Zayden's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through Zara like ice, his chiseled jawline set in a stern look.
Zara pressed her lips into a tight line as she entered, feeling like a guilty child caught doing something forbidden.
She kept her gaze lowered, refusing to look up at Zayden. She stood several meters away, yet she could feel his intense stare—sharp, scrutinizing, and laced with danger.
Ryan, observing from the doorway, gave a slight sigh of relief. At least his boss seemed to have found someone as his prey. Still, he couldn't help feeling a pang of pity for the woman inside.
The air in the study was thick with tension, each second of silence heavy and oppressive.
"Come here," she heard Zayden command, and as she glanced up, she saw his hand motioning her forward.
What was he going to do to her?
Swallowing hard, Zara walked toward him, her footsteps soft and deliberate, each step measured as if approaching a predator.
As she drew closer, she got a clearer look at him, and her breath caught.
His striking jawline and high cheekbones framed his intense features, softened only slightly by the glasses perched on his eye.
His slightly tousled hair seemed effortlessly perfect, a few strands falling over his forehead. The glasses, instead of diminishing his presence, only added to his elegance and charm.
She could feel herself staring, nearly drooling at the sight.
Then Zayden's voice cut through her reverie. "Closer," he said in a deep, commanding tone, sending a shiver down her spine.
The distance between them was already minimal, but she felt too rooted in place to respond. Why didn't he stand up instead? she wondered, grumbling inwardly.
A table separated them, so Zara had to turn around it, closing the final gap until she stood just an inch away.
"Is this better?" she murmured, her face flushed, heart racing from the closeness.
"Much better," he replied, his words smooth yet chilling. Her heart seemed to freeze for a moment, his words stirring a wild thrum in her chest.
What's happening to me? she thought, frustration bubbling beneath her confusion.
"Repeat yourself," he said, sitting upright in his chair, his sharp blue eyes never leaving hers, watching her every reaction. He seemed almost convinced she'd lost her memory.
"What?" Zara asked, her gaze searching his, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
I thought he was angry at me for eavesdropping.
"Repeat what you said to me," he repeated coldly, his brows furrowing.
Not wanting to test his patience, she answered quickly, without hesitation. "Let's have a baby."
She could feel his stare even as she looked down at the floor.
"Are you sure you won't regret that, Zane?" he asked, his eyes narrowing with a strange intensity.
Without a word, Zara nodded, holding her ground.
A thick silence settled between them again…
Then, Zayden finally broke it. "Why won't you regret it?"
"Because..." Zara began, but her mind went blank. In truth, there was no reason beyond her wish other than to leave a legacy behind.
She couldn't bring herself to tell him that she wasn't really Zane, that she had only eleven months left to live.
A surge of sadness rose in her, and Zayden noticed it. Her eyes grew misty, the sorrow almost visible.
It struck him hard in his chest, seeing her so close to tears.
She blinked rapidly, hoping the tears to stay back, but he could see the sadness beneath her forced composure.
"Did I say something wrong?" he wondered, questioning himself in silence.
She forced a small smile and said, "I heard you talking to Alex about losing your father company if you don't have an heir..." She trailed off, searching his face for a reaction.
When his cold gaze only grew more intense, she pressed on, biting her lip. "And besides, I was already sold; it might be right to have a child with you." She tilted her head, changing the topic, her neck flushed with embarrassment.
Zayden scoffed at her words, his lips curling in amusement. "Right?"
He sucked in his lips thoughtfully before finally responding, "Alright. Let's have a baby."
A smirk spread across his face.
Zara's heart leapt as a smile broke across her face, and she jumped slightly in joy.
Her smile soon faltered as she remembered that she had earlier thought the doctor was here.
"That isn't right, is it? I thought the doctor came..." Her words were interrupted by Zayden.
"What is it?" he asked, his hopeful eyes never leaving her.
He couldn't deny that he was a bit anxious, wondering if she remembered what had happened earlier. He was sure that she won't remember in a lifetime but there was no harm being conscious. But her next words clarified everything, and he heaved a sigh of relief.
"Nothing. I was just mistaken," she said, her smile creeping up again.
He nodded and relaxed his once tense muscles.
He watched as her smile grew bigger with each passing moment, providing him with warmth and comfort.
His phone suddenly rang, jolting both Zara out of her happiness and Zayden out of his thoughts.
He stared at the caller ID, his brows creasing tightly and jaws clenched.
Noticing Zayden's cold gaze, Zara's smile froze immediately. She stood beside him, hoping that nothing would go wrong.
She had totally forgotten about Zayden's company and had only thought about herself again.
He picked up the call by pressing the "Accept" button and swiping it right.
Before Zayden could speak, an angry voice of an old man echoed around the room. "Did I have to hear about my son's marriage from the news and your uncle?"
"What news?"