Chapter 35
Zach
The front door to my dad’s house creaks as I step inside.
The place feels too big, too quiet. The faint smell of leather and wood polish drifts through the air, instantly familiar.
I hesitate, the weight of my choices pressing down on my chest. Before I can decide whether to stay or turn back, Blair’s voice calls out.
“Zach?” She appears in the hallway, her arms crossed and her tone sharp. “What are you doing here?”
I don’t answer right away, and her eyes narrow as she takes in my expression. “You look like hell. What happened?”
I open my mouth, but before I can get a word out, another voice cuts in.
“I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again.”
I glance toward the entrance to the study. Dad stands there, his tie slightly loosened, his hair grayer than I remember. His gaze is fixed on me, and for a moment, I think I see relief in his eyes.
“Didn’t think you wanted me here,” I reply, my voice tighter than I intend.
Dad sighs, stepping closer. “If I gave you that impression, I’m sorry. I said a lot of things I shouldn’t have. I never meant to push you away. You’re my son. I’ll always want you here.”
The words hit me harder than I expect, but before I can dwell on them, Blair steps forward again, her arms dropping to her sides. “Zach, talk to me.”
I let out a shaky breath, glancing between them. “Where are the others?”
“Whitney and Cora took Alice to the movies. Noah’s out of town,” Blair answers.
She studies me, her tone shifting. “Seriously, Zach, what’s going on?”
I drag a hand down my face, the words slipping out in a rush. “I broke up with Lainey.”
“You what?” Blair says, her voice rising in disbelief.
Dad’s expression shifts, his brow furrowing deeply, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Because you were right,” I snap, gesturing toward Dad. “You’re always right, aren’t you? I’d just screw it up, anyway.”
Dad’s expression hardens, his voice sharp. “What are you talking about?”
I throw my hands up, frustration bubbling over. “The curse, Dad. The fucking Darling curse. None of us can make it work. You showed me that nothing good lasts—first with Mom, then with everyone else. We’re all too scared to even try now. You think that’s a coincidence? It’s not.”
Blair’s jaw drops. “Wait a second. You broke up with Lainey because of some made-up curse? Are you serious right now?”
Dad’s face falls, and he takes a measured step toward me. “Zach, is that really what you think?”
“What else am I supposed to think?” I snap. “After Mom died, you didn’t grieve—you buried yourself in work. You pushed us to be perfect, to find someone perfect. But no one is ever good enough, are they?”
Dad exhales heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. “Zach, listen to me. After your mom died, I didn’t know how to handle it. I was broken. I didn’t want to see the same happen to you kids. Yes, I pushed too hard, but that wasn’t about you. That was about me. My fear, my mistakes—not yours.”
Blair cuts in, her voice sharp. “And what does any of that have to do with Lainey? You love her, Zach. Why would you throw that away?”
“Because it would’ve ended the same way,” I say, my voice trembling. “Just like it always does. Why would I think I could break that cycle?”
Dad’s gaze softens, and for the first time, his tone is gentle, almost pleading.
“Zach, you’re not me. You’re not your siblings.
What happened to us—what led to those outcomes—had its own reasons.
The ‘curse’ you’re so afraid of? It’s not real.
It’s fear. And fear doesn’t have to control you unless you let it. ”
I shake my head, the frustration still boiling. “You don’t get it. It’s not just fear—it’s history. Every time someone in this family tries, it blows up. Why would I think it’d be any different with Lainey?”
“Because she’s different,” Blair says fiercely, stepping closer. “And you’re different with her. I’ve never seen you care about anyone the way you care about her.”
Dad watches me for a moment, his gaze softening. Then he let out a heavy sigh. “Blair told me everything, Zach. About what Clarissa did to Lainey, what she did to you. I’m sorry. I never meant to make you suffer. I just wanted the best for you.”
Before I can speak, Dad continues, his words catching me off guard. “Zach, I was wrong about Lainey. I see that now. I was wrong about you, too.”
My throat tightens as his words sink in, but he isn’t finished.
“When I saw you at the reunion, I saw something I hadn’t seen in a long time.
You were happy, Zach. Genuinely happy. But I let my pride and my own fears get in the way.
I thought maybe someone like Clarissa would be better for you.
I was being selfish. Greedy. And I see now how wrong I was. ”
Blair steps closer, her voice soft but firm. “Lainey was the best thing that ever happened to you, Zach. Why would you let her go?”
“And now she’s carrying your child,” Dad says, his voice quiet but deliberate. “Don’t let my mistakes make you lose her.”
The weight of their words slams into me. For the first time, the fear I’ve been holding onto feels smaller than the thought of losing Lainey forever.
“Fuck. But she hates me now,” I mutter, the weight of my mistakes crushing me.
“No, she doesn’t,” Dad says, his hand resting firmly on my shoulder.
“No, I mean I screwed up.” My voice cracks as I rake my fingers through my hair.
Blair’s voice sharpens, cutting through the haze of guilt. “It’s not just this Darling curse nonsense, is it? What else are you not telling us?”
“I got in my head. I saw her talking to this guy, and I just… lost it. She used to have feelings for him, and I convinced myself it meant something. I used it as an excuse to push her away.”
“You ruined it over… what? A stupid crush? That’s low, even for you.”
My voice comes out raw, broken. “I freaked out. It was going too good—too perfect. I figured it wouldn’t last, so I panicked. Said a bunch of shitty things to her to push her away. And it worked.”
“She doesn’t hate you,” Dad says, his hand resting firmly on my shoulder. “She’s hurt, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late.”
Blair nods, her expression fierce. “He’s right, Zach. You need to fix it. Don’t let fear or some stupid imaginary curse ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
I drag my hands down my face, my stomach churning. “God, I’m such a fucking jerk.”
“If you want her back, you’ll have to fight for her.” Dad says.
“I know.” My voice cracks, the weight of my actions pressing down on me. “I didn’t realize it then—I mean, I guess I knew—but I didn’t want to believe it. But I fucking love her.”
“Then what are you still doing there? Go to her, Zach. Apologize. Beg if you have to,” Blair says.
I let out a frustrated groan, pacing the room. “Fuck,” I mutter, the word heavy with regret. “I don’t even know where to start.”
Before either of them can respond, my phone buzzes in my hand with a string of notifications. I glance at the screen. It’s Wyatt.
Wyatt: SOS. Why the fuck aren’t you answering me?
I scroll through the messages I’d ignored earlier.
Wyatt: Dude, I just overheard Chloe talking to Lainey. She’s moving. Did you know?
Wyatt: Hello? I just heard Chloe say Florida.
Wyatt: What the fuck? Lainey’s moving to Florida!
Wyatt: Shit. Her flight leaves at 6 PM tonight.
Wyatt: Please tell me you’re getting my messages.
“Florida?” I whisper, my stomach twisting as I glance at the clock. 4:45 PM. My pulse races.
“Dad, Blair, I’ve got to go,” I say, already heading for the door. “Wyatt just told me Lainey’s leaving for Florida. At 6.”
Blair’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Then what the hell are you waiting for? Go get your girl!”
“Don’t waste time,” Dad adds firmly. “This is your moment, Zach.”
The tires squeal as I pull out of the driveway, my hands gripping the wheel tightly. My chest tightens as the car connects to the call as I punch in Wyatt’s number. He picks up almost immediately.
“What the fuck, Darling? Why didn’t you answer my texts?” Wyatt’s voice is sharp, tinged with panic.
“What flight is Lainey on?” I demand, cutting straight to the point.
“Why? What are you going to do?”
“What the hell do you think, Wyatt? I’m going to stop her. I can’t let her and the baby leave.”
“Finally, you’re coming to your senses.”
“I thought I was done, but I can’t. I love her, Wyatt. I love Lainey. I’ve been a fucking idiot, but I want everything with her. I want to raise our baby together. I want her in my life.” The words spill out, raw and desperate.
“Well, shit,” Wyatt says, his voice softening. “I’m happy for you, man. But you’re cutting it close. What’s your plan?”
“Get me the flight info.”
“Chloe would kill me if she finds out I’m helping you while we’re on our honeymoon.”
“Wyatt. Ask Chloe what flight Lainey is on. Right now.”
He groans. “Dude, we just landed in Hawaii.”
“Wyatt, my future is in your hands right now.”
“That’s not fair, Darling.”
“Come on, Banks. I’m on my way to the airport.”
“You’re cutting it close, man. It’s 4:48 PM, and her flight leaves at 6.”
“I’ll run red lights if I have to. Just get me the info.”
“Fine! But you owe me big time. And you better drive safe!”
I hear muffled voices as Wyatt speaks to Chloe.
“Chloe, you said Lainey is flying out tonight, right?”
“Oh, you just reminded me. I need to text her. Her flight is leaving soon.”
“What airline is she on? Is she flying first class like we did? Should we have upgraded her ticket?”
I grit my teeth as Wyatt keeps prying. Just give me the damn flight info.
“Aww, that’s sweet of you, Wyatt,” Chloe replies. “She took Delta. I think it’s Flight 1567 to Orlando.”
I hang up immediately, flooring the gas pedal.
The clock reads 5:45 PM as I screech into the LAX departure area, hitting my hazards before running toward the Delta counter. There’s a line of people, but I shove past them, earning a few glares.
“Hey! I was next, dude!” someone protests.