The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 280: Ch 279: Cannot Save Her - Part 1

Zara stood her ground, but her heart beat faster than she would’ve liked to admit. Her weapon still hovered near her side, not fully sheathed.

"I don’t believe you. Ethan wouldn’t abandon me. That’s not who he is. And even if he did, do you think I am incapable of saving my own life?"

She said, her voice low but steady.

While Zara did not believe in Madam Verta, some of what she heard hit a little close to home.

’Let’s not think too much about it. I should be sure what I am getting into before I start to doubt Ethan.’

Zara’s doubtful face was a hard one to look at, but it did not seem to matter to the pair in front of her.

Madam Varta didn’t flinch. Her small, knowing smile remained fixed, unnerving in its calmness.

"Oh, child, you have been deceived by Ethan. People like him are scary, since they have double faces they don’t like to show. Confusion like yours... it’s always the first step. The doubt’s already there. You wouldn’t have come this far if it wasn’t."

She murmured, almost like she pitied her.

Zara scowled.

"I didn’t come here for this."

"You didn’t need to. Fate brought you here. And it will bring you back, when you’re ready."

Varta said, voice silkier now, her eyes gleaming.

Zara clenched her fists.

"You think I’m just going to roll over and take your word for it?"

"No. I think you’ll see it for yourself—sooner than you expect. When that moment comes, I will be here. I always am."

Varta said, taking a graceful step backward.

She turned on her heel and began to walk away, fading into the shadows like a ghost. But before Zara could breathe in relief, Isabelle lingered.

"You’re fun. If you ever want to talk... or fight... or anything, I’m not hard to find."

Isabelle said with a smirk.

Then she was gone too.

Only once Zara was completely alone again did she finally relax.

Her shoulders dropped. Her hands stopped trembling. She let out a long, shaky breath and looked up at the night sky.

The chill of the wind was the only thing grounding her.

She pulled out her phone, needing something—anything—to distract her.

The screen blinked to life.

A message from Orion:

[Are you okay? When are you coming back? We’re worried.]

Zara stared at the text for a long time. The corner of her mouth twitched upward—just slightly.

She typed a short response:

[On my way.]

But even as her fingers moved, her mind replayed every word Madam Varta had spoken. The doubt crept back in.

Quiet, subtle, like a weed growing through a crack in concrete. And no matter how she tried to shake it, she couldn’t.

Elsewhere, Isabelle caught up with Madam Varta just as they passed into the alley behind the main street.

"She looked shaken. But fun. Very fun."

Isabelle noted with a grin.

"She’s strong. But not unbreakable."

Varta said.

Isabelle raised a brow.

"You really think she’ll flip sides?"

Varta didn’t answer right away. Her eyes were distant, as if reading something only she could see.

"I didn’t lie to her. Her fall is written. How soon or how far depends on her next choices."

She said finally.

Isabelle’s smile faded a little.

"So you’re saying she’s really gonna die?"

"Yes. That future is clear. The only unknown is whether she fights it... or lets it consume her."

Varta said, voice matter-of-fact.

______

Zara returned home well past midnight. The streets were quiet now, the city’s chaos left behind her in those strange alleyways.

She slipped through the front door, her boots silent on the floor.

Orion was the first to appear.

He’d clearly been waiting by the door, dozing off in a chair. As soon as she stepped inside, he jolted awake.

"Zara! You’re back!""

His eyes lit up and he ran to her, throwing his arms around her waist.

Zara blinked, then slowly returned the hug.

"Yeah, I’m back."

She whispered.

Orion pulled back slightly.

"I was really worried. Everyone was. Well... except—"

Zara followed his glance down the hall. She saw the twins standing in the distance.

Nora glanced her way but quickly looked down. Noah didn’t even acknowledge her return.

And Ethan—he wasn’t anywhere in sight.

Zara swallowed hard.

"It’s fine. They’re just tired."

She said, mostly to herself.

Orion frowned.

"Are you okay? You don’t look okay."

Zara smiled and ruffled his hair.

"I’ll be fine. Just need some rest."

He nodded, though his expression stayed tight with concern.

Zara looked around the house, the tension in the air heavy and unspoken.

Every step she took felt like walking into a storm that hadn’t broken yet. She knew the kids didn’t trust her right now. And Ethan—he didn’t even care to pretend.

’Was Madam Varta right?’

She shook her head.

’No. Ethan’s not like that.’

Still... the silence from everyone else said more than she wanted to hear.

The night air was cooler than usual.

Zara stepped quietly through the house, waiting until the silence settled in.

Her steps were soft as she made her way to the balcony.

She wasn’t sure why she chose this spot, only that she needed to breathe—needed to think without being surrounded by walls or judgmental stares.

But the moment she slid the door open, she froze.

Someone was already there.

Ethan.

He stood with his back to her, arms resting on the railing, his head tilted toward the sky. For a moment, neither of them said a word.

Zara considered turning around and pretending she hadn’t come. But then, without glancing her way, Ethan lifted his hand and patted the spot next to him.

An invitation.

Zara hesitated, then stepped out onto the balcony, taking her place beside him. The view was quiet. Peaceful. So unlike the storm that had been tearing through her mind.

"I’m sorry. For earlier. I was... tense. Defensive."

Ethan said after a moment. His voice was rough, low.

Zara stared straight ahead.

"Don’t apologize if you don’t mean it. I’m not looking for words that don’t carry weight."

She replied calmly.

That silenced him. His mouth opened slightly, as if to say something else, but no words followed. Zara let the silence hang.

Eventually, she sighed and folded her arms across the railing.

"I met someone today. Madam Verta."

That made Ethan turn slightly toward her, brows drawn.

"She told me that my end is near. Can’t say I’m surprised."

Zara let out a hollow laugh.