Rainbows after Hurricane

15. |p a s t|

>>c h a p t e r  f i f t e e n<<

|p a s t|

|

Song of the chapter/ I want to hold your hand by The Beatles

Dianna and Zach had always shared a relationship that was easy and unguarded. There was no room for awkward silences or withheld truths between them. They trusted each other completely, sharing everything without hesitation. Well, almost everything.

The one thing Dianna had never told Zach was her crush on Asher. It wasn't that she thought Zach wouldn't understand; she just didn't want to place him in the uncomfortable position of choosing sides or risk creating tension between him and Asher. She'd convinced herself she would only bring it up if Asher ever reciprocated her feelings. That moment, however, never arrived.

Now, standing outside Zach's house, Dianna felt her courage waver. What could she possibly say to him that would make any difference? Nothing could erase the grief of losing Ashley and the baby. No words could soften that pain.

Drawing in a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked on the door, her heart caught in the limbo between wanting him to answer and dreading that he would.

A few seconds later, the door opened. Zach appeared, his face lighting up with a wide but slightly puzzled smile. "Hey, Dianna," he said warmly, his gaze flickering over her. Then, his smile faltered, and concern crept into his voice. "Have you been crying?"

Those four words were all it took for Dianna to crumble. She threw herself into Zach's arms, her tears spilling freely as she buried her face against his chest, soaking the fabric of his shirt.

Zach instinctively wrapped his arms around her, steadying her trembling frame. Without a word, he guided her inside, gently shutting the door behind them. Once in the living room, he settled her onto the sofa and crouched in front of her, his hand moving in soothing circles on her back.

"Dianna, what's going on?" he asked softly, his voice laced with worry. "Why are you crying? Did something happen?"

She pulled back slightly, wiping at her damp cheeks with trembling hands. "Zach," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I talked to Asher."

Zach's expression remained unreadable as he studied her, waiting for her to continue.

Dianna's breath hitched as she pushed through the knot in her throat. "He told me... everything. About Ashley, and..." Her voice broke, and she forced herself to meet his eyes. "And your baby."

Zach's body stiffened, his face betraying a flicker of raw pain before he quickly masked it. His jaw clenched tightly, and he looked away, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air between them.

"I'm sorry, Zach. I'm so sorry," Dianna whispered, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face. She felt a deep ache in her chest, the guilt weighing heavily on her.

Zach turned toward her, his brows knitted in confusion. "Why are you saying sorry?"

"Because..." Dianna's voice cracked, and she wiped at her cheeks with trembling hands. "I should have been there for you, Zach. As your sister, I should've been by your side when you needed me most—but I wasn't. I wasn't there..." Her breath hitched as she tried to continue. "I was happy, living my life, while you were..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence as the pain in her throat grew unbearable.

Zach's face softened as he pulled her into his arms. His hand moved gently up and down her back, offering comfort. "Dianna, listen to me," he said, his voice low and soothing. "You don't have to be sorry about anything."