Chapter 75: Never Let Go, Zayn

Chapter 75: Chapter 75: Never Let Go, Zayn I took a step closer, my eyes fixed on him, searching his face for an answer. My chest felt heavy, my voice low but sharp when I finally spoke. "What just happened between you and my father?" Zayn shifted on the couch, the faintest smile tugging at his lips, as if he wanted to brush off my suspicion. "What do you mean? Didn’t your father just come to visit you?" he said casually. The way he smiled only deepened the knot in my stomach. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Babe, you didn’t look scared when you met him." His gaze didn’t waver. His tone was calm. "Why should I be scared, Evric?" I stared at him, letting the silence hang, my eyes trying to pull the truth out of him. He must have felt it, because he raised his hands slightly, almost defensive, and gave a nervous laugh. "Oh, come on, Evric. Don’t give me that look, okay? I wasn’t scared because..." He paused, then exhaled. "Because I had met him before." The words hit me like a blade pressed against my chest. My lips opened, but no words came out. I just stood there, frozen, staring at him lying on the couch as if this was nothing. "You don’t have to look at me like that," he added softly, his eyes finally meeting mine. "You have nothing to worry about." But I couldn’t believe him. I shook my head, my voice trembling as it broke out of me. "No... he must have told you something. Told you when to leave me. And you must have agreed, that’s why he didn’t react." Zayn sat up now, frowning, his calm mask slipping. "What are you talking about, Evric?" Tears blurred my vision before I could stop them. My throat tensed as I forced the words out. "For someone like you, who never really loved me, who’s only just finding his way to love me a little, you must have agreed to his terms and conditions." "Evric... stop," Zayn said firmly, his voice rising for the first time. He leaned forward, reaching out, desperation in his eyes. "I’m still here with you. Don’t overreact." But I laughed bitterly through the tears, the sound shaking. "I knew that’s what you’d say. That you’re still here, that it’s nothing. But you don’t really care, do you? I was just forcing you to stay. And now he must have told you when to leave me..." Before Zayn could answer, I turned away. My legs felt heavy as I walked back to my desk and sat down, collapsing into it with a weight that wasn’t just from exhaustion, it was fear, pain, and the kind of thoughts that never leave once they settle in. My hands trembled as I pressed my palms against my face. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat reminding me of how fragile this was. Zayn pushed himself off the couch, his footsteps steady but urgent as he crossed the space between us. I felt his presence before I saw him, the air shifting when he stopped in front of my chair. "Evric," he said firmly, his voice rough, strained, like he was holding back more than words. I kept my hands over my face, refusing to look at him. If I met his eyes, I knew I would break completely. "Evric, look at me." His fingers brushed mine, trying to pry them away. When I resisted, his touch grew firmer. "Please." My chest tightened, but I finally dropped my hands, meeting the storm in his eyes. He crouched down so we were level, his face inches from mine, his gaze unwavering. "Don’t you ever say I don’t care," he whispered, his jaw tight, his breath coming unevenly. "Don’t you dare think I would ever agree to something behind your back. Just because I don’t always show what I feel for you doesn’t mean I would walk away just because he asked me to. For now... just let things be. But know this, I’m not leaving you. I gave you my word." I wanted to believe him, God, I wanted to. But the fear in me twisted his words, poisoning them before they reached my heart. My lips trembled as I spoke. "What if he threatens you? What if he tries to force you to leave me..." "oh, please, Evric..." Zayn cut me off by sitting firmly on my legs, holding my face so I couldn’t look away. His voice was steady, his eyes unwavering. "Evric, look at me. He already threatened me," he admitted, "and I can tell you this, I’m not scared of your father. He will never be the reason I leave you. Do you know the only person who can separate me from you?" My voice was barely breathless. "Who?" "It’s you, Evric," he said softly but with absolute certainty. "As long as you don’t stop loving me, your father will never succeed in pulling us apart. Okay?" The sincerity in his voice cut through me, and though the ache remained, I couldn’t let go. My breath hitched as I sank into his arms, because no matter the pain, I loved him too much to push him away. "Don’t leave me, Zayn," I whispered, the words escaping like a broken plea. His arms wrapped around me instantly, pulling me out of the chair and against his chest. His grip was tight, almost desperate, his heart thundering against mine. "I’m not leaving," he said, his voice a vow pressed into my ear. "Not now, not tomorrow, not because of him. You’re mine, Evric. Do you hear me? Mine." I look at him, my chest tensing at the fire in his words. "Listen," Zayn murmured, his thumb brushing the side of my face, steady but gentle. "If he pressures me too much, all he’ll do is make us stronger. Nothing he says can break this, Evric. I won’t give up on you." His eyes searched mine, fierce and unyielding even as his voice softened. "Don’t ask me what he said, it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. Not now, not ever." And for the first time since my father walked out the door, I let myself breathe. The silence stretched until it became unbearable. Finally, I whispered, "Babe..." "Yes?" His voice was softer this time, hesitant, as if afraid of what I might say next. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "After we’re officially together... will you please move in with me?" He looked at me for a long moment, his gaze unreadable, before he finally spoke. "If I move in with you, I’ll become your burden. Are you ready for that responsibility?" I nodded quickly, almost desperately. "Please, just move in with me. I’ll be a good boyfriend to you." His brows drew together slightly. "And how will you be a good boyfriend to me?"