CHAPTER 289: CHAPTER 289: THE SPACE BETWEEN OUR HEARTBEATS

~Zayn’s POV~

I waited, bracing myself for his reaction, even as he held me close.

Evric stayed quiet for a long moment, his arms tightening around me. I felt his chest rise and fall under my cheek as he took in everything I’d said. When he finally spoke, his voice was thoughtful.

"Are you okay with her decision?" he asked. "I mean, about your son relocating."

I shifted back just enough to look him in the eyes. The truth sat between us, messy and heavy.

"Babe... there’s not much I can say to change this," I admitted quietly. "She’s been the one raising him since the day he was born. And one thing is clear to me now: when Meera came to me, it was only to confirm everything, to take the DNA test, and to know the truth for sure. That’s all it was. She already made her plans, and I can’t stop her now."

Evric didn’t push for more. He pulled me into a firm, steady embrace. "You don’t have to explain anything else. I understand you, babe." He held me there for a moment, letting the silence settle around us, then eased back just enough to search my face. "If you need to go to her... tomorrow is the right day, isn’t it?"

I nodded against his chest. "Yes."

He brushed a gentle hand through my hair. "Then I’ll drive you there," he said softly. "I’ll get a hotel close by so that the next day, I can pick you up and we can... go home together."

I fixed my gaze on him.

The way he was so quickly okay with everything, the maturity, the calm planning, made me feel terrible. He was trying so hard to be the perfect, understanding fiancé, so I wouldn’t call him unreasonable. But deep down, through the measured tone of his voice, I could hear the pain loudly. It was a raw, unexpected ache of loss and disappointment. I didn’t know what to say or do. I just stared at him while he talked, unable to interrupt the protective wall he was building.

Evric outlined his plan, his gaze flicking away from mine for a moment. "I’ll drive you back the next day. You’ll have the full day with them, and I’ll stay at a nearby hotel until it’s time to pick you up, so we can leave together."

"Okay, baby. Thank you, baby." I managed to say, my voice soft.

"You’re welcome, love."

Eyes don’t lie. Evric’s eyes right now held a complex depth of emotion, hurt, resignation, and a profound sadness, that I couldn’t even begin to explain.

He suddenly swung his legs off the bed. "I need to use the bathroom," he said matter-of-factly.

"Okay, baby," I said softly, though I knew the truth: he was trying to hide from me, to keep me from seeing that part of him, the vulnerability, the quiet pain beneath his otherwise flawless composure.

After he left, I waited a few minutes, sitting at the edge of the bed, the mattress still warm from his presence. Evric had taken longer than usual, a silent hint that he’d retreated to the bathroom to steady himself and gather his thoughts.

When he finally stepped out, I didn’t hesitate. I slid off the bed and walked straight toward him.

"I’m sorry," I whispered immediately.

"Hey, babe, what’s wrong?" He ran toward me, his face instantly creasing with concern, pulling me into a loose hug.

I didn’t let him distract me. "You don’t have to be okay with everything," I insisted, pulling back slightly to meet his eyes. "You’re allowed to feel—"

Evric gently cut me off, his gaze earnest. "I’m truly fine with it. That’s why I agreed."

"I know you’re not okay with it, babe," I countered, my voice thick with emotion. "I know this wasn’t our actual plan or agreement. I feel like I betrayed you. I’m sorry. I never knew I had—"

He silenced me with a gentle, swift kiss, pressing his lips to mine. "Babe, I should be the one apologizing," he murmured. "Yes, I felt hurt when you told me about Meera, but it’s not about Liam, it’s me being selfish. I wanted these days to be just about us... I’m sorry for letting it show so clearly that you noticed."

I didn’t wait for him to finish. I wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing myself against him and burying my face in his neck. "I’ll do anything you want," I whispered, every word sincere. "We can go out today, right now. And after I spend that one day with Liam, I’ll make it up to you... I’ll give you whatever you need." I pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. " I’ll do anything for you today, babe. Sex... whatever you want."

Evric’s serious expression softened into a sweet, tender smile. "Aren’t you sore already?"

I blushed, shrugging slightly. "I can manage the pain."

He chuckled softly, resting his forehead against mine. "You don’t have to do that, my love." Evric cupped my face gently in his hands. "Let’s eat first. After that, we can just hold each other all day. That’s more than enough for me."

"Okay, baby," I nodded, a wave of pure relief and love washing over me. In that moment, Evric’s selflessness was the most romantic thing he could have offered.

We stayed entwined for a moment, simply absorbing the comfort. Then, Evric pulled back slightly.

"Babe," he said softly, his voice serious.

"Yes," I answered, meeting his gaze.

He pulled me with him and walked to a nearby armchair. He settled down, pulling me onto his lap before he even fully sat. I settled against his strong chest, letting him wrap his arms around me.

He stared at me for a while, his eyes conveying a depth of emotion that words couldn’t reach, then he simply hugged me, burying his face in my neck.

With his face still tucked against my neck, his voice came out low and sincere. "I want you to know you’re the most precious person in my life. And I will love Liam just as deeply as I love you."

He drew in a slow, steadying breath before saying my name—soft, weighted, pleading. "Zayn... about how I reacted just now..." His voice wavered with sincerity. "I’m truly, deeply sorry. Please forgive me."

I felt the tears prickling my eyes, but I blinked them away fiercely. I looked up at him, cupping his jaw in my hand. "Evric, you can’t make me cry today. Never."

"I need to tell you," I said, my voice calm but resolute. "Before, I told you I needed a man, not a boy, Evric. And I have to say—you’ve been doing an amazing job proving yourself to me."

I paused, letting a sincere smile bloom on my face. "I see your growth, Evric. I see how hard you worked to handle everything with maturity. You handled Meera’s call, the surprise, and the sudden change of plans with the kind of grace I always hoped for."

I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his chin. "But here’s the thing, fiancé. I’ve always loved the man you were, and I love the man you are becoming even more. I’ve never stopped loving you. You’re allowed to show every side of yourself. If something bothers you, you don’t have to hide it from me, you’re allowed to be frustrated or disappointed that our first day as fiancés got interrupted."

I rested my hand over his heart, feeling its steady beat. "I won’t judge you, and I’ll understand you. Just like you’re handling everything with maturity, know that I can handle the moments when you’re not. I love all of you—every part. Never hide your hurt from me again."

Evric looked at me, his eyes softening, a powerful wave of gratitude washing away the tension he’d been holding. He kissed me, a soft, profound kiss that sealed our renewed trust.

When we finally separated, a quiet clarity settled between us. I knew the next step needed to be taken.

"I should inform Meera that I’ll come tomorrow," I said calmly.