Chapter 85: A world Where Talking Works!
Winter stood in silence for a moment, his eyes fixed on Zara as she adjusted Leo’s shirt, the fabric tugging slightly against the boy’s small shoulders. He had always prided himself on keeping control, but Zara... Zara had a way of throwing him off balance. Her presence, her silence, her words—everything about her seemed to reach deep within him, unravelling the threads he had so carefully woven.
Sam’s words echoed in his mind. "Guilt and regret—they eat at you when you get separated from someone you care about." Winter couldn’t ignore the truth in those words. He’d been pushing Zara away, drawn it out for so long he honestly couldn’t tell if he was really angry.
What am I supposed to say to her?
Winter sighed, pushing the thoughts aside. Now wasn’t the time for indecisiveness. He had to say something. He couldn’t just stand here, torn between his pride and his desire to fix things.
It wasn’t just about Leo anymore, wasn’t just about the secrecy she’d kept from him. It was about them—what they were, what they could be, what he feared they might never be. The thought of Zara walking away, of her finding someone else—someone who could understand her better, trust her more, care for her the way she needed to be cared for—gnawed at him. He took a deep breath, his gaze shifting to Zara, who was about to climb into the sedan.
He took a slow breath and stepped toward her. He reached out, his hand brushing lightly against her arm as he gently tugged her away from the sedan.
"I need to speak with you."
For a moment, there was a flicker of confusion in her eyes, but she didn’t hesitate. Zara nodded, telling Leo to sit tight in the car, and stepped back from the sedan.
Her eyes widened slightly as she silently followed him toward the stream, not resisting.
Winter stopped at the edge of the stream, his eyes not meeting hers as he stood there, looking out into the distance. The noise of the water flowing over the rocks was soothing, almost calming. Winter allowed himself to close his eyes, letting the sound wash over him.
His thoughts kept looping, the anger still bubbling beneath the surface, but something softer tugged at him too.