My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 85: Loyal

Chapter 85: Loyal

Naomi and Rose sat in the garden, the soft rustle of leaves blending harmoniously with the chirping of distant birds. The evening breeze played gently with the strands of Naomi’s golden hair, carrying with it the sweet fragrance of blooming roses and jasmine. It was a serene setting, but the peace in the air did little to calm Naomi’s restless thoughts.

Her hands wrapped around her teacup, seeking warmth not from the drink but from the small comfort of its weight. She gazed at the horizon, the fading sunlight casting a golden hue across the garden, yet her mind was clouded with uncertainty.

Rose sipped her tea in silence, occasionally glancing at Naomi. She had noticed the way her friend’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly, the way her lips pressed together in unspoken tension. Something was troubling her, but Rose chose not to push.

After several moments, Naomi broke the silence with a soft sigh.

Rose, however, surprised her by speaking first. Her voice was gentle, as though testing the waters.

"Do you have a reason why you want to stay with him?"

Naomi blinked, startled by the question. She turned her head slightly, meeting Rose’s curious gaze. A soft hum escaped her lips as she pondered her response, the sound more a stalling tactic than anything else.

"If you can’t answer, that’s okay," Rose added, offering an easy smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Naomi’s lips parted, but her words came slowly, each one carefully chosen. "I don’t really know," she admitted, her voice no louder than a whisper. "I just... I feel it’s better this way. Besides, it’s not that bad."

Her attempt to brush the topic aside failed when a small, involuntary smile played on her lips. Naomi hadn’t even realized it, but Rose caught it instantly.

"Oh my," Rose said, setting her teacup down with exaggerated drama. "It seems you two have grown closer than I thought."

Naomi tilted her head, confusion knitting her brows. "What do you mean?"

"That smile," Rose teased, leaning in slightly. "That kind of smile doesn’t just happen, Naomi. It means something."

Heat rushed to Naomi’s cheeks, staining them a deep pink. She shook her head, fumbling for a denial. "It’s not—"

Rose interrupted, grinning mischievously. "Naomi, do you have... feelings for him?"

Naomi froze, her throat tightening. Her fingers curled around her teacup as though it could shield her from the question.

"I saw you smile. Do you miss him?" Rose pressed, her grin widening as Naomi’s silence stretched on.

After a long pause, Naomi gave the smallest of nods.

Rose’s jaw dropped in mock astonishment. "Aha! Oh my!" she exclaimed, grabbing Naomi’s shoulders as though shaking the truth out of her. Then, cupping Naomi’s face in both hands, she asked, "Do you think he does....."

Naomi lowered her gaze to the ground, her chest tightening. The playful atmosphere shifted slightly, and Rose’s hands fell away. She hesitated before speaking again, her tone gentler.

"I didn’t mean to say it like that," Rose said, biting her lip. "I just... I don’t want you to get hurt." She paused, searching Naomi’s face. "Because people like him..."

Her voice faltered, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. Should she say it? Could she say it? Rose took a deep breath, her resolve hardening.

"People like him," she began again, her words slower this time, "I don’t think they could ever be loyal. And I wouldn’t want you to get hurt because of that."

Naomi’s world seemed to tilt. The words hit her like a blow to the chest, and her mind spiraled back to that fateful day on the cruise ship.

She could still hear his voice, cold and unyielding, as though it had been etched into her memory.

"Could you ever be loyal in this Marriage?" she had asked, her voice trembling, her heart in her throat.

His answer had been devoid of hesitation, devoid of warmth. "No."

The pain from that moment surged back, sharp and unrelenting. She had told herself she’d moved past it, but now, sitting here in the garden, it felt as fresh as ever.

Her fingers trembled slightly, and she set her teacup down before she dropped it.

Rose noticed the color drain from Naomi’s face and immediately regretted her words. "I shouldn’t have said that," she said quickly, guilt lacing her tone.

Naomi shook her head, her voice quiet but steady. "No. It’s good you said it."

The silence between them grew heavy. Naomi stared at the ground, her thoughts a tangled mess. Should she be grateful that Zylan had been honest? Or angry at his callousness? Or was it her fault for asking in the first place?

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. None of it made sense. None of it felt fair.

Rose reached out hesitantly, her hand brushing Naomi’s. "I didn’t mean to upset you," she said softly. "I just... I care about you, Naomi."

Naomi forced a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "I know. Thank you."

But deep down, her heart remained heavy, weighed down by the memory of Zylan’s words and the fear that Rose might be right.

"It’s okay," Naomi said finally, though her voice wavered. "It’s just..." She hesitated, the words catching in her throat.

Rose leaned closer, her concern evident. "Just what?"

Naomi bit her lip. She feared acknowledging her emotions, feared the vulnerability that came with admitting the truth—even to herself. She liked Zylan, but the idea of falling in love terrified her.

What if her feelings weren’t reciprocated? What if she gave her heart only to have it shattered?

Rose seemed to sense her turmoil and leaned back with a sigh. "Shit," she muttered under her breath. "I shouldn’t have said that. I’ve ruined your mood, haven’t I?"

Naomi shook her head. "It’s fine. Really."

But Rose wasn’t convinced. "No, it’s not. I shouldn’t have pushed you like that."

Naomi’s smile was faint but genuine this time. "It’s fine, Rose. You asked a good question."

Rose studied her for a moment, then attempted to lighten the mood. "Well, if he ever hurts you, let me know, and I’ll smack that smug face of his!"

A soft laugh escaped Naomi’s lips, surprising even herself. She imagined Rose storming up to Zylan, all five feet of her, trying to land a blow. The thought was absurd, and yet, oddly comforting.

"You’d lose that fight, you know," Naomi said, her laughter fading into a small smile.

Rose grinned. "I’d lose with dignity."

The brief moment of levity was broken when Naomi whispered, almost to herself, "I really do miss him. I just..."

Rose’s sharp ears caught the words, and her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Naomi," she said, dragging out the name in a singsong tone.

Naomi’s cheeks burned crimson as she realized what she’d just admitted aloud. Her heart raced, and her throat tightened as if it were conspiring to betray her. Desperately, she stammered, trying to backtrack. "Don’t mind me! I didn’t mean—"

"Come on," Rose interrupted, her tone light and teasing as she nudged Naomi playfully on the shoulder. "You can’t leave me hanging. Tell me more!"

Naomi turned away, refusing to meet her friend’s eager gaze. The heat in her face felt unbearable, as if her emotions were branding her like an open book. "It’s nothing," she insisted, though the tremor in her voice undermined her claim. "Really, Rose. Don’t make a big deal out of it."

Rose leaned in closer, her grin widening like a mischievous cat toying with its prey. "Oh, I can sense it, Naomi," she teased, her voice playful and exaggerated. "Ohhh, I sense it! Love is in the air!" she sang, her shoulders shaking dramatically as if dancing to her own ridiculous tune.

"Stop it, Rose!" Naomi finally snapped, glaring at her friend in an attempt to regain some control over the conversation. But the burning heat in her cheeks betrayed her feigned composure.

Rose leaned back, momentarily appeased but far from done. She raised her hands in mock surrender, her grin softening into a smirk. "Fine, fine, I’ll behave," she said, though the glint of amusement in her eyes remained.

The playful banter ebbed away as Rose’s expression turned thoughtful, her teasing demeanor replaced by quiet seriousness. She took a deep breath, choosing her next words carefully.

"Naomi," Rose said softly, her tone gentle but probing, "you love him, don’t you?"

Naomi froze, the question cutting through her defenses like a blade. The world seemed to slow around her, and for a moment, all she could hear was the frantic pounding of her heart.

Her lips parted, but no words came. A storm of emotions swirled within her—denial, fear, and something much deeper that she wasn’t ready to name.

Rose didn’t push this time. Instead, she leaned back, her gaze steady and patient, as though she knew that silence could sometimes speak louder than words.

Naomi’s fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress, her knuckles white from the tension. She wanted to deny it, to laugh it off and pretend that Rose’s question had been absurd. But she couldn’t.

Because deep down, she knew the truth.

Rose’s patience was a quiet reminder of the bond they shared—a bond strong enough to hold space for unspoken truths. And though Naomi remained silent, the conflicted look in her golden eyes said it all.