Chapter 169: Three Hours
Natalie’s POV
The moment the door slammed shut behind Zane, it was like the sound punched the breath right out of my lungs.
I stood there frozen, staring at the space where he had just stood, heart cracking open, my soul screaming louder than I could bear. My legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed onto the couch, burying my face into my hands as the tears came—hot, angry, messy. And loud.
"I messed everything up," I sobbed, my voice barely recognizable. "Gods, I messed it all up."
Fox was by my side before I could fall any further. His arms slid around me, warm and firm, pulling me into the safest thing I had left in that moment—his embrace. I gripped his shirt like it was the only thing keeping me afloat, and he let me cry, not saying a word at first.
Then finally, softly, he whispered, "It’s not your fault, Firefly."
I hiccupped. "It is. It is my fault. I should’ve told him. I should’ve looked him in the eyes and told him about Griffin the moment it happened, but I didn’t. I waited too long. I got scared, and now—now he thinks I betrayed him."
Fox tilted my face gently to his, golden eyes glowing with warmth and defiance. "Zane’s in love with you, Nat. Not like puppy-crush or just a bond love. That man would burn the world for you. You know that. You have lived too many lifetimes together not to know that. He’s just angry because he cares so much. He’ll come back."
I shook my head, wiping my tears but more just took their place. "But he looked so... broken. Like I’d ripped out his heart with my bare hands."
The room stayed silent save for my sobs—until the front door creaked open again.
I didn’t even lift my head.