"Mommy, why didn't you come to pick me up today?" Zane's small fingers curled around Zara's hand, his wide eyes brimming with innocent hurt. "I waited and waited… but then the driver came and brought me here. I don't want to be here."
Zara's throat tightened. She blinked back the sting of tears and forced a gentle smile onto her face. "Your grandma loves you, sweetheart. Why don't you want to be here?"
"Because I want to be with you," he said stubbornly, his lower lip jutting out in a pout. "I like Grandma, I do. But I love you more. Take me home." He tugged at her hand, his tone demanding.
Her heart ached. Every ounce of her wanted to scoop him into her arms and take him away, abandoning the idea of ending this marriage. But Nathaniel's cold voice echoed in her head like a sharp slap.
'She is not dead yet? Don't call me until she is.'
The bitterness in those words had seared into her soul, a cruel reminder that the love she longed for simply didn't exist.
This marriage was falling apart. His heart had grown cold toward her. No matter how hard she tried, Zara knew she couldn't change his feelings or make him love her. Forcing the relationship would only bring her more pain and might even risk the life of the baby growing inside her.
Zara swallowed the lump in her throat. "Zane, don't be upset. Stay here with Grandma, okay?"
Zane's shoulders drooped. His eyes dimmed as he looked down at the floor. "Okay," he whispered. "I'll obey you."
Zane's disappointed expression tugged painfully at Zara's heart. She pulled him into a tight hug, the ache growing inside her. She felt torn in half — one part of her was determined to break free from this loveless marriage, but the other part clung desperately to the bond she shared with Zane.
She had raised him not as her sister's child, but as her own. Seeing him hurt, shattered something inside her.
"Mommy, don't be sad." Zane reached up to wipe away the tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'll have fun here with Grandma. Don't worry about me."
Zane had always been more mature than most children his age. He seemed to sense her sadness, and his words, so full of love and understanding, wrapped around her like a balm.
Zara swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a small smile, even as tears clung to her lashes. "I'm sorry, Zane," she murmured. "Mommy is planning to start working again. I thought you wouldn't feel lonely here while I'm busy... but…" Her hand gently cupped his cheek. "If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll take you with me, okay?"
Zane hesitated, then said, "You focus on work, Mommy. I won't disturb you. I'll stay here and be happy."
Zara didn't know if she should feel proud or broken by his response. She wrapped him in another hug, silently thanking him for being so understanding. "We'll go to the amusement park this weekend," she promised.
Zane's eyes lit up. "Yay! I love amusement parks. I'll ask Daddy to come too. He is always busy, but this time I'll make sure he joins us."
Zara smiled again, but her smile was hollow. Deep down, she knew Nathaniel probably wouldn't come, and Zane would end up disappointed. Still, she let her son dream, holding onto that tiny sliver of hope that maybe things could be different this time.
Knock-Knock…
The sound of the door knocking, followed by the maid's voice, interrupted their conversation. "Madam, the dinner is ready."
Zane perked up immediately, tugging on Zara's hand. "Mommy, let's go eat."
Not wanting to dampen his spirits any further, Zara agreed and let him lead her out. Together, they walked to the dining room, where Gracie and Riya were already seated at the table.
Gracie's eyes flicked up as they entered. She didn't say a word, but the chill in her stare said plenty.
Zara took her seat beside Zane, deliberately overlooking Riya's presence. She behaved as though Riya didn't even exist.
The food was served, and everyone started eating quietly.
Zara began cutting Zane's chicken into bite-sized pieces, just like she always had. Zane chatted beside her, unaffected by the tension.
Gracie watched them and let out a subtle sigh. "Zane is six now. Let him manage on his own. Don't spoil him."
Zara's hand paused mid-cut. She looked up, surprised.
Gracie's expression was unreadable, but her lips curled slightly into a sneer. 'Why end this marriage when you clearly love this child so deeply?'
Riya chimed in sweetly, "Mom, don't be upset. She loves Zane so much that she can't stop spoiling him. But Zara… don't you think it's time to stop doing this now that you are…"
"Riya!" Gracie snapped sharply. "Eat your food."
Riya froze, stunned, her mouth still open mid-sentence. "I-I was just trying to help Zane."
Gracie fixed her with a stern glare. "Some things aren't meant to be spoken aloud. You should be smart enough to know who is listening." Her words were a clear warning — Zane didn't need to hear about the divorce.
The table fell into silence once again. Riya stabbed at her food, seething, her face flushed with embarrassment. She cast a burning glare at Zara, her pride bruised and her resentment growing by the second.
Zara, on the other hand, focused solely on Zane, ignoring the hostility around her.
After dinner, Zara arrived at Bree's apartment.
"You are finally here," Bree exclaimed, rushing to the door. She quickly took Zara's suitcase. "We've been waiting for you."
Jasper, Bree's roommate with striking, red-dyed hair, appeared next with a teasing grin. "Zara, my darling, it's been ages," he said dramatically before pulling her into a hug.
Zara returned the gesture with a faint smile, her energy too low to match his enthusiasm.
"I got the whole scoop from Bree," Jasper murmured as he pulled back, studying her tired features. "It's great that you are starting work again… but how are you holding up, really?"
"Just… tired," Zara confessed.
Jasper nodded with quiet understanding. "I prepped your room with fresh sheets. You'll sleep like a queen." He gave her a wink, trying to lift her spirits. "Bree, take her luggage to the room."
Bree quickly disappeared down the hallway, dragging the suitcase behind her.
Jasper turned back to Zara, his tone softening. "Stay as long as you need, alright?"
"Thanks, Jasper," she said, genuinely touched. "You and Bree… I don't know what I'd do without you both."
"We are friends. This is what friends do. Now get some rest."
"Goodnight, Jasper." With that, Zara slipped into the guest room, spotting her suitcase placed in a corner.
"Thank you, Bree," she called out softly.
Bree poked her head in with a bright smile. "No need. Sleep well. I'll help you unpack tomorrow. Just call if you need anything, okay?" She gently shut the door behind her.
Zara eased onto the bed, her body relaxing into the soft mattress. But her mind wandered back to Zane.
'Why didn't you come in the afternoon? I thought we would eat together.'
'Mommy…I don't want to stay here. Take me home.'
A tight ache swelled in her chest as tears silently rolled down the corners of her eyes, soaking the pillow beneath her. She clutched it tightly and whispered through trembling lips, "I'm sorry, Zane… Mommy is really sorry…"
Ring-Ring-Ring…
The shrill sound of her phone jerked Zara out of her sorrow. She hastily wiped the tears from her cheeks and glanced at the screen. Her heart sank when she saw the name glowing on it—Jaxon, her half-brother.
With a weary sigh, she answered, "Hello?"
"Zara, come to the bar. Right now," Jaxon's panicked voice shot through the line. "Or else—they are going to kill me."
Her brows furrowed. "Let me guess... You gambled again?" she snapped.
"I don't have time to explain," he hissed urgently. "Just come here and bring five million. Now."