Natalie's POV
The moment the door slammed shut behind Zane, it was like the sound punched the breath right out of my lungs.
I stood there frozen, staring at the space where he had just stood, heart cracking open, my soul screaming louder than I could bear. My legs gave out beneath me, and I collapsed onto the couch, burying my face into my hands as the tears came—hot, angry, messy. And loud.
"I messed everything up," I sobbed, my voice barely recognizable. "Gods, I messed it all up."
Fox was by my side before I could fall any further. His arms slid around me, warm and firm, pulling me into the safest thing I had left in that moment—his embrace. I gripped his shirt like it was the only thing keeping me afloat, and he let me cry, not saying a word at first.
Then finally, softly, he whispered, "It's not your fault, Firefly."
