Chapter 133 – Hurt–1
–LIA’S POV–
My face fell, the walls closing in on me.
“What?” I said, my voice full of guilt.
Zane watched me with a frown, eyes dropping to my chest, probably due to how hard I was breathing.
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He didn’t say anything, and walked over to the window, glancing
out.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat to no avail.
Zane turned to me again. “How long ago did he leave?”
I sucked in a breath, my cheeks flaming. “I… I’m sorry. It’s—it’s not what you think.”
I wanted to approach him, to throw my arms around him, but I was scared he would push me away. I would’t be able to take it if
he did.
“Answer my question, please. How long ago? Was it when I told you I’d be coming in an hour?”
Tears pricked my vision. “Yes,” I whispered.
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Zane’s jaw ticked, and he gave a slow nod. “Did he try to mask his scent?”
I took a deep breath, and nodded.
“What happened?” he finally asked.
“Nothing!” I cried, stepping towards him. “I swear,
Zane.”
He stared at me, his expression unreadable. “Calm down,” he stated. “Tell me what happened, Why was he here?”
“Will you believe me?” I asked.
“When have I not?”
I relaxed slightly, sniffling. “I made a mistake, Zane.”
“What kind?”
“I asked him for help.”
“For what?” Zane frowned.
“I… I know you have been researching what I am, and that you have an idea too. But you’re keeping it from me. To protect me, because you don’t think I can handle all the stress. But I deserve to know, Zane. I deserve to know what I am. I tried to ask you, I tried to hint at it. But you kept dodging the topic. So I… I asked Blake.”
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Zane looked away from me, running a hand through his hair. “He was in your bedroom?”
“The door was open,” I said quickly. “And nothing happened.”
“You think an open door or your parents could have stopped him if he tried to harm you?” he snapped, making me flich. Zane bit his lip, then took in a deep breath. “He could’ve hurt you, Lia. That is all I care about.”
“Nothing happened,” I said quickly, approaching him. “I’m sorry, Zane. I know I was an idiot. But I didn’t know what to do.”
“You could’ve confronted me. Talked to me like you did just
now.”
“I… I know. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight. I just… I wanted to share your burden, Zane. My life is mine. I should know what’s going on with me. You shouldn’t have to be the only one worried about it.”
“What’s the point of having you worried and afraid, Lia?” He sighed. “I’m just trying to protect you.”
“But I don’t want to be so helpless anymore, Zane. I don’t constantly want to depend on you for this. I want to be able to defend myself, and if I am anything like you, I should know about it.”
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Zane’s shoulders dropped, and it seemed like I had somewhat convinced him. His hands fell to his sides, but he still refused to look at me. I hated the distance between us, aching to hold him close.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered again.
He finally met my eyes. “Lia… you’re not an idiot. I get why you did it,” he continued. “I just wish you hadn’t.”
I nodded, releasing a slow breath. “So… what now?”
Zane moved towards me slowly, closing the space between us. I stared up into his eyes, feeling more guilt tug at my heart. His fingers brushed my arm, then slid down to take my hand. The warmth in his touch relieved me, and I blinked back tears.
“I didn’t want you to find out like this,” he said softly. “With fear clouding it all.”
“Find out what?”
Zane hesitated, squeezing my hand. “What you are.”
I froze. My heartbeat paced, thundering in my chest. “So you do
know.”
He nodded once. “I’ve known for a while now. I have books too,
love. Better than Blake’s.”
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“Then why didn’t you tell me?” I cried, stepping back. “You said you woud. You kept fooling me this whole time. I’m not ast fragile as you think, Zane.”
“I don’t think you’re fragile,” he said. “That’s not the reason I kept it from you. Initially, it was. But there’s a bigger reason.”
“What is it?” I asked with a frown.
