Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 115: Perfect Suprise

Chapter 115: Perfect Suprise

Little Zami’s eyes widened in surprise, her tiny form frozen for a moment as she tried to make sense of what she’d just been told. The words hung in the air, and for a second, she didn’t know how to react. Mira watched her closely, feeling a wave of empathy wash over her.

After all, Zami was just a child, and the revelation she had just received was a lot to process. Naturally, her reaction was exactly what Mira expected. At only five years old, the world felt like a big, confusing place, and this moment, with all its excitement and mystery, was just another part of that.

"Mommy, is that why he came for my birthday? To surprise me?" Zami asked, her voice full of wonder and innocence, as if she was trying to piece it all together in her little head.

Mira hesitated, her thoughts racing. She could feel the weight of the moment, unsure of how to answer her daughter’s question. It wasn’t entirely a lie to say that Zamian had come for Zami’s birthday, but Mira didn’t want to make it sound like some grand plan when, in truth, it was more complicated than that. Yet, looking at her daughter’s hopeful face, Mira couldn’t bear the thought of shattering that happiness with the whole truth, not yet. Zami had already been through so much, and Mira had promised herself that she would never let her daughter feel the same pain she had felt as a child—abandoned, unloved, and always on the edge of heartbreak. She wanted Zami to feel safe, loved, and cherished, not burdened with adult complexities and secrets.

With a deep breath, Mira nodded slowly. "Yes, sweetheart, that’s why he came. To surprise you."

Zami’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. Her little hands clapped together in pure joy. "Oh my, I’m so happy!" she squealed, her voice full of excitement and wonder. It was as if the world had suddenly become a magical place in her eyes, where everything made sense, and every day held a new surprise. For a moment, Mira couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s infectious happiness. It was hard to believe that such a young child could be so full of life, even after all the turmoil that had come her way.

Zami, still bouncing with excitement, suddenly grew quiet and looked up at Mira. "Where is Daddy?" she asked, her voice a little softer now, full of longing.

Mira’s heart swelled with affection. The warmth in her chest was overwhelming, and she couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry at this sweet, innocent moment. She had never known that being a parent could make her feel like this—so full of love, yet so vulnerable. Zami had an innocence about her that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. She was truly the best daughter Mira could ever ask for, and she would do anything to protect her from the harsh realities of the world.

"He’ll be here in a while," Mira answered, her voice soft and tender, as she tried to soothe any worry her daughter might have. "Now, let’s finish your homework first, okay? We need to get those assignments done before he gets here."

Zami nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Okay, Mommy! I’ll do my best!" She immediately grabbed her pencil and began scribbling on the paper in front of her, as if her daddy’s arrival was the most exciting thing in the world. Mira watched her for a moment, grateful that Zami was so eager to please, so full of life, despite everything.

Meanwhile, Zamian sat in the back of the car, staring out the window with an unreadable expression on his face. The rhythmic hum of the engine and the passing scenery did little to distract him from his thoughts. His mind was far away, lost in a whirl of emotions. The day had been long, and his responsibilities as a ruler had kept him occupied, but now that he was finally on his way home to Mira and Zami, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of contentment, a warmth that he hadn’t known in a long time.

He had already picked up a few things for their family movie night—his idea of a perfect evening. With the chauffeur’s help, who had done his best to cater to Zamian’s preferences, he had bought three matching pajamas. One for Mira, one for Zami, and one for himself. Mira and Zami’s pajamas were a soft, pastel pink, while his was a simple blue. They were plain, but cute—just the way Zamian wanted it. He liked the idea of having a cozy, intimate night with his family, free from the distractions of the outside world. Tonight was about them, about making memories together.

The chauffeur, who had been glancing at Zamian through the rearview mirror, noticed the faint smile that tugged at the corner of his boss’s lips. It was a rare sight, one the chauffeur had never seen before. Zamian wasn’t known for his smiles, and certainly not when he was in the car on his way home. The chauffeur couldn’t help but wonder what had brought this change. Was it Mira’s influence? He had never seen his boss act like this before—like someone who had found peace.

Just then, Zamian’s phone buzzed, breaking his reverie. It was a call from John.

Zamian glanced at the screen for a moment before answering, his voice steady, though tinged with a hint of impatience. "Mr. Zamian," John’s voice came through the line, his tone businesslike. "I’ve handled the affairs here," he continued, referring to the matters of Zamian’s kingdom. "Everything is in order."

Zamian’s brow furrowed slightly. He had been expected to oversee these affairs personally, but he had been forced to stay behind due to his commitments with Mira and Zami. At first, he hadn’t realized how much time his family would require, how much his heart would be pulled in different directions. He had never been this torn between his duties as a ruler and his love for his family. But now, with Mira and Zami in his life, he found that nothing else seemed quite as important.

Of course, family came first. Mira had insisted that she would be okay with staying, but Zamian knew better. She didn’t want to hold him back, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. But tonight, nothing was going to ruin their plans. It was their family movie night, and he was determined to make it special.

The car came to a sudden halt, and Zamian stepped out, his expression calm, though his mind was still occupied with thoughts of Mira and Zami.

As he walked into the apartment, the quiet hum of the household seemed to wrap around him. His eyes immediately found Mira’s grandpa sitting at the dining table, absorbed in his newspaper. Zamian didn’t pay him much attention, though he nodded respectfully. He knew that showing any sign of disrespect to Mira’s grandpa would upset Mira, and that was the last thing he wanted.

He cleared his throat softly and asked, "Where is my wife?"

Mira’s grandpa lifted his head from the newspaper, a warm smile spreading across his face. "If she’s in your daughter’s room, they’re working on Little Zemi’s assignment," he replied, his voice gentle and affectionate.

Zamian’s heart warmed at the mention of "your daughter." It was a small thing, but it meant so much to him. He gave a brief nod of gratitude, though words didn’t come to him. He didn’t need them. Instead, he made his way to Zami’s room, easily identifiable by the bright pink door that seemed to scream "childhood" in all its innocent splendor.

Inside, he found Zami sitting at her desk, her little face scrunched in concentration as she worked on her school tasks. Mira was standing beside her, smiling with pride. When Zami noticed Zamian standing in the doorway, her eyes lit up, and she squealed in delight.

"Welcome back, daddy!" she cried, running toward him with open arms.

Zamian froze for a moment, unable to believe what he had just heard. Time seemed to stand still as the words "Welcome back, daddy!" echoed in his mind. Did his daughter just call him "daddy"? The weight of the moment hit him all at once. Was this what fatherhood felt like? The joy that flooded him was indescribable, and he could hardly believe it was real.

Mira stood up, her lips curling into a smile as she looked at him, her eyes full of love and warmth. "Welcome back, honey," she said softly.

Zamian felt a rush of emotions—love, pride, and a deep sense of connection. When had Mira told Zami that he was her father? He didn’t know, but the realization that he had become a part of their family in such a meaningful way overwhelmed him.

A smile stretched across Zamian’s lips, and without hesitation, he pulled both Mira and Zami into a hug. It was warm and tender, a simple embrace that spoke volumes of love, promises, and the bond they now shared as a family. Zamian gently handed the package he had been holding to Mira. "This is the outfit for tonight," he said quietly, his voice low and filled with affection.

Mira nodded, a soft smile crossing her face as she took the bag from him. Zamian gave her a brief nod of understanding before turning to leave.

"Let’s go clean you up," Mira said to Zami, her voice light and cheerful. Zami giggled, her little hands grabbing the pajamas as she ran to the bathroom.

What they didn’t know was that Zamian had already prepared a surprise for them, one that was sure to make the evening even more special.