Chapter 258
Chapter 258
Chapter 258
Snowflakes
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I glanced at the rearview mirror again to see the same black sedan, same distance, same deliberate pace.
It had been trailing me since I left H.O.W.L. I told myself it was nothing. Coincidence. Paranoia. But the knot in my stomach knew better.
I pulled into the estate, eased the car into the garage, and let out a small, shaky sigh as the door rolled shut behind me. The quiet of the bungalow wrapped around me like a blanket. Safe, familiar, his. Cupid’s gift. My refuge.
I headed inside. The lock clicked open at my code, soft chime, green light. I walked straight to the bedroom, stopped in front of the full–length mirror, and exhaled slowly.
The countdown calendar on the dresser caught my eye.
Red Xs marked every day since the diagnosis. The remaining squares stared back at me, fewer every time I looked. I’d made my peace with fate. Even if coma came. Even if surgery took my womb. Even if the end arrived sooner than anyone expected. I would have justice first.
The doorbell rang.
I flinched.
No one knew where I lived except Cupid and Desmond and Dove.
Goosebumps erupted across my skin.
Heart thudding, I walked to the door, each step heavier than the last and opened it.
Disappointment crashed through me in cold waves,
Ares stood on my porch, snow dusting his shoulders, eyes red–rimmed and desperate. Behind him, the black sedan. The one that had followed me. The truth settled like lead in my gut.
He’d been tailing me.
The audacity.
I moved to slam the door.
His hand shot out, caught it, jammed his foot in the gap.
“Snow, I beg you with everything.” His voice cracked, shaking. “We need to talk. I beg you with everyone you hold dear. Please. Please p>
I slowed.
Stared at him.
Perhaps we did need to talk. Perhaps closure, real closure was the only way to end this chapter cleanly. He needed to know what was coming. Full force. No mercy. And maybe… maybe I needed to say it out loud one last time.
1/4
5:58 pm DMWO
Chapter 258
I wouldn’t let him inside. Not into Cupid’s house. Not into my house.
I stepped out onto the porch, door half–closed behind me.
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He swallowed hard, shoulders sagging under the weight of whatever guilt or grief he carried and slowly sank to his knees right there on the cold stone.
Goosebumps circled my skin.
I looked down at him, stunned.
I never imagined a day like this.
Ares Bani, my ex–husband, the man who once stood by while I was destroyed on his knees at my feet. Begging.
For what?
“Your forgiveness, Snow.” His voice broke. “I know what I did. I know you’ll press charges. I’m telling you I’m ready to accept every punishment. But… I want you back. I want you back, please. It took too long for me to realize it, and I pray to every god listening that I’m not too late. Snow, you p>
He kept speaking, words tumbling out in a rush of desperation but I barely heard them.
I walked past him, slowly, sat on the porch step.
He looked up at me stunned, hopeful.
“Sit, Ares,” I said quietly.
He hesitated, then obeyed sitting beside me, close enough that I could smell his cologne. The same one he’d worn when we were married. The same one that used to make me feel safe.
Now it just made me feel sick.
“Snow p>
“I’m granting you this audience because the next time we meet, it will be in court p>
He swallowed hard.
“I’ll accept every punishment. Viviana told me about it. She said you know about the dark alley case p>
I sighed, looked away into the falling snow.
“Yes. But she denied it, blatantly, right in front of our family.” A small, bitter smile curved my lips. “I wonder how long she can keep that up p>
Ares stared at me, shock and awe warring in his expression.
“How did you know about it p>
“That same night I discovered your secretary was your mistress,” I said softly, “my husband, the man I loved with everything I had was in league with my sister to make sure I was raped. Recently I learned you were there. You arrived after it was done. You played the prince in shining armor p>
2/4
5:59 pm M W
Chapter 258
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“Snow p>
“I can’t come back to you, Ares.” I turned to him, met his eyes with absolute sincerity. “Not even over my dead body. What happened between us, what I felt, taught me there’s more to love than what we had. It’s tricky. It’s pure and painful and real. That’s what I felt for another man. The one who stood by me with the most sincere heart. He didn’t ask for anything in return. He wasn’t disgusted by my scars. He didn’t cheat on me with a secretary. He never told me a single lie. And when he confessed he loved me… I felt the truth down to my soul p>
I paused, voice steady.
“Cupid p>
Ares flinched like I’d struck him.
But I didn’t care anymore.
“Whatever was between us died long ago,” I continued. “I belong to Cupid now. And you can start preparing your defense because he’s the one I’ll choose. Over and over and over again p>
Silence fell. Cold, final.
I stood, straightened my coat.
A delivery van pulled up.
The cake I’d ordered. Chocolate, simple, beautiful arrived right on time.
A genuine smile broke across my face as I accepted it, ignoring Ares completely, ignoring the pale, stunned man still sitting on my porch step.
“Thank you,” I told the driver.
I turned back toward the house.
“You should go now, ” I said over my shoulder, voice calm, final. “Prepare yourself for the court trial. I need to get ready… and visit my mother–in–law. I should celebrate my birthday with people who are at least sincere with me p>
I closed the door behind me, soft click of the lock,
Ignored him completely. I Walked to the table.
Set the cake down.
Looked up.
Cupid’s framed photo stared back at me, green eyes steady, smile small but real.
My anchor.
The one who kept bringing me back to myself.
I smiled softly, certain.
Tonight I would go to his rogue family.
3/4
5:59 pm MW
Chapter 258
I would celebrate my birthday with the people who had chosen me.
And perhaps… perhaps I would tell Mother the truth about our differences.
Because even if Cupid never spoke to me again, even if he never forgave me, his family had already claimed me.
And I wasn’t letting go.
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4/4
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.