Page 49 of Grateful Hearts
He scoffed, ignoring her question. “I could ask you the same thing.” He glanced at Zach again. “What? You had to come all this way to get even with me? So much for your high horse, huh?”
Her stomach churned at his accusation. “Even?” she repeated, her voice sharp. “I caught you in bed with another woman. Don’t twist this into something it’s not.”
Mario took a step forward, his tone growing sharper. “I came to take you home, Chantel. To Boston. Where you belong.”
She stiffened, her pulse quickening in anger. “I am where I belong,” she said firmly, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
Zach started to step forward, his jaw tight, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest. “No,” she said, her voice steady. “This is my fight.”
She turned back to Mario, her gaze unwavering. “Do you have any idea how much you hurt me?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. “I gave you everything, and you threw it away.”
“Chantel—” Mario began, but she cut him off.
“People who love each other don’t betray one another,” she snapped. “You didn’t love me, and now I see that. We’re over.” She glanced up at Zach and met his gray eyes. Her voice softened. “I’ve already moved on.”
Mario’s face darkened. “You don’t mean that,” he said, reaching out to grab her arm.
Before Chantel could react, a tiny blur darted between them.
“Hey! Leave Ms. Chantel alone!”
Amira stormed forward, her tiny fists clenched, looking every bit like a miniature warrior. Everyone froze, unsure of what was about to happen.
“Amira, wait—” Chantel started, but it was too late.
To everyone’s astonishment, she delivered a swift, perfectly aimed punch right to Mario’s crotch.
Mario’s face twisted in horror as his knees buckled. He let out a strangled squeak and crumpled to the floor like a deflated balloon.
Amira glared at Mario, who was now groaning on the floor. “You’re not taking Ms. Chantel from Uncle Zach!” she declared with a stomp of her tiny foot.
Chantel pressed her hand over her mouth, torn between mortification and laughter. “Amira, sweetie, I—”
“I did what Uncle Zach would’ve done!” Amira said proudly.
Zach raised his eyebrows, shaking his head. “Sweetheart, I think you might’ve done it better.”
The room went silent for half a second before Bear burst out laughing and looking at his daughter with a sense of pride. “That’s my girl!”
As Mario struggled to his feet, still hunched over, Ethan smirked and leaned in. “You might want to ice that.”
Mario snarled at him, but it didn’t faze Ethan.
Chantel stepped forward and looked Mario in the eyes.
“Go home, Mario.”
With one final glare at the crowd, Mario hobbled toward the exit, the door mercifully shutting behind him.
Zach leaned into Chantel with a grin. “Well, that was one way to handle it, though I can’t say that I saw that coming.” He said, referring to Amira’s right hook.
Chantel couldn’t stop giggling, tears forming in her eyes. She bent down to Amira’s level. “You’re my hero,” she said, giving her a quick hug.
The little girl beamed. “I know.”
When she stood back up, Zach pulled Chantel into his arms. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, his eyes searching hers.
“Better than okay,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck.