CHAPTER 278: CHAPTER 278: TWO FATHERS, ONE LOVE; OUR LITTLE ZAYN

~Zayn’s POV~

"Hello, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Evric Draeven."

The moment he said that, every ounce of composure I had shattered, and I burst into tears, unable to hold them back.

I reached for his hand, my grip desperate, and managed to introduce myself through the sobs. "Hi. I’m Zayn Smith."

The tears just kept falling, blurring the dazzling lights behind him. Evric simply reached up with his free hand and gently, lovingly, wiped the tears from my face, his thumb moving across my wet cheekbone.

He started to lean in, clearly intending to kiss me, but I pulled back slightly, shaking my head. "Babe, wait," I choked out, needing to clear the air before anything else happened. "I have something to tell you first."

Evric paused, his expression shifting to one of focused concern. "What’s that, my love?"

"You have to hear me out first," I insisted, trying to regain control of my breathing, but silence filled the space between us instead.

Evric didn’t push for answers. Instead, he gently let go of my hand and guided me toward the small round chair. He took a seat first, then tugged me effortlessly onto his lap. I sank against his thighs, fitting into him. One of his hands rose to cradle my face, his thumb brushing slow, soothing strokes across my cheek, while the other wrapped securely around my waist, holding me tightly, anchoring me in a way nothing else that day had.

"Talk to me," he murmured gently, his tone soft and patient. "Whatever’s weighing on you... just tell me."

With the last of my courage, and tears still blurring my view, I confessed. "I-I have a child, Evric. I might have a son."

Evric’s smile was heartbreakingly tender. "Not ’might,’ my love. You have a son."

I was completely taken aback. He sounded so certain, so utterly unshocked, like he knew something I didn’t. "Why do you sound so certain? Like you knew before?"

He chuckled softly, tilting my chin up so my gaze met his. "Don’t say you might have, Zayn. You have a son."

"Evric, you need to explain," I pleaded, desperately needing the pieces of this puzzle.

He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead before he continued. "Last week, I kept getting these terrible headaches, so I went to see my doctor—Dr. Adrian. You remember him, right? The one we visited together when your throat was...?"

"Oh... yes," I murmured, nodding. "I remember him."

"Well, when I was almost got closer to his office, I saw Meera walking out. She didn’t notice me, but I definitely saw her. After she left, when I went inside, I asked Dr. Adrian if the woman who just walked out was alright."

Evric sighed, his arm firming around my waist.

"At first, he didn’t want to say anything, trying to stay professional. But after I pressed him a little... and maybe reminded him whose friend he was, he finally told me she came in to run a DNA test."

He paused, resting his cheek against my chest. "Babe," he whispered.

"Yes?" I answered, my heart pounding.

"I was shocked. A DNA test? I asked if the result was out yet. He said no. So I told him the moment it was ready, he should send it to me, no questions, no calls, nothing. Just send it."

Evric pulled back slightly so he could look straight into my eyes. "And when the result came... he sent me the photo. 99.99%, Zayn. His voice softened, breaking at the edges. "I lost it. I didn’t come running to question you or accuse you because... I understood."

He brushed his thumb along my jaw, gentle but unwavering. "I understood Meera’s pain. That’s why I never talked back at her whenever she insulted me or tried to humiliate me. I knew all of it came from fear—fear tied to the child. And I knew the reason you never pushed her out was because of that same child."

His hold tightened around my waist. "I’m growing, Zayn. I’m learning. And I understood all of this on my own. But even with that... I didn’t give up on you. I gave you space to make your decision. I trusted what we shared."

I told myself that if you didn’t show up... I would accept it. I would let you go. But I still prayed—every second—that you would come to me." His fingers trembled slightly as they held my waist. "And when you opened that door, baby... I felt real relief. The kind that hits your chest and makes you breathe again."

I rested my forehead against his neck, breathing him in as the truth settled heavy in my chest. "After finding out I have a child... did it change the way you feel about me?"

His hand tightened gently around my waist, steadying me.

"No," he said softly. "It doesn’t change the way I love you, Zayn. Not even a little."

He exhaled, voice trembling with honesty. "I was just... scared. Scared you’d choose the baby over me. I heard how much you’ve always wanted to have a child, I heard Meera say it that night."

That was when I finally broke again. The pressure in my chest snapped, and a raw sob tore out of me, everything I’d been holding in for the last twenty-four hours crashing back all at once.

"I may never get to meet him, Evric," I choked out. "I might never even know what my own son looks like. She’s not giving me a chance."

Evric chuckled, a warm, deep sound. "Kiss me first," he commanded gently, "then I will show you the magic."

I smiled through my tears, lifting my head and pressing my lips to his. The kiss was soft, a tender promise that spoke volumes without words. When we pulled back, Evric reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He navigated through it and showed me a small, clear picture of a chubby, peaceful baby.

"This is him, Zayn," Evric said, his voice gentle, tinged with pride. "The proof I gathered. Look at that face, already so full of personality, curious about everything around him. That’s little Zayn."

Tears streamed down my face again, but these were different, tears of sheer, overwhelming joy. I looked at the picture, the tiny face, his perfect little nose. I held the phone toward Evric. "He’s cute, isn’t he?"

Evric gently wiped the tears away, his eyes sparkling. "He’s cute, just like his father. That’s our little Zayn."

Hearing the words ’our little Zayn’ made me smile wider than I thought possible. I kept staring at the picture, my smile fading slowly as a new worry surfaced. "Are you sure, Evric? You are cool with it?"

"More than sure," he confirmed, kissing the top of my head.

"What about your father, Evric? If he heard about it, won’t he think..."

Evric hushed me, not with anger, but with a fierce, loving protectiveness. "You had the child before you met me, not after. It’s part of your history, not a choice against me. You are here, and the child’s existence will not be a problem. There is nothing to worry about, baby."

Relief, so vast and complete, washed over me. I kissed Evric deeply, letting all my love and gratitude pour into the contact. "Thank you, baby." I breathed against his mouth.

Evric’s kiss grew deeper, more passionate. He pulled back, his eyes dark with desire and excitement. "Babe, a lot is going to happen tonight. Are you ready for every surprise?"

I laughed, a light, carefree sound I hadn’t made in days, and nodded eagerly. "Yes, baby."

Evric smiled, brushing my hair back. "Zayn, your child is also mine. If Meera allows it, we’ll both give him the best life possible."

I hesitated. "And if she doesn’t allow us?"

He squeezed my hand reassuringly. "She’ll understand soon enough why Liam has two fathers like us strong, wealthy, influential, capable, and ready to protect and provide for him."

Tears welled up, and I smiled through them. "Thank you, Evric. You don’t know how scared I’ve been... I was so worried I might not—"

He cut me off with a soft, possessive kiss, pressing me close. Pulling back just enough to whisper, his gaze dipping to my lips, he murmured, "Give me those full lips first. I missed it... so much."

We kissed again, the kiss becoming urgent, hungry, and full of the promise of a future finally secured. Evric’s expression changed, the softness replaced by a simmering need, and his hands moved quickly to unbutton my shirt.

Note: Are you ready for what’s coming? Tonight will be long, wild, and unforgettable... the biggest mystery is finally solved, but the sweetest surprises are just beginning. Catch you in the next Chapter.