Chapter 72
Chapter 72 A Belated Apology
Holden kept his hold on her wrist, firm yet gentle enough not to hurt her.
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“Let go, and I’ll listen to what you have to say.” Zora wore an annoyed frown, clearly unwilling to be restrained.
Holden loosened his grip right away. He might not know her well, but he knew she always kept her word once she said it.
“Zora p>
“Cut the crap, say what you wanna say, then vanish.” Zora had no patience for empty words.
“Where on earth did you pick up such rude language?” Holden frowned at her blunt, harsh
tone.
“I had no parents to teach me manners. I grew up out in the countryside-this is just how I talk. If you don’t like it, stay far away. Then you won’t have to hear it anymore p>
Zora said every word perfectly seriously, her pretty face unyielding.
She already cared nothing for the Knox family, so she had no reason to spare his feelings.
Ignoring her retort, Holden hesitated before bringing up something weighing on his mind. “About what happened at the pool last time p>
Zora fell silent. A faint shadow flickered deep in her calm eyes.
Holden stared into those quiet eyes that no longer held any trace of him, his chest tightening uncomfortably. His fingers curled slowly at his sides.
Earlier that day, Holden had been training at the private club. He’d just finished a lap around the curve, pulled off his helmet, and wiped the sweat from his face when a teammate handed him his phone.
He opened it casually and saw a message from Jensen, clicking into the video right away.
The footage caught his attention instantly.
At first, seeing that tiny figure huddled by herself, he had felt a sharp pang of guilt.
Zora was still part of the family after all, yet she sat all alone with no one by her side. No matter why she’d skipped the party and stayed away in a mood, seeing her sitting alone by the pool, letting the breeze brush over her, pulled at his heartstrings.
As the video played on, Holden’s chest felt as though it were being squeezed tight.
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Chapter 12 A Belated Apology
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It hurt most to watch Zora staring silently at his and Jolie’s retreating backs, wrapped in a blanket as she walked slowly away from the pool all by herself.
The sight left him struggling to breathe for a moment.
Holden had truly never paid Zora any mind that day.
Zora had sunk beneath the water while Jolie floated on the surface, screaming for help where everyone could see. He’d rushed over, dove in, and pulled Jolie out without a second glance beneath the waves.
If he’d only looked down, he would have found her and pulled her to safety before leaving with Jolie.
None of them had ever imagined Jolie had fallen into the pool on purpose.
Because of Zora’s history of mischief, they had instinctively assumed this was yet another one of her cruel pranks.
Now the truth was laid bare, slapping their blind arrogance right in the face.
Their self-righteous judgment had broken her heart.
On top of that, he’d spoken so harshly to her afterward. Even when she’d come down with a fever, he’d still dragged her off to the hospital without a single ounce of care.
All these regrets piled up, weighing heavily on his chest. He’d changed out of his training clothes and rushed straight to the Marlow Manor.
It was only after arriving that he realized she was at school and not home-he’d acted foolishly.
When he’d finally waited for her to come back, he’d seen her smiling at Reed, and unexplained anger flared up inside him.
He was the one who should hold that place in her life.
“I’m sorry…” His voice came out rough as he forced out the apology.
Zora’s eyelashes trembled slightly, yet she stayed quiet.
“I didn’t notice you were in the pool that day. I only thought Jolie was alone. I’m sorry for misunderstanding you. I’m sorry for how I treated you, and for grabbing your wrist and leaving those marks p>
Now that he’d started apologizing, it felt easier to speak of everything else weighing on him.
Memories of how harsh he’d been flooded his mind, and overwhelming guilt washed over him.
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Chapter 72 A Belated Apology
They were family-why had he ever spoken to her so coldly?
Why couldn’t he have been more patient with her?
“I don’t need your apology.” Zora finally spoke, her gaze meeting his guilty eyes with quiet indifference.
What was the point of saying sorry after everything had already happened?
She was long past caring.
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“Zora, I know I’ve treated you terribly. I’m truly sorry. Can you give me a chance to make it up to you p>
Her detached tone drained the color from Holden’s face.
He felt as if he were about to lose her entirely.
Her eyes were too calm, too distant-as if he’d never mattered to her at all, letting her walk away without a second thought.
He reached out again and wrapped his hand gently around her wrist, unconsciously pleading written across his handsome features.
Even Holden himself couldn’t understand when he’d started caring so much about Zora.
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Rear Heness’s New Family Adored by All