21:55 Sat, 15 Mar
Chapter 27
Zara’s heart pounded in her chest, a cold fear gripping her so tightly she couldn’t even speak.
Her mouth hung slightly open, but no words came out. Her eyes, wide with terror, reflected the unrelenting darkness pressing in on her,
It happened somewhere on the road after they’d left Willow Town, nearing Silvercrest.
Landon stood frozen, a gun pressed against his temple,
But it wasn’t Julian holding the weapon, it was Cassidy.
Zara’s breath caught in her throat.
She hadn’t expected Cassidy to show up, let alone like this. Her instincts kicked in, and she snapped, eyes blazing as she barked at Landon, “Get out of here! Now! I swear, if you don’t leave, I won’t hesitate to take you down!”
Landon barely spared her a glance. Instead, his attention was fixed on Cassidy, standing before him in a striking red dress,
He let out a sharp curse. “Are you out of your damn mind? You got a death wish?”
Cassidy smirked, a ghost of something almost unhinged in her expression.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, holding on like her life depended on it.
“Trust me,” she whispered, voice raw with conviction. “As long as I’m here, nothing bad will happen to you.”
Landon’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t stop.
“I still love you. I always have,” Cassidy admitted. “No matter how much time has passed. That’s the only reason I’m here. That’s the only reason I ever did anything.”
Landon stared at her, his expression cold as the dead of winter. The sound of approaching sirens cut through the tension like a knife.
His lips curled into a bitter smirk. “Cassidy, get the hell out of here.”
The flashing red and blue lights reflected in his eyes as the police swarmed in. He didn’t fight.
He didn’t run.
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And at twenty–eight, the age when most men were building their futures, Landon was taken away in handcuffs.
People murmured as they watched. “Such a waste. So young, and now he’s going to rot in prison.”
As they led him past, his gaze locked onto Zara. She was in Julian’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Tears streaked her face, her small frame shaking as she buried herself against him.
Julian didn’t hesitate.
He scooped her up effortlessly, holding her close, his voice soothing. “I’m sorry, baby. I should’ve stayed with you last night.”
Zara hiccupped between her tears, smacking his shoulder. “You’re the worst! I was kidnapped, and you took your sweet time showing up! Do you even care?”
Julian chuckled, kissing the top of her head. “I’m here now, aren’t I? Let’s go home.”
By the time they returned to Westfield, summer had settled in, its warmth spreading over the city.
Early June painted the skyline in golden hues, but despite the sunshine, Julian knew Zara was still haunted by what had happened. He made sure to come home every night, staying by her side, helping her heal.
Days turned to weeks.
Slowly, the nightmares faded, replaced by quiet mornings and whispered
reassurances.
Then, July arrived. With it, their wedding.
The ceremony took place at St. Sophia Cathedral, grand and breathtaking. Business tycoons, friends, and family gathered, watching as Zara and Julian exchanged vows under the glow of the chandeliers.
The very next day, she celebrated her birthday, her heart bursting with happiness. Even Grandpa beamed, pleased with how everything had turned
out.
Later that evening, Zara clutched their marriage document and ran into Julian’s study, excitement shining in her eyes.
She wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Baby, we never got to finish what we started in Willow Town. Can we go back?”
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Julian turned, pulling her into his lap, his palm resting lightly on her stomach. “Sweetheart, we’ve got a baby on the way now. You really think it’s the best time to travel?”
Her lips pursed into a pout. “Julian, please? Pretty please?”
He sighed, clearly unable to resist her when she used that tone. “Fine. But we wait. Once the baby’s here and you’ve recovered, we’ll go next spring. Deal?”
Zara brightened instantly. “Deal!”
By the end of the year, the Hayes family welcomed a beautiful baby girl, soft and delicate as a petal.
But even as she cradled their daughter, Zara still dreamed of returning to
Willow Town.
Julian shook his head, laughing at her persistence. “Alright, alright. This April, we’ll go, Grandpa’s coming too. He’ll love it.”
Spring arrived, bringing them back to the place where it all began.
Willow Town hadn’t changed much. The air smelled of fresh rain, and cherry blossoms danced in the breeze.
They spent the afternoon on a boat, floating lazily down the river. Zara sat nestled beside Julian, their baby giggling in Grandpa’s lap.
“Grandpa, look here!” she called, raising her phone. “Time for a family picture!”
Julian turned toward her, amused,
Before she could snap the shot, she leaned in close, whispering against his ear. “Wanna hear a secret?”
He smirked. “What’s that?”
Zara’s gaze softened. “I really, really love you.”
His smile was slow, warm. “Yeah, I love you too.”
The evening breeze curled around them, carrying the scent of rain. As a drizzle began to fall upon them, Julian pulled an oiled paper umbrella over them. She laughed, pressing her small hand into his.
For a moment, everything was still,
Peaceful. Perfect.
A line of poetry surfaced in her mind, fitting for a night like this.
Who’s afraid? Let the misty rainfall as it will in this lifetime.
The End,
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