Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 75: Pass

Chapter 75: Pass

"N-No, thanks," Mira stammered as she hurriedly entered the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind her. Her heart raced, and her cheeks flushed a vivid shade of pink. She leaned back against the cool surface of the door, trying to steady her breath. Zamian’s words played over in her mind, rattling her. ’How did he expect me to deal with this?’ The thoughts swirled, spinning wildly out of control.

Zamian wasn’t just any man. He carried an air of mystery and authority, leaving her feeling curious. His gaze, his presence—it was all too much. How could she possibly navigate her feelings when even her thoughts seemed to betray her? ’I can’t think about this right now.’

Determined to calm herself, she turned toward the bathtub. Warm water and some quiet time—those would help her relax. As the tub filled with water, Mira stripped down, letting her clothes drop carelessly to the floor. She slid into the bath, the warmth enveloping her body and soothing her tense muscles.

For a moment, she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. Everything melted away—the chaos, the nerves, the weight of Zamian’s presence in her mind. She allowed herself to float in the warmth, imagining the water pulling all of her tension from her body.

But despite her efforts, thoughts of him clawed their way back. The memory of his deep voice, the way his eyes seemed to see right through her—it all lingered, refusing to be ignored.

Sinking deeper into the bath, she let the water cover her face briefly, as if it might wash away the confusion. But when she finally surfaced, nothing had changed. She was still wrapped up in the same impossible situation, her feelings tangled and raw.

When she had soaked long enough, Mira rose from the water, dripping as she reached for a towel. Wrapping herself in it, she stepped out of the tub, only to realize something that made her stomach drop.

’I forgot my clothes,’she thought, or rather, his clothes.

A frustrated groan escaped her lips. She hadn’t even thought to bring anything to change into. Standing there, wet and cold, Mira frowned at her own absentmindedness. Great. Just great.

Wrapping the towel tightly around herself, she quickly dried her hair and tied it up into a messy bun. Glancing in the mirror, she winced slightly at her flushed cheeks and tired eyes. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before heading back out.

As she opened the door, she was met with Zamian standing near the entrance, waiting. His eyes flickered to hers, a small smile on his lips, though she could sense his amusement.

"I’ll head in for my bath now," he said, his voice smooth and calm.

Mira nodded, avoiding his gaze, still too flustered from their earlier interaction. She stepped aside quickly, letting him pass. As the door closed behind him, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.

Finally alone again, she moved toward the wardrobe, searching for something comfortable to wear. She needed something that didn’t remind her of the tension simmering between her and Zamian. As her hands brushed over the different fabrics, her fingers stopped on something soft—an oversized shirt. Zamian’s shirt.

Without thinking much, she grabbed it. It was large and comfortable, and at least she could wear it for now. Slipping it over her head, Mira felt the soft fabric fall against her skin. The shirt was almost comically big on her, its length falling to her thighs. Underneath, she chose a see-through bra from the lingerie set arranged for her earlier. It felt strange, wearing something so delicate beneath such a casual item of clothing, and she couldn’t help but wonder for a moment what Zamian might think if he saw her like this.

Shaking the thought away, she slipped on a pair of flip-flops and decided she needed to get some fresh air. Her head was spinning, and the weight of everything that had happened today was pressing down on her shoulders. The air outside would be a welcome escape.

Stepping outside, Mira immediately felt the cool breeze kiss her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill her lungs. ’This is what I needed,’she thought as the tension started to melt away.

The grounds were beautiful. Flowers bloomed all around her, their soft fragrances filling the air. She made her way toward a small garden area, her feet brushing over the grass as she approached the vibrant roses and lilies. Kneeling beside the flowers, Mira inhaled deeply, savoring the peace the garden seemed to offer.

But even as the calm began to take hold, she couldn’t completely shake the feeling that Zamian was never far from her mind. He seemed to be everywhere, like a shadow following her every thought. The tension between them, his cryptic words—it all hung heavy in the air, unresolved.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Turning her head, she saw Zamian walking toward her, freshly dressed, his gaze focused on her. His tall frame moved with the same quiet grace, and there was something about his presence that made her heart race again.

He didn’t say a word as he approached, but instead, he simply sat down beside her on the grass. Mira blinked, surprised by the casualness of his actions. He was always so formal, so put together—seeing him sit beside her, as if they were just two people enjoying the garden, felt oddly out of place.

The silence stretched between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It felt almost natural, as if the two of them didn’t need words to communicate. The birds chirped softly in the distance, and the gentle rustle of the leaves in the wind filled the space around them.

After a while, Zamian spoke, his voice calm and steady. "We should talk."

Mira turned to look at him, her brow furrowing. "Okay," she replied cautiously, unsure of what he wanted to discuss.

He shifted slightly, his gaze thoughtful. "I want us to get to know each other better. Ask me anything."

Mira hesitated, unsure of what to ask. There were so many things she wanted to know about him, but where would she even start? She bit her lip, her mind racing through the possibilities.

"What if you don’t want to answer?" she asked softly.

Zamian smiled slightly. "If I can’t answer, I’ll say pass. But if I can, I will."

Mira nodded, feeling a little more at ease. "Alright. If you can’t answer, just say ’pass.’ And if you can, you answer. Deal?"

"Deal," Zamian agreed, his voice serious.

Mira took a deep breath. There was one question that had been weighing on her mind since that night in the forest—the night when everything changed. She needed answers, and she wasn’t going to let him avoid it this time.

"That night," she began, her voice quiet but firm, "the night in the forest... why did you call me a spy?"

Zamian’s expression hardened instantly, his eyes darkening. His body tensed, and for a long moment, he said nothing. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice clipped. "Pass."

Then she took a slow, deep breath. "Who is Derek?" she asked, expecting an answer.

"Pass," Zamian replied.

Mira’s heart sank. Why is he avoiding this?

"Why were you in the forest that night?" she asked, her voice softer, almost pleading for him to give her something.

Again, his response was quick, final. "Pass."

Mira clenched her fists, trying to keep her frustration at bay. Why was he shutting her out? She had been nothing but patient, yet here he was, stonewalling her.

Inhaling deeply, she continued, her voice firmer this time. "That night, I overheard one of your bodyguards saying, ’Our people are dying.’ Were you involved in the war?"

Zamian’s jaw tightened, and once again, he repeated the word. "Pass."

Her patience was wearing thin. She had been tiptoeing around him, trying to respect his boundaries, but this—this was too much. She needed to know, to understand what was happening.

Her voice trembled with a mix of frustration and desperation. "Why did you choose to marry me? Was it because of my fathers debt"

Zamian’s expression softened just slightly, as if her question had touched a nerve. But then, once more, he said, "Pass."

That was the breaking point for Mira. She stood up abruptly, her chest heaving with emotion. She couldn’t take it anymore—the secrets, the half-truths, the lies.

"Please leave now," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

At this point, Mira’s body was already trembling. Why did he insist on keeping her in the dark? He was the one who told her to ask him anything, and now she was trying to do just that.

"I will try to answer the next question," Zamian spoke, his voice tight.

Mira took a final breath, as if preparing herself for the worst. If he didn’t answer this, she would spark. "Why did you nod instead of saying ’I do’ at our wedding?"

Silence stretched between them as Zamian took a deep breath before looking up at her.

"Pass."