Forbidden Heat novel Chapter 313

Somehow that must have made her feel that her control over the company was shaken. Planning the fire to hurt me was something that someone like her would have done as a way to threaten Zak. I should have seen this coming. I should have been more proactive in protecting myself.

“Are you ok?” I asked with concern.

“Why are you asking me that? I should be the one asking you and not the other way around,” Zak said seriously.

“I was physically hurt but what about you? All this time, you’ve been suffering so much for us,” I said in a small voice.

“I’m ok. You should stop worrying about me and worry more about yourself,” Zak replied before smiling tenderly at me.

“I think you already worry about me plenty though,” I said as I smiled back.

“Natalia…I’ll find a way to keep you safe,” Zak said earnestly.

“I know I just barely escaped death or something like that but…I feel quite safe with Reiner,” I said, trying to reassure Zak that I was fine.

“Good. That will have to do…for now…” Zak replied followed by a soft sigh of relief.

“Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?” I asked.

“Yes…but don’t worry. I’ll find a way to fix all this,” Zak promised.

“Then it’s all good now. No need to look so depressed,” I said as I tried my best to cheer Zak up.

“If something happens…with Reiner, promise that you will tell me, ok?” Zak requested.

I wasn’t quite sure what he was referring to. What could happen between Reiner and me anyways? However, Zak seemed very serious about all this.

“Ok. I promise,” I replied.

“Good girl,” Zak said and he seemed to relax a little.

“Promise me not to stress please. I don’t want to see lines on your beautiful face,” I said teasingly.

“Yeah yeah…let’s head back inside,” Zak said as he took my hand in his.

“Ok. What about dinner again sometime soon?” I asked brightly.

“Sure…” Zak replied casually; however, I could tell that his mind was already elsewhere.

…

After returning to the mansion, Zak excused himself and left immediately. I knew that the issue was far from over for Zak and that he was still very troubled by it. However, I decided to let him go because I knew that there wasn’t anything else that I could say to make him feel better. There are some things that Zak would rather handle on his own and I’m willing to respect and let him do just that.

After sending Zak off, I returned to my room to find Reiner waiting for me there. Reiner being Reiner, didn’t ask what Zak and I talked about. However, I thought that it would be better if he knew about what we discussed. Partly because he’s my bodyguard and partly because I just didn’t want to keep anything from him.

“Exactly. Precisely because Zak doesn’t see me that way, he’s not willing to let go…of us. That’s why I’m always feeling so guilty because Zak always has to suffer because of him. Even this incident, he blames himself for it...” I said, feeling tired and depressed.

“You should worry more about yourself and put your recovery first,” Reiner said sternly.

“That’s what Zak told me as well. He’s always so worried about me. Honestly, I just hate myself whenever things like these happen,” I said sadly. I felt like I was about to cry and I desperately tried to hold my tears back.

“What do you mean?” Reiner asked softly.

“I’m just a chain that Madame Francesca uses to tie Zak down. I’m just like a hostage. If Zak doesn’t do what she orders, she’ll hurt me somehow and Zak will have to go along with what she wants. Zak…he does the things he does to keep me safe…” I confessed. I have never told anyone this before.

“Enough, Natalia. It’s Zak’s own choice. He’ll be fine…” Reiner said firmly.

“I hope so…” I murmured; however, I wasn’t convinced.

“You should rest and try not to over think things. Stress and lack of rest will be bad for your body,” Reiner warned.

“Ok…” I whispered in reply.

After taking a quick shower, Reiner tucked me into bed. I felt so drained of energy and life that I didn’t want to move my body at all. I lay there in bed with the blanket over my body as I concentrated on keeping my tears from falling. It wasn’t anything new and I knew all of this already; however, reality was hard to swallow. I knew that one day, somehow, I must give Zak back the freedom that he deserves.

--To be continued…