Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 90: Kicks of Hope

Chapter 90: Kicks of Hope

Mira’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected the baby to kick so suddenly. Of course, she had always felt the baby move before, those gentle shifts and flutters, but this was the first real, strong kick. She gasped, her hand instinctively flying to her belly. Did this mean the baby had heard her words? The thought warmed her heart, bringing a small, tentative smile to her lips.

For the first time in a while, she allowed herself to feel a glimmer of hope. The baby was really listening to her all this while, and so was this moment. It felt like a sign—a sign that she wasn’t alone after all.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed in her hand, and without thinking, she answered.

"Mira...hello, is this my wife?" Zamian’s deep, familiar voice came through the phone, soft but tinged with something she couldn’t quite place—concern.

The word "wife" sent a pang through her chest. He called her that, yet they were still on the verge of finalizing their divorce once he returned. Could he really mean it? Or was it just a word to him now, a reminder of a title that no longer held any meaning?

"Yes, it is," she replied, her voice soft and a little shaky, betraying the turmoil inside her.

There was a brief silence, and she could almost feel his hesitation through the phone. Finally, he spoke again, "How are you? How...is the baby?"

Mira froze. Zamian had asked about the baby. For the first time since they found out she was pregnant, he had actually shown interest. It was something she had been waiting for, hoping for, but now that the moment had come, she didn’t know how to respond.

"Fine..." she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. Just before she could continue, the baby kicked again, stronger this time, as if to remind her that it was there, listening.

"Oh heavens," Mira gasped, her hand pressing more firmly against her belly. Then, out of nowhere, she began to laugh—a laugh filled with joy, relief, and a tinge of disbelief. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with her laughter.

"The baby kicked, Zamian. Our baby kicked!" Her voice trembled with emotion, and for a moment, it felt as though all the weight she had been carrying on her shoulders had lifted, even if just for a brief moment.

On the other end of the line, Zamian was silent. He listened, his heart twisting in ways he hadn’t expected. Hearing her laugh—those soft, melodic sounds that always felt like magic to him—was both a relief and a source of guilt. He had missed her laughter. He had missed her. The pain in his heart deepened as he realized just how much he had lost by not being there.

"Really?" he finally asked, his voice softer now, and a slow smile tugged at his lips despite the ache in his chest.

"Yes," Mira said, her voice full of wonder. "I’m so happy. The baby kicked... maybe he heard my worries. Maybe he’s heard all the things I’ve said to him..." Her words trailed off, and her eyes widened in realization. She hadn’t meant to say so much. Her heart raced as she waited for his response, but Zamian stayed silent, listening. The pain he felt was unbearable. He should have been there, by her side, to feel their baby kick, to hold her and reassure her.

"I’m s-sorry," Mira stammered, her voice breaking. "You’re probably b-bored of my rambling..."

"No," Zamian interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. "I told you to stop apologizing to me, remember? Unless..." He paused, a playful lilt entering his voice. "Unless you want me to kiss you. See, now you owe me a kiss when I get back."

Mira’s heart fluttered at his words. Despite everything, despite the distance and the uncertainty, his teasing tone stirred something inside her that she had tried so hard to bury. How was it that he could still make her feel this way, even after all they’d been through?

Mira didn’t know what to say. Her emotions were a whirlwind—hope, longing, confusion, and something that felt dangerously close to love. Just as she was about to speak, there was a knock on Zamian’s door, interrupting the fragile moment they had been sharing.

"I’ll call you later," Zamian said, his voice softer now. "Take care of yourself, okay? When I’m done here, I’ll come back home."

The word "home" made Mira’s heart skip a beat. It sounded so natural, so easy, coming from his mouth, but it stirred something deep inside her. Could they still have that—home, together? Or was it just a word, something fleeting, like everything else between them?

"You too," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She hung up the phone, her hand trembling slightly as she placed it down. Her mind was swirling with thoughts, and for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to hope.

Meanwhile, in his office, Zamian’s gaze darkened as he turned toward the door. John entered cautiously, sensing that he had interrupted something important. The cold, dark gaze Zamian fixed on him was enough to make anyone hesitate.

"Umm... King Derek has sent another letter," John said carefully. "He’ll be arriving at the castle in one hour."

Zamian’s eyes narrowed. "There’s no need for that. Derek started this war, and I will end it."

The tone in his voice was dangerous, a simmering rage just beneath the surface. John knew that look all too well. Zamian was ready for a fight, and when he was in this mood, nothing could stop him. But John couldn’t just stand by and let him charge headfirst into danger.

Clearing his throat, John tried to intervene. "Uhh...please, think this through," he said cautiously, noticing Zamian’s blank stare settle on him. He gulped, feeling the weight of that stare. "What will Mrs. Mira think when she hears you’re going off to war?"

Zamian’s expression softened ever so slightly at the mention of Mira’s name, but John pressed on, knowing this was his chance. "And what about the baby? You’ve just started communicating with her freely again. If you go now, this could ruin everything."

Zamian’s jaw tightened, but the coldness in his eyes was slowly melting away. Just the mention of his wife and child seemed to have a calming effect on him, as if their names alone had the power to soothe his anger. John could hardly believe it. Was Mira really like some kind of drug to him, a balm for his soul in the midst of chaos?

After a moment, Zamian sighed. "Accept the meeting," he said, his voice quieter now, but no less resolute.

John let out a breath of relief, nodding quickly before leaving the room. The storm inside Zamian had been momentarily stilled, but the king’s thoughts were elsewhere now—on his wife, on his child, and on the home he longed to return to.

...

Back at the mansion, the atmosphere was much lighter. The sound of excited chatter filled the room as Lily arrived, her face lighting up the moment she saw Mira.

"Oh, Mira!" Lily squealed, rushing over with a beaming smile. "I came as fast as I could! You’re finally doing the baby shower!"

Mira couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s enthusiasm. Despite everything, it was comforting to have Lily by her side, someone who could bring joy into even the most uncertain moments.

The chauffeur appeared at the doorway, bowing politely. "Mrs. Mira, Miss Lily, the car is ready."

Lily nodded eagerly and hurried to Mira’s side, helping her up. "Come on, let’s get you there in style!"

Mira chuckled softly. "Lily, let me do it on my own. If you keep spoiling me like this, I might end up getting lazy."

Lily laughed, but she didn’t let go of her friend’s arm. "Oh, come on, Mira. You deserve to be spoiled—especially now!"

For the past month, Lily had been the one to take care of her, offering tips on how to look after herself. Without anyone needing to tell her, Mira was sure that Lily would make a great aunt.

They entered the car, settling into the plush seats. Mira leaned back, gently caressing her belly, feeling a sense of calm. Lily sat beside her, already chatting excitedly about the baby shower plans. On the other side, James quietly took his seat, close to the chauffeur. He remained composed, his face neutral, making no effort to join the conversation.

Unknown to Mira, James had been the one secretly reporting her well-being to Zamian through John. Every small detail—her health, her moods, even the baby’s movements—had been relayed back to her husband. His calm presence was a cover for the crucial role he played in ensuring Zamian remained updated, even while away.

As the car started, Mira glanced briefly at James, unaware of his connection to her husband, and returned her attention to Lily, who was now excitedly listing all the things they still needed to prepare.