Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 68

"Mila, rest for now." ZH gently carried Mila back to her room, his arms wrapped around her protectively. Once inside, the others quietly left, giving them the privacy they needed. Mila's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, the events of the day leaving her feeling lost and overwhelmed. She couldn't shake the sadness that gripped her heart, knowing that Kate would soon die, only to be reborn without any memory of their bond.

As Mila lay there, staring up at the ceiling, she reached out and clung to ZH's sleeve, her voice trembling with a deep, unspoken fear. "ZH, does it feel like something is missing from your heart? Have you ever lost someone important, knowing they would never remember you in their next life?"

ZH looked down at her, his heart aching for the pain she was feeling. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes, the way her small body seemed to shrink under the weight of her sorrow. Pulling her closer, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her against his chest as if trying to shield her from the world. "I have," he murmured, his voice soft and steady. "But there's someone in my life now that I'd do anything to protect, to keep from leaving me forever."

Mila's tears began to flow freely as she buried her face in his chest, her sobs muffled against his shirt. The pain of losing Kate, even though she knew they would meet again, was almost too much to bear. It was the thought of being forgotten, of their bond being erased, that cut the deepest.

"Let it out, Mila," ZH whispered, his hand gently rubbing her back in soothing circles. "Cry as much as you need to. No one will laugh at you, and if they do, I'll make sure they regret it."

Mila's sobs grew louder, but there was a strange sense of relief in finally letting go, in allowing herself to be vulnerable. The burden she carried felt lighter as if ZH's presence was helping to lift it from her shoulders. She cried until she had no more tears left, her body trembling from the emotional release.

***

"Poor child, this must be the first time she's lost something—or someone—so important," Kayla murmured, her voice heavy with empathy as she observed the young girl. The sight of Mila, so deeply connected to an egg still in its dormant stage, tugged at her heartstrings. It was rare to see such a bond and even rarer for it to evoke such raw emotion.

Sara, standing nearby, couldn't help but share her thoughts with the group. "I can't imagine how she'll cope if she ever loses one of us. Think about it—if this is how much she cries over losing an egg, how will she handle losing someone close to her? She may seem strong and cold on the outside, but I know her. I raised her. Mila cares deeply about those she loves."

The group fell into a thoughtful silence, each of them considering Sara's words. They had all seen different sides of Mila—her resilience, her determination, and, most of all, her capacity for love. But this moment of vulnerability was a reminder of just how young she still was and how much she had already endured.

"Sara, you're right to worry," Emmett finally said, his voice steady and reassuring. "But remember, we've all vowed to protect her and each other. We've become a family through our time together, and none of us will ever leave her side. We've made promises to her and to each other, and we'll keep them, no matter what."

The others nodded in agreement. Tim, holding Thelma close, added, "We've grown so much together. We've been through so much, and we've come out stronger because of it. We can't let anything happen to each other now."

Thelma, usually reserved, found herself speaking up as well. "Mila was a miracle for each of us. She found us when we were at our lowest, and she gave us hope when we had none. I'm grateful every day that we met her."

As Kayla watched the group, a soft smile tugged at her lips. She had never encountered a group quite like this—a group bound by such strong affection and hope. Their bond was palpable, and an aura of warmth and loyalty surrounded them. It was something rare, something powerful.