glanced at her briefly, offering a small shrug.

“I just… understand kids, I guess.”

But her gaze lingered on me, thoughtful and almost too observant.

“It’s more than that,” she murmured. “He doesn’t open up to people easily but with you… it’s different.”

Something in her tone made my chest tighten.

I didn’t respond, instead reaching for my bag where I’d left it by the tree. I busied myself packing my things, fully aware of her eyes on me studying, analyzing and noticing too much.

“He’s a good kid,” I said quietly. “He deserves someone patient.”

“And he found that in you,” she replied, I forced a faint smile, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “I should go,” I said quickly. “I’ll just call a ride.....”

Her eyes dropped to my chest, and she immediately stepped closer, concern flashing across her face. “You can’t leave like that.”

I frowned slightly, glancing down.

The tear in my blouse was worse than I had thought, the fabric actually split wide enough to expose the curve of my skin beneath. The thin material clung to me in a way that felt far too revealing, even with the sports bra underneath.

Heat crept up my neck. “I’ll manage,” I muttered, instinctively folding my arms over myself.

“No,” she said firmly, already reaching for my wrist. “Absolutely not, please come with me.”

Before I could protest, she was already pulling me toward the house. “Elara.....”

“You’re not walking out like that,” she insisted, her grip surprisingly strong. “Not with strangers staring.”

I hesitated for a moment then gave in, I will wait for a couple of minutes before my ride comes and the last thing I want right now is to attract pervert to myself and again arguing with her would only draw more attention and the last thing I wanted was to make a scene here, of all places.

Still, unease settled deep in my chest as she led me inside, upstairs to their floor and every step felt heavier than the last.

I knew this space didn’t belong to me. I knew Darius would not be pleased if he found me here again especially after the last episode but yet… I didn’t stop her.

She guided me down the hallway without hesitation, finally stopping at a door and pushing it open and it was her room.

I stepped inside slowly, my body instinctively tensing and the first thing that hit me wasn’t the luxury or the elegance of the space.

It was the scent, him not Ethan but Kaelan.

It lingered everywhere, thick and undeniable.

My stomach twisted painfully and my gaze drifted, betraying me, landing on the bed… then the nightstand and there stood a framed photo of Elara and Kaelan, wrapped around each other smiling and looking like they belonged to one another, they were both happy.

A sharp ache sliced through my chest and I turned away quickly, swallowing the bitterness rising in my throat.

It wasn’t my place because It never was and behind me, I heard Elara moving through her closet, completely unaware or choosing to be unaware of the storm raging inside me.

“You really don’t have to do this,” I said quietly, my voice tighter than I intended and she glanced over her shoulder, already pulling out hangers.

“It’s nothing,” she said lightly. “You need something to wear, and I have more than enough.”

I shifted uncomfortably, hugging my arms closer to myself because being in this room and breathing in this air… it felt like standing in the middle of a life that should have been mine and yet, here I was watching someone else live it and worst of all was pretending I was unaffected.