39 Storm’s Mother
CHAPTER 39
~Snow’s POV~
In the car, the streets blurred past me as I sped toward the hospital. My thoughts were a mess, switching from Zara to Ivan to this new bombshell.
What had happened to Storm’s mother? What complications were they talking about?
- Glacier was agitated. I couldn’t let this derail everything. Not when Storm was finally getting to be normal without crying daily for his mother. And now, with Ivan’s circling like a damn vulture, my attention is more than torn.
My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I pulled into the hospital parking lot. One problem at a time. First, I’d deal with this. Then I’d deal with Ivan.
But Zara… I couldn’t shake her from my mind. Her silence in the car earlier. Her look when she walked away without a word.
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What was she thinking? And why did I feel like she was slipping from me, just when I needed her the most?
Tsk. We’ll talk later. ©
5
I stepped out of the car, pushing those thoughts aside. Right now, I had to find out what the hell was going on with Storm’s mother.
I made the necessary formalities and found Mrs. Primrose, the lady who called earlier. Together we headed for the VIP ward she was admitted in.
I didn’t know what, but something different made Glacier purr. As soon as I opened the door and stepped in, my breath caught in my throat.
Her blonde hair shook as she whipped her head slowly in my direction, her familiar blue eyes settling on me.
And when she parted her lips to speak, my chest tightened. “Hello, Snow.”
****
***
~
Zara’s POV~
Restless. That’s the only word describing how I felt
since we returned.
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39 Storm’s Mother
My mind wouldn’t stop spinning, replaying every moment, word and every look between me and Snow.
Why had I lost control so easily? Why had I let myself be drawn into whatever this… thing was between us?
I sighed, rubbing my temples as I paced around my room. I didn’t even understand myself anymore.
The logical part of me screamed to keep my distance, to stick to the contract, but the part of me that melted every time he looked at me–that part was winning more and more often.
After several minutes, I was too tired to keep thinking * about this and I needed a distraction. Anything.
Ice cream. I’ll get some ice cream.
I slipped on my slippers and padded down the hallway, my mind still foggy from everything that had
happened. As I reached the stairs, I glanced out of the window just in time to see Snow’s car driving off.
“Phew!”
Relief washed over me. At least he was gone for now. I could finally breathe without feeling his presence lingering over me. I headed down the stairs, lost in
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39 Storm’s Mother
thought, my feet moving on autopilot.
But I must have been more out of it than I realized
because instead of heading toward the kitchen, I found myself in the garden’s greenhouse, the soft glow of lights filtering through the glass walls.
Confused, I paused to get my bearings when
something caught my attention—a barely audible soft
sniffle.
I froze, my ears straining to catch the sound again. And there it was. Quiet, heartbreaking, like a small child trying not to be heard.
‘I followed the sound, rounding the corner until I
stopped short. My heart squeezed painfully at what I
saw.
Storm stood before a locked door, his tiny frame
shaking as tears streamed down his cheeks. He kept muttering the same word over and over.
“Mum… Mum…”
I stood there, unable to move, my chest tightening with guilt.
“I did this.”
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39 Storm’s Mother
“Not your fault, Zara,” Astrid comforted me.
But the truth was yes. I had been the one to set this little boy on this emotional rollercoaster. He had lost his mother, and now he was stuck in this strange
arrangement between me and Snow, probably feeling
more alone than ever.
I wanted to say something, to comfort him, but I didn’t know how. What could I possibly say that would make this any better?
Storm must have sensed me because his head snapped up, his blue–rimmed eyes widening in surprise. He
- quickly wiped his tears, his little hands brushing them away as if nothing had happened.
“You didn’t see anything,” he mumbled, trying to sound tough. “Mind your own business.”
My heart broke a little more. He was just a kid, trying to be strong, and I couldn’t help likening him to his grandfather, whose name he bore.
He was definitely going to be a storm in the future.
As he moved to walk past me, I instinctively reached down, placing a hand on his head and ruffling his hair.
Le stonned looking un at
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un at me with confusion but I
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39 Storm’s Mother
didn’t give him a chance to pull away.
Without thinking, I scooped him up into my arms, holding him close and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
“I’m sorry, Storm,” I whispered, my voice catching in my throat. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Storm stiffened at first, not expecting this. His tough act faltered and for a moment, I thought he might push me away. But instead, he stayed still, his small hands. clutching my shirt.
“You didn’t do anything,” he muttered softly. “You don’t need to be sorry.”
I pulled back slightly to look at him, brushing a tear from his cheek. “I’m sorry for what you’re going through,” my eyes searched his. “You don’t have to be tough all the time, Storm. It’s okay to miss her.”
He blinked as if the words were too heavy for him to process but for a while, we stood there. Finally, he sniffed again, wiping his nose on his sleeve.
“You’re not my mom,” he said quietly, his voice breaking just a little. But… thanks.”
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39 Storm’s Mother
My throat tightened as I nodded. “I know I’m not. But
I’m here, okay? If you ever need someone to talk to, disturb and play with… I’m here.”
He didn’t say anything else, but as I gently set him down, I could feel him warm up. He wasn’t as alone as he thought. Maybe neither of us was.
Before leaving, Storm glanced back at me, his eyes still glistening with tears but his voice a little stronger. “Thanks… for not telling Dad.”
Wait. When did I agree?
Catching on, I smiled, giving him a small nod. “Your ‘secret’s safe with me.”
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