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CHAPTER 24
-Zara’s POV-
By the time I reached my suite, the luxurious room felt like a safe haven, pulling me in.
The spacious layout, with its plush king–sized bed, soft lighting, and floor–to–ceiling windows showcasing the city skyline, should have provided some sense of
peace.
But even here, my mind was still reeling from emotions -Snow’s coldness, Ivan and Clarissa’s taunts, and the
gnawing uncertainty about where my life was heading.
What do I want for myself?
That question replayed again and again in my head but no solution came forth. Left with nothing to do, I
stripped out of my clothes without wasting another moment and headed for the bathroom, turning on the shower.
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The hot water cascaded over me, washing away the stress, but not the thoughts that lingered. I kept
replaying Snow’s words in my mind, each one sharper than the last.
You knew what this was… It’s complicated… You should have read the clause.
My heart clenched with each repetition. Was this how my life would be from now on? Married in name only, stuck in a mess I couldn’t see a way out of?
Once I finished, I wrapped myself in a soft robe and headed back to the bedroom, the large bed beckoning my exhausted self, but just as I sank into it, my phone
rang.
I frowned, glancing at the screen. Snow’s name flashed across it.
I hesitated. My thumb hovering just over the screen. Was he calling to apologize? To explain? Or was this just another attempt to keep up appearances?
-Astrid yearned to answer, but I couldn’t bring myself to
do it. Not after everything.
The ringing stopped and I sighed.
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Finally.
But just as I thought I’d have some peace, my phone rang again.
“Ohhh fuck, Snow!” I glance at the caller. This time, it was Ella. Relief washed over me as I answered.
“Ella?” Lasked, trying to sound composed.
“Zara, are you okay?” Ella’s urgent voice came through.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
There was a pause, and then Ella’s voice dropped to a serious tone. “Zara… you need to check the internet.”
My stomach twisted at her words. “What? Why?”
“You’re trending, Zara. And it’s bad,” she said quietly. “People are saying you’re cheating on your husband-
on Snow.”
I shot up from the bed, disbelief flooding my veins. “What?! That’s insane! Where is this coming from?”
“Some pictures were posted online of you checking into the hotel… People are twisting the story, saying Snow threw you out and you’re here meeting someone else.” Her voice softened. “Zara, it’s everywhere.”
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I felt the blood drain from my face. “Clarissa that bitch,” I cursed under my breath.
“Huh? What did you say?” Ella asked but I shook my head as though she could see me. “Zar!”
I blinked, getting my mind back briefly. “Zara, what was that? Are you okay?” Ella’s voice echoed in the background, “silly me, you can’t be okay. But why are you there? Leave if you can and…”
“I’m sorry, El, but I need to check this.” I ended the call abruptly not waiting for her response. My heart raced as I scrambled for the news on the internet.
“And there it was.
Headlines blaring accusations, articles twisting every detail of my life.
Zara Zarek: Secret Trysts Behind Alpha Snow’s Back?
Zara Zarek, the wife of Alpha Snow, CEO of Aurora Conglomerate Inc checking into a hotel room with
unknown men.
The photos showed me walking into the hotel, alone, but the captions spun a tale that couldn’t be further from the truth.
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My breath caught in my throat. This couldn’t be happening. How did it all spiral out of control so fast?
Before I could even process what Ella was saying, a loud knock on the door made me jump. My head snapped towards it, my heart thudding in my chest.
“Ivan,” I muttered, assuming he had followed me to continue his taunts. If he was truly here then it was my lucky day.
I was already raining insults I’d sprew at his face when I saw him before calling security to throw him out.
I was already halfway to the door, clutching my robe tightly around me when the heavy knock landed on the door again.
I swung it open, my prepared tirade freezing on my lips when I saw who stood there.
Snow.
His eyes were blazing with fury, his jaw clenched so tightly that I could see the muscle ticking in his cheek. His presence filled the doorway, his broad shoulders casting a shadow over me.
For a moment, I was too stunned to move.
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“Snow…” I breathed and swallowed.
Instinctively I took a step backward, away from him as though I had done something wrong. I couldn’t explain it but there was something about him and the way he looked at me that always kept me on edge and ignited the fires within me.
He didn’t respond immediately. His eyes swept over me, taking in the robe, the disheveled state I was in, and the luxury suite behind me.
His lips pressed into a thin line.
I knew whar this looked like but would he believe me?
“Zara,” he finally spoke, his voice dangerously low. “Do you care to explain why the entire world thinks my wife is cheating on me?”
I gulped unable to answer nor tear my gaze from his.
“Zara!”
His tone made me jolt a little and my senses came rolling back. His wife? Did I just hear him say his wife?
I forgot all about my predicament and scoffed, folding my arms in front of my chest, my action pushing my boobs un a little causing them to iiggle and catch
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Glacier’s attention.
Snow swallowed even though he tried not to look at my twin peaks from the corners of his eyes but I caught him.
“Your wife, Snow?” His gaze darkened but I just didn’t
care.
The words felt bitter on my tongue, but the sarcasm in my tone wasn’t lost on him. His gaze darkened, and I felt a small sense of satisfaction at having hit a nerve.
“Yes, Zara. You are my woman.”
“Exactly. I am your wife,” I continued, my voice clear, even as my heart raced. “But just like you think you don’t owe me an explanation for your actions or your private life, I don’t owe you one either,” I smirked, challenging him. “Or did you forget the terms of your precious clause, I believe the terms apply to you too, Mr. Zephyr.”
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