Hades glanced down at the book he was reading, then looked up when he heard Evadne let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Baby, I said no," he said firmly, trying his best not to break. "You're still a hospital patient... and the doctors said no junk food for you."
They had been admitted to the hospital for three days now, and tests were still being run on Evadne to ensure her system was stable. Though every result... including those sent to the Mayo Clinic... came back perfectly normal, with no abnormalities in her bloodwork or scans, the doctors remained cautious. With no medical explanation for what happened to her on her birthday, they unanimously agreed to keep Evadne under observation until the end of the week. If no further episodes occurred, she would finally be discharged.
Because she was still confined, all her meals were strictly monitored... clean, healthy, and infuriatingly bland. Evadne, however, had been craving fast food. Greasy, flavorful, glorious fast food. Specifically... a double cheeseburger, cheese fries, and chicken nuggets from McDonald's. But, of course, Hades... the meticulous health freak... immediately rejected her request.
"Hubby, I'm starving," Evadne whined, tears welling in her eyes. "Don't you feel bad for me?"
To anyone else, she would've looked utterly pitiful. But Hades had been on the receiving end of her crocodile tears far too many times. He knew those glistening drops could fall on cue and vanish just as quickly. And while he would usually melt at the sight of her pouting, today he stood his ground... for her own good.
"Once you're discharged, I promise we'll do a McDonald's drive-thru run and you can order the entire menu if you want," he said, setting down his book on the side table and walking over to her hospital bed. He cupped her face gently in both hands. "But for now, let's just follow the doctors' orders so we can get out of here sooner."
"But you know there's nothing wrong with me," Evadne grumbled. "My taste buds are dying from all this flavorless food."
She crossed her arms dramatically and squinted at him, lips pushed out in a full-on pout.
Hades leaned in to kiss her sulky mouth, when the door to the VIP suite suddenly opened.
"Princess, someone's here to see you," Casadin announced as he stepped inside, leaving the door open for the others to follow.
"Hi, Vee!" Amanda and Bea greeted in unison as they rushed to the bed, each taking a side and immediately fussing over her.
Delvin and Flynn were right behind them. But what surprised both Evadne and Hades was seeing Hailey... and most of all, Michael Heavensblade... among them. Accompanying Michael were five adults... an older man who appeared to be his aide, and four suited bodyguards.
"Are they with you, Mr. Heavensblade?" Hades asked sharply, his tone edged with disapproval. "They'll have to wait outside... Vee can't have too many visitors right now."
"Stay outside, François," Michael said casually, addressing the older man, who gave a respectful bow before stepping back with the guards. They waited just outside the open door, maintaining a silent but watchful presence.
"Hubby, just let it go," Evadne said sweetly, catching the twitch in Hades' jaw... a telltale sign that he was dangerously close to turning this into a full-blown confrontation.
"Were you the one who got them past security?" she asked Casadin.
"Yes, girl," Amanda answered instead, grinning. "There were private security guys at the entrance who weren't letting anyone in, so we had to call Casadin for backup."
"Anyway," Delvin added with a smug grin, unzipping his backpack, "we come bearing offerings for the patient."
One by one, he pulled out containers and paper bags... hot, greasy, delicious-smelling McDonald's meals.
"You didn't…" Hades's voice was full of accusation as he turned sharply to Casadin.
"What?" Casadin said, feigning innocence.
"Baby, no!" Hades tried to stop Evadne, reaching for her just as she rolled across the bed, snatched one of the burgers Delvin had placed on the table, and began unwrapping it with a mischievous smile. She took a huge bite before Hades could get to her... his movements slower than usual due to the lingering bruises on his body.
Since they were still admitted in the hospital, Evadne couldn't use her water healing abilities on Hades. They didn't want to raise any suspicions with the doctors, especially not about how quickly he might recover. And Evadne, clever as ever, had used that very fact to her advantage. Hades simply couldn't move fast enough to stop her.
"Ahhh… heaven," Evadne moaned with satisfaction after her first bite.
"I can't believe you," Hades muttered, glaring at Casadin. "Didn't you hear the doctor say she has to watch what she eats while she's still admitted?"
"Hello? Do you even know me?" Casadin said, smug. "Of course I heard them. But since when have I ever listened? Duh."
Hades turned to Delvin, the unfortunate soul who brought the contraband.
"Okay, okay... wait," Delvin raised both hands in surrender when he noticed Hades glaring at him now. "This wasn't my fault. Casadin said he was craving McDonald's, okay? And he is a patient here. Patients need pampering. Helps them recover faster, right?"
"Patient? The only thing he has is a cold!" Hades barked. Then his eyes went wide. "Baby!" he exclaimed, seeing Evadne now alternating bites between her burger and the chicken nuggets, that Casadin is feeding her, looking like she was in pure bliss.
Hades sank into the single-seater couch with a sigh, pressing his palm to the back of his neck.
"My blood pressure…"
Their friends rolled their eyes in unison.
"Why do you even try, Falcon?" Bea said, shaking her head. "It's not like you're ever going to win against Vee."
"You never beat her back when you were always fighting. And now that she's got you wrapped around her little finger? Please," Flynn added, his face twisted in exaggerated cringe.
"If you hadn't brought the food, she would've forgotten about it," Hades said bitterly, shooting another glare at the group.
"Really?" Amanda, Bea, Delvin, and Flynn said in perfect unison, daring him to say otherwise... before bursting into laughter.
They all knew the truth. Even if they hadn't shown up with fast food, Hades would've caved eventually. They'd seen it too many times over the past school year... every time Hades told Evadne "no," they'd place bets on how long that "no" would actually last.
Hades just threw both hands up in defeat, prompting another round of laughter from everyone... except for Hailey and Michael, who stood a little awkwardly on the sidelines.
"Hailey, Michael, take the couch," Flynn said, gesturing toward the open seats.
Hailey nodded and took her seat, but Michael remained quiet. He looked more out of place than even Hades did in the middle of the Rebels' chaos. Amanda and Bea had already made themselves comfortable, lounging on the hospital bed as if they weren't in a medical facility. Delvin and Flynn had taken to sitting cross-legged on the floor like monks, while Casadin had claimed the other single-seater and was now casually feeding Evadne fries and nuggets like it was a picnic.
Hades watched Michael closely. Then, after a few moments, he finally asked, "I understand why they're here, Mr. Heavensblade. But why are you here?"
Michael hadn't said a word. He stood there, seemingly composed, watching Casadin and Evadne with an unreadable expression. He looked nonchalant, but Hades recognized that look too well. It was the same one he used to wear before he and Evadne got together... a mask that pretended indifference while his mind worked quietly beneath the surface. It wasn't disinterest. It was careful observation.
Michael looked over at Hades.
And suddenly, Hades felt it again... that strange sensation. A pressure. Like he was supposed to yield. Like something inside him was telling him to lower his gaze, to back down.
But he didn't.
He met Michael's gaze head-on.
What is this pressure? he wondered silently, as if speaking directly to him in thought. It was a test... Hades was trying to see if Michael could hear his thoughts.
But Michael didn't react.
Not even a flicker.
Which meant one of two things... either he was truly unreadable and exceptionally skilled at masking his emotions... as an Archangel would be... or… he couldn't hear him at all.
"I was at the event when Ms. Monteverde vomited blood," Michael said in his usual cold, measured tone. "And I was informed it was caused by a virus. I know a very good doctor who might help determine the true cause of that episode. His name is Dr. Raphael Godsheal."
Hades turned to look at Evadne, who was smiling at Michael with her usual friendly expression... the kind of smile that made everyone believe she saw nothing wrong with what had just been said.
"It's okay, Mr. Heavensblade. I'm feeling well now," Evadne replied sweetly. "My family and the doctors are simply being cautious to make sure I don't experience the same episode again. That's why I'm still here under observation. But thank you for the offer."
She smiled again... charming, warm, and gracious. The same kind of smile she once gave Hades in public. Sweet on the outside, calculating underneath.
"No problem, Ms. Monteverde," Michael said coolly.
Evadne turned back to her friends, refocusing the conversation as if the exchange hadn't happened. They began talking about her trip to Iceland with Casadin and Hades. Meanwhile, Michael and Hailey merely observed.
Hailey wanted to join the group, maybe sit next to Flynn and be part of the laughter and chaos. But since she was with Michael... and officially his fiancée... it was her unspoken responsibility to stay by his side, even if that meant keeping him company in silence.
Hades stood and walked to the mini fridge, pulling out a bottle of cold water. Without being asked, he handed it to Evadne. She took it with a smile, still chatting with Amanda and Bea.
Hailey couldn't help but notice. The little things Hades did for Evadne... quiet gestures, thoughtful attention... they seemed so natural, so ingrained in him. And even though Evadne was distracted, he never missed a beat. Hailey couldn't stop the flicker of envy that sparked inside her. She wished her own fiancé gave her that kind of care.
"May I ask you a question, Mr. Heavensblade?" Hades said after a few moments, turning to Michael again. It seemed Michael and Hailey had no plans of leaving anytime soon, so Hades took the opportunity.
Michael didn't speak. He simply looked at Hades, a subtle lift of the chin giving permission.
"What exactly are you doing here in New York?" Hades asked directly.
"I wasn't aware New York was off-limits to me," Michael answered calmly.
"This is the first time you've stayed outside California for more than three days," Hades pressed. "You've remained here for nearly half a month. I've also been informed that you've been visiting the estate owned by my late brother, Zeus. And on top of that, you came to my fiancée's birthday unannounced and uninvited... bearing a rare piece of jewelry as a gift. Forgive me if I sound blunt, but it's difficult not to wonder what prompted you to act so… out of character for the Head of the Heavensblade clan."
Hades paused, then added in a low, even voice, "And if I didn't know that Ms. Carter here is your fiancée, I would almost think you were interested in mine."
Hailey let out a soft gasp and turned sharply to look at Michael. Because the truth was… she'd noticed it too. The way Michael looked at Evadne... quiet, cold on the surface... but not indifferent. Never indifferent. It was subtle, but Hailey had known Michael her entire life. She could tell.
His gaze on Evadne was different.
"The Heavensblade family has been acquiring land," Michael finally said, his tone still steady but now edged with challenge. "Among the properties listed are those under the Monteverde, Falcon, and Sinclair names. One of them happens to be the estate formerly owned by Zeus Falcon. I was informed it was transferred to Ms. Monteverde by your parents. I came to speak with her about the possibility of selling that estate."
There was no hesitation in his voice, but a clear tension rose in his eyes.
On the surface, the explanation was reasonable. Hades had studied families like the Heavensblades as part of his training in old-money corporate dynasties. He remembered hearing about their unconventional method of property acquisition... using coordinate-based estate mapping written by the current Head of the clan. Those properties, as rumor had it, were always of exceptional strategic or historical value.
So yes, it made sense that Michael would be interested in Zeus's old estate.
But Hades knew better.
He didn't need magic or divine powers.
He just needed instinct... and that was telling him that Michael's reason wasn't just about a plot of land.
It was about Evadne.