Cut-off

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CHAPTER 4

~Zara's POV~

My room was bigger than I had expected. After a lovely bath in the en suite bathroom—large enough to be a spa by itself—I stood at the window, gazing out at the sprawling estate below.

I couldn't shake the feeling of my death in my previous life. Cold dread made goosebumps appear on my skin. 

I looked ahead. Snow's mansion seemed to stretch endlessly, far beyond what I could see, its manicured gardens and towering trees hinting at wealth beyond comprehension. 

I'd barely settled in when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. A glance at the screen revealed my mother's name flashing. My stomach tightened. I knew this was coming.

I picked up the phone, bracing myself. "Hello?"

"Zara!" My mother's voice was sharp, cutting through the line like a whip. "What nonsense do I hear about you marrying a stranger? And on your wedding day, no less!"

I sighed, keeping my tone steady. "I did what I had to do, Mother. Ivan—"

"Forget Ivan's mistake!" she snapped, her voice rising. "Do you understand what you've done? You've jeopardised our family's position. Ivan is the Gamma of the Ivory Crescent Pack! We needed that alliance to boost our pack's standing and secure our business interests."

My jaw clenched. I knew where this was going. My parents may love me but they were selfish like that bastard. "I'm not going back to Ivan," I stated firmly. "Not now, not ever."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. "Zara, you will divorce this man and beg Ivan for forgiveness," she commanded. 

I chuckled. Where were my parents when I met my end, twice? Tsk. In the past she was always like this—forgive Ivan, ignore it, men are like that, he will come around or…

You are the problem. 

Fix yourself. 

Ivan is a good man.

Many ladies would like to be in your place. 

Behave and stop your tantrums. 

You seek attention too much.

Are you the only married woman? Look at your father and I.

Her sharp voice broke me out of my train of thought. "We cannot afford this embarrassment, nor can we afford to lose our standing in society!"

I felt the anger rise in my chest like a wave. "No, Mother. I won't. I'm done being a pawn in this family's game."

"Shut up, Zara. Do you know what this means for our pack, our company? We need him."

"You," I snapped, "you need him, mum, not me."

"Zara do not test my patience. Leave wherever you are and go back to Ivan now."

"I'm not going back to Ivan, and I'm not going to beg for anything."

"You ungrateful—" she began, but I cut her off.

"I've made my decision," I said firmly, my heart pounding. "I'm not a child anymore. You can't control me. If you want his help, I'll happily pave the way for you to marry him."

I knew I hit a nerve when I said that but I was past caring for her greedy ass. "Zara!"

"What? If you do not like that idea then perhaps marry the love of his life to him. I'm sure Clarissa would be more than willing to fill my shoes since she'd been doing that for a long time now."

"Zara darling," I heard my father's strained voice. I shut my eyes, the headache coursing through my brain in waves. When I reopened them I clenched my right fist. 

"Mother, If you can't accept that, then maybe we should go our separate ways."

There was a long, tense silence I thought they'd get off my back with that. I hoped, but my parents were equally difficult and stubborn. I got that from them. 

"Very well," my mother finally spat coldly, "consider yourself cut off from the family company and all its resources. You want to be independent? Then let's see how far you get on your own with your loser husband."

The line went dead before I could respond. I stared at the phone for a moment, several emotions raced through me, anger and relief becoming dominant. 

I had known this would happen, but hearing it still stung. I had just been disowned by my own family. Although not entirely but… what was left?

I wasn't the eldest child. As such they could easily do away with me. My older brother was to become Alpha after my dad. I was their only daughter. One would think that'll count.

Fine, I thought, setting the phone down with a deep exhale. If they wanted to cut me off, so be it. 

I would find my way. I had more than enough skills to make it on my own. I didn't need their money or their approval.

I walked back to the bed, picked up my laptop from the bed stand, turned it on, opened a new document and began typing out my resume. 

My fingers flew over the keyboard, fueled by a defiant energy I hadn't felt in years. 

Within an hour, I polished my resume and sent it to several top companies, including Aurora Conglomerate Inc., the most prestigious firm in the country, specializing in Renewable Energy, Advanced Technology, Luxury Real Estate, Finance, and Investment. 

They were exactly the kind of place I needed to prove myself.

I hit send, feeling a rush of satisfaction. 

I didn't have dinner with Snow as expected. I had it brought to my room. Prior, when something emotional happens, I end up losing my appetite but after my rebirth, I pushed the pain back and focused on my meal.

The next morning, I woke up to a series of messages both from Ella and Ivan. There was only one from Clarissa and I didn't bother checking it. 

I went for Ella first. She was concerned, as any reasonable bestie. I texted her back, assuring her I was okay and married, thanking her for the rich call boy she sent.

I did not wait for her text and immediately switched off my phone.