Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 121: The Kiss of Fate

Chapter 121: The Kiss of Fate

Mira knew she had spent a lot of time away—over five years—but she hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. Five years had been more than enough time for her to get her life together, settle down, and even start a family. Yet, as she looked around, a bittersweet feeling crept over her. She couldn’t entirely blame Lily for moving on so quickly. In just a few short years, Lily’s life had changed dramatically, and it was clear that she had built something beautiful with James, their shared history turning into something new.

Mira’s gaze briefly flicked to Lily’s baby bump. It wasn’t very large, but it was noticeable to Mira, who recognized the early signs. Her eyes quickly narrowed in speculation as she guessed Lily was around two months pregnant. The bump, though faint, was visible enough for someone who had seen it before. To the casual observer, it might not be noticeable—especially if Lily wore something loose—but Mira had learned to spot such signs over the years. It was a bittersweet realization.

Her heart gave a slight flutter of confusion. Questions swirled in Mira’s mind as she tried to come to terms with everything around her. She had so many things she wanted to ask Lily, so many unanswered questions that seemed to cling to her like a veil. She decided she would ask Lily about the pregnancy soon, but for now, she decided to hold back. It was hard to process everything at once, especially with the little ones around.

Lily’s eyes shifted as she studied Mira for a long moment, almost as if reading her thoughts. Then, with an almost playful glint in her eyes, Lily responded, pretending to be upset as if she were disappointed in Mira for leaving without a word. "We will talk later," she said, her glare cute yet serious. Mira smiled slightly, though a sense of guilt gnawed at her inside.

Deep down, Mira knew that even if she had tried to explain her reasons for leaving, Lily might not have been able to understand. It wasn’t just about the distance, not just about the time. There was so much more at play—decisions she had made out of fear and insecurity, things that still weighed heavily on her heart.

Back then, Mira had been afraid. James was just her boyfriend at the time, and she couldn’t risk telling Lily what was truly going on. And, knowing Lily as well as she did, Mira couldn’t shake the fear that, if she had confided in her, Lily might have told James. They were close, dating at the time, and the thought of James finding out... well, that was something Mira couldn’t bear. The situation had been too complicated, too fragile.

As if on cue, Lily’s gaze shifted to the little figure holding Mira’s hand. She smiled, her expression softening as she approached the child. Gently, Lily pressed her hands to little Zami’s cheeks, cupping her face with both hands. Little Zami giggled at her touch, a soft smile spreading across Mira’s lips as she watched. There was something about the way Lily interacted with children—it was as though she had an innate understanding of them, a gentleness that made her shine.

Zami’s laughter was like music to Mira’s ears, and she couldn’t help but smile too, though a pang of longing settled deep in her chest. What if she had been around more? What if she hadn’t left? Would Zami have grown up differently, perhaps without her presence to guide her? But as Mira watched them together, she knew it was futile to dwell on the past. She was here now, and that was what mattered.

"Hello, Aunt," Little Zami said suddenly, her voice bright and full of innocence, causing Lily to freeze mid-motion. How did Little Zami know her name? The words hung in the air, unexpected, like a sudden gust of wind that threw everything off course.

Zami turned her head slightly, looking up at Mira, then back to Lily. It was as if she were searching for answers in Mira’s face, questions lingering silently between them. Lily looked at Mira too, silent for a moment, her eyes searching for some explanation.

Finally, Little Zami spoke again, her voice soft but clear. "Mummy has told me lots about you," she said.

Lily’s expression softened, a warm smile spreading across her lips. There was a quiet understanding in her gaze, and she couldn’t help but feel touched by Zami’s innocent words. Despite the complicated past that had shaped their relationship, it was clear that Mira had, at least, shared something of their history with her daughter.

Lily looked back at Mira, her smile still in place, but there was a subtle question in her eyes. Was Mira truly here to stay this time? Or would she disappear again like she had before? It was a question that neither of them dared to voice aloud.

Just then, Mira heard James speak up from behind her, his voice warm with a familiarity that made her feel like time had never passed. "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Mira."

Mira turned to face him, smiling warmly. "Nice to see you too, Mr. James—and Mrs. Lily." Lily’s eyes lit up in response, thrilled to hear herself referred to as "Mrs." for the first time. It had only been three months since her wedding, but that title still brought her immense joy. She was two months pregnant now, and the happiness she felt in her new life with James was something she could hardly put into words.

Lily squeezed James’s hand, and with a glance toward Little Zami, said, "Isn’t she so cute?" Zami’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked up at them. Her innocent gaze was filled with wonder, as if trying to make sense of everything around her, every new person she met.

James, taken aback by how much Zami had grown, was stunned into silence for a moment. His eyes widened as he realized just how much time had passed since the child he remembered in Mira’s belly had turned into this bright, adorable little girl. It felt as though the years had flown by in the blink of an eye. Though they had been difficult for everyone, with so many changes, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the times that had passed.

He couldn’t believe Mira was back. He silently prayed she wouldn’t leave again, that this time, things would be different. Perhaps back then, Mira had been too young to fully understand the gravity of her decisions, but now, maybe, just maybe, she was ready to stay.

Lily, on the other hand, found herself overcome with emotion. The cuteness of Little Zami was undeniable, and the joy she felt in seeing her with Mira was overwhelming. She was thrilled that Mira had, at the very least, acknowledged her presence. The thought that Mira had left her behind, both physically and emotionally, had been difficult to swallow for a long time. But now, with Zami calling her Aunt, Lily couldn’t bring herself to scold Mira. Not when this little girl was standing before her, looking up at her with such curiosity.

As Mira looked at Lily, she realized that the presence of Zami had somehow changed everything. This sweet, well-behaved child was making her smile in a way that only innocence and purity could. Lily was caught up in the warmth of it all, and for the first time in a long time, she could sense that Mira had truly changed, that maybe, just maybe, she had grown in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

Without warning, Little Zami turned to Lily with an excited expression. "Why don’t you come with me while I tell you more about yourself?" she said brightly, her voice full of energy. Zami then turned to Mira, seeking approval. Mira nodded gently, her heart swelling with pride. The two of them began to walk, with James trailing behind them, as Little Zami began to eagerly chatter about all the things that had been happening at home while they were away.

Meanwhile, Mira and Zami stood still for a moment, watching the little girl lead the way. Zami turned to Mira again, her expression suddenly serious. "I’ll be entering a different car outside the airport while you and Zami head home," she said matter-of-factly. "I’ll come early today." Mira nodded in understanding, her mind working through the logistics of the situation.

The private area of the airport was ahead, and they were nearing the exit. As Mira adjusted herself, preparing to part ways with Zami and Lily for the time being, she felt a quiet sense of unease settling over her.

Zami then turned to Mira with a mischievous smile. "How about you give your husband a good luck kiss?" she teased.

Before Mira could process her words, she found herself being pulled into a deep kiss by Zamian. His lips were warm and firm against hers, a surprising tenderness in the way he kissed her. Mira froze for a moment, completely caught off guard by the sudden intimacy. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close as his kiss deepened. The world around them seemed to fade away, as if time had momentarily stopped, leaving them suspended in a bubble of their own. Her heart raced as she realized the kiss wasn’t just a playful gesture—it was something more. His tenderness spoke volumes, and for a brief moment, she lost herself in the feeling of being wanted, of being loved.