Page 159 of Flawed

The server brings two plates and the salads. "Do you need anything else?"

"I'm good. Zara?" I ask.

She shakes her head then smiles at the server. "This is perfect. Thank you."

The server leaves.

Zara stares at me.

I put equal amounts of the Koni and seaweed salad on a plate and hand it to her. Then I dish the same for myself.

She inquires, "Are you going to try and win my mom back?"

I hold back my grin. While I'm determined to win Chanel, I don't want Zara to hold it over her head if she doesn't come around. I cautiously answer, "Your mom and I have a lot to work through."

"But you want her?" Zara questions.

"I want to earn your mother's trust and see you treat her with kindness and love," I reply.

Zara stares at her plate.

"Hey," I say.

She looks up.

I soften my tone. "I know you love your mom."

Her eyes glisten. She sniffles, blinking hard.

"My parents are dead. I'd give anything for another minute with them," I confess.

She says, "I'm sorry. What happened to them?"

My stomach flips, but I decide I won't lie about this one. I reply, "Jacopo Abruzzo killed my father when I was seven. My mother committed suicide several years later."

She gapes at me in horror.

I continue, "So the next time you want to ignore your mom or say something nasty, I want you to remember that anything can happen at any minute. Every second we have on this earth is precious, borrowed time. And one day, I guarantee you this, if you don't show her love and respect, you'll regret it."

She stays quiet.

I add, "And I don't want that for you. Nor does your mom deserve it."

More silence fills the air.

I point to her plate, ordering, "Eat."

We spend a few minutes eating the salads.

Zara states, "I don't mean to treat her badly."

"I know. But you have been."

She swipes at a tear.

I grab her hand again. "You can change this very easily."

She nods. "Okay. I will."

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