Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 45: Confession

Chapter 45: Confession

Mira’s eyes widened as she stared at Zamian.

He was relieved that she no longer felt guilty for something she hadn’t done wrong, and his words were completely serious.

Her gaze faltered when the pain returned. It was less intense than before, possibly due to the soothing effect of his hand on her stomach. Zamian set the hairdryer down on the table and switched it off. With one hand still resting gently on her tummy, he pulled out his phone with the other and began typing with focused determination.

He quickly searched for "how to soothe period pain" on his phone. After skimming through the information, he typed a few notes before scooping Mira up into his arms, catching her off guard. She was about to protest, but the warmth of his embrace was soothing. His hand, previously rubbing her tummy through her silk pajamas, now made direct skin contact. The sensation was different—more intimate and comforting—than before.

He gently laid her down on the bed, ensuring she was positioned comfortably. Then, he stood and walked to the door. A few moments later, he returned with a tray holding herbal tea, some snacks, and a bar of chocolate. He had decided against bringing too much chocolate, given her condition, but wanted to provide a little indulgence.

As he set the tray down, he made sure Mira was settled and comfortable, his actions reflecting his concern and care for her well-being.

Mira lay on the bed, wrapped in the comforting warmth of the blankets, her mind swirling with confusion. She wondered if she should feel happy or sad about the way Zamian was treating her. His attentive care, his gentle touch, and the thoughtful gestures he had made in response to her discomfort were overwhelming. She had always known him to be distant and meticulous, but this side of him was tender and deeply caring.

As she sipped the herbal tea he had brought, she couldn’t help but question her own feelings. How could she ever bring herself to go through with a divorce after experiencing such kindness? His actions contradicted the image she had of him, leaving her torn between her duty and the unexpected compassion he had shown. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how complicated her emotions had become.

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Lily inhaled deeply, exhaling as she gazed at her newly arranged apartment. It had taken her a long time to get it just the way she wanted, and finally, her mother had allowed her to live on her own. Given some past issues, her mother had become overly protective, despite Lily being old enough to take care of herself. But now, as she admired the place, feeling content with her accomplishment, the doorbell rang continuously.

’Who could be coming this late?’ she wondered. Though it wasn’t extremely late, it was certainly past visiting hours. She thought it might be her new neighbors dropping by to welcome her, so she opened the door.

Her eyes widened in shock when she saw James standing there. ’How did he know where I’m staying?’ She had told no one about her new apartment—not even Mira. In fact, the only person who knew was her mother. So how on earth did James find out?

Pushing her surprise aside, she greeted him politely. "Nice to see you, Mr. James. It’s so nice to see you again."

With a smile, James responded, "May I come in?"

Lily nodded, noticing the bag he was holding, filled with what looked like gifts or goodies. As he stepped inside, she directed him to the sofa. "You can sit here. I’ll get you something—tea or coffee?"

She was acting as though he were a stranger, and that was something James didn’t like. He missed the way she used to call him by his nickname, but for some reason, she seemed distant now.

Before Lily could head to the kitchen to prepare the tea or coffee, she stood there for a moment, waiting for his reply. But before she could move, James gently took her hand, his voice soft as he asked, "Lily, are you okay? You’ve been acting strange lately. I didn’t mean to offend you."

Lily’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to brush it off, forcing a smile. "It’s fine, Mr. James. I’ve just realized that I was crossing boundaries... especially when I used to call you ’Mr. Cutesy,’ even though you didn’t approve of it. I’m really sorry for that." Her voice wavered as she spoke, the weight of her feelings bubbling beneath the surface.

James, caught off guard by her confession, stared at her, trying to process what she was saying. "Lily," he started, his voice unsure, "I’d like... I’d like us to get to know each other better. How about we go out sometime—grab a bite to eat?"

Her eyes widened in shock. ’Did he just ask me out?’During the past few days, Lily had realized she was beginning to develop feelings for James. It terrified her, especially given her past relationships that hadn’t ended well. Nervously, she replied, "I won’t be... I won’t be able to go out... I have a lot to do." She stumbled over her words, her heart racing.

James tilted his head slightly, puzzled by her response. "But I haven’t even told you when we’d go out."

"Oh my God," Lily blurted out, feeling embarrassed. "I thought you meant tomorrow."

James chuckled softly, but his expression turned serious. "Lily, what’s really going on? You can talk to me. If something’s bothering you, I’m here for you."

She averted her gaze, her fingers fidgeting. "It’s nothing," she insisted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please, can you leave? It’s already late, and I don’t want to keep you here longer than necessary."

James hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his tone gentle yet firm. "Lily, I would like to date you. I’ve been wanting to tell you for a while."

Before he could continue, Lily interrupted him, her voice filled with panic. "Please, James, stop. You don’t understand... I’ve been married before."

Her sudden admission hung in the air, the silence that followed thick with tension.

Before James could process what was happening, the doorbell rang again, breaking the tense silence. He froze, unsure of what to do, while Lily quickly turned towards the door, her heart racing. She could hear her mother’s voice faintly through the door.

"Lily, baby! I’m here to visit!"

Lily’s eyes widened in panic. ’Oh no!’ It was already late, and her mother showing up unannounced at this hour was the last thing she expected. How on earth was she going to explain that James, a man, was in her apartment this late at night? ’What would her mother think?’

She rushed back to James, whispering urgently, "Please, you have to hide! Hide, quick!"

Without hesitation, James slipped into the nearest closet as Lily anxiously opened the door to face her mother.