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Zara’s features melted in sympathetic understanding, and she advanced towards him, placing her hand on his chest. “Fred, it is okay, I know you are anxious. You even called her a friend, and you have known Bella for ages. But do not let her get into your head. There is nothing I am keeping away from you. I have been truthful to you right from the very first day. If there is anything it has to be with Bella. She has got the past, the desperate past of playing dirty as well.”

Fred latched on to the idea, nodding such that his already weighted head bobbed much heavier. And this is how the tension in him eased a little in his shoulders. It made sense what Zara had said. He wished to trust her and rid himself of this annoying suspicion, believing that the only person creating such chaos was Bella, maybe out of envy or some need to control things she did not have to. He waved and encircled Zara with his hands, drawing her close to him.

“Forgive me,” he whispered into her hair. “I didn't me