My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 112: Intentions

Chapter 112: Intentions

The dining hall fell into an almost unnatural silence, as though the air had been sucked out of the room. No one dared to speak or even shift in their seats. The weight of Zylan’s words hung thickly in the air, their echo still reverberating in the ears of everyone present.

Naomi’s breath hitched, her eyes flicking toward Zylan. Even she hadn’t anticipated his boldness. It was as if the words had come unbidden, driven by an inner force that cared little for pleasantries or decorum. The man she thought she understood continued to surprise her, leaving her both unsettled and intrigued.

Across the table, her father sat frozen, his face betraying the smallest flicker of something that might have been embarrassment or shame. For a man so accustomed to control, this was an unfamiliar position, and it showed. Finally, he cleared his throat, his voice strained yet formal.

"I’m very sorry about that, Mr. Zylan. I apologize."

Zylan, ever composed, responded with the same sharpness that had silenced the room earlier. "You should apologize to my wife, not me."

The words sliced through the quiet like a blade. All eyes turned to Naomi’s father, whose features softened slightly, though his discomfort remained evident. Slowly, he turned his gaze to Naomi, his expression more sincere than she had seen in years.

"I’m very sorry, my dear daughter," he said, his tone unusually gentle.

Naomi blinked, caught off guard by the words. She searched his face for a trace of deceit but found none. Her lips curved into a small, composed smile. "Apology accepted," she replied simply, her voice even and calm.

And yet, deep within her, emotions churned in a chaotic dance. This moment felt alien to her—a foreign script in a life that had never shown her such courtesy. The apology, however unexpected, planted a tiny seed of warmth within her, though she remained guarded. She knew better than to hope for too much.

Beside her, Zylan sat silently, his eyes fixed on her, as if studying her reaction. She glanced at him briefly and found his gaze unreadable, but there was a certain softness in the way he regarded her. It made her heart stir in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

She turned her attention back to the table, realizing that Zylan had already finished his meal. He waited patiently, his posture relaxed yet attentive. There was no rush in his demeanor, no irritation—just quiet assurance, as though he were silently telling her that he would always wait for her.

That simple act warmed her heart in a way she couldn’t fully explain. It was new, unfamiliar, but not unwelcome.

When she finally set down her fork, Zylan rose from his seat, his movements deliberate. He spoke slowly, his voice measured and calm. " The meal is not bad."

Naomi’s father stood as well, his expression carefully neutral. "There is no problem, Mr. Zylan. We’re happy you could share the meal with us."

Zylan gave a curt nod before turning to leave. Seamlessly,Naomi followed suit, rising from their chairs with a quiet grace. Naomi noticed the way her father watched them, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary.

Immediately they left. He glanced at his wife and daughter, his expression darkening.

"Do not do anything foolish," he said coldly, his voice low but carrying a sharp edge that made both women flinch.

His wife kept her head bowed, her silence unbroken. Sabrina, however, bristled visibly, her hands curling into fists at her sides. Mr. Luke’s warning seemed directed more at her than anyone else. After one last glare, he turned on his heel and left the room without another word.

Sabrina waited until the sound of his footsteps faded before speaking, her voice tinged with frustration. Mum, you didn’t even inform me about the marriage. I thought we promised no secrets!"

Her mother sighed heavily, turning to face her daughter with a weary expression. "My daughter, I wasn’t even aware myself. As I told you earlier, your father doesn’t tell me anything anymore. I’m as surprised as you are."

Sabrina’s eyes narrowed, her frustration deepening. "But, Mum, can’t you do anything to help?"

Her mother shook her head slowly, a faint sadness creeping into her voice. "I’ll try," she murmured, though there was little conviction in her tone.

Sabrina hesitated, her mind racing as she processed her mother’s words. Finally, she spoke again, her voice lower this time. "But, Mum, do you think they’re just acting?"

Her mother paused, as though weighing her response carefully. After a moment, she turned to Sabrina with a thoughtful look. "I did think that earlier, but... think about it rationally. Do you really think Mr. Zylan Reed would stoop so low to act? I can see it in his eyes—he likes her. It’s something deeper, something real. I know that look."

Sabrina stiffened, her face twisting in anger. She clenched her jaw, struggling to suppress the surge of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. How could her mother be so convinced of this? And yet, deep down, she couldn’t deny what she had seen herself.

The softness in Zylan’s gaze when he looked at Naomi... it was undeniable. It made her seethe with jealousy. The very thought that he might truly care for Naomi was enough to make her blood boil. But what could she do about it? Nothing. For the first time, Sabrina felt powerless, and the realization stung.

Her mother’s voice broke through her thoughts, softer now, almost a whisper. "It will be hard, my daughter, but I will try. We need to keep this low-key so your father doesn’t throw us out of this house."

Sabrina nodded reluctantly, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. Her mother’s words offered little comfort, but she knew better than to argue.

After a long pause, her mother added quietly, "But there’s one thing I’ve realized: that man... he’s deeply in love with Naomi."

*************

Rose stood outside the mansion gates, clutching a bag in each hand. One was a large package filled with clothes, the other a smaller bag she gripped tightly. The air bit at her skin, but she ignored it, her focus fixed on the familiar sight of the mansion before her.

She immediately noticed the two bodyguards stationed at their usual posts. Their stoic expressions gave nothing away, but Rose could feel their watchful eyes tracking her every move. She hesitated briefly, knowing how this was likely to play out, but pushed the thought aside. There was no turning back now.

Summoning her courage, she approached the gate and called out, "I need to speak with Naomi."

One of the guards raised an eyebrow but said nothing. After a brief exchange over their radios, Rylan appeared, his steps brisk as he approached the gate.

His sharp gaze landed on her, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Rose forced herself to maintain a professional demeanor, though her nerves threatened to get the better of her. "Please, I would like you to open the gate. I need to see Naomi."

Rylan studied her for a long moment before replying, "Naomi isn’t here today. She left earlier."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her mind raced, panic bubbling beneath the surface. "Please, let me in," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I’ll call her right now to inform her. It’s urgent."

She pulled out her phone and dialed Naomi’s number, but the line went dead almost instantly. Her heart sank. Naomi’s phone was switched off.

Rose cursed under her breath, berating herself for acting so hastily. How was she supposed to explain her situation now? She had no home to return to, no options left.

Rylan’s voice cut through her thoughts. "Come tomorrow."

"I can’t come back tomorrow!" she snapped, her frustration finally spilling over. "I have nowhere to stay."

Her words hung in the air, and for the first time, Rylan’s expression softened slightly. He studied her intently, as if trying to piece together her story. After a long pause, he turned to the guards and gave them a curt nod. The gate opened with a groan, and he gestured for her to follow him.

"Come with me," he said.

Rose hesitated, her pride warring with her desperation. She met his gaze, her own sharp and defiant. "Is there any particular reason you’re saying all this?"

Rylan’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t rise to the bait. "It’s too windy out here," he said simply. "And I wouldn’t be surprised if you caused a problem. That’s why they punished you, isn’t it?"

His guess was unnervingly accurate, and Rose’s eyes widened in shock. She quickly masked her reaction, though her annoyance remained evident.

"Just because you had the guards open the gate doesn’t mean you can order me around, Mr. Housekeeper," she said, rolling her eyes with deliberate slowness.

Rylan’s expression hardened, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Say one more word, and I’ll have you thrown out," he warned. "Maybe you’ll end up sleeping outside as well. The punishment you received wasn’t even that harsh, was it?"

Rose fell silent, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Rylan moved to a nearby car and opened the door, gesturing for her to get in. She eyed the vehicle warily. "Whose car is this?"

"It’s mine," he replied flatly.

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "I thought you said you work here."

She was taken aback by the car’s appearance; it exuded luxury and screamed expensive.

Rylan climbed into the driver’s seat without answering. "Get in," he said again.

Reluctantly, Rose complied, still unsure of what to make of the situation. "Where are we going?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

"To my house," Rylan said simply.