Vampire's Veil Of Obsession
Chapter 76: Little Ones

Chapter 76: Little Ones

A slow, knowing smile curved on Zack’s lips as he set down the glass plate of chocolate in front of Lilia. His fingers lingered for a second longer than necessary before he pulled back, his gaze resting on her with open curiosity. Up close, she was even more stunning than he had imagined.

He had always believed that beauty could be deceiving—some people looked breathtaking from afar but lost their charm upon closer inspection. However, with Lilia, it was the complete opposite. The nearer he got, the more breathtaking she seemed.

His eyes finally shifted to Zethan, his smirk deepening as he spoke.

"Long time no see, brother."

The words were lighthearted, almost teasing, yet the reaction they received was anything but.

Zethan didn’t acknowledge him. Not even with a glance.

His entire attention was locked onto Lilia.

The moment stretched, thick with an unspoken tension that Zack had not expected. He had anticipated a brief exchange—perhaps even a reluctant greeting—but this? His cousin was acting as though he didn’t exist.

Zack’s smirk faltered slightly, his eyes narrowing in curiosity.

The cousin he once knew would have at least spared him a glance, even if it was cold or indifferent. But now?

Now, it was as if Zack wasn’t even worth a passing thought.

And that wasn’t all.

There was something strange in the way Zethan was looking at his wife. A subtle shift in his demeanor. A protectiveness that went beyond mere possessiveness.

Zack had never seen him like this before.

Not with anyone.

"Wow," Zack finally said, letting out a small, amused scoff. "I didn’t expect you to act this way—not after how long it’s been since we last met. And yet, you’re still not saying anything to me?" He tilted his head, studying his cousin closely. "Congratulations on your wedding."

That, at least, earned him a brief glance.

A fleeting acknowledgment before Zethan’s attention snapped right back to his wife.

Lilia, who had been quietly observing, blinked in mild surprise.

’Wait...didZethanhaveabrother?’

She frowned, tilting her head.

But I thought he said he had no family...

The thought lingered in her mind, but she quickly brushed it aside. It wasn’t her concern.

Just then, Zack turned toward her, his smirk growing as if he could hear her thoughts.

"If you’re wondering whether we’re biological brothers," he said smoothly, "well, you could say that. You can call us—"

"We’re cousins," Zethan cut in, his tone firm.

Zack’s smirk remained, but there was something sharp in his eyes as he turned to him.

’Hmm... I never knew you could explain this to people, brother,’ he mused, watching the silent warning flicker across Zethan’s gaze.

Lilia simply nodded, her attention drifting back to the chocolate in front of her.

Zack watched her, amusement flickering in his expression. Just as he opened his mouth again, he said, "You may eat it. I won’t bite."

A slow chuckle escaped his lips, his voice carrying an effortless charm.

Lilia lifted her head slightly, only to find his gaze already on her—a slow, deliberate smile playing across his face.

Something about it unsettled her.

’Whydidheseemsosly, even though he wasn’t’

No, she didn’t want to judge him based on appearances. Even though...

Even though he looked calm.

She wasn’t the type to make assumptions, but there was something about Zack that felt off. He looked like the kind of man who would act warm and inviting, only to be dangerous beneath the surface.

At least with Zethan, what you saw was what you got. If he was cold, he made it clear. He didn’t hide it. But Zack...

Zack used friendliness as a mask.

And that made him infinitely more dangerous.

She bit the inside of her cheek, pushing the thought away.

’Maybe I’m just overthinking again.’

But then again, she had noticed something recently—whenever she overthought something, she often turned out to be right.

Still, she shook the thought aside.

’No, Lilia. Just leave it.’

Then Zack spoke again, his voice deep and unhurried.

"You didn’t even save me a seat. Wow. Not even a chair for the guest. And of all people—your brother."

Zethan finally looked up, a smirk curving his lips.

"Brother, huh?" His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it. "As you can see, this is a designated seat for the husband and wife."

Zack tilted his head, his expression betraying a flicker of surprise before he quickly masked it.

Still, the shock lingered beneath his composed exterior.

’What has this wife of yours done to you?’

If he hadn’t known better, Zack would have sworn this wasn’t the same Zethan he had grown up with.

The cousin he knew had walls so high, so impenetrable, that no one—not even his ex-fiancée—had been able to leave a single crack.

And yet, here he was.

Something had changed.

And Zack had a feeling he knew exactly what the cause of that change was.

His gaze flickered to Lilia.

No wonder she had a certain... charm.

Even Zack himself could feel it.

Lilia finally turned to Zethan, leaning in slightly as she whispered, "So, what’s next?"

Excitement bubbled within her as she noticed the TV screen displaying a banquet of flowers.

Zethan’s deep voice followed smoothly. "It’s time for the flower choosing."

Lilia turned to him, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "So, am I going to throw it to them?"

Zethan chuckled before replying—

"Would you want to throw it?"

He was genuinely curious. Traditionally, at weddings, the bride would toss the bouquet backward, and whoever caught it was believed to be the next to marry.

But to his surprise, Lilia shook her head.

"No," she said softly. "I want to take it home."

Zethan blinked.

Wait... was she being selfish?

Maybe.

But at this moment, she didn’t care.

There was something about that black flower—something she couldn’t quite explain.

She felt drawn to it.

His eyes widened slightly before a deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Oh, Loris..."

He wasn’t sure whether to be amused or exasperated.

Lilia wondered it it was till possible if she had told him this earlier—back at home—perhaps he could have arranged something. But now, with the banquet moment approaching, it was too late to change things without disrupting the flow of the event.

Just then, the screen in front of them suddenly shifted back to a message:

"Thank you for coming to the wedding."

Lilia turned to him, eyes widening.

"You wanted it, right?"

Zethan’s lips curled into a subtle smirk.

"Then you have it."

She blinked.

Wait... had he just controlled this entire event?

With what? His voice? A hidden signal?

Or was it something else entirely?

Curiosity sparked in her.

She needed to know.

Meanwhile, Zack stood there, watching in silent shock.

He was surprised.

Not just by the way Zethan was speaking—but how he was speaking.

And of all things, the way the two of them interacted... as if they had completely forgotten he was even there.

He—the one who was always noticed by all—was being ignored.

Zethan’s tone was soft.

In all the years Zack had known him, he had never heard his cousin speak like this.

Not even when he was with his ex-fiancée.

It was unsettling.

Zethan’s cold eyes weren’t as icy as before.

The sharp chill in them had softened, just slightly.

The coldness was still there... but now, it carried a different edge.

Zack’s smirk widened.

"Oh, brother..."

He leaned forward slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Don’t tell me you’re already in—"

He was about to say something more when he heard her voice.

"What’s your name?"

His gaze shifted to her golden-brown eyes.

So... she hadn’t been tainted yet by his cousin, huh?

Interesting.

His gaze flickered briefly to Zethan before he stepped forward, extending his hand toward Lilia. She accepted it without hesitation.

He gave her hand a firm but brief shake, only to loosen his grip slightly before bringing it to his lips. His kiss was warm yet fleeting, a touch that lingered more in presence than in time. Lilia slowly pulled away, her expression unreadable.

Then, with a slight smirk, he finally introduced himself.

"Zack Zayn."

A beat of silence followed before he continued, his tone smooth and confident.

"I must say, you are elegantly beautiful."

Lilia giggled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you so much, Mr. Zack. My husband says that a lot to me," she replied, before turning toward Zethan.

A subtle smile played on Zethan’s lips at her words.

Zack glanced at him briefly before returning his gaze to Lilia. "I see... As you can tell, we—" He hesitated momentarily before correcting himself. "My brother and I rarely talk."

"Cousin," Zethan corrected smoothly.

Zack chuckled. "Except when I call him brother."

Lilia nodded, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Then, in a calm yet deliberate tone, Zack spoke again.

"I’ll be expecting to see a little one very soon."

The moment the words left his mouth, Lilia caught the subtle shift in Zethan’s expression—a slight frown, a sharp gaze directed at Zack, filled with quiet displeasure.

For a while, Zethan had remained silent, merely observing, but now, he finally spoke.

"You may leave. I think you’ve overstayed your welcome," he said coolly. "Besides, isn’t this place meant for the husband and wife?"

Zack’s lips twitched in amusement at the clear dismissal, but before he could respond, Lilia chimed in.

"Oh yes. In fact, don’t just expect a little one." She paused deliberately, letting the suspense linger before adding with a playful smile, "Expect little ones."

She stretched out the ’S’ just enough for emphasis before continuing, "Who knows? Maybe twins... or even triplets."

Zethan’s eyes widened slightly at her words, though it wasn’t long before a smirk curled on his lips.

Zack let out a chuckle. "I see."

Zethan’s expression remained unreadable, but Zack could tell his words had left an impression.

With a nod, Zack turned back to him and spoke. "As my brother has already said, I think I’ve really overstayed my welcome. Let me take my leave now."

Then, with a smirk, he turned to Zethan and gave him a wink—one that Zethan returned with a calm, knowing gaze.

Just as Zack left, Zethan reached for Lilia’s hand and stood up. Without hesitation, she rose to her feet as well, her eyes curiously searching his.

Then, he spoke.

"Let’s go."

Lilia blinked, surprised by the sudden urgency in his voice.

Before she could question it, he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

"It’s getting late already."

She nodded slowly, still unsure where this was leading.

Then, he leaned in even more, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered,

"We need to start early on making those twins and triplets."