**One Month Later**
"Congratulations, Ms. Quinn. You can now walk without support, but…" Dr. Vera Wang, the middle aged family doctor, paused as she watched the big smile on Zara's lips flicker.
"...not for too long. Just make sure you have a walking stick on a long walk and don't stand for too long. Give yourself time."
Zara let out a sigh, relieved by the information, her lips curved into a softer and more cautious smile. "Thank you, Dr. Wang." she murmured.
The past month had been all about healing— physically and emotionally. She focused on eating well, taking her medications, and regaining strength. With her mother and Nana taking care of the twins, she had space to recover without pushing hereself too hard.
She stepped out of the office, the world outside feeling lighter than it had in months. And then—
"Congratulations on ditching the wheels, sis!"
A loud pop startled her as colorful confetti rained down, followed by Zane's contagious laughter. He pulled her into a tight hug, spinning her slightly. His joy, as infectious as his laughter.
"Zane!" Zara half-laughed and half-scolded, patting his back. "You followed me here?"
"Not just him…" Zavier's deep steady voice cut in as he stepped forward, his lips quaking into a rare grin. He reached to pull Zara into his own hug, forcibly pushing Zane's arms away.
"Dude?" Zane shot him a mock glare. "Possessive much?"
Zavier rolled his eyes, muttering, "She's my sister too!"
Zara couldn't help but laugh, their childish bickering always soothing her heavy heart. For the first time since the incident, she felt like herself— not a broken woman or a humiliated wife, but Zara Quinn, the sister they had missed. The sister who was back.
As they walked out of the hospital into their car with Zara in their middle, she couldn't help looking back and forth at them as she realized how better she felt with them.
A lot of people already forgot the incident, and it felt like she was finally reclaiming her life. Retracing her steps and working on her career.
As their car pulled up to their family estate, Zara leaned forward. "Stop here," she told the chauffeur.
"I'm going to walk in by myself. I want to surprise Mom and Dad," she cut in, her excitement bubbling over.
Zane grinned, leaning back, "Go for it. But don't trip— you're still a little rusty."
"Very funny," Zara spoke in between her teeth, steppin out and soothing her dress. Her heart thudded in anticipation as she adjusted her hair, imagining her parents' faces when they saw her walking unassisted for the first time since her return.
But as she turned towards the mansion gates, her eyes caught a movement to the left.
A sleek black Rolls-Royce rolled out of the neighboring estate, its polished surface gleaming in the sunlight. Curious, Zara's gaze lingered, her smile faltering.
The driver's door swung open, and a man stepped out, slamming the door shut with force. His frustration was palpable as he cursed under his breath, kicking the front tire.
Zara froze, her breath hitching. Even from a distance, there was no mistaking him.
Ace Carter.
Their eyes locked, and time seemed to slow. Ace straightened, his sharp features unreadable, but his piercing gaze burned into her like fire.
Something deep in her stomach tightened— a sensation so sudden, so familiar, that it knocked the breath from her lungs.
A flash of memory flickered in her mind.
A dimly lit room. Warm breath against her skin. Fingers trailing forbidden paths—
Zara blinked hard, forcing the memory away.
'No. Not now. Not ever again.'
But her body betrayed her, her cheeks flushed, her pulse spiked in a way that had nothing to do with the summer sun.
Standing at 6'3, his sharp jawline and the hint of stubble gave him a rugged edge, while his broad shoulders and well-built frame, wrapped in a crisp sky-blue shirt and tailored navy pants, made it hard to look away.
Her heart raced, 'Why is he here?'
Without thinking, she turned sharply and bolted into the mansion. The sudden movement sent a sharp pain through her ankle, but she pushed through it, her heart pounding in her chest.
Inside the gate, she pressed her back against the wall, gasping for air. "What the hell is wrong with me?" She whispered, her voice trembling. "Why did I run?"
She shook her head, trying to steady herself as she slowly made her way into the main house. "Zavier said he doesn't live here anymore, so what'she doing here?"
She was so engrossed in her thoughts she didn't realize she was already in the living room with everyone around, until Zane snapped his finger in her face, "Zavier said what?"
She jolted, her eyes darting around the room as she faked a smile.
"Zara, are you alright?" Elizabeth questioned as he pulled her to sit on the sofa with her.
Zara hesitated. Bringing him up now would ruin the moment and dampen the joy that still lingered in the air.
So, instead, she forced a wide smile and threw her hands up.
"Surprise!"
Silence.
Then, laughter.
Relief flooded her as her family indulged her not-so-funny 'surprise', hugging her, showering her with congratulation and handing her gifts.
The cartier jewelry set from her parents left her speechless.
"It's just a small achievement," she said, still admiring the delicate pieces. "You didn't have to do all this."
"We are going to be celebrating every little achievement, my Little Miss." Henry said, playfully tugging her cheeks.
"Papa, I'm not 'little' anymore."
They had given her the nickname since she was a baby as she was very tiny from birth and over the years was quite short for her age, until she was fifteen and finally started to sprout.
Zane dangled a car key to Zara's face, a huge smile plastering his face, "I got you a Brown and Black Maybach S 680!" he announced, leaving Zara wide eyed, her hands covering her agape mouth.
"Zane, you outdid yourself with this one." Zara complimented as she grabbed the key from his hand. It's been a long time since she last had her own car and really wanted one now.
Zane proudly looked at Zavier, a mischievous smile on his face, "I wonder what you will get for her that will beat this!"
"And the best part is that I bought it entirely from my own savings!" He added.
Zara pulled his cheeks playfully, "Awwn, my cute little bunny is a man now!"
Zavier smirked as he pulled out a set key from his pocket and handed it to Zara, but Zane was quick to intervene, "A second car won't have as much need as the first."
"Well, this ain't no car!" Zavier said, leaving everyone confused. "It's an apartment in Brooklyn." He added, still leaving everyone confused, except for Zara who knew exactly why he was gifting her a house.
Her face lit up as she pushed Zane away and turned to face Zavier, "It's supposed to be a loan."
"I decided to make it a gift. If you need another loan, I can always give you that." Zavier explained and Zara quickly pulled him into a hug.
"You're the best!" She screeched with excitement.
Zane frowned, "Oh, really?"
Zara quickly turned to face him with a smile, explaining, "Yeah. He's the best big brother and you are the best younger brother anyone could wish for."
"What do you need a house for?" Elizabeth asked with a frown.
"I'm moving out." Zara announced, her voice firm.
The room fell silent again, but this time, the energy shifted. Her father's face darkened, and Zane looked at her like she'd just sprouted a second head.
Henry's face paled as he asked, "Why?" his voice was low.
"Because I need to," Zara said, meeting his gaze. "I need to stand on my own two feet. I appreciate everything you've all done for me but I can't stay here forever. I need to rebuild my life– for me. And for the twins."
Elizabeth's lip tightened but before she could argue, Zavier stepped in. "She's right, Dad. She's finally doing what you've always wanted—joining the company. At least let her make this decision on her own."
Henry sighed, rubbing his temples, while Elizabeth quietly reached for Zara's hand. "Just promise us one thing," she said softly. "If you ever need anything–anything at all—you will come to us."
Zara nodded, her throat tight. "I promise."
"'Mama, we're moving to New York?' Ella's eyes were wide with curiosity, while Ezra tugged at Zara's sleeve, his brows furrowed.
'What about Papa? Is he coming too?' The innocent questions sent a sharp pang through Zara's chest.
She swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "We'll talk about it soon, okay? What is that on your hands?" Zara asked, stylishly changing the topic as she had been doing since the past month.
And like every other day, she succeeded.
Ella pulled off the lid, excitement quickly capturing her earlier frowned face as she exclaimed, "We made you a congratulatory gift. Tada!"
Zara was confused as she tried to dig her hand in the brownish brick-like thing on the plate, "What's this? Are you making a play dough?"
The twins frowned, yelling in sync, "NO! It's a muffin! Chocolate muffin!"
"Grandma taught us how to make it." Ella added, pointing at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and Henry looked at each other, pressing their lips tightly together to hold in their laughter, the same way Zane and Zavier were struggling with theirs.
Zara put on a smile and took a bite. It was beyond awful. Both in taste and texture. And the initial scrunch of Zara's Face made that evident. But she didn't dare hurt their feelings.
"Woah, this is good." she exclaimed, and the kids' faces brightened up quickly. "You guys are one cute little chefs." She added, tickling them.
She then pulled them into her arms, and while they bragged about how perfect their food was, guilt gnawed at her. How long could she keep hiding the truth?
Later that night, Zane drove Zara and the twins into their new home. Even though they came to New York with literally nothing, they already had over five boxes filled with clothes, jewelry and shoes.
But despite that, Zavier still filled their wardrobes with new clothes and accessories and filled the house with age appropriate toys.
The twins were already sleepy by the time they arrived so while Zane tucked them in, Zavier and Zara had a discussion in the living room.
"That asshole has been trying to meet up with me since he resumed, but I don't think I'd be able to see his face without the feeling of just punching it." Zavier groveled, his face twisting with disgust. "Thanks to your persistence all I could do was make him write over 100 proposals for his business only to pick the first one."
"You did that?" Zara gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief as he let out a chuckle, "Zavier, you're evil!"
Zavier sighed, taking Zara's hands, "Zara, I know it's hard, but you have to tell these kids the truth. You've already started looking into schools to admit them when you still haven't told them the truth. How long do you think your little trick is going to work?" he asked.
"Zavier, how do I tell them? That their dad chose someone else? That I'm the reason their family is broken? What if they grow up hating me for it?" Her voice cracked as the tears she'd been holding back broke free. She swiped at them furiously, but the ache in her chest wouldn't fade.
"Zara, don't be too hard on yourself. None of this is your fault. They are kids but they won't always be kids. Tell them the truth so they don't end up hearing lies from others." He explained.
Zara might not want to talk to them yet, but Zavier's words were consoling and motivating. Zavier didn't want to make Zara dwell on the past so he quickly changed the subject, "So, are you prepared for tomorrow?"
Her mood quickly brightened as she sat up properly, "I still don't get why you want me to take up the director's position. I haven't done this all my life!" She explained. She had spent hours rehearsing her presentation, determined to make a strong impression on the board, yet, she still felt nervous about when he would bring it up.
"All your life? Need I remind you you started copying mom and Dad's design since you were what? 7? Zara, I trust you will do well. You came back when I needed you the most, and I know you won't disappoint me." he reassured.
"I hope I don't." She mumbled.
Zane joined in and the trio chatted a little longer, motivating Zara for her first day at work.
****
"...I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work all of you have done in the past years." Zara spoke eloquently in front of the board members of Quinn Sculpt & Style, her face bright and booming with a calm confidence she hadn't felt in years.
Her voice was steady, her gaze unwavering as she looked around the room.
Zavier sat at the end of the table nodding subtly in encouragement. The other board members, many of whom Zara had known since childhood, seemed to welcome her presence warmly.
"Your dedication and passion have carried forward the vision my parents worked so hard to establish…"
The creak of the door opening cut her off mid-sentence.
Zara's eyes flicked towards the sound and the words on her tongue evaporated.
Ace Carter stepped into the room, his presence dominating the space like a sudden storm. He moved with the quiet confidence of someone who knew exactly how much power he held. His sharp hazel eyes locked onto hers, unreadable but intense, as if daring her to falter.
He wasn't supposed to be here! He has no business with the Quinns! She expected someone to stop him! Zavier— to question his presence, yet no one seemed puzzled by his presence except her.
"Apologies for being late," Ace said, his deep vo
ice cutting through the silence as he pulled a chair and sat, leaning back casually, his gaze finally leaving her.
Zara gripped the edge of the table, her palms clammy. "What is he doing here?" she mumbled.