Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 143: Painting

Chapter 143: Painting

As the car glided smoothly down the road, joy radiated from Little Zami’s face, her excitement lighting up the entire vehicle. She pressed her face against the window, her eyes sparkling as she took in the bustling city streets that stretched before them. The happiness she exuded was infectious, and Mira couldn’t help but feel a surge of elation herself.

She glanced at the man beside her—her husband, Zamian. It was still hard to believe how much he had changed. Once cold, stoic, and emotionless, he had transformed into someone who was attentive and caring, a version of him she had never thought possible. The memory of his former self felt distant now, replaced by the reality of the warm man sitting next to her.

Her lips curled into a soft, contented smile. She hadn’t realized how much this change meant to her until now. Her family was together, happy, and it felt like everything she had dreamed of was finally falling into place.

Meanwhile, Little Zami was captivated by the scenery outside. Her small fingers lightly traced patterns on the window as her gaze darted from one tall building to the next. The wide-eyed wonder on her face was a sight Mira adored every time they went out together. But today felt different—there was something undeniably special about this outing. It was as though the world itself had conspired to make this moment perfect.

"Mommy, look at that building! It’s so tall!" Little Zami exclaimed, pointing to a skyscraper that seemed to touch the clouds. Her voice was filled with pure, unfiltered amazement.

"Yes, sweetheart," Mira replied softly, her own gaze following her daughter’s finger. "It’s beautiful, isn’t it?"

Little Zami nodded enthusiastically, her curls bouncing as she turned back to the window. The car continued to glide effortlessly through the city, the streets bustling with life.

When they finally arrived in front of a grand museum, the car slowed to a stop. The imposing gates, intricately designed with golden patterns, swung open smoothly. The chauffeur rolled down the window, presenting a sleek, black card to the staff stationed at the entrance. After a brief exchange, they were waved inside, and the car drove forward into the museum’s expansive driveway.

Little Zami’s curiosity quickly got the better of her. "Mommy, what’s the card for?" she asked, tilting her head inquisitively. Her wide, innocent eyes were full of questions, and Mira couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s endless curiosity.

Mira hesitated, unsure how to answer. She glanced at Zamian for help, hoping he would step in and provide an explanation. She had no idea what the card signified, but before she could stumble over her words, Zamian spoke, his voice calm and steady.

"The card shows that we’ve booked the museum," he said simply, as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Mira’s eyes widened in shock. Booked the museum? She turned to Zamian, her expression a mixture of disbelief and surprise. She knew exactly what he meant—he hadn’t just bought tickets for entry. He had reserved the entire museum, ensuring it would be completely theirs for the day. The extravagance of it all left her speechless.

Little Zami, however, didn’t grasp the full extent of his words. To her, the card was nothing more than an entry pass. She nodded thoughtfully, accepting the explanation without question. "Oh, okay," she said, her tone casual, as if this sort of thing happened all the time.

Mira wanted to question the necessity of such a lavish expense. She knew Zamian was wealthy, but this felt excessive, even for him. Was it really necessary to go to such lengths? And yet, as she glanced at Little Zami’s face, glowing with excitement, her doubts began to fade. The happiness it brought to her daughter—and to her—was undeniable.

I would have gone to any length to make them happy, she thought, a warm feeling spreading through her chest. And that alone was enough to bring a smile to her face.

The car came to a gentle stop in front of the grand building. The chauffeur stepped out first, moving swiftly to open the door for Little Zami and Mira. Little Zami was the first to step out, her small feet landing lightly on the cobblestone driveway. She looked around with wide eyes, taking in the grandeur of the place. Mira followed closely, her excitement mirroring her daughter’s as she stepped out of the car.

They walked toward the entrance, hand in hand. Little Zami held onto Zamian with one hand, while her other hand was clasped tightly in Mira’s. The three of them made their way to the entrance, where another man stood waiting, holding the large glass doors open for them.

"Welcome," he said politely, bowing slightly as they entered.

The interior of the museum was breathtaking. The space was vast and elegantly designed, with high ceilings and polished marble floors that reflected the soft, golden light from the chandeliers above. Exquisite items were displayed along one side of the hall, each carefully placed to draw the attention of visitors. Paintings, sculptures, and intricate artifacts filled the room, each piece more beautiful than the last.

Little Zami’s eyes grew impossibly wide as she looked around, her gaze darting from one exhibit to another. She let out a small gasp, her tiny hands clutching Zamian’s and Mira’s more tightly.

"Mommy, it’s so pretty!" she whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Mira couldn’t help but agree. Everything about the place was perfect, from the soft hum of classical music playing in the background to the faint scent of fresh flowers that lingered in the air. It was almost too beautiful to be real, like stepping into a dream.

As they began to walk around, Little Zami marveled at the beauty of the place, her excitement bubbling over with every step. She stopped frequently, pointing out paintings and sculptures that caught her eye.

Mira found herself equally captivated. The artworks displayed around them were stunning, each one a testament to the talent and creativity of the artists. She felt a sense of admiration and inspiration stirring within her. Maybe painting could be my hobby, she thought. The idea was both exciting and daunting. She knew her work wouldn’t be perfect, but the thought of expressing herself through art was enough to make her smile.

As Mira lost herself in her thoughts, Little Zami’s voice rang out, pulling her back to the present. "Mommy, that’s so cute!" she exclaimed, pointing eagerly at a particular painting.

Mira and Zamian turned to look. The painting depicted three figures: a woman, a man, and a child. The child stood at the center, holding hands with the man and woman, who stood on either side. The vibrant colors and delicate brushstrokes gave the piece a warm, almost ethereal quality.

Mira’s breath caught in her throat. The painting was striking, but it wasn’t just its beauty that left her speechless. There was something about the scene that felt deeply personal, as if it had been painted just for them.

"It looks like us!" Little Zami said excitedly, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the painting.

Mira’s heart swelled with emotion as she stood there, transfixed by the painting. It was as if a weight had settled in her chest, both heavy and light at the same time. The colors on the canvas seemed to speak to her, each stroke carrying the weight of unspoken words. She glanced at Zamian, her eyes searching his face, hoping for some clue, some reaction that might help her understand what this moment meant.

But he remained quiet. His gaze was fixed on the painting, his expression unreadable. The silence between them was thick, filled with the weight of unspoken thoughts. Mira couldn’t quite place what she was feeling—was it relief, confusion, or something deeper? She couldn’t tell.

The painting itself seemed to speak volumes. It wasn’t just a work of art; it was a story frozen in time, capturing a moment of unity and love that Mira hadn’t realized she had longed for until now. The figures on the canvas—a woman, a man, and a child—stood together in a way that felt intimate, their connection palpable. It was as though the artist had somehow seen into their lives, had understood the struggles, the distance, and the eventual closeness that had slowly, quietly built between them. It felt personal, almost as if their journey had been immortalized in that single moment, frozen forever on the canvas.

The thought both comforted and unsettled her. How had they gotten here? How had they moved from such a fractured, difficult past to this—this quiet understanding, this tentative peace? It was hard to believe that the people in this painting were really them, that the love it depicted was something they had begun to discover, piece by fragile piece.

Mira’s voice was barely above a whisper, as if the words themselves might break the fragile silence that surrounded them. "Oh my, Zami..." she breathed, her tone laced with surprise and emotion. Her heart raced, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn’t quite capture. Unspoken questions tugged at her—questions about the painting, about them, about everything that had led them to this moment. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find the right words. The emotions were too raw, too complicated. All she could do was stand there, feeling the weight of the moment and the beauty of what they had, unsure of where it might lead but grateful for it nonetheless.