[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice Chapter 179: A Father’s Approval

~Zayn’s POV~

The car slowed to a stop in front of the Rogan mansion. The towering gates opened slowly, revealing the house in all its intimidating glory. My pulse quickened as we drove in, the air felt heavier here, like the walls themselves held secrets.

Evric reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. "Don’t be nervous, okay? Father can be harsh sotis, but I’ll be right beside you."

I nodded. "I’m not scared. I just want things to be clear between us and him. No more drama."

We stepped out of the car, and I couldn’t help but glance around, the marble driveway, the silent guards, the long stretch of roses that lined the path to the door. Everything scread of power and control.

As we stepped into the living room, the cool air-conditioning hit softly against my skin. The space was vast and elegant, with high ceilings with golden chandeliers, cream-colored walls decorated with frad family portraits, and velvet couches that looked far too expensive to sit on. The faint scent of lavender and polished wood hung in the air.

Then I saw her, Evric’s mother. She sat gracefully on one of the couches, dressed in a simple but elegant gown. The mont she noticed Evric, her eyes lit up.

"Oh, my son!" she exclaid, standing quickly as emotion colored her voice. She moved toward him and wrapped him in a warm, lingering hug. "Oh, how I’ve missed you," she said softly, cupping his face like a mother who hadn’t seen her child in far too long.

Evric smiled, his arms circling her gently. "I’ve missed you too, Mom."

When they finally pulled apart, her gaze shifted, and that’s when she saw . Her expression softened instantly, recognition bright in her eyes.

"Oh my God... Zayn, right?" she said, smiling warmly as she reached for my hand.

I nodded a little nervously, but she was already pulling toward the couch. "Co here, co and sit, dear," she said, her tone filled with genuine affection.

Before I could say a word, Evric’s voice broke the mont. "Where’s Father?" he asked, scanning the room, his tone a little more guarded.

His mother sighed faintly and gestured toward the hallway. "He’s in his study... as always."

Evric took my hand gently, his thumb brushing against my skin as he spoke softly to his mother. "Mom, we ca to see Father. We’ll be back soon."

She nodded with an understanding smile while we turned toward the long hallway that led to Rogan’s study. My heart began to beat a little faster with every step, the air in this mansion carried a certain weight, like every breath needed permission.

When we reached the heavy oak door, Evric paused and looked at . "Are you ready?" he asked, his tone low and cautious.

I took a slow breath and nodded. "Yes."

He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before pushing the door open.

When we entered, Rogan was seated behind his massive desk, reading through a stack of docunts. The faint scent of old leather and coffee lingered in the air, the kind of room that demanded silence.

"Father, I’m here," Evric said politely, his tone respectful.

Rogan didn’t even look up right away. He turned a page, then finally lifted his eyes coldly.

"You can stay outside," Rogan said, his voice cutting sharply through the air before Evric could even finish his words. "I want to speak with Zayn alone."

Evric grit his teeth, a protest already forming on his lips. "But..."

I reached out quickly, touching his arm. "It’s okay, babe," I said gently. "I’ll be fine."

He t my eyes, uncertain, but the look I gave him was enough. Trust .

After a small pause, Evric exhaled and nodded. "Okay."

He stepped back reluctantly, closing the door behind him as Rogan’s piercing eyes turned fully on .

He gestured to the seat across from him.

"Sit down, Zayn."

I nodded and sat quietly, my palms pressed lightly together. "Thank you, sir."

He studied for a few seconds before speaking, his tone even. "How are you doing?"

"I’m fine, sir," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.

"That’s good." He nodded slightly, then exhaled and looked away for a mont, as though gathering his thoughts. "I’ll go straight to the point."

He folded his hands on the desk. "How did you feel when you found out Evans is Evric’s older brother?"

I hesitated, then answered honestly. "I was shocked at first, sir. I didn’t see that coming. But now... I understand why you did it."

Rogan’s eyes softened slightly. "Zayn," he called, his voice lowering.

"Yes, sir?"

He leaned forward slightly. "Do you rember the first thing I said to you when we first t?"

I paused, the mory of that day vivid in my mind. "You told you didn’t hate , that we were both entering a battle. And that if I won, you’d willingly let be with Evric."

Rogan nodded slowly. "Good. You rember well." His tone ward a little. "And you’ve proven yourself. You’ve shown that you love Evric for who he is, not for his na, not for what he could offer. That matters to more than you could think."

He was silent for a long mont before continuing. "Evric can be stubborn. He gets that from ," Rogan said with a faint, nostalgic smile. "But when he loves soone... he loves deeply. Too deeply sotis."

I felt a knot in my stomach as I listened.

"Zayn, listen to carefully. If there ever cos a day when you feel tired of my son or think about walking away, don’t act on it right away. Co to first. Tell what’s wrong. Let try to help you both find your way back. Because I know how deeply Evric loves you..."

He looked straight in the eye. "And if you ever leave him without a word, it will break him completely. I’m not asking you for perfection. I’m asking you, don’t break his heart."

For a mont, I sat there in silence, his words sinking deep into . Then, gathering what little courage I had left, I looked up at him.

"Sir," I began softly, "does this an... you’re giving your approval to be with Evric?"

Rogan’s gaze softened, a faint smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

"You’ve already earned it, Zayn," he said. "From the very first day, you refused to give up on him."

I smiled and said softly, "Thank you, sir."

Rogan waved a hand lightly. "You don’t have to thank , Zayn. Just keep being the good person you are."

A quiet breath of relief slipped from my chest. It felt like a heavy weight had finally been lifted.

Then Rogan leaned back in his chair, his voice softening. "You’ve beco part of this family now, Zayn. Everything I did was just to be sure my son is safe with the person he chose, and that the person he chose also truly chose him back."

I nodded, swallowing the lump rising in my throat. "You have my word, sir," I said quietly. "I won’t hurt him."

Rogan gave a small, approving nod. "That’s all I needed to hear."

He paused for a second, then added with a hint of humor, "But tell him to also keep his work in mind more often."

I smiled faintly. "He does put work in..."

Rogan cut off before I could finish. "Don’t defend him," he said firmly. "Why not ask him if he rembers that they still haven’t done the launch for the project he went for in Dubai?"

My eyes widened slightly as I realized he was right. "Oh..."

Rogan raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, like you also just rembered now?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but he chuckled before I could. "Now I understand why you both love each other. You’re the sa kind of trouble."

I couldn’t help but laugh softly, shaking my head.

Then he gestured toward the door. "Go on, stand up and call Evric in for ."