Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 128: Silent Promise

Chapter 128: Silent Promise

Lily and James sat together in the back seat of the car as the chauffeur expertly navigated the quiet streets, the low hum of the engine filling the space between them. James’s watchful gaze never left her, his concern clearly etched into every line of his face. Ever since he had learned of her pregnancy, he had made it his mission to ensure that she wanted for nothing. His focus on her had become unwavering, as though the world around them had shrunk to the two of them, with her well-being at the center of his universe.

From her meals to her comfort, James had taken on the role of a doting husband with unmatched devotion. He arranged for the best foods, always made sure she had what she needed, and constantly reassured her that everything would be fine. His over-pampering, while born from love, sometimes left her feeling a little smothered. Lily knew his intentions were pure, but it sometimes felt like he was treating her like a fragile child, rather than the strong woman she had always been.

Lily glanced over at him now, a soft smile tugging at her lips despite the warmth that bubbled in her chest. "James, I’m fine, you know," she said gently, resting her hand on his arm in an effort to comfort him.

James’s brow furrowed in response, his voice firm yet tender as he replied, "You’re carrying our baby, Lily. I won’t take any risks." His eyes briefly flickered to her stomach, the weight of his words hanging between them.

Her heart swelled at his words, even as she chuckled softly in an attempt to lighten the mood. "I know, but you can relax a little. I’m not made of glass, James." She gave him a playful nudge, hoping to ease his concern, even if she understood it was all out of love.

He met her gaze, a small smile breaking through his otherwise serious expression. "Maybe not, but you’re everything to me. Both of you are," he said, his hand reaching out to rest protectively on her belly. He lingered there for a moment, his fingers brushing gently over her as if reaffirming the life growing inside her.

Lily sighed, leaning into his touch with a soft smile of her own. A mixture of love and exasperation warmed her chest. She knew that James meant well. In truth, his attentiveness made her feel cherished in a way she had never expected. She was grateful for it, even if it did sometimes make her feel overwhelmed.

As the car continued its journey through the dimly lit streets, Lily allowed herself to sink into the moment. For now, she decided to let James fuss over her—just a little longer. She closed her eyes for a moment, thinking back to the many things that had happened in the past few months. Her life had changed so drastically, but in ways that had ultimately made her feel more whole than she ever had before.

Lily finally turned to James, her curiosity evident in her voice as she broke the silence. "Do you think it’s a girl or a boy?"

Her question brought back Mira’s earlier teasing remark, claiming it would be a boy, while Lily had insisted it would be a girl. The memory made her smile faintly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the bouquet she had brought home earlier that day.

James met her gaze with a warm smile of his own. "It doesn’t matter what gender it is," he said, his tone steady and full of affection. "As long as you deliver the baby safely, I’ll be happy." There was a sincerity in his voice that made her heart flutter.

Lily’s heart softened at his words. She felt a surge of gratitude and love for the man sitting beside her, a man who had supported her through the most challenging and uncertain times. It was hard to believe that she had ever doubted she would find happiness, especially after the painful incident that had once overshadowed her life.

Everything felt like a dream—surreal, yet deeply fulfilling. Meeting Mira had changed her life in ways she could never have imagined. Without her friend’s unwavering support and guidance, she wasn’t sure where she would be today. She would forever be grateful for Mira’s friendship, for pushing her to open her heart again.

Lily rested her hand gently on James’s, her voice soft with emotion. "I’m so grateful for everything, James. And for Mira... I don’t know what I’d do without her." She squeezed his hand gently, hoping to convey just how deeply she meant those words.

James gave her hand a comforting squeeze in return, his expression tender. "Mira’s been a blessing to us both," he agreed. "But never forget, Lily—you’re strong in your own right. You’ve come so far." His words wrapped around her like a warm embrace, filling her with a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in years. She had fought through her past, and now she was here, with a man who truly understood her, who stood beside her through thick and thin.

The car finally came to a stop—but not in front of their home. Instead, it pulled up outside a particular mall. Lily looked out the window in surprise, not expecting this detour. She turned to James, who was already stepping out of the car with a swift motion. He looked back at her, a soft expression in his eyes.

"Wait here a bit. I’ll be back," he said gently, his voice full of care and concern.

Lily nodded immediately, her trust in him unwavering. James smiled at her before walking away, his steps quick and purposeful. As he disappeared into the mall, Lily leaned back into the seat, allowing herself a moment to relax. She didn’t know what James was up to, but somehow, she had a feeling it was something special.

The chauffeur, observing the interaction between the couple, couldn’t help but grin to himself. James’ overprotectiveness and the way he cared for Lily were rare qualities. It was clear to anyone watching just how deeply he loved her, how much he was willing to do for her happiness. The chauffeur couldn’t help but admire the bond they shared. It was rare to see a love so genuine and steadfast.

It didn’t take long before James returned, his hands holding a small bouquet of flowers. The vibrant colors of the flowers were striking, their petals delicate yet bold against the simple wrapping. He stepped back into the car, a proud smile on his face as he handed the bouquet to Lily.

Lily’s eyes widened in surprise as she took the flowers, her smile lighting up her face. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She held the bouquet close to her chest, inhaling deeply. The sweet, majestic fragrance filled her senses, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. She could hardly believe how loving and thoughtful James was. Every gesture, every word from him made her heart swell with warmth. He had been her unwavering support, her rock, and her everything. She couldn’t have asked for more.

As the car resumed its journey, Lily turned to him, her voice trembling with sincerity. "Thank you so much... I love you so much, my dear husband." The words felt simple, but they carried the weight of everything she felt in her heart.

James’ lips curled into a soft smile, but he said nothing. His eyes, however, held a deep warmth that conveyed everything he felt. He gazed at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world, and in many ways, she was.

He resisted the urge to kiss her, mindful of the chauffeur’s presence. He didn’t want to make things awkward, though the longing in his eyes was clear. Yet, in his heart, he made a silent promise: Once we get home, I’ll surprise her more than ever. The thought of making her smile, of making her feel loved, kept him grounded in the moment. He would show her just how much she meant to him.

As soon as the car pulled up in front of their home, James quickly assisted Lily out. He stayed close to her side, guiding her gently up the steps and into the house. The air was cool outside, and the quiet of their home felt like a peaceful contrast to the busy day they had had.

Once inside, James glanced at her with a smile, his thoughts shifting. Maybe he could surprise her later. Right now, she needed to rest. He had been so focused on her well-being that he hadn’t given much thought to his own needs. He wanted nothing more than to see her comfortable and happy.

"Do you want me to bathe you?" he asked softly, his tone teasing yet full of genuine care.

Lily’s cheeks flushed instantly at his words. She hadn’t expected such a question, and the sudden surge of embarrassment made her shy away from him. Embarrassed, she gave his shoulder a gentle slap. "No, thank you," she replied, her voice warm and shy.

James, who had been expecting a playful "yes," pouted like a child denied his favorite treat. He looked slightly disappointed, but he respected her decision and nodded. He could see that she was already exhausted, and he didn’t want to press her.

Still, he couldn’t resist leaning in for a quick peck on her lips. He knew it would be a brief, innocent kiss, a sign of affection to show her how much he cared. But it seemed that fate had other plans. What was meant to be a fleeting kiss turned into something deeper—a kiss that neither had planned for. Their lips met with urgency, a passion rising between them that neither had expected. The kiss grew more intense, their hands moving instinctively to draw each other closer.

Just as things began to heat up, the sound of footsteps interrupted them.