Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 70: Hidden Truth

Chapter 70: Hidden Truth

Zamian was caught off guard by Mira’s response. He stilled for a moment, processing her anger, then mirrored her annoyance. "Why would you do that? Do you know how scared I was?" From the look in her eyes, he could tell that she had genuinely been frightened. He hadn’t expected her to react that way; if he had, he might not have played his little joke. Yet, despite his initial concern, he found her reaction oddly cute. It was surprising to him that Mira could be scared to that extent.

He fell silent, unsure of how to navigate the moment. After a pause, Mira broke the tension. "Where have you been? I haven’t seen you since the movie," she asked, her tone softened but still laced with curiosity. Deep down, she wondered if it was her place to ask such questions, considering their contract marriage. Would it be appropriate to seek answers about his whereabouts, or would it only complicate things further between them? She had been scared to death, fearing Zamian might have postponed the wedding since she hadn’t seen him for what felt like an eternity.

Zamian finally replied, "I traveled abroad for an important business meeting." Mira nodded, processing his words. Although a flicker of disappointment crossed her face, she had hoped for a chance to connect more deeply with him, especially after the events leading up to their wedding.

"Come here," he said, his voice both daring and commanding.

Mira hesitated for a moment, looking into his eyes as if seeking reassurance. His gaze was calm, almost inviting, and it melted away some of her apprehensions. Finally, she moved closer to him. Zamian wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close in a protective manner.

"I won’t scare you again unless it’s necessary," he promised, his tone playful yet serious.

Mira raised her head, glaring at him.

He winked at her, the corners of his mouth lifting into a teasing smile. In that moment, the warmth of their connection began to dissolve the tension. She could feel his heartbeat against her, a steady rhythm that calmed her racing thoughts. Zamian’s presence was a comforting constant in her life, and despite the scare, she found solace in being near him.

"Did you miss me?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

"N—no, I d—did not," she stammered, her words tripping over themselves. The truth was, she had missed him more than she wanted to admit.

"You know lying is not your calling," he teased, playfully pointing at her perfect nose. "Look, your nose is growing."

Mira immediately covered her nose with her hands, glaring at him again. Just as she was about to pull away, he held her in place.

"But I did," he continued, and those words sent an uncontrollable spark coursing through her.

Her body froze, a mix of surprise and delight flooding her senses. "You have no idea the things I want to do with you here," he whispered, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down her spine.

Mira felt her body react in a way it had never before. She decided to move away a little, feeling a strange warmth envelop her. Gosh, she was feeling strange right now; she had no idea why. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words and desires that danced around them like the soft hum of the plane’s engines.

"Don’t move unless you want me to spank you," he said, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Mira stilled at his words, her heart racing. She had never considered that playful tone could hold so much weight.

"Good," Zamian spoke, his smirk growing wider.

After a moment of quiet, Zamian felt Mira’s steady breathing. She had fallen asleep, her head nestled against his shoulder, and he couldn’t help but smile at how serene she looked. This was a side of Mira he cherished—vulnerable, innocent, yet full of spirit.

As he held her close, he found himself lost in thought. Zamian had always been the one in control, whether in business or in his personal life. Yet, with Mira, everything felt different. There was a softness to her that drew him in, challenging him to lower his defenses. He marveled at how their relationship had evolved from a mere contract to something that felt much more significant, even intimate.

Zamian gently brushed a strand of hair away from Mira’s face, marveling at the way her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks. The contrast between her soft features and the fierce spirit he had seen moments ago was now calm and unguarded. The only sound heard was the gentle hum of the plane as it soared through the sky, taking them to a destination unknown.

Mira woke up, her lashes fluttering as her eyes widened at the scene before her. She couldn’t bring herself to lift her head, instinctively covering her face with both hands as the reality of her situation sank in.

It seemed Zamian was carrying her swiftly as he walked outside the airport. He could have simply woken her up, but instead, he chose to let her sleep, feeling an inexplicable need to protect that peaceful expression on her face. As they passed, Mira noticed rows of people bowing their heads in respectful greeting, their faces a mix of admiration and curiosity.

Mira’s eyes widened further, and her cheeks flushed a bright pink as she tried to comprehend what was happening. The grandeur of the moment enveloped her, leaving her in awe. Just then, Zamian stopped, opened the car door, and gently dropped her inside before entering himself and closing the door.

Mira turned to him, still dazed by the unexpected turn of events. "You’re awake," he said, his voice a soothing balm that seemed to calm her racing heart.

Mira instinctively covered her cheeks, trying to hide the deepening blush. "You could have woken me up," she protested, her voice filled with embarrassment and confusion.

He shook his head, a playful smile dancing across his lips. "No, you were sleeping so peacefully that I couldn’t bring myself to disturb you."

Just then, Zamian’s phone rang, breaking the calmness in the car. He hissed inwardly, realizing he had forgotten to switch it off. The screen displayed his brother’s name, and with a resigned shrug, he picked up the call.

"Zamian! Why would you do this?" his brother’s voice came through, sharp and filled with frustration. "You didn’t allow any of the guests to talk to you or your wife during your wedding. And you didn’t even let me—your brother, your blood brother—your blood-f*cking brother!"

Zamian remained silent, as if he didn’t have the time or the energy to argue back with his brother.

"Who knows? Maybe you were plotting some sin," his brother continued, the accusation hanging heavy in the air.

"Sin, my a**," Zamian hissed back, the exasperation evident in his voice.

"Was your wife aware?" Zander’s low chuckle could be heard, taunting and incredulous.

"Aware of what?" Zamian asked, his tone clipped, as if he didn’t want any beating around the bush.

"Did your wife know that you didn’t allow any of the guests to meet you two? Not even her grandfather?"

Zamian fell silent, a knot tightening in his stomach at the mention of Mira’s grandfather.

"Did your wife also know that you specifically told the priest not to say those important words?"

Finally, Zamian spoke, his voice firm and unwavering. "It doesn’t concern you whether she knows or not." With that, he abruptly hung up the phone, feeling a mix of frustration and protectiveness surge within him. He turned to Mira, who had been staring out the window, her gaze lost in the scenery.

Noticing the tension in the car, Mira finally turned to him, her expression concerned. "Are you okay? Is everything okay?" she asked, her brow furrowing with worry.

Zamian nodded, but just then, her phone lit up, drawing her attention away. An unknown number was calling. "Hello?" she spoke, but her body froze as anticipation coursed through her veins.

Her lips trembled slightly, and with a wavering voice, she whispered,

"Grandpa?"

"Hello, Mira. I have missed you. I really have. Mimi, I’m so sorry." The pet name her grandpa usually called her no longer felt as soothing as before.

Mira sighed deeply, responding, "It’s fine, Grandpa. I’ve forgiven you. Who knew? Maybe this is also a blessing in disguise." Zamian, who had been listening intently to Mira’s conversation, couldn’t quite grasp the full extent of her words. He could see her expression change, a mixture of resignation and hope flickering across her face.

"It’s okay, Grandpa. It really is."

Her grandfather’s voice came through the phone, heavy with remorse. "Mira, I know it isn’t okay. I’m really sorry. I think we can both put our heads together and pay the bill. We can—I’m sure we can."

Mira paused, her heart heavy with mixed feelings. "It’s fine," she repeated softly, almost trying to convince herself. "It’s fine, Grandpa."

But then the words that left her grandfather’s mouth shocked her to her core. "And Mira, if you ever feel you don’t want this, tell me, and we’ll both..." He paused, and she could sense the weight of his sincerity. "I’m really, really sorry, Mira."

Caught off guard, Mira hung up the phone, her heart racing as uncertainty washed over her. How could he say those things now? He hadn’t been there for her when she truly needed him; he had left that day, leaving her feeling abandoned on her apartment floor, crying. She bit her lower lip, tears shimmering in her eyes as she fought to hold them back.

Turning to the window, she wanted to shield Zamian from witnessing her vulnerability, from seeing her in this broken state. Just then, her body was wracked by hiccups—the sound she had come to despise since that night in the forest, more like a mocking reminder of her pain.

"Hic... Hic..."