The MC President's Forsaken Wife (Zara and Knox) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 56-2

Claim

It’s impossible to miss in the brighter light of the fitting room, a raised, thick purple line tracing the place where twisted metal and skilled surgeons changed my body forever. Some days I barely think about it. Other days it seems to arrive before I do, announcing itself in every mirror.

I hear the curtain rustle, and Jade pokes her head in. “Everything okay?”

I hesitate. “I” The words feel oddly childish. “Norgot it was there.”

She doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, she slips inside the fitting room just enough to stand beside me, both of us looking at the mirror together. Neither of us speaks for a long moment.

Finally she says quietly, “Can’t tell you what I see?”

I nod.

“I see the woman who survived a car accident. I see the woman who survived cancer surgery. I see the woman who walked away from a man who spent years trying to convince her she wasn’t enough.” She turns to look at me. “I don’t see a scar, Zara. I see proof that you’re still here.”

My eyes sting unexpectedly. “I don’t know if Locke sees that.”

She gives me a look that borders on affectionate exasperation. “Sweetheart.”

“What?”

“That man looks at you like you personally invented sunshine.”

Despite myself, I laugh. “He does not.”

“He absolutely does.” She reaches out and gently takes my hand. “And if a scar bothers a man more than surviving cancer impresses him, then he’s an idiot who doesn’t deserve to be in the same postcode as your pussy.”

The laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it. It’s loud, and undignified, and completely impossible to contain. Still laughing, I turn back to the mirror.

My gaze finds the scar again. This time, though, I don’t look away.

“Okay,” I say. “Let’s go to the checkout and drain my bank account.”

“Atta girl,” Jade says. “And you are absolutely, definitely, one hundred percent buying the red.”

By the time we’ve finally escaped the boutique, my bank balance is considerably lower, my confidence is considerably higher, and I’m carrying four glossy black shopping bags that Jade insists are “an investment in world peace.”

“Wow,” I say, glancing down at my hands. “So this is what seven hundred dollars of silk and lace looks like.

Jade laughs, slipping her sunglasses onto the top of her head as we wander across the shopping centre toward the elevators. “I wish I could see Locke’s face when you slink into the bedroom wearing that hot

1:3

~ Chapter 50 2.

little red number.

“Oh, stop.

“I’m serious.”

“He’ll probably just smile at me.

She actually stops walking. “Have you seen the way that man-looks at you? Like you’re the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all rolled up in one?”

Heat creeps into my cheeks all over again. “Jade.”

“I’m just saying.”

“You always are.”

Before she can continue tormenting me, her phone rings. She glances at the screen and grins immediately. “My grumpy husband.”

She answers before I can tease her about my big brother.

“Hey, sexy. Yeah, we’re finished. Mmmmm-hmmmm. No, she didn’t bankrupt herself… well, not completely.” She winks at me. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Hanging up, she hooks her arm through mine one last time as we reach the elevators. “Mayhem’s waiting for me in the pickup lane out front.”

I smile at the happiness on her beautiful face. “I’ll head down to the parking garage.”

“You sure?” Her expression softens just enough to remind me that everyone still worries. “You’ll be okay on your own?”

“Yeah,” I say. “I’ll text Locke when I get in the truck that I’m on my way home.”

‘And me.”

“And you.”

She pulls me into a fierce hug that smells faintly of musky perfume and coffee. “I’m really proud of you, you know.”

“For buying outrageously expensive underwear?”

“For looking in that mirror…” Her voice catches for the briefest moment. “And finally seeing what the rest of us have always seen.”

My throat tightens, and I hug her back. “Love you.”

“I know. Love you too.”

She kisses my cheek before disappearing toward the pickup area, already waving at Mayhem, who climbs out of his truck just long enough to wrap one arm around her shoulders and steer her toward the passenger door.

231

Even from a distance, I catch the quick kiss he presses to her temple, and I can’t help smiling to myself.

Still humming under my breath, I turn toward the underground parking garage, my shopping bags swinging gently against my legs with every step. text Locke, Hey! Heading out of the mall now. See you at home.

I press send, and realize that for the first time in a very, very long time, feel light. Beautiful. Happy. Like I’m taking big, striding steps in the right direction

I have absolutely no idea that someone else has been watching every one of those steps.

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