Page 129 of Symphony for Lies

But then the doorbell rang. Long, loud, and insistent.

Ivy hissed, slipping from my arms.

I sighed and dragged myself to the door.

I cracked it open and found Zane standing in the pouring rain.

His face was unreadable beneath the flickering streetlights.

“What are you doing here?” My voice was raw.

He stepped forward, rain dripping from his clothes and pooling at his feet.“I’m scared of thunderstorms.”

The storm outside was brutal; no one who truly feared it would willingly step out into the heart of it.

“Scared?” I repeated.

“Scared to death.” His eyes searched mine. “That’s why I need to be with you.”

Tears burned the back of my throat, but I tried to stay strong.I tried.

Without waiting for permission, Zane stepped inside, shut the door behind him, and pulled me into his arms.

I broke.

Uncontrolled, choked sobs escaped me until I was gasping for air, clutching onto him like he was the only thing holding me together.

I cried for so long.

And Zane said nothing.

He just held me, letting me unravel in his embrace.

At some point, we ended up on the floor, his back against the wall.

I sat curled up in his lap with his arms wrapped protectively around me.Zane’s thumb gently brushed away my stray tears and kissed my forehead.

I felt so helpless.

“I-I never knew my parents,” I whimpered.“My grandparents are all I have.” I dug my fingers into my hair, pressing hard against my scalp to ground myself. “I already lost my grandfather, and now, I’m supposed to lose my grandmother, too?” My voice faltered. “N-no.”

Memories flooded my mind, one after another. All the beautiful memories with her. And with Susan, who had been like a second grandmother to me. “She was just taken from me… I couldn’t even apologize for taking her bike or not visiting...”

Zane’s arms locked around me like a shield, but I pulled away, pushing myself onto shaky legs.

“Y-you need to…” I wanted to tell him to leave, but sending him back into the storm felt wrong.“You need to dry off,” I whispered instead.

I rubbed my face harshly, wiping the tears away and forcing myself to breathe. I took a step, and my world tilted.Black spots danced at the edges of my vision.

I was falling, but I never hit the ground. Zane caught me.

His lips brushed against my forehead.“Sleep, my angel. Don’t think about anything. I’m here.”

Instantaneously, I sank into his warmth and let sleep take me.

Chapter 28

My head felt heavy, and I sighed as I tried to pry my puffy eyelids open. The light burned, sharp and unforgiving, making my vision blurry. Blinking rapidly, I gradually recognized my room and slowly sat up.

---