Chapter 4
1220 Words
Eight months had passed since I escaped from my pack. I had hoped time would close the wounds left behind, but I was mistaken. The scars hadn't faded. If anything, something darker had taken their place, festering deep within me.
The gentle hum of the train as it weaved through the outskirts of the city pulled me from my thoughts.
My eyes drifted across the passing terrain—once familiar roads, aged street signs, landmarks drenched in memories I’d tried to bury. Everything about this place reminded me why I had run. They reminded me of the betrayal. Of Marcus!
“I hate this city,” Aria growled inside me, her voice low and bitter, echoing the fire in my chest.
We pulled into the city’s central station. From there, it didn’t take long to catch a shuttle that took us through the less-traveled route toward the outskirts.
Twenty minutes later, I stood before the small cottage tucked between overgrown hedges and white stone fences. Tara’s home. The last place I ever thought I’d return to.
I hesitated at the front steps. My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag as I stared at the weather-worn door. I hadn’t imagined coming back to Zeltroit—ever. But when Bella called, her voice trembling, telling me Tara had been in a terrible accident and discharged just a day ago, I didn’t think twice. I left everything behind.
The door opened before I could knock.
Bella stood there, older than I remembered, weary and worn from sleepless nights, but the moment she saw me, her face broke into a flood of relief.
“Oh, thank the goddess,” she breathed, pulling me into a tight embrace.
“I came as fast as I could.”
Inside, the house was just as I remembered—warm, quiet, with a soft scent of pine and old lavender. Tara lay on the couch, her leg bandaged, her head propped against a pillow. She turned toward the sound of my footsteps, a slow smile forming despite the bruises across her cheek.
“About time you showed up,” she whispered hoarsely.
“Don’t push your luck,” I murmured, walking over and kneeling beside her. “Or I’ll turn around and walk right out.”
She reached for my hand. “I missed you, Zara.”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah. I missed you too.”
Bella returned from the kitchen, carrying a tray of tea and pain meds. “She’s healing well, but it’ll be weeks before she can walk properly. The doctor said she’s lucky to be alive.”
“What happened?” I asked quietly.
“A bus ran a red light. She was crossing the street after work.”
The thought of Tara lying in the street, bloodied and broken, made my blood boil.
“She should be in a hospital,” I muttered.
“She insisted on coming home,” Bella said. “You know her. Stubborn as a mule.”
Tara chuckled faintly. “Pot calling kettle, black?”
We sat and talked. I held her hand while she spoke of everything I’d missed. The city had changed. The council had shifted. Some of the old bloods were gone, replaced by faces with new ambitions.
She talked about her friend Noel—how he had helped rush her to the ER, how he'd stuck by her through it all. When she mentioned his name, I looked at Bella. She nodded.
“Noel’s Vanessa’s boy,” she whispered. I held back a sigh. Of course he was.
After a few hours, I knew I had to head out. I needed to drop by the company’s Zeltroit branch. It’d been a while. Bella shouldn’t have to manage things alone—not when she was playing nurse and surrogate mother.
I kissed Tara’s forehead and stepped outside.
And just like that, everything tilted.
Marcus.
He stood a few feet away, stiff and pale, like he’d seen a ghost.
“Zara?” he asked hesitantly.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t blink. My eyes locked with his, frozen with contempt. I turned to walk past him—when a small body slammed into mine.
Tiny arms wrapped around my waist.
I looked down. Ezra.
My son.
The moment choked me. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t whole. Seeing him broke something I didn’t even know still existed.
I wanted to hold him. Goddess knows I wanted to. But I couldn’t. I froze.
His voice echoed in my head—his hateful words from that night. The curses. The plea to the Moon Goddess to send me to hell.
I untangled myself from his arms, wordless, and walked away.
Monster. That’s what I was. Walking away from my own child. But I wasn’t ready to be the mother he needed. Not yet.
In my haste, I crashed into someone near the gate.
“I’m sor—”
My words died when I noticed it was Vanessa.
She looked the same. Beautiful. Untouched. As if she hadn’t shattered everything.
“Zara?” she gasped. “Wow, it’s really you! How are you?”
Was she serious?
“Are you mentally unwell?” I asked, blinking slowly.
She tilted her head. “What? No…”
“You seem to think we’re friends,” I hissed. “Let me remind you—we are not. You stole everything from me. And now I’m back. Not for peace. But vengeance.”
Her face paled.
“Karma’s my new best friend, Vanessa. And I’m going to personally make sure she dances over your grave.”
I shoulder-checked her and walked away.
I didn’t stop until I reached the front of Zenith Innovations. Our Zeltroit office was still thriving, thanks to Bella’s grit. We’d even launched a smaller division back on Saley Isle.
I was nearly at the glass doors when two unfamiliar guards blocked me.
“What’s this?” I snapped, already on edge.
“You tell us!” one said, smirking.
I narrowed my eyes. “Who the hell hired you clowns?”
“You some kind of celebrity?” the other mocked. “Maybe the CEO’s sister?”
“I am the CEO, you idiot.”
They burst into laughter. I looked down at my travel-wrinkled shirt and creased shorts. Not exactly corporate-ready. Still, the disrespect lit something in me.
“Get out of my way!”
“Sure,” one of them said, grabbing my arm roughly.
That was it.
“Don’t touch me,” I growled, slapping his hand away.
He snarled, about to lunge at me—when a familiar voice bellowed.
“What’s happening here?!”
It was Lisa, my vice.
“This woman’s causing problems—”
“Are these the kind of employees you hire now?” I snapped. “Brainless pigs who put their hands on women?”
Lisa froze when she recognized me. “Miss Wilson—I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t know—”
“Their badges. Now. They’re done.”
Their faces drained as realization struck.
“Zara, please—”
“OUT!” I shouted.
The rest of the staff who had gathered scattered instantly as I strode past.
I was no longer that 'nice' Zara. If they wanted a villain, then, they were about to get one!
- Writer
