Chapter 45

Zask looked at me with a gentle gaze, as if he was trying to calm all the tension in the room. His large hand reached out, gently stroking my hair. The touch left me speechless, trapped in confusion. His demeanour this time was much different from before there was no tone of command or dominance in his movements, just a gentleness that felt strange for someone like Zask.

I looked down, not knowing how to react. My little heart wanted to trust this warmth, but my logical mind kept reminding me that this was probably just part of his game. In any case, I remained silent as he descended slowly and knelt before me. Zask's large hand touched my stomach carefully, as if I were the most fragile thing in the world.

He gently stroked my belly, his gaze softening to the point that it was hard to describe. Then, without saying anything, he lowered his head, kissing my stomach affectionately. The touch was simple, yet enough to make my heart tremble. I looked at him in confusion, not knowing what to think about his sudden gesture.

Zask proceeded to press his ear against my stomach, like he was listening to something only he could understand. "Are you okay in there?" he whispered softly, almost as if he was speaking directly to the foetus in my womb. "I'm here to look after you."

He then brought his head closer to my stomach as if trying to listen to our baby inside. It was a sight that touched my heart. Zask's face looked very calm, different from his usual coldness and lack of expression.

I remained silent, trying to understand what was happening. A feeling of touch began to creep into my heart, even though I tried hard to resist it. I knew Zask wasn't doing this for me. His affection was only for this foetus, for its successor. I was just a tool, a vessel carrying something very precious to him. The reality hit me again and again, like a wave that never stopped crashing on the shore.

I shook my head slowly, trying to push the feeling away. I couldn't let myself be tricked. I had to stay firm. Dark thoughts began to creep back in-thinking that after I gave birth, Zask might not look at me the same way again. What happens if I'm no longer needed? Would I be allowed to live, or vice versa? I didn't know. And that uncertainty made me even more wary.

However, Zask's behaviour this time confused me. There was no force, no violence-just a warmth that felt real. I tried to remind myself that this could just be part of his way of making sure I stayed obedient, stayed under his control. But a small part of me wanted to believe that this was a side of him that was real, a side I'd never known before.

After a moment, Zask rose to his feet and looked at me with a look I couldn't quite make out. He held up the tray of food he was carrying and said, "Eat. You must stay strong for the sake of our child. That baby in your womb can only get nourishment if you eat something. Don't make them sad by being hungry."

I gave a small nod and took the first bite from her, though the discomfort still haunted my mind. I tried to distract the feeling by focusing on the food in front of me, but Zask's presence was too hard to ignore. He fed me patiently, and somehow, his gentle demeanour made me feel even more awkward.

"Does it taste good? Or is there something you think isn't quite right? I don't know much about human food, but I've tried to find something that might suit your palate," Zask said.

I nodded. "Everything is perfect, I love it. I love this food."

After finishing feeding me, Zask took a wet cloth from one corner of the room, preparing to clean my body as usual. But this time, I felt like I couldn't take his treatment anymore. I straightened up a little and said, "You don't have to bother doing this anymore. Just bring the food here, and I can eat and bathe by myself. Besides, my hands aren't tied anymore like before."

Zask paused, looking at me with slightly furrowed brows. His gaze was filled with a mixture of wonder and incomprehension, as if he hadn't expected me to say such a thing. "I don't feel burdened to do so," he said in a tone that sounded honest. "I want to make sure you and our child are always well."

I let out a long breath, trying to hold back the emotions that were starting to stir. "I understand, but... I don't really like being taken care of by others when I can still do it myself," I replied quietly, but the firm tone in my voice couldn't be hidden.

Zask's face changed, but it was hard for me to guess what he was really thinking. Was he offended? Angry? Or just confused? His gaze went blank for a moment, but I could feel that something had changed in him. He didn't say anything else, just looked at me with a look in his eyes that I couldn't read.

Although I didn't like this situation, but I had to strengthen my feelings, I couldn't keep hiding behind a mirage of false affection. The warmth had changed drastically after I said that, but I thought it was better this way than me falling for Zask's attention again.

In that silence, I felt myself getting smaller, but I remained firm on my stance. I couldn't keep letting myself depend on Zask's attention, no matter how gentle he was. I must still have control over myself, no matter how small it was.

Zask finally let out a long sigh and stood up from his seat. He walked towards the door, but before exiting, he turned his head for a moment, looking at me with an expression that I still couldn't understand. He said nothing, just left the room with heavy steps, leaving me alone with mixed feelings.

I slumped back onto the bed, hugging my knees tightly. What was she really thinking? Had I hurt his feelings? Or was this part of his plan? I didn't know. All I knew was that I had to stay strong-for myself and for the baby inside me.