My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 23: To Do With it

Chapter 23: To Do With it

Naomi knew she had never felt like this before—a desire for more, despite knowing it was wrong. The emotions swirled within her, a chaotic blend of excitement and apprehension that left her heart racing. Her eyes widened, and she took a breath, trying to steady herself.

"Stop." Just like that, Zylan halted. He was surprised at himself, too, not expecting to obey so quickly. He pulled away, standing up and walking toward the door.

Naomi remained still, unsure of what had just happened. All she did was tell him to stop, and he just left. But she needed to be happy, right? At least she was free, right?

As he gently closed the door behind him, Naomi couldn’t help but find it strange. She had expected him to leap through the window, as he normally did. A part of her still doubted that anyone could survive a fall from there.

The memory of his presence lingered in the room like a ghost, making her heart flutter and her stomach churn with unease. She sighed and settled into bed, the sensation of Zylan’s lips on her neck lingering, leaving her heart still racing. How could something so simple feel so intense? She turned over in bed, willing herself to sleep, but the night felt longer than usual.

***

Naomi stood in front of the mirror as the hairstylist worked her magic. Today was the day she was supposed to wed Zylan. The anticipation buzzed around her like electricity, but it was a chaotic storm of feelings. After that night, she hadn’t seen Zylan, and now, here she was, preparing for her wedding. She should have felt relieved, but part of her was conflicted. At least she didn’t have to face Zylan; she often wondered how she would manage that.

Amidst her thoughts about Zylan, another concern weighed heavily on her mind. She couldn’t stop thinking about what might have happened if she hadn’t stopped him that night. Would everything have changed? The uncertainty gnawed at her.

She was also deeply worried about her best friend, Rose. Rose hadn’t been calling, and despite Naomi’s countless attempts to reach her, there had been no response. It was unlike Rose to ignore her calls, and to make matters worse, she had barely been online on Hellogram and hadn’t posted much lately. Naomi’s worry grew to the point where she no longer cared about their escape plan for tonight.

All she wanted was to know that her best friend was okay—that would be enough.

The image of Rose flashed in her mind: her laughter, her unwavering support, and the shared dreams they had crafted since childhood. They had always been inseparable, facing the world together. The thought of something happening to Rose was unbearable. She pulled herself back to the present, focusing on the stylist’s hands as they transformed her appearance.

Naomi knew Zylan was clever, and she suspected there had to be a reason he chose to marry her. But what was that reason? She needed to find out, especially since their marriage felt loveless. Was it merely a façade, a means to an end? Or was there something deeper, something that lay hidden beneath the surface? The questions swirled in her mind, creating a tumult of confusion.

The lady who styled her did an excellent job. Her hair was braided into an elegant updo, perfectly arranged with small, delicate silver pins that caught the light. Each twist and turn of her hair felt like a testament to the day’s importance. Her makeup was light, enhancing her naturally smooth skin, long lashes, and rosy pink lips. Naomi could easily outshine any face model—that was undeniable, and both the hairstylist and makeup artist had noticed.

"Wow, miss, you look stunning," the makeup artist remarked, while the hairstylist nodded in agreement, their smiles broad and genuine.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Naomi knew her wedding gown had arrived. A lady entered with an elegant box, placing it carefully on the table. The anticipation bubbled within her as she opened the box to reveal the gown. It was time for Naomi to slip into the gown, and with every piece of fabric she donned, she felt a wave of emotions wash over her. As she dressed, she could hardly believe how beautiful she looked. For the first time in a long while, she felt a surge of confidence. Her golden-blonde hair and striking golden eyes made her appear almost otherworldly—like a lost goddess finally found.

Naomi’s gown hugged her small waist, flaring out gracefully below. The back had a subtle square-shaped opening, and delicate diamonds adorned her waistline.

The necklace she wore was a diamond piece that perfectly complemented the elegance of her dress. As she admired her reflection, she felt a mix of awe and disbelief. She had attended various occasions, but she had never seen a wedding gown quite like this—so magnificent that words couldn’t fully capture her beauty.

As Naomi examined the intricate details of her gown, she recalled the countless times she had dreamt of this moment. But those dreams had always included a love that felt real and vibrant. Instead, she felt a hollow echo in her chest, a sense of something missing. She bit her lip, contemplating her situation, her thoughts drifting back to Rose. Why hadn’t she reached out? What was happening to her?

"We’ll be leaving in five minutes," the lady announced before exiting the room with the others. They wanted to give Naomi a moment alone to calm her nerves, especially considering how anxious she appeared.

Not long after the door closed, Naomi’s phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, her heart raced with a mix of hope and dread. She quickly picked up.

"Naomi, I’m so sorry," Rose said, her voice heavy with regret and pain.

"What happened, Rose? Why are you apologizing?" Naomi felt her stomach twist with worry.

"The plan—our plan—is ruined," she continued. "I can’t come to your wedding."

Naomi barely registered that. All she wanted to know was what had happened to Rose. Why was she whispering? Why did her voice sound so different?

"My dad took the keys to my apartment..."

"What?" Naomi’s eyes widened in disbelief. "How?"

"I don’t know what I did! Besides, I’m not a child anymore; this is the first time he’s done this."

Naomi was left speechless. The weight of Rose’s words sank in, and she felt a rush of frustration and helplessness.

"Right now, I’m at home with my parents, but..." Rose paused, the silence stretching painfully. "I’m grounded."

Naomi’s heart ached for her friend. She understood what it felt like to be trapped, to feel suffocated by the weight of expectations. It brought back memories of her own struggles, of times when she felt she had no control over her life.

"Rose, I’m so sorry. I wish I could help you," Naomi said, her voice trembling with emotion.

"I know. I just wanted to be there for you today. I can’t believe this is happening."

"Do you think Zylan had anything to do with it?" Naomi’s voice barely rose above a whisper. The thought chilled her, but she had to consider the possibility. Was he capable of such cruel manipulation?

Still, Rose was a full-grown woman, and Naomi wondered what could have pushed her father to the ground. Rose fell quiet for a moment, and just as she was about to speak, Naomi heard a knock on the door.

Rhea entered, her eyes widening in delight. "Oh wow, you look so lovely!" The happiness in Rhea’s tone was unmistakable; who wouldn’t be awestruck by Naomi’s beauty?

"I’ll call you later," Rose said into her phone before hanging up. Naomi felt lost, unsure of what to do next.

"Miss Naomi, it’s time to leave," Rhea said.

Naomi was so caught up in her thoughts that she had failed to notice Rhea was one of her bridesmaids. Rhea wore a light pink knee-length gown that was both elegant and cute. She walked over to Naomi and helped her gather the gown that had fallen on the floor as they prepared to leave.

They climbed into the car, and Naomi felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. But Rhea was there to calm her as the car zoomed off. Inside, Naomi felt her nerves intensifying. Rhea, noticing her anxiety, pressed a button beside her and retrieved a bottle of water, handing it to Naomi. She took it gratefully and sipped, feeling a bit of calm wash over her. Just as she started to relax, the chauffeur spoke up.

"We’re here." He spoke respectfully.

Naomi turned to Rhea, who smiled at her with a respectful nod. Naomi stepped out, with Rhea by her side, assisting her in carrying the train of her gown.

Naomi walked to the door, and a lady arrived, giving her a nod before handing her a bouquet of flowers. To Naomi’s surprise, they were beautifully arranged, but they were all suns flower.

"Um, Miss, it was the young master who specifically requested this.And also the door will open in thirty seconds," the lady said, nodding her head in respect before leaving. Naomi was shocked—did Zylan really do that? Just then, the large door began to open.