Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 144: Another Step

Chapter 144: Another Step

Mira realized that Zami must have chosen the painting because of the way the three figures stood together. At first glance, she had simply seen it as a reflection of herself and Zamian with their daughter. But now, as she stared deeper, she understood that the painting carried a meaning far beyond its surface. It wasn’t just a piece of art; it was a mirror of their lives. It captured the essence of their journey as a family, reflecting their trials and triumphs.

The painting depicted a small child at the center, holding the hands of the man on one side and the woman on the other. The figures weren’t perfect—they bore small flaws, uneven strokes that seemed intentional, as though the artist wanted to emphasize their humanity. It was as if Zami herself was the thread that connected them, the force that had drawn Mira and Zamian together despite everything that had tried to keep them apart.

Mira’s breath hitched as the realization settled over her. Fate, it seemed, had worked through Zami. She wasn’t just their daughter; she was their bridge. All along, Zami had been the silent bond—the undeniable force that mended the distance between them. Mira couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude, the emotion swelling in her chest like a rising tide.

Her daughter, Zami, had been the unspoken bond all along, the quiet, undeniable force that had brought them together. And for that, Mira was truly glad.

What shocked Mira the most was the thought that her little girl, her bright and curious Zami, had no idea of the profound significance of the painting she had pointed out. To Zami, it was just another picture—a canvas filled with colors and forms she found beautiful. Yet, her innocent gesture had revealed something far greater to Mira, something that left her humbled and in awe.

Her heart swelled with pride as her gaze lingered on her daughter. Zami moved from one exhibit to another, her small figure darting through the room with boundless energy. Her laughter echoed softly in the gallery, blending with the quiet hum of conversation and the muted shuffle of footsteps. To Mira, the sound was a melody—pure, unrestrained joy.

There was no denying it: Zami was one of a kind. Mira would never regret having such a wonderful child, no matter the challenges they had faced. Watching her now, Mira felt nothing but pride. A soft smile spread across her lips as she leaned into the moment, cherishing every second of Zami’s uncontainable curiosity.

Her reverie was interrupted by a shift in Zamian’s demeanor. She noticed it immediately—the way his posture stiffened slightly, the way his eyes sharpened as they flickered between her and the painting. He had noticed the way her gaze lingered on the canvas, and something in his expression softened, though Mira couldn’t quite name it.

Zamian turned slightly, catching the attention of a man standing on the far side of the room. The man seemed to be overseeing the gallery, his sharp suit and poised demeanor marking him as someone of authority. With a silent yet commanding nod, Zamian signaled to him. The man responded with a quick, respectful gesture before disappearing into the background.

Mira watched the brief exchange, curiosity tugging at her. There was always something enigmatic about Zamian’s manner, the way he could command a room with nothing more than a glance. Yet, as her gaze returned to the painting, she found herself wondering what had prompted that particular interaction.

Before she could dwell on it for too long, Zamian’s voice broke through her thoughts. "Do you like the painting?" he asked, his tone low and calm.

Mira turned to him, her eyes meeting his. His question was simple, but there was an unspoken depth to it, as though he already knew the answer but wanted to hear it from her.

She glanced back at the painting, then at Zami, who was now crouched in front of a sculpture, her face alight with wonder. The joy radiating from her daughter filled Mira’s heart. It was a reminder of how far they had come, of how much they had overcome together.

"I love it," she replied, her voice sincere and filled with emotion.

Zamian nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. He didn’t need to say anything more. He understood her unspoken feelings, and in that quiet moment, it became clear to Mira that he would do anything to make her happy—just as she would for their family.

After spending some time at the museum, the three of them finally settled into the car. The ride began in a comfortable silence, the gentle hum of the engine providing a soothing backdrop. Mira leaned back against the seat, her thoughts still lingering on the painting and the quiet revelations it had brought.

It wasn’t long before Zami’s small voice broke through the stillness. "Thank you, Mommy. Thank you, Daddy. I loved the museum," she said brightly, her eyes glowing with happiness.

Mira and Zamian exchanged a surprised glance before turning to their daughter. They hadn’t expected her to enjoy it so much. Most children would have complained or grown bored—after all, museums weren’t exactly designed to captivate a child’s imagination for long. Yet here was their little girl, her excitement genuine and her gratitude heartfelt.

Mira smiled warmly at Zami. "You’re welcome, Jay," she said, her voice filled with affection.

Zamian followed, his deep voice gentle. "You’re welcome, my princess."

Zami giggled at his words, her laughter light and infectious. As the car began to move, the serene atmosphere continued. Zamian reached into the compartment and handed Zami her iPad. Without missing a beat, she began playing one of her favorite games, her fingers moving deftly over the screen.

Mira watched her daughter for a moment, a sense of contentment washing over her. She glanced at Zamian, and their eyes met briefly. In that silent exchange, she felt a quiet understanding pass between them—a shared gratitude for the life they had built together.

The smiles on their faces were subtle but meaningful. They both knew how far they had come as a family—and they were certain they would go even farther together.

Meanwhile, across town, another couple sat quietly in the back seat of their car. The soft hum of the engine was the only sound as the chauffeur drove them toward the hospital.

Lily’s hands rested on her lap, fidgeting slightly as nervousness settled over her. Today was her check-up for their baby, and while she tried to stay calm, the worry lingered in her eyes.

James noticed. He always noticed. Without a word, he reached out and gently took her hand in his, the warmth of his touch steady and reassuring. "You don’t have to carry it all on your own," he said softly, his voice steady and calm.

Lily turned to him, her gaze softening as she met his warm eyes. A small, grateful smile appeared on her lips. "Thank you," she whispered. "That really means a lot."

James smiled in return, his other hand resting over hers as his thumb softly caressed her skin. The simple gesture eased her mind, a reminder that he would always be by her side.

Feeling calmer, Lily spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Stay by my side, okay?"

James nodded without hesitation, his grip on her hand firm and steady. "Always," he said, his voice carrying a quiet resolve that made Lily feel grounded.

Her chest tightened—not with fear, but with gratitude. James had always been her anchor, the one person who could soothe her fears without needing to say much. His presence alone was enough to remind her that she didn’t have to face the uncertainties of life alone.

The air in the car was filled with a shared understanding, the kind that didn’t need words to be felt. James’s calm demeanor and unwavering support were a testament to the love he held for her and the life they were building together.

But their moment of quiet comfort was soon interrupted. The chauffeur’s voice broke through the stillness from the front seat. "We’re here," he announced, his tone polite yet firm enough to pull them back to reality.

The car slowed to a smooth stop in front of the hospital. Outside, the building loomed tall and imposing, its sterile façade blending into the cloudy sky. A few people milled around near the entrance, their hurried movements betraying the mix of emotions that often accompanied visits to a place like this.

James gave Lily’s hand one last reassuring squeeze, his fingers warm and steady against hers. The gesture was small but full of meaning—a silent promise that, no matter what lay ahead, they would face it together.

"Let’s do this," he said gently, offering her a soft smile that managed to pierce through the nervousness clouding her thoughts.

Lily nodded, taking a deep breath as she prepared herself. The weight of the moment pressed on her chest, but she found strength in James’s presence.

With a final glance at each other, they stepped out of the car, ready to face the next step in their journey together.