Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 53: An Unexpected Visit

Chapter 53: An Unexpected Visit

Mira stared at Zamian in disbelief. "A brother?" It was a revelation she hadn’t anticipated, and it left her feeling more uncertain than she cared to admit. Despite all the time she had spent with him, she realized just how little she knew about his personal life. And now, learning that he had a brother—along with all the implications that came with it—caught her completely off guard.

As she was still reeling from the news, Zamian’s voice cut through her swirling thoughts. "Let them in."

John, standing near the doorway, looked confused. "Boss, they’re already in the living room," he said cautiously, unsure if Zamian had misunderstood him.

Zamian, calm as ever, repeated himself, his tone firmer. "Let them in."

Mira, still processing the fact that they had unexpected guests, felt a pang of panic rise in her chest. She hadn’t been prepared for any visitors, much less for Zamian’s brother. It didn’t help that she was dressed far too casually, her hair hastily pulled into a messy bun with a few loose strands falling around her face. Glancing down at the bunny-print pajamas she was wearing, Mira grimaced, wishing she’d worn something more appropriate. If she had known Zamian’s brother was coming, she never would’ve suggested the matching pajamas that now felt like a glaring mistake.

Sensing her discomfort, Zamian leaned closer to her, his voice dropping to a reassuring whisper. "Just be yourself."

Mira nodded slightly, though she still felt a wave of nervousness rising within her. Being herself didn’t seem like the best option under these circumstances, especially not when she was meeting family for the first time. If there had been any way to excuse herself and avoid the encounter, she would’ve taken it, but before she could think of anything to say, they were already making their way to the dining room.

When they entered, the atmosphere shifted immediately. The scene before them was as if frozen in time, almost too polished for what should’ve been a casual family dinner. Zamian’s brother, Zander, stood at the far end of the room, looking as though he had just stepped off the red carpet at a charity gala which was true. He was slightly older than Zamian, his sophisticated brown tuxedo tailored to perfection, while the woman beside him—undoubtedly his wife—wore a stunning brown gown that matched Zander’s outfit perfectly. Her light brown hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, completing the image of elegance.

Mira’s insecurities doubled in that instant. She had already felt out of place, but now, standing in front of two people who looked like they belonged in a magazine, she felt even more self-conscious. They were polished, elegant, and composed—everything she was not in this moment.

Zander’s face broke into a wide grin when he saw them. "Well, well, well. What a surprise!" His voice was teasing, full of amusement. He turned toward Zamian, his grin widening. "You never told me you got married! Can you imagine my shock when I found out my brother, of all people, was bringing a partner to the gala?"

He turned his attention to Mira, greeting her with a casual, "Hello."

Before she could respond, Zander’s teasing continued as he glanced down at Zamian’s outfit. "And here you are, wearing bunny-print pajamas. Not exactly what I was expecting to see."

The words stung more than Mira expected, and her face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She wanted to crawl under the nearest table and disappear. The lady standing beside Zander, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up with a small smile.

"Hello, Mrs. Mira—or should I say Mrs. Zamian?" She winked playfully, and Mira’s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of pink. The realization that the woman—Ella—had overheard her discussing her new name with Veronica struck her, making the situation even more awkward.

"I’m Ella, by the way. Zander’s wife," she introduced herself, her tone warm and friendly.

Mira managed a small nod, still trying to compose herself despite her nerves. She now had a name to go with Zamian’s brother—Zander—and his wife seemed pleasant enough, but the tension of the moment lingered heavily in the air.

Zander, seemingly oblivious to the discomfort he was causing, continued to poke fun at Zamian. "Who knew that hard shell of yours could finally crack? I’m still in shock. And to think you’re the one who ended up getting married." He laughed heartily, clearly enjoying himself.

His next words, however, caught Mira completely off guard. "Don’t tell me you’ve already had your wedding."

She was so surprised that she began to choke on her own breath. Her body tensed, and a small cough escaped her lips. Zamian, who had been focused on his meal up until that moment, immediately raised his head. Without hesitation, he reached for a glass of water, handing it to her while his usual cold demeanor softened ever so slightly.

"It’s okay, take it slow," he said in a low, soothing voice, gently patting her back as she took a sip of water.

Mira nodded, her cheeks still flushed from both the embarrassment of Zander’s teasing and the sudden attention she was receiving. Her heart raced, and the quiet that fell over the room felt almost unbearable. Everyone was watching her, and she didn’t know what to say or do next.

Zander, however, wasn’t finished with his teasing. He broke into laughter, his amusement filling the now-silent room. His laughter was a mixture of surprise and delight, and he seemed to be enjoying the situation far more than anyone else.

"How is that even possible?" Zander chuckled, still watching his brother with an amused glint in his eyes. He then turned to Mira, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "As you can see, your husband couldn’t even welcome us properly. Some host he is."

"Unexpected," Zamian corrected calmly, his voice firm but composed. There was a slight edge to his words, as though he wasn’t entirely in the mood for his brother’s jokes, but he wasn’t letting it show too much.

Zander’s grin only widened as he turned back to Mira. "Why don’t I talk with you instead?" he said, clearly finding amusement in pushing Zamian’s buttons.

Ella, who had been quiet for most of the exchange, suddenly smiled and chimed in with a playful tone, "Maybe we should be expecting a baby soon?"

The comment, though innocent enough, caused Mira’s heart to stutter in her chest. Her cheeks flushed again, and she glanced quickly at Zamian, who had remained composed throughout the conversation. But this time, instead of responding to the teasing, he rose from his seat, his expression unreadable.

"My wife needs rest," he said, his voice steady but firm.

Without waiting for a response from Zander or Ella, he reached for Mira’s hand, his grip gentle but insistent. He led her away from the dining table and toward the stairs, his actions clear: the conversation was over.

Zander, still seated, watched them leave with a faint smile tugging at his lips. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "We’ll leave then," he called out after them, his tone light but carrying a hint of amusement, as if he had enjoyed testing the boundaries of his brother’s patience.