CHAPTER 295: CHAPTER 295: DECISIONS, DEVOTION, AND DELICATE HEARTS

~Zayn’s POV~

As I settled onto the edge of the bed, watching Evric gaze at Liam with such profound tenderness, he suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. He leaned his chin on my shoulder, his voice low and teasing, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"Babe," he purred, giving me a gentle squeeze. "Now it’s your turn to take care of me."

I laughed softly and rested my head back against his. "Alright, you big baby... tell me, what exactly does my big baby want me to do?"

He smiled broadly. "I want you to shower for me, too."

I laughed, gently pushing his cheek. "No, no, no. I know exactly what you mean, but we are not doing that tonight. We have a sleeping angel in the room, remember?" I turned my head to meet his gaze. "Not tonight, love. Ask again tomorrow."

He stared at me, pleading with his eyes, trying to use that irresistible charm. I stood firm. "No, Evric. We’re not doing it for tonight. But you can ask again tomorrow."

Suddenly, his expression turned serious, all traces of playfulness gone. He sat up straight, turning me to face him, his hands resting on my shoulders. "Zayn," he said, his voice dropping to that deep, serious pitch that always commands my attention.

"Yes," I answered, already bracing for the real issue.

"Tell me the truth, are you really okay with Meera taking Liam abroad now?" he asked, his voice soft with concern. "You just met him... You barely even had time with him."

I sighed softly, taking his hands into mine. "Trust me, I’ve thought about it too. But Meera worked so hard on her plans, and I don’t want to disrupt her life. She gave me the parental-rights documents, and I already signed them. Technically, I can tell her not to take Liam anymore... but I can’t bring myself to separate him from her. Liam belongs with the woman who raised him. She’s his mother."

"I’ve been debating it in my head," I confessed softly, nervously chewing my lip. "Maybe if I speak to her, she might stay a little longer, just so I can have proper time with Liam before she leaves. But I’m afraid. I don’t want to seem selfish or demanding."

Evric stopped me softly, his tone full of support. "Zayn, follow your instincts. Don’t hold back and suffer for it later. If you want Meera to delay her trip, then tell her. Let her stay."

He lifted my hand and pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles. "I’ll handle everything," he murmured. "When it’s time for her to travel again, I’ll take care of all the expenses, hers and Liam’s. But for now... talk to her, babe. Please. Ask her to stay a little longer."

I smiled, feeling a rush of love for his generosity and foresight. "Thank you, baby. I will talk to her first thing tomorrow morning."

I brushed my fingers along his arm. "What happened earlier? Why did you sit here alone instead of staying downstairs with everyone?"

He looked away briefly, hesitant to speak. "It was between me and Evans," he admitted finally, avoiding my gaze. "It’s nothing serious, just a typical sibling argument. We do have them once in a while, and we’ll settle it." He smiled sheepishly. "After all, he’s my brother, and I’m the one who was being stubborn."

"Don’t be stubborn to your brother, okay?" I teased gently, nudging him.

He nodded, meeting my eyes with a promise. "Okay, baby."

Just then, my phone buzzed on the bedside table. It was a message from Evans: "Need you downstairs for a minute."

I glanced at Evric. "I’ll be back in a moment. Evans just texted me to come downstairs."

I gently ran my fingers through Liam’s hair before rising to my feet.

Evric’s voice followed me, soft and warm. "Okay, baby... don’t stay too long."

"Alright," I promised, giving him a quick kiss. I squeezed his hand one last time and went downstairs.

When I reached the ground floor, Evans was already waiting. We settled onto a quiet corner sofa in the sprawling living room.

"Zayn," Evans began, his tone unusually serious, carrying a weight I hadn’t heard before. "First of all, congratulations on your engagement to Evric."

I smiled, feeling a genuine warmth spread through me. "Thank you, Evans."

He let out a deep sigh. "I was honestly shocked when I heard everything earlier. It’s surprising to see how much Evric has matured, handling the baby, the past, and the future so calmly, without letting anyone know. And it’s all because of you, Zayn. You’ve guided him to this point."

"All thanks to you as well, Evans," I said sincerely. "Without your initial nudge, I wouldn’t have realized what I needed to do to make things right with Evric. I’m truly grateful."

Evans smiled, a flash of his usual charming self returning. "I’ll go straight to the point. I called you out because of two things." He leaned in. "But I’ll go with the first one. What is the deal with the baby’s mother? What’s the plan?"

I quickly understood he needed reassurance about my commitment and the messy dynamic. I teased him, flashing the huge diamond on my left hand. "It’s all about my son, Evans. I have nothing to do with her romantically. I’m engaged, remember?"

Evans let out a long, relieved sigh. "I’m happy to hear that, Zayn. Seriously."

"Now," he said, shifting slightly, a puzzled look creeping back onto his face. "Without wasting any more time, the second thing I need to talk to you about is Nantam."

I smiled, unable to hide my amusement. I had sensed the real reason for this private meeting. The look on Evans’s face right now—serious, worried, and deeply confused, was the first time I’d seen him so vulnerable. I couldn’t help but grin.

He called my name again, softer this time. "Zayn."

"Sir?" I answered playfully.

"Please, talk to me," he begged. "Is there anything I can use to impress Nantam, or anything I should do? I can feel he likes me, but why isn’t he admitting it?"

I immediately took up a serious tone. "Evans, if you’re waiting for Nantam to come to you and openly admit his feelings, I hate to break it to you, but that day isn’t going to come."

Evans looked crushed. I met his gaze firmly.