Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 346

Chapter 346: Already Picked
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CHAPTER 346

~Zara’s POV~

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the living room with Tempest and Aira by my side. Scott trailed behind us, his hands clasped behind his back.

The ladies all straightened in their seats as I approached, their eyes wide with anticipation.

“Thank you all for coming today,” I began, my voice carrying through the room. “It’s been a pleasure meeting each of you and hearing your stories.”

Tempest stepped forward, her sharp gaze scanning the group. “This house isn’t just a workplace,” she said firmly. “It’s a home. And being a part of this home means more than just doing your job. It means caring for the people here, for each other, and for the little ones.” She nodded toward Storm, who was now perched on Vani’s lap.

Aira added with a warm smile, “We wanted to see how you interacted with Storm, our little whirlwind, because he’s an important part of this family. How you treated him said a lot about your character.”

I stepped forward again, glancing at the ten ladies before me. “We needed four or five new maids, but your behavior today—how you responded to Storm and to the tasks we set—helped us make our decisions.”

The room was silent, the tension palpable.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled and turned to Vani. “Vani, you’re the first person we’re selecting for this household.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, I saw something flicker in her expression—relief, perhaps? Gratitude? She quickly masked it with a shy smile.

“Thank you, Mrs. Zephyr,” she said softly.

I smiled. “You impressed us with your patience and how naturally you bonded with Storm. It’s clear you have a kind heart, and that’s exactly the kind of person we need here.”

Storm grinned, tugging at Vani’s sleeve. “Yay! You’re staying!”

The other women clapped politely, though some looked disappointed.

Tempest announced the names of the next three chosen candidates, each selected for their skills and demeanour throughout the day. Finally, after much deliberation, we settled on a fifth.

“To those who weren’t selected,” I said gently, “thank you again for your time and effort. We wish you the best in your future endeavours.”

The remaining ladies nodded graciously before Scott escorted them out.

As the room cleared, I turned back to Vani, who was still seated on the carpet with Storm. She looked up at me with a tentative smile.

“Thank you again, Mrs. Zephyr.”

“It’s no problem. Happy to have you here with us,” I said warmly. “Welcome to the household, Vani.”

Tempest clapped her hands together. “Alright, now that we’ve sorted that out, let’s get the new maids settled in. Scott will show you all to your quarters.”

As Vani stood to follow Scott, Storm grabbed her hand, holding onto her tightly. “Don’t leave yet!” he said with a pout.

Vani laughed softly, crouching down to his level. “I’ll be right here, little one. I’m not going anywhere.”

Watching them, I felt a sense of relief. She seemed genuine, warm, and patient—exactly what Storm needed in his life because I hoped that with Kane out of the way, Aira and Zade could finally have a love life.

This was an opportunity for Zade to chase what he always deserved—adequate love.

After that, Tempest and I made our way towards the garden with smiles on our faces. The sun was warm against my skin, the soft rustling of leaves and the scent of blooming flowers filling the air. Despite the peaceful atmosphere, my mind kept drifting back to the interviews.

“She’s good, isn’t she?” Tempest commented, glancing at me as we walked.

“Vani?” I asked.

Tempest nodded. “Yeah. She handled Storm well. He seemed comfortable with her.”

I hummed in agreement. “He needs someone like that—calm, patient, and understanding. Especially after everything he’s been through.”

Tempest smiled. “And she didn’t hesitate to clean up his mess. That’s rare. I think you made a good choice with her.”

I smiled back, though a small part of me felt an odd tug of uncertainty. Maybe it was just the weight of the responsibility settling in.

As we continued our walk, a question that had been lingering in my mind finally surfaced. I glanced at Tempest, hesitating for a moment before speaking.

“Tempest, I have been meaning to ask…”

“Go on, curious cat,” she joked.

“I giggled and then nodded. “Tempest… have you heard anything from Koda?”

The playful expression on her face faltered, replaced by something softer, more vulnerable. She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as she looked ahead.

“No,” she admitted quietly. “Nothing.”

I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. Tempest was rarely this subdued, and seeing her like this tugged at my heart.

“How are you holding up?” I asked gently.

She stopped walking, turning to face me fully. Her eyes, usually filled with mischief, were clouded with a mix of sadness and acceptance. “It’s not easy, babe,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with pain. “I still miss him. I still think about what we had.”

She paused, taking a deep breath. “But he didn’t choose me, Zara. And I… I chose who chose me.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy and raw.

I reached out, placing a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry, Tempest.”

She gave me a small, bittersweet smile. “Don’t be. Ryland is good to me. He loves me the way I deserve to be loved. And I’m happy with him. Truly.”

I studied her face, searching for any cracks in her resolve, but all I saw was the strength of someone who had made peace with her choices.

“Still,” I said softly, “it’s okay to miss him. To miss what you had.”

Her smile wavered, and she looked away, her eyes scanning the vibrant flowers around us. “I do,” she admitted after a moment. “But I know it’s okay.”

I nodded, understanding her more than I thought I would. “As long as you’re happy now, that’s all that matters.”

She turned back to me, her smile returning, this time more genuine. “I am. Ryland might not be fireworks, but he’s steady. He’s warm. And that’s what I needed.”