Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 46: Secret unveiled

Chapter 46: Secret unveiled

Lily opened the door to find her mother standing there, a look of delight on her face. "Oh my baby! Wow! This look so beautiful! How long did it take you to clean here?" Her mother’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she took in the spotless living room.

Lily’s heart raced, her nerves on edge as she forced a calm demeanor. "A few hours," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. The effort she had put into tidying up was evident, but she hoped her mother wouldn’t notice the small, nervous tremors in her hands.

Her mother stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the room before landing on the bag on the sofa. Lily’s eyes widened involuntarily. "Oh! Why did you buy this?" her mother asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and surprise.

Lily scratched her head awkwardly, her mind racing. She was caught off guard by the question and struggled with whether to explain that the bag had been a gift from someone else or to simply change the subject. Her mother’s keen eye and probing questions made it difficult to find a smooth exit.

"Mom, why are you here? Did you change your mind about something?" Lily asked, attempting to divert the conversation from the bag.

Her mother looked at her with a soft smile, her eyes full of warmth. "No, I just came to see you. I really miss you."

Lily felt a pang of guilt. "Mom, it’s been hours," she said, trying to mask her unease with a hint of exasperation.

Her mother’s smile faltered slightly. "So you don’t want to see me?" she asked, a touch of hurt in her voice. Lily quickly realized how her words might have sounded and hurried to clarify.

"That’s not what I meant," Lily said, her voice earnest. She reached out to her mother, hoping to bridge the gap her unintended words had created.

Her mother chuckled, her mood lightening. "Whatever," she said playfully, waving her hand as if to dismiss the awkwardness. Lily responded with a soft laugh, grateful for her mother’s ability to diffuse the tension.

As her mother opened the bag and pulled out a cookie, she exclaimed, "Oh my! This is my favorite cookie!" Her eyes widened with excitement, and she started to unwrap it. Lily hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to let her mother enjoy the treat or to take it from her. She feared that taking it away might make the situation more awkward and suspicious. Deciding it was better to avoid further complications, she let her mother savor the cookie. Lily mentally resolved to make it up to him later.

After the cookies were eaten, Lily began to feel a growing tension. Her mother’s presence, though loving, had an unsettling effect. "It seems like I’m not welcome here?" her mother asked, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

Lily tried to respond, but her mother continued, "I suppose you’re just trying to spend your first night here alone in your apartment, so I’ll give you a chance to. I would have stayed the night, but I didn’t bring any spare clothes, and yours are way too small for me." They both laughed, though Lily’s laughter was tinged with a mix of amusement and nervousness.

Once her mother had left, giving her a heartfelt goodbye kiss, Lily sighed in relief. The thought of her mother staying the night had been overwhelming, and she was grateful for the reprieve. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and opened the closet where James had been hiding.

"I’m so sorry," she began, but her words trailed off when she saw James still lost in thought, trying to process the earlier events. Lily had planned to eventually tell him about her previous marriage, and she was relieved to have done so sooner rather than later. She had feared his reaction might be one of disappointment or something worse.

Before she could say more, James finally spoke. "It doesn’t matter," he said, his tone flat but not unkind.

Lily’s voice cracked as she tried to keep her emotions in check. "No, James. It matters. It really does. Would you really want to date someone who’s been married before?" Her voice trembled, and she bit her lip, desperately trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

James didn’t answer immediately. His gaze was distant, as though he were deep in thought. "I’ll stay for the night. It’s probably late, and my place is far," he said, his voice calm and composed. He walked over to the couch, avoiding her eyes, leaving Lily standing there, her heart heavy with confusion and disappointment.

Watching him settle on the couch, frustration bubbled up inside Lily. "Suit yourself," she said, her voice quieter this time but laced with disappointment. She felt a mix of emotions—relief that he was staying, frustration that he hadn’t directly addressed her question, and a deep-seated worry about their relationship.

Again, James had dodged her question, leaving Lily with a lingering sense of uncertainty.

---

Mira woke up early, a routine she had grown accustomed to during her period. The heavy flow meant she needed to take a bath and change quickly. She was determined to avoid any embarrassing incidents, especially with Zamian. If she stained the pristine white bedsheets, facing him would be unbearable.

She slipped out of bed, glancing down to ensure everything was still clean. The herbal tea she’d drunk the night before had worked wonders, easing the cramps that usually left her in agony. Quietly, she gathered her things and made her way to the bathroom, grateful for the small bit of relief.

As she passed the bed, she noticed Zamian still asleep. His normally composed features were softened in sleep, and for a moment, she felt a pang in her chest. Only Heaven knew how much she wanted to stay and watch him, to memorize every detail of that handsome face while he was so unguarded.

But she didn’t. She tore her gaze away, reminding herself of her priorities. Staying any longer would only complicate things further. She had other things to take care of, and lingering would only blur the lines of their already complex relationship.

---

Mira and Zamian were in the car, heading to their destination. Mira wore a dark brown polka dot gown with cute brown shoes, her hair styled in a sleek ponytail that bounced with every movement.

Zamian finally broke the silence. "If you don’t want to go, we can go next time."

"No, it’s fine," Mira said with a warm smile, her tone energetic and filled with determination. She appreciated his consideration, but she knew such opportunities were rare. She didn’t want to be the reason they missed out. Her words carried a hint of urgency as she turned to him, adding,

"We have to clear the rumors."