Semua Bab Behind The Mask : Bab 31 - Bab 40

Zara's POV Sterling cleared the dishes as if he’d done it a thousand times, sliding them into the dishwasher. When he returned, he set two crystal glasses on the table, the dark swirl of wine catching the light.“Your food was amazing,” I said, taking a careful sip, letting the sweetness linger on my tongue.His lips curved, but his fingers tapped against the rim of his glass.“Dinner was good,” he murmured, voice low, steady. “But we’re not here for the food.”My eyes widened just enough to betray me.“I know this will sound ridiculous,” he went on, his gaze fixed on mine. “But the reason I left Paris wasn’t business. It was jealousy. Watching you with Cassian, holding his hand, flashing those smiles for the cameras…” He exhaled sharply, almost like it pained him. “The jealousy burns hotter than the guilt, and that’s the problem.”The glass slipped slightly in my hand before I steadied it. “Sterling…” My voice was barely a whisper, as if saying his name might set fire to the moment.

Zara's POV “Have you revisited Mr. Andrew and the investment?” he asked.My stomach twisted. I hadn’t. And saying I hadn’t would only make me look more careless than I already had.“I…”“You haven’t,” he cut in, eyes narrowing.I fidgeted with my fingers, searching for words that didn’t exist.“It’s already yielding tons of profit,” he said.“I’m sorry…” then the words registered in my head, “wait, what?”A faint smile tugged at his lips as he rose from his chair. “Yes, Aria. It’s doing far better than our projections. The Emerald Group is thrilled.”Relief poured through me, loosening the knot in my chest.“Right,” I said with a tentative smile.“At least now you’ve undone the loss you caused us, but don’t let your guard down. Keep working hard.”“Thank you. I’ll try my best,” I said, my voice steadier now.“Good. I’ll see you at home tomorrow.”He was already heading for the door when the word lodged itself in my brain. Tomorrow? My heart tripped over itself. What is happening tomo

Zara's POV I woke up in the evening, my headache finally gone, though a faint heaviness lingered behind my eyes. After nibbling on Nana’s snacks and freshening up, I felt steady enough to move.Sterling was expecting me. It was already past five, so I decided to dress the part, black leather pants that hugged like a second skin, a dark-blue knitted sweater, and matching knee-high boot heels. A cropped black jacket, oversized glasses, and a sleek bag completed the look.The car hummed as I drove to Dominic’s place. He was mid-training with a woman when I arrived. I didn’t bother interrupting. Without a word, I slipped into the storage room, letting the chill of November cling to me as I switched jackets, and dropped my glasses.By the time I pulled into Sterling’s driveway, the iron gates had already parted for me, silent and automatic. The house loomed in quiet elegance, lights spilling warmly against the crisp night. I parked, peeled off the heavier jacket.The front door swung open

Zara's POV The next day at the office, Tessa reminded me that my comprehensive medical checkup was scheduled for tomorrow.It startled me for a second, two weeks had flown by so quickly. Two weeks of secrets, late-night calls, stolen kisses, and Sterling. My secret relationship with him had already woven itself into my life like an unshakable thread.But none of that mattered if I couldn’t pass this checkup without raising suspicion. If anything looked off, Mr. Everhart would have me shipped to India for ‘specialist treatment’ and that was a risk I couldn’t afford.The hospital we drove to wasn’t just a hospital, it was practically a fortress. A private space reserved for the ultra-wealthy, with biometric scanners at every turn and staff that looked more like discreet security agents than nurses. Even the sterile scent of antiseptic felt expensive.I was led first into a white-walled room for hematology and biochemistry panels, blood was drawn into sleek vacuum tubes, the crimson liq

Zara’s POVI didn’t know what Sterling still had to do with Lena, and I wasn’t about to stand there long enough to find out. If I stayed, I’d say something I'd regret, or worse. Walking away was survival.At least she thought I was just his in-law visiting. That lie worked in my favor, for now.I rode to Dominic’s place, needing movement, needing to burn out the questions circling my head like vultures. Training was the only thing that ever silenced the noise. Fists meeting pads, sweat dripping, muscles straining, it was the kind of release no words could give me. We sparred until my arms felt heavy and my chest ached, then I left.Back home, after a long bath that did nothing to wash off the frustration clinging to me, my phone rang. My pulse jumped, expecting Sterling’s name on the screen. It wasn’t, it was Tessa.A sting of disappointment cut deeper than I wanted to admit. Maybe he was still busy, with her.I forced my voice even as I answered. “Hey, Tess.”We exchanged our usual