Forbiddenly Bound To  You

Lily’s eyes widened in surprise as she exclaimed, "Mom!" She hadn’t expected her mother to show up, and the sight of her was nothing short of shocking. It had been two weeks since they last saw each other, and guilt washed over Lily as she realized she hadn’t visited her mother during that time. Life had been busy with all the changes, but even so, she had been neglecting the one person who had always been there for her.

Her mother’s unexpected appearance left Lily momentarily speechless. She felt a twinge of guilt for not making more time to visit, but she also couldn’t ignore the frustration building inside her. While she appreciated her mother’s care, the intrusion felt unsettling—especially at a time when Lily and James had been looking forward to some quiet moments together.

Lily’s mother was standing at the threshold, looking concerned but not apologetic. After all, she had done what any loving mother would do—show up to check on her daughter. Lily hadn’t told her she’d be busy, and she hadn’t given any reason why she had stayed away for so long.

"Lily, I’m sorry for showing up unannounced," her mother said, noticing the faint flush creeping up Lily’s cheeks. Her voice softened, filled with the kind of concern only a mother could possess. She stepped inside, holding a neatly packed container in her hands. "I brought you some food," she added with a smile. "I wasn’t sure what would be good for you, but I thought you might enjoy some homemade dishes. No one knows what’s best for you like I do, right?"

Lily managed a small, appreciative smile but couldn’t hide the twinge of irritation that still lingered in her chest. "Oh, Mom, thank you, but I’ve already eaten."

Her mother nodded, unfazed, as if she knew this would happen. "Yes, I know, but it’s always good to have something for later. You’ll need it, trust me." She handed Lily the container and added, "Just keep it for tonight, okay? It’ll help when you’re hungry later."

Lily hesitated, glancing at the food, then back at her mother’s hopeful expression. She appreciated the gesture, but there was something about her mother’s unannounced visits that didn’t sit right with her anymore. Still, she couldn’t refuse the food; it was a gesture of love. "All right," she agreed softly, setting the food on the counter. "But let me finish my bath first."

Her mother gave her a warm smile, as though understanding exactly how Lily felt. "Take your time, dear. I’ll wait."

With that, her mother walked toward the kitchen, where she began to arrange the food, filling the house with its delicious scent. Lily watched her for a moment, the feeling of being caught between two worlds—her own life with James and the one she had left behind—growing heavier in her chest. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of change, and it was difficult to balance the expectations of her family and the life she had built with her husband.