Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 129: Behind Those Words

Chapter 129: Behind Those Words

Lily’s eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, "Mom!" She hadn’t expected her mother to show up, and the sight of her was nothing short of shocking. It had been two weeks since they last saw each other, and guilt washed over Lily as she realized she hadn’t visited her mother during that time. Life had been busy with all the changes, but even so, she had been neglecting the one person who had always been there for her.

Her mother’s unexpected appearance left Lily momentarily speechless. She felt a twinge of guilt for not making more time to visit, but she also couldn’t ignore the frustration building inside her. While she appreciated her mother’s care, the intrusion felt unsettling—especially at a time when Lily and James had been looking forward to some quiet moments together.

Lily’s mother was standing at the threshold, looking concerned but not apologetic. After all, she had done what any loving mother would do—show up to check on her daughter. Lily hadn’t told her she’d be busy, and she hadn’t given any reason why she had stayed away for so long.

"Lily, I’m sorry for showing up unannounced," her mother said, noticing the faint flush creeping up Lily’s cheeks. Her voice softened, filled with the kind of concern only a mother could possess. She stepped inside, holding a neatly packed container in her hands. "I brought you some food," she added with a smile. "I wasn’t sure what would be good for you, but I thought you might enjoy some homemade dishes. No one knows what’s best for you like I do, right?"

Lily managed a small, appreciative smile but couldn’t hide the twinge of irritation that still lingered in her chest. "Oh, Mom, thank you, but I’ve already eaten."

Her mother nodded, unfazed, as if she knew this would happen. "Yes, I know, but it’s always good to have something for later. You’ll need it, trust me." She handed Lily the container and added, "Just keep it for tonight, okay? It’ll help when you’re hungry later."

Lily hesitated, glancing at the food, then back at her mother’s hopeful expression. She appreciated the gesture, but there was something about her mother’s unannounced visits that didn’t sit right with her anymore. Still, she couldn’t refuse the food; it was a gesture of love. "All right," she agreed softly, setting the food on the counter. "But let me finish my bath first."

Her mother gave her a warm smile, as though understanding exactly how Lily felt. "Take your time, dear. I’ll wait."

With that, her mother walked toward the kitchen, where she began to arrange the food, filling the house with its delicious scent. Lily watched her for a moment, the feeling of being caught between two worlds—her own life with James and the one she had left behind—growing heavier in her chest. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of change, and it was difficult to balance the expectations of her family and the life she had built with her husband.

James, sensing the tension in the air, gave Lily a reassuring glance. His expression was calm, understanding. He could see that she was torn between wanting to spend time with her mother and needing her space. But he wasn’t one to add to her worries. He simply nodded toward the bathroom door, as if silently encouraging her to take the time she needed to relax.

"Why don’t you go freshen up first?" he suggested, his voice soft but firm. "You can deal with the food afterward. It’s important to take care of yourself."

Lily nodded, grateful for his understanding. She followed him toward the bedroom to freshen up, the sound of her mother’s footsteps in the kitchen fading behind her. Once inside, Lily closed the door and leaned against it for a moment, her emotions swirling. She had always loved her mother, but as she grew older, it became harder to accept her constant presence in her life. She was married now. A grown woman. But it seemed that her mother hadn’t quite adjusted to that reality.

After a brief moment of quiet reflection, Lily undressed and stepped into the bathroom to take a warm bath. She let the water wash away the tension that had built up in her muscles, closing her eyes as the steam enveloped her.

When she finished and stepped out of the bathroom, the comforting aroma of her mother’s cooking still lingered in the air. She wrapped herself in a towel, feeling lighter, but the heaviness of the situation was far from gone. She couldn’t help but wonder if her mother’s visit was more than just a casual stopover. Her mother was always kind and considerate, but lately, Lily had felt a subtle shift—a feeling that her mother might be struggling to let go.

When Lily emerged from the bathroom, she found James already waiting, dressed in comfortable clothes, sitting on the bed. He smiled when he saw her, but there was a quiet understanding in his eyes. He knew how difficult it was for Lily to navigate her relationship with her mother. Their bond had always been complicated, and now, as Lily transitioned into a new phase of her life, the lines were becoming even more blurred.

"I’m sorry about earlier," Lily said softly, sitting beside him on the bed. "I didn’t mean to seem ungrateful. It’s just... sometimes I feel like she doesn’t respect my space anymore."

James took her hand in his, offering her silent comfort. "You’re allowed to have boundaries, Lily. You’re married now, and your life is different. But it doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you. She’s just trying to take care of you in her own way."

Lily sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "I know. It’s just hard sometimes. I feel like I’m caught between two worlds."

"I understand," James replied. "But you don’t have to carry that burden alone. I’m here."

They sat in silence for a moment, allowing the quiet to soothe their minds. When they finally joined her mother at the dining table, the warm meal laid out before them seemed to ease the tension a little. The aroma of the food was comforting, and Lily’s stomach growled with hunger.

Her mother served them both generous portions of her homemade dishes, and they began eating in silence. The room was peaceful, the clinking of utensils the only sound breaking the quiet. Lily glanced at James, her mind racing with thoughts of what to say. There was something important they needed to discuss, and the time felt right.

After a few more moments of silence, Lily spoke, her voice hesitant but determined. "Mom, James and I are planning to leave the day after tomorrow for a short vacation," she said. "We’re going out of the country for about two weeks, just the two of us. It’s been so hectic lately, and we feel like we need some time to reconnect."

Her mother’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of concern. "Oh, I see. But... you’re pregnant, dear. Are you sure it’s a good idea?"

Lily felt a pang of guilt at the mention of her pregnancy, but she quickly reassured her mother. "I’m only a few months along. It won’t be a problem. We’ve both been working so much, and this is just a chance for us to recharge. I promise, it’s safe."

Her mother didn’t seem entirely convinced, but she nodded slowly, understanding. "I trust you, Lily. I just want what’s best for you."

Lily smiled, relieved that her mother was at least willing to let go a little. "I know, Mom. But I wanted to tell you because you’re my mom, after all."

Her mother smiled warmly at her, pride and love shining through her eyes. "Of course. You’re a grown woman, and I want you to be happy."

The rest of the meal passed in easy conversation, the earlier tension slowly dissipating. They talked about everything and nothing, enjoying the comfort of each other’s company. For a while, it felt like things were normal again.

After dinner, Lily kissed her mother goodbye and, hand in hand with James, they headed back to their room. Exhaustion weighed heavily on Lily’s shoulders, and she sank into the bed, closing her eyes in the hopes of drifting to sleep. But before she could fully relax, she felt James settle beside her, his warm presence wrapping around her like a protective shield.

He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her from behind, one hand resting gently on her stomach as he caressed it with tender strokes.

Lily sighed, feeling safe and loved in his embrace, but then his voice broke the quiet, low and deliberate.

"No matter what happens, just know that I love you."

Lily’s eyes snapped open. There was something in the way he said it—an unsettling finality that made her heart skip a beat. Why did it feel like he was saying goodbye? Fear gripped her as her mind raced, questioning the meaning behind his words.