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Chapter 127
~Zara’s POV~
It was Sunday morning. It was a beautiful day but the mansion felt oddly quiet. Snow had left early for a meeting, and I decided to take a breather with Tempest and Aira still navigating the emotional wreckage from the night before.
Grabbing one of the keys to Snow’s car, I slipped into a comfortable sundress and sandals. It had been too long since I’d had a moment to myself, and today felt like the perfect time as a simple plan formed in my mind—ice cream.
The idea of strolling down the quaint streets of town and savouring a cone of something sweet was strangely appealing.
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The drive into town was smooth, the rhythmic hum of the car engine keeping me and my thoughts company. The vibrant stores and bustling sidewalks came into view, and I pulled into a small parking lot near an ice cream shop I’d passed by a few times before.
The smell of freshly baked waffle cones filled the air as I stepped inside, and the cheerful hum of people chatting made me feel at ease.
After ordering a scoop of salted caramel, I stepped outside to enjoy the treat in the crisp morning air.
I hadn’t taken more than a few steps down the street when I heard a familiar voice.
"Zara?"
I turned, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Andrew Blake standing a few feet away, dressed casually but still exuding that effortless charm. Beside him was Zade, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine almost instantly.
"Andrew," I greeted, smiling. "And Zade. Fancy seeing you both here."
Andrew grinned, holding up a small bag. "Business errands. But we couldn’t resist grabbing a bite from that bakery over there."
"And you?" Zade asked, his deep voice warm yet slightly teasing.
"Ice cream," I replied, lifting my cone. "Simple pleasures."
Andrew chuckled. "Well, it’s a good day for it. Mind if we join you?"
I nodded, and the three of us began strolling down the street. Andrew fell into step beside me, while Zade walked just slightly behind, keeping a low but firm presence.
We talked about nothing in particular—Andrew’s business ventures, the quaint charm of the city—but the dynamic was easy.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the occasional glance Zade would shoot my way as if he were trying to decipher something about me.
Just as Andrew was about to comment on the city’s architecture, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, his expression turning serious as he checked the screen.
"Sorry," he said, holding up the phone. "I need to take this."
He stepped away, leaving me and Zade alone. The sudden quiet between us felt charged but not uncomfortable. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"Do you come here often?" Zade asked after a moment, his voice breaking the silence.
I shook my head. "No, but I needed a break from... everything."
He nodded, keeping a thoughtful expression before muttering something. "Last night was a lot."
"It was," I admitted. "But it seems like it wasn’t just me dealing with surprises."
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