Chapter 29 He doesn't belong

Chapter 29 He doesn't belong
TALIA POV

I stood still for a few seconds after the maid left, my fingers tightening slightly at my sides. My heart was still beating faster than normal.

My father.

Why was he here?

I took a slow breath, trying to calm myself down, but it didn’t work. Too many things were happening at once. My head felt heavy.

I stepped out of my room and closed the door behind me. The hallway felt quiet, almost too quiet. My heels made soft sounds as I walked, each step slow at first, then faster.

My chest rose and fell as I walked down the stairs.

I didn’t even know what I was going to say to him.

I hadn’t seen him in a long time.

As I reached the last step, I lifted my head—

And froze.

Zane was already there.

My brows pulled together instantly.

How…?

My heart skipped.

How did he get here before me?

I just left the motel not too long ago. There was no way he should be here already.

My eyes stayed on him for a moment, confusion flashing across my face before I quickly controlled my expression.

He turned.

His eyes landed on me immediately.

Sharp.

Watching.

My stomach tightened.

“Talia.”

My name rolled off his tongue slowly as his gaze moved over me like he was trying to read something.

I swallowed slightly and forced myself to walk forward, my steps steady even though my chest felt tight.

“Zane,” I replied, keeping my voice calm.

His eyes didn’t leave mine.

“Where were you?” he asked.

The question came out simple.

But his tone wasn’t.

My fingers twitched slightly at my side.

I didn’t hesitate.

“I was in the garden,” I answered.

My voice sounded normal.

Too normal.

But inside, my heart was beating hard against my chest.

His gaze didn’t change.

If anything, it got sharper.

For a second, no one spoke.

Then—

“Talia.”

I turned quickly.

My breath caught.

My father stood there.

Alpha Derek.

He looked the same.

Tall.

Strong.

His presence filled the room easily.

My throat tightened slightly as I looked at him.

“Father…” I said softly.

He stepped forward and pulled me into a brief hug. His arms were firm around me, and for a second, I didn’t move, then I slowly hugged him back.

“It’s been a while,” he said, pulling back slightly to look at me.

I nodded.

“Yes…”

My voice came out quieter than I expected.

He studied my face for a moment, his brows slightly furrowed.

“You look… different,” he added.

I forced a small smile.

“I’m fine.”

I wasn’t.

But I didn’t want to explain anything.

He nodded slowly, then turned slightly toward Zane.

“I came for a business proposal,” he said, his tone turning more serious.

Zane didn’t respond immediately.

I could feel his eyes on me again.

Heavy.

Unmoving.

My fingers curled slightly.

Something was wrong.

I could feel it.

“Talia.”

His voice came again.

This time, lower.

I looked at him.

“What?” I asked.

My brows pulled together slightly.

“You’re lying,” he said.

My chest tightened instantly.

“What?”

“I asked where you were,” he continued, stepping a little closer. “And you said you were in the garden.”

I swallowed.

“Yes, I was.”

My voice stayed steady.

But my fingers trembled slightly.

His eyes narrowed.

“No,” he said quietly.

My heart started beating faster.

“You weren’t.”

A silence fell.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

I felt my throat go dry.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied, my tone firmer this time.

Zane took another step closer.

Now he was right in front of me.

Too close.

“You weren’t in the garden,” he repeated.

His voice wasn’t loud.

But it carried weight.

My breath hitched slightly.

I held his gaze.

“I was,” I insisted.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

My father looked between us, his expression turning serious.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

I didn’t answer.

Zane didn’t either.

The tension between us grew thicker.

I could feel it pressing against my chest.

Zane’s eyes didn’t leave mine.

It felt like he was trying to see through me.

Like he already knew.

My stomach twisted.

But I didn’t look away.

“I said I was in the garden,” I repeated.

My voice was steady.

But inside, everything felt unstable.

Zane’s jaw tightened slightly.

Then he leaned in just a little.

“Be careful, Talia,” he said quietly.

A small chill ran down my spine.

“I don’t like being lied to.”

My fingers clenched.

I forced myself to stay calm.

“I’m not lying.”

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

Even though I knew—

I was.

Zane stared at me for a few more seconds.

Then he straightened.

The tension didn’t leave.

It just shifted.

He turned slightly toward my father.

“We’ll talk about the proposal later,” he said.

His tone was calm again.

Like nothing just happened.

But I knew better.

My chest still felt tight.

My father nodded.

“Of course,” he replied.

Then his gaze moved back to me.

“You should rest,” he added.

I nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

I didn’t wait.

I turned and walked away.

But I could feel Zane’s eyes on me.

Following me.

Watching.

Every step I took felt heavier.

My mind was racing.

Did he know?

Did he see something?

Or was he just guessing?

I reached the stairs and stopped for a second, my hand gripping the railing tightly.

My breathing wasn’t steady.

Nothing was.

I closed my eyes briefly.

Then opened them again.

And walked up.

But one thing stayed clear in my mind—

Zane didn’t believe me.

And that…

That was a problem.