My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 53: Smiles

Chapter 53: Smiles

Naomi slipped into her clothes—a baggy top and skirt that felt soft against her skin. The fabric’s gentle texture comforted her, as if offering a rare moment of ease amidst the storm of her thoughts. She tugged the hem of the skirt absentmindedly before stepping away from the wardrobe. It fit her perfectly, not too loose, but roomy enough to let her breathe freely.

When she turned, her eyes fell on the dining area. Breakfast had already been laid out, every dish covered meticulously to preserve its warmth. Plates and silverware were perfectly aligned, the arrangement flawless, as though someone had gone to great lengths to ensure it was waiting for her. Naomi’s gaze lingered on the sight for a moment before she let out a quiet sigh. There was a weight pressing against her chest—an invisible force she couldn’t name, though its presence was all too familiar.

She glanced toward the door leading to the balcony and, without giving the dining table a second look, made her way outside. The faint hum of the ocean waves drew her in, promising a solace she desperately needed.

Pushing the glass door open, Naomi stepped out into the open air. The salty breeze greeted her immediately, brushing against her skin and tousling her hair. She paused at the railing, her fingers lightly tracing its cool, smooth surface. Spreading her arms wide, she closed her eyes and let the wind engulf her. It wrapped around her like a soft embrace, soothing yet invigorating.

For the first time in what felt like forever, a small smile tugged at her lips. It wasn’t forced or calculated, but natural, born from the quiet serenity of the moment. She tilted her head back slightly, letting her hair flow freely as the breeze carried it.

Opening her eyes, Naomi gazed at the horizon. The endless expanse of the ocean stretched before her, its surface shimmering under the soft morning sun. It was a sight that never failed to draw her in, as though the vastness of the sea could absorb all her worries and carry them far away.

Her hum started softly, almost imperceptible, but soon grew into a melody. It was a tune she often found herself singing when she needed comfort, a familiar refrain that seemed to belong to moments like this. As the notes fell from her lips, a strange thought crossed her mind—peace had always felt like a fleeting visitor in her life, something that came only in the rarest of moments, much like Christmas.

Her hum faltered as her eyes narrowed on the horizon. Something shifted, catching her attention. Barely visible but undeniable, the faint outlines of buildings emerged in the distance. Her breath hitched as she froze, her fingers tightening against the railing. For a brief moment, unease gripped her chest, but it was fleeting.

Then, a different emotion took its place—one she hadn’t felt in a long time. Joy.

Naomi let out a soft laugh, a sound that seemed almost foreign to her. The absurdity of her earlier frustration melted away, replaced by this quiet, inexplicable happiness. She leaned forward slightly, her hand pressing lightly against her forehead as if it would help her see more clearly. The view was already plain enough, but the gesture came instinctively.

"So beautiful," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the waves.

She stood there for a while, letting the realization settle. The faint joy she felt seemed strange, almost undeserved, yet she embraced it. She had spent so much time trapped in the maze of her mind, replaying her frustrations and doubts, that this moment of calm felt like a gift she didn’t know she needed.

The minutes stretched on, the world around her fading into the background. The gentle crash of the waves, the salty tang of the breeze, and the glimmering horizon—it all wrapped around her, pulling her into a state of stillness.

Unbeknownst to Naomi, she wasn’t alone.

In the shadows of the doorway leading to the balcony, Zylan stood, his tall frame blending into the dim lighting. His eyes remained fixed on her, dark and unreadable, yet softened in a way that was almost imperceptible. His presence was quiet, still, yet charged with something unspoken.

A faint smile flickered on his lips, so brief it could have been mistaken for a trick of the light. It wasn’t the type of smile he often wore—this one carried a subtle tenderness that seemed out of place on his usually stoic face.

He watched as Naomi shifted her stance, her hair catching the sunlight in a way that made it seem almost golden. The peacefulness she radiated in that moment stirred something in him, something he couldn’t quite name. But as she turned, her gaze meeting his, the expression on her face faltered.

Her smile faded, and with it, the warmth he had been silently savoring disappeared.

Zylan frowned. Was it him? Had her joy vanished because she saw him? The thought gnawed at him in an unfamiliar way, leaving him unsettled. He wasn’t accustomed to feeling this way, and he didn’t like it. No, he didn’t want to see her react to him like that.

Naomi averted her eyes, her peaceful aura dissolving into something else—something tinged with annoyance. Without a word, she began walking back toward the room.

Zylan’s face darkened. Her behavior grated on him in a way he couldn’t fully understand. He wasn’t used to caring about things like this. In fact, he prided himself on his indifference. But now, for reasons beyond him, he cared.

He watched her retreating figure, his mind racing. Words hovered on the edge of his tongue, but they wouldn’t come. How could he tell her the truth? How could he possibly admit that the last person he had been with was Noelle—over a century ago? It wasn’t something he could just say, not without causing her pain.

And yet, the real question that lingered in his mind was: why did he care so much about how she felt?

As Naomi was about to pass him, Zylan reached out, his hand wrapping gently around her wrist. She froze, startled by the sudden contact, but before she could protest, he pulled her into a hug from behind.

It wasn’t forceful or desperate, but firm enough to keep her there, against him. He lowered his head slightly, his lips near her ear as he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I just can’t... It’s not about... b...baby," he said, the last word catching in his throat.

Naomi stilled. The way he said it, the brokenness in his voice, made her heart ache. She had never heard him sound like this, so vulnerable and raw. It was as if he was carrying a pain he couldn’t share, one that weighed on him more heavily than she could imagine.

She didn’t turn to face him, but the thought crossed her mind—if she did, would she find him shattered in a way she had never seen before? Was that why he didn’t want her to look at him?

Her anger from earlier evaporated, replaced by a confusing mix of emotions. Was she being childish? Zylan hadn’t married her to have a child. She knew that. She needed to act mature, to stop letting her emotions get the better of her.

And yet, despite her rational thoughts, she couldn’t shake the selfish desire that clung to her. She didn’t want to leave him. She didn’t know why, but the very idea felt impossible, as though her heart refused to let her go through with it.

"Let’s eat first, okay?" she said softly. The anger she’d felt toward him earlier melted away the moment she heard his voice. She didn’t want to hear him say those broken words again—not ever.

Zylan slowly pulled away.

"Go ahead. I’ll meet you there," he said quietly.

Naomi, who had been about to turn, froze at the sound of his voice.

"Don’t," he added, his tone still low but firm.

She hesitated, sensing that he might need space. But the worry on her face was unmistakable. After a moment, she nodded and walked inside.

As she entered the dining area, she moved toward the food, which had been carefully sealed. It was clear the people here anticipated they might not eat right away; the coverings were designed to preserve the heat. As she opened the well-sealed dishes, the warmth of the food confirmed it—it was still fresh and hot, as though it had just been served.

She then turned as she heard footsteps. No one needed to tell her it was Zylan coming. A smile spread across her face as she pulled out a chair for him.

"Come, let’s eat," she said, her voice filled with a happiness she never knew she could feel.

Little did she notice the slightly shocked expression on his face before it was replaced with a slow, deliberate, barely-there smile.

"It seems my eaglet is finally happy to see me."