Vampire's Veil Of Obsession-Chapter 47: Slow And Steady

Lilia couldn't believe this man. He was truly something else. She turned away, doing her best not to let his words bother her. The things he said—made her feel small, like she was nothing more than a pawn in his game.

She took a deep breath and continued reading, trying to focus on the contract in her hands. "Party A and Party B must fulfill Party A's needs when required..."

She paused. What did that even mean? She glanced at Zethan, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Required? You mean...?"

Zethan's eyes locked onto hers as he spoke, his tone casual, almost amused. "If we choose to, we can. The contract is a bit silly, but most of the things you wanted are there."

Lilia's stomach churned. She knew exactly what he meant. The contract was a reflection of order, and the real reason behind it all was that she had asked for it. She could hardly believe this was the life she'd ended up in. With him.

She returned her attention to the contract, trying to focus. Her eyes scanned the words, but her mind was still reeling from the conversation. "Party A and Party B would get a divorce if both parties agree. If one party signs the divorce papers and the other doesn't, the papers are invalid."

Lilia's breath hitched. What? She turned sharply toward him, her heart racing. "What? What if—what if one of us refuses to sign the papers?"

Zethan responded nonchalantly, as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world. "Then it's invalid."

His expression made it clear that he thought she should've known that already. He seemed to ask, Didn't you just read it? Why are you asking?

Lilia hated that. He made her questions feel foolish, even though they were perfectly valid. She felt irritation build within her as he dismissed her concerns with a flick of his hand. The ease with which he did it, like her thoughts meant nothing to him, made her want to scream at him but she remained silent.

Instead, she turned her attention back to the contract, reading it. She had to make sense of it, even if it made her feel worse. "Party A and Party B must live together in the same residence and room, and they must remain within the terms of the agreement until both parties mutually agree to end it."

She clenched her jaw, the weight of his words settling in her chest. The contract was a trap. But it was the only way out legally.

"So tell me," Zethan's voice cut through her thoughts, smooth and controlled, "do you want anything changed?"

Lilia glanced at him, her eyes narrowing. From what she understood correctly, this contract was something that, as long as both parties agreed, was final. There was nothing forced in it according to their will, but that didn't make it any easier to swallow.

"No," she said, shaking her head. "Everything is good."

Lilia quickly grabbed the pen, her hand moving swiftly across the paper, signing her name without another thought. There was a slight smile at the corner of Zethan's lips. He watched her, an unsettling gleam in his eyes. "Put it back in the drawer," he instructed, his tone almost too low.

Without thinking, Lilia returned the contract to its place. But as she did, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted in the atmosphere. Something had changed between them. Zethan's eyes were locked onto her.

Now, she had signed the contract. But the thought of what would come next—the punishment, the price she would have to pay—sent a shiver down her spine. What exactly was she agreeing to? What was he going to do with her now?

She turned to look at him, her heart skipped. Zethan was lounging on the bed, casual as ever, while Lilia sat on the edge, unsure of what to do. He made everything seem so easy, while she was a mess inside, trying to make sense of it all.

Her voice came out before she could stop herself. "Am I also sleeping here?"

Zethan chuckled, low and teasing, like she was the punchline of a joke she didn't understand. "Seems like you've got some short-term memory. You read the contract earlier—it clearly says we're supposed to stay together. And here you are, asking me. Hmm, how can I even be sure you remember signing it?"

He chuckled again, amusement dancing in his eyes. Lilia's cheeks burned with frustration. How dare he make her feel like this? She wasn't stupid. She wasn't some clueless fool who had no idea what she was signing.

But the truth was, she felt like one.

Her temper flared, and before she could stop herself, she snapped, "Staying together doesn't necessarily mean we have to share the same bed."

She stood abruptly, her irritation clear in the stiff way she moved. "You know what? I'll be staying on the sofa."

Zethan's expression darkened, his amusement fading to something colder. Without a word, he shot out a hand, grabbing her wrist with a firm grip. Lilia's breath caught in her throat as he yanked her back toward the bed, stopping her in her tracks. She barely had time to react before her feet slipped beneath her, and she lost her balance.

She landed on top of him, her heart pounding as she found herself pinned to the bed. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. Zethan's quick reflexes prevented her from crashing too hard onto the mattress as he caught her waist, holding her steady. His arms were firm around her, and the heat from his body radiated into hers.

Lilia's heart raced, her body tense with the sudden closeness. She felt his breath on her skin, her hands instinctively gripping the bed on either side of her to steady herself. Her face flushed with the unexpected intimacy, but what made her face flush deeper was the feeling of Zethan's hand still resting on her waist—warm, unwavering, like it belonged there.

He spoke then, his voice steady but with a hint of amusement lacing each word. "I hadn't told you to leave yet. You haven't even done the punishment."

Lilia's breath hitched as she struggled to sit up, her chest rising and falling in rapid succession. Her attempt to maintain composure faltered as she pushed herself upright. She found herself sitting on the bed, so close to him. Her heart thundered in her chest, her cheeks burning red with embarrassment.

Her voice came out sharp, though she struggled to keep it steady. "Why are you punishing me for something I barely recall? I've done nothing wrong."

Zethan turned toward her then, his expression hardening. His voice dropped, becoming cold and calculated as he spoke, each word cutting through the space between them.

"You see, you know what you've done, deep down," he said, his gaze narrowing. "But let me break it down for you. You complimented a man right in front of your fiancé. Then you slammed the door in his face. And now, you expect him to sit back and do nothing?"

His voice grew quieter, calmness seeping into his words. "My punishment? It's simple, really. I'm going to teach you how to be a good, well-mannered girl."

Zethan's eyes gleamed as he stared at her. Lilia could not believe it. This man—of all people—shouldn't be the one saying those things. The irony was almost too much. Here he was, trying to teach someone manners, when he, himself, had acted in ways that made no sense.

She opened her mouth to respond, but the words stuck in her throat. Zethan paused, his eyes glinting dangerously. A low chuckle escaped his lips, sending a chill through her.

"Now," he said slowly, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "let's begin your punishment. The sooner we start, the better. The darker it gets outside, the worse things will get in here."

The finality in his tone sent a shiver down her spine, and Lilia's breath caught in her throat. She wasn't sure if she was ready for whatever was coming next, but she knew she couldn't run from it.

Her hands trembled slightly as she hesitated, the words barely escaping her lips. "At least... can I know what my punishment is?"

Zethan leaned in closer, his grin widening, a devilish glint in his eyes. "Oh dear, don't be in such a hurry. Slow and steady wins the race."

Zethan opened his arms, his voice smooth and commanding. "Come here."

Her tummy fluttered, uncertainty flooding her as she stood there, torn between resistance and curiosity.

"You don't have to worry," he continued, his tone almost teasing. "We're not doing anything. Except..." He let the words hang, a subtle reminder of the clauses she had just read.

Lilia hesitated, unsure whether to stay where she was or move closer. Finally, she relented, moving toward him. Zethan pulled her in slowly, his movements deliberate, his touch gentle yet firm. Their eyes locked for a brief moment, both acutely aware of the intensity building between them.

Her heart pounded, her breath shallow. This feeling—this pull—was something she hadn't expected. Something surprising. Something... intoxicating.

She liked it.

"I'll reconsider the punishment for now," Zethan murmured, his voice low. "Why don't you sleep?"

Lilia blinked, her thoughts whirling. How was she supposed to sleep when he was holding her like this—spooning her and hugging her from behind?

This was new.

Just as she opened her mouth to protest, Zethan pressed a finger gently to her lips.

"Shh... Questions for later. Questions for tomorrow." His voice dropped an octave, turning more insistent. "Now sleep. If you don't, I might end up doing something new... something you'll ask for more."

Lilia turned to face him, her words catching in her throat. "I wouldn't ask for—"

Before she could finish, Zethan's lips brushed her neck, the unexpected sensation sending a shiver down her spine.

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Lila's eyes flew wide as warmth spread through her, her body reacting before her mind could catch up.

"Ahh..." she gasped, her muscles tensing. The breathless sound that escaped her felt foreign, unfamiliar. Her lips parted slightly, the overwhelming feeling taking her by surprise. A strange craving stirred within her—an urge for something more.

In the quiet space between their breaths, she whispered, "We shouldn't be doing this."

Zethan chuckled, the deep vibration coursing through her as his breath caressed her skin.

"Why not?" he murmured his voice a blend of amusement and something darker. "We're already married."

Lilia froze. Her mind scrambled to process his words.

Before she could speak, his tone turned light, but the underlying promise was unmistakable.

"Oh, silly me. I forgot to mention... The contract you just signed? It's also our marriage contract."