Chapter 121: The Kiss of Fate
Mira knew she had spent a lot of time away—over five years—but she hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. Five years had been more than enough time for her to get her life together, settle down, and even start a family. Yet, as she looked around, a bittersweet feeling crept over her. She couldn’t entirely blame Lily for moving on so quickly. In just a few short years, Lily’s life had changed dramatically, and it was clear that she had built something beautiful with James, their shared history turning into something new.
Mira’s gaze briefly flicked to Lily’s baby bump. It wasn’t very large, but it was noticeable to Mira, who recognized the early signs. Her eyes quickly narrowed in speculation as she guessed Lily was around two months pregnant. The bump, though faint, was visible enough for someone who had seen it before. To the casual observer, it might not be noticeable—especially if Lily wore something loose—but Mira had learned to spot such signs over the years. It was a bittersweet realization.
Her heart gave a slight flutter of confusion. Questions swirled in Mira’s mind as she tried to come to terms with everything around her. She had so many things she wanted to ask Lily, so many unanswered questions that seemed to cling to her like a veil. She decided she would ask Lily about the pregnancy soon, but for now, she decided to hold back. It was hard to process everything at once, especially with the little ones around.
Lily’s eyes shifted as she studied Mira for a long moment, almost as if reading her thoughts. Then, with an almost playful glint in her eyes, Lily responded, pretending to be upset as if she were disappointed in Mira for leaving without a word. "We will talk later," she said, her glare cute yet serious. Mira smiled slightly, though a sense of guilt gnawed at her inside.
Deep down, Mira knew that even if she had tried to explain her reasons for leaving, Lily might not have been able to understand. It wasn’t just about the distance, not just about the time. There was so much more at play—decisions she had made out of fear and insecurity, things that still weighed heavily on her heart.
Back then, Mira had been afraid. James was just her boyfriend at the time, and she couldn’t risk telling Lily what was truly going on. And, knowing Lily as well as she did, Mira couldn’t shake the fear that, if she had confided in her, Lily might have told James. They were close, dating at the time, and the thought of James finding out... well, that was something Mira couldn’t bear. The situation had been too complicated, too fragile.
As if on cue, Lily’s gaze shifted to the little figure holding Mira’s hand. She smiled, her expression softening as she approached the child. Gently, Lily pressed her hands to little Zami’s cheeks, cupping her face with both hands. Little Zami giggled at her touch, a soft smile spreading across Mira’s lips as she watched. There was something about the way Lily interacted with children—it was as though she had an innate understanding of them, a gentleness that made her shine.
Zami’s laughter was like music to Mira’s ears, and she couldn’t help but smile too, though a pang of longing settled deep in her chest. What if she had been around more? What if she hadn’t left? Would Zami have grown up differently, perhaps without her presence to guide her? But as Mira watched them together, she knew it was futile to dwell on the past. She was here now, and that was what mattered.
"Hello, Aunt," Little Zami said suddenly, her voice bright and full of innocence, causing Lily to freeze mid-motion. How did Little Zami know her name? The words hung in the air, unexpected, like a sudden gust of wind that threw everything off course.
Zami turned her head slightly, looking up at Mira, then back to Lily. It was as if she were searching for answers in Mira’s face, questions lingering silently between them. Lily looked at Mira too, silent for a moment, her eyes searching for some explanation.
Finally, Little Zami spoke again, her voice soft but clear. "Mummy has told me lots about you," she said.
Lily’s expression softened, a warm smile spreading across her lips. There was a quiet understanding in her gaze, and she couldn’t help but feel touched by Zami’s innocent words. Despite the complicated past that had shaped their relationship, it was clear that Mira had, at least, shared something of their history with her daughter.