ZAIA.


    He shrugs, looking at me as if I had just used him wrongly.


    “I don’t know,” he says, feigning innocence as he turns when Siaes into view. “Sia is causing


    problems.”


    Mhmm, I’m sure that is as far from the truth as possible.


    Her long auburn hair is in a high ponytail, and she’s all dressed and ready for the journey. She’s


    wearing a tweed white dress with ck cors and tights. On top of it, she’s wearing a white fur coat


    with a matching hat.


    “Mommy, he real-” she begins, but just then the doorbell rings, interrupting her. “Dad!” Sia turns her


    eyes, lighting up with excitement.


    She runs to the door and so does Xander and I smile at Zion, who remains in his spot, despite the


    excitement in his eyes.


    “I’ll go get your bags.”


    He takes hold of my arm and tilts his head. “It’s Christmas. You should say hi at least, Mom.”


    My heart skips a beat as I look into his piercing blue eyes, and I nod. “True, I will, don’t you worry.”


    I don’t avoid him, but I need a moment to gather my emotions.


    It’s hard though. Looking at Sebastian makes my heart be a frenzy, surging with powerful and


    intense emotions. I haven’t seen him in a while, but I’ve noticed over thest two years, that every time


    I see him, the pain and the bad memories no longere to mind and that scares me because I don’t


    know how to react to that.


    I know what it means… I have forgiven him, forgiven him for the broken trust.


    It took me a lot of time to get to where I am now. After what happened, I was more closed off and was


    always on edge. Far more paranoid than I thought I would be.


    Even sending the children to school made me so anxious, although they had trusted guards on the


    school premises throughout the day. Yet, I was still panicking and counting the hours until they got


    home in the evening.


    I would check if Zade was indeed still locked up, always double–checking the


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


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    locks and the windows several times before bed. The entire thing took a toll on me, but as the years


    passed, it became easier and I began to rx.


    Remembering better times when things were safe. We are safe, despite the issues with the humans,


    we are doing ok. With the passing years, I began to remember the things I loved and the hobbies I had


    cast aside.


    Watching movies, reading,te–night walks… ying the violin, dancing…


    I found myself and despite the fact that I missed the man who has kept my heart captive all these


    years; I have found the me that I can be proud of. The door is pulled open by Sia and the biting cold of


    the blizzard hits me hard. The howling of the wind fills the room as Sia shrieks in excitement, hugging


    her dad.


    “Daddy! I missed you!”


    “I missed you too, Princess,” Sebastian’s deep husky voice responds.


    My stomach flutters and I dare look up at the man in the doorway.


    Goddess, can a person get more handsome with every passing year? His ck hair is brushed back,


    with a single strand falling in front of his face. There are a few streaks of grey which were there thest


    time I saw him, but they only add to his deadly charm. There’s a dusting of snowkes over his


    shoulders and head, too.


    His eyes snap to mine, those piercing blue eyes take my breath away. They sh silver as they look me


    over, head to toe, then back up until he’s gazing into my


    eyes once more.


    There it is, that burning fire that makes me feel weak. I swallow hard, trying to remainposed, but


    it’s hard.


    He’s wearing a ck coat with grey fur around the hood. I can see he’s in ck pants and ck boots


    underneath.


    “Dad! My bags are all packed!” Xander says, not wasting any time, eagerly wanting to leave as


    Sebastian looks away from me, smiling faintly at our youngest. He kisses Sia’s forehead then kneels


    down beside him, giving him a hug.


    “Hold your horses‘ son, we will leave soon, but the flight has been dyed.” “Hey, Dad,” Zion says as


    he walks over to his father.


    “Zion, hello son.” Sebastian pulls him in for a tight hug and I can’t help but smile, seeing the three look


    up at their dad with adoration and love.


    The children love him, and he does a lot for them. I am so proud of the fact they


    +15 BONUS


    have that strong bond with him. “How did your ice–skating gig go?”


    +15 DOMUS