CHAPTER 294: CHAPTER 294: ACCEPTANCE AND AFFECTION FINALLY HOME

~Zayn’s POV~

Evans didn’t even let her finish the word. He clamped a hand over her mouth. Nuala immediately realized what had just slipped out and went silent, looking mortified. Evric, standing beside me, gave the table a sharp, controlling look, determined not to let that comment get to him

After Evric insisted that Meera have something to eat, his maid brought out food and drinks for everyone, turning the visit’s awkwardness into a surprisingly pleasant moment.

After everything had settled and it was night, I turned to Evric, clutching Liam’s bag. "It’s getting late, we should head out now."

Evric held my hand gently, his thumb brushing over my knuckles as he playfully tickled Liam. Then, with a relaxed smile that didn’t fully reach his eyes, he murmured, "Okay." I noticed the subtle shift in him, the quiet, controlled sadness—but I knew it was time to head home.

He wanted to walk me outside, but I squeezed his hand. "It’s okay. Don’t bother yourself."

He glanced at me, a fleeting spark of genuine concern crossing his face. "Take care," he said.

"You too," I replied, and we stepped outside, leaving him behind.

His siblings called after me, their voices warm: "Goodnight, Zayn!"

Stepping outside, Meera glanced at me, her eyes sharp and knowing. "Evric is trying to stay strong, but he’s not himself," she said softly. She paused, studying me. "If you noticed it, maybe you should go back to him."

"Of course I noticed," I said without hesitation. "He’s my man, I’ll talk things through with him tomorrow."

"No," Meera said firmly, her voice carrying an unexpected weight. "You should go spend the night with him. You’ve done enough for Liam today. Evric shouldn’t be left unhappy because of that."

I quickly cut in, "I understand how Evric feel, it’s natural. You have a flight the day after tomorrow, but after that, it’s just us. Our forever is still ahead of us, so for now, I want to focus on spending time with Liam.

"You know, this is often why many relationships struggle," she said, her voice soft yet steady. "It’s not easy to find out your partner has a child while you’re already committed to each other. He loves you and accepts everything. It takes strength and a strong love to embrace that reality, Zayn. Please, understand this, and go back and spend the night with him. We’ll be waiting for you tomorrow."

I glanced back at the house, a surge of longing washing over me. She was right. Deep down, I wanted to be with him too. Evric’s heart wasn’t so different from Liam’s, even if he was trying to act strong, I knew how much he wanted me by his side right now.

"Okay," I said, making my decision. "I’ll stay." I turned to Meera, ready for her to take Liam from my arms.

She reached for him, but he murmured, shaking his head, refusing to go with her. Meera paused, then said softly, "We’ll just leave him with you."

I blinked, surprised by her trust.

She dug into my car and pulled out the small bag with everything Liam would need for the night. "Let him stay with you," she said gently. "Trust me. Liam’s a good boy, once he eats, he sleeps well. He won’t disturb anyone."

I nodded, a mix of excitement and nerves flooding me. I was staying—and so was Liam.

I handed my car key to Meera and grabbed Liam’s bag. I watched as they drove off, Meera giving a small wave before they vanished down the long, dark driveway of the estate.

I carried the bag and the suddenly heavy, familiar weight of my son back upstairs. As I entered the living room, Evans looked up. "You’re back? I thought you were leaving."

"I decided to stay," I replied.

But Evric was nowhere in sight. "Where did he go?" I asked, scanning the room.

"He went upstairs after you stepped out," Chrisly said, concern on his face.

"Okay," I replied.

I carried Liam straight to Evric’s room and stepped inside, but the main bedroom was empty. I followed the quiet pull of the attached balcony and found him there, sitting alone in the dark, his gaze fixed on the city lights below.

He shifted slightly, surprise flickering across his face.

I asked him, "Babe, why are you here alone when everyone else is downstairs?"

He managed a small, tired smile. "I just decided to be alone." He paused, studying me for a moment before asking, "Did you forget something?"

"Yes," I answered, walking onto the balcony, the chilly night air hitting us both.

"What did you forget?" he asked, trying to sound serious.

I looked at him, my heart overflowing. "I forgot my fiancé," I said simply. "So I came back to be with him."

He smiled wider, the sadness finally receding from his eyes. "Be serious, babe."

I stepped closer, holding out the bag and the precious little weight in my arms. "I am," I said softly. "I’ll be spending the night here... with Liam. His mother has already left."

A genuine, uncontrolled gasp of surprise escaped him. "For real?"

"Yes," I confirmed.

He reached out toward Liam, and, surprisingly, Liam leaned into him, stretching his tiny arms. Evric carefully lifted him from my arms, his face glowing with awe and delight.

"Hi, little Zayn," Evric murmured, his voice heavy with feeling as he gently cradled my son, letting his finger trace Liam’s soft, plump cheek. Seeing the two most important people in my life finally together filled me with a quiet, overwhelming joy.

He looked up at me, his eyes bright with emotion. "Babe, I’ve been dying to hold him, to be close, but I held back because of his mother." Gently adjusting Liam in his arms, he smiled and looped his free arm around me. "Now, I get my little baby and my big baby together on my bed tonight."

I nodded, feeling a ridiculously happy wave wash over me. "That’s a lot of us," I teased, kissing his shoulder.

Evric’s smile was dazzling. "That’s a double blessing, Zayn."

I bumped him gently with my hip. "Hope you don’t mind us hogging all your space," I joked.

"Mind?" he exclaimed, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Babe, this is the best thing that’s happened to me all day. It completely wipes away all the dull sadness I was feeling before."

I seized the admission instantly. "Aha! So you admit you were sad before?"

He nodded, giving a theatrical pout. "Yes, I admit it! Because I was bored and I missed my baby."

I couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to cup his face. "You both are my baby, okay? And I love you both fiercely."

Evric looked at me, his eyes full of tenderness. "We love you too, my love."

I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Liam’s innocent forehead, then tilting up to press a deeper, gratitude-filled kiss to Evric’s forehead. "Thank you," I murmured against his skin. "Thank you for accepting all of me, without question."

He leaned back, eyes sparkling as he held our son securely. "You’re welcome, baby. Now, let’s get you two inside, the breeze out here is too much for Liam." Guiding us off the chilly balcony, we stepped into the warmth of our room.

I called Meera, and she patiently guided me through everything, feeding Liam, giving him a quick warm bath, and putting on his diaper. Liam was surprisingly cooperative, only crying once when it was time to get out of the water. He had been happily playing with the water, but when I insisted, as Meera instructed, to prevent him from catching a cold, he let out a single cry. After that, he settled calmly, making the rest of the routine smooth and easy.

Evric stayed close, gently soothing him as he finished his meal and played with us for a while. Eventually, Liam drifted off to sleep, exhausted but happy. I carefully laid him in the middle of the bed.

Then Evric wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, his voice low and teasing. ’Babe, now it’s your turn to take care of me.’"