The office was quiet.
Not peaceful.
Controlled.
Every paper aligned.
Every file stacked with precision.
Every detail exactly where it should be.
Izana sat behind his desk.
Still.
Focused.
Too focused.
Leah stood just outside the doorway for a moment.
Watching him.
Not speaking.
She had learned the difference.
Between when he was working…
And when he was burdened.
This week—
He was burdened.
The New Year had changed everything.
More deals.
More alliances.
More risks.
Which meant—
More pressure.
Leah stepped inside quietly.
"Iz…" she said softly.
He didn't respond immediately.
His eyes stayed on the document in front of him.
"…Hmm?"
"You've been in here all morning," she said, walking closer.
"And most of the night," she added gently.
A pause.
"…I know," he said.
She stopped beside his desk.
Looked down at the papers.
Didn't understand most of it.
But she didn't need to.
She understood him.
"You're doing it again," she murmured.
His pen stilled.
"…Doing what?"
"Thinking ten steps ahead," she said.
"…And carrying all ten alone."
A faint exhale left him.
Barely noticeable.
"…I have to," he said quietly.
"You always say that," she replied.
"And I'm always right," he said calmly.
She smiled slightly.
"…That doesn't mean you're not exhausting yourself."
He didn't answer.
Her hand rested gently on his shoulder.
Warm.
Soft.
Grounding.
His hand lifted.
Covered hers.
Just for a second.
Then—
His phone rang.
Sharp.
Sudden.
Cutting through everything.
Izana froze.
Not obviously.
But Leah saw it.
The shift.
Instant.
Subtle.
Dangerous.
He reached for the phone.
Checked the screen.
His expression didn't change.
But the air did.
"…I need to take this," he said quietly.
Leah nodded.
"…Okay."
He stood.
Stepped away from the desk.
Turned slightly—
Enough to separate himself.
"Speak," he said into the phone.
His voice changed instantly.
Lower.
Colder.
Precise.
Leah stayed where she was.
Watching.
"…I see," Izana said.
A pause.
"…And the terms?"
Silence.
Then—
"…No."
His tone sharpened.
"That won't work."
Leah's fingers curled slightly at her side.
"…Adjust it," he continued.
"…Or we don't proceed."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Izana's gaze shifted.
Calculating.
Cold.
"…Location?" he asked.
Silence.
"…Out of the country."
Leah's breath caught.
Just slightly.
He didn't look at her.
Didn't react outwardly.
"…When?"
A pause.
"…That soon."
His jaw tightened.
Barely.
"…Fine," he said.
"…Send the details."
Another pause.
Final.
"…I'll be there."
The call ended.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Different.
Izana didn't move right away.
Phone still in his hand.
Mind already moving ahead.
Leah stepped closer.
Slow.
Careful.
"…Iz?"
He turned slightly.
Her eyes met his.
Soft.
Searching.
"…You have to leave," she said quietly.
A pause.
"…Yes."
No hesitation.
No lie.
Her chest tightened.
But she stayed steady.
"…Where?"
"Abroad," he replied.
"…A deal."
She nodded slowly.
Taking it in.
"…What kind?"
"…High-tech weapons," he said.
That was enough.
Important.
Dangerous.
Unpredictable.
"…And they need you there?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Why?"
He glanced at her.
"…Because they won't finalize it without me."
Of course they wouldn't.
He was the one they trusted.
Or feared.
Or both.
"…How long?"
"A few days."
Silence again.
Leah looked down briefly.
Then back up.
"…Is it dangerous?"
Izana didn't soften it.
Didn't lie.
"…Everything is."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
"And you still have to go," she said.
"Yes."
The word settled between them.
Heavy.
Final.
Leah stepped closer.
Closed the distance completely.
Her hand reached for his.
Held it.
Firm.
Warm.
"…Then come back to me," she said softly.
Something shifted in his eyes.
His grip tightened.
He pulled her closer.
One arm wrapping around her waist.
She didn't resist.
He lowered his head.
Pressed his forehead against hers.
Close.
Steady.
Real.
"…I always do," he murmured.
His voice was low.
Certain.
Unshakable.
Leah's eyes softened.
"…I know," she whispered.
They stayed like that.
Just breathing.
Just existing.
For a moment—
The world outside didn't exist.
Then she pulled back slightly.
"…When do you leave?"
"Soon," he said.
"…Preparations start now."
She nodded.
"…Dante's going with you?"
"Yes."
"…Good," she said quietly.
He studied her face.
Carefully.
"…You're not asking me to stay," he observed.
She smiled faintly.
"…Because I know you won't," she said softly.
A pause.
"…And because I wouldn't want you to."
His gaze softened.
"…You understand," he murmured.
"I always have," she replied.
"…And Elias will stay?"
"Yes."
She gave a small, relieved nod.
"…Good."
He studied her face.
Carefully.
"…You're not afraid," he observed.
She smiled faintly.
"…I am," she admitted softly.
A pause.
"…But I trust you more."
His gaze softened.
Just for her.
Always just for her.
He reached up, brushing his thumb lightly under her eye.
Not wiping tears—
Just… grounding her.
"…I'll handle it," he said quietly.
"I know you will," she replied.
She reached up.
Her fingers brushing lightly against his collar.
Straightening it slightly.
A small gesture.
But meaningful.
"…Just be careful," she said.
"I will," he replied.
"…And don't skip meals," she added.
He raised an eyebrow.
"…That's your concern?"
She smiled.
"It's one of them," she said.
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"…Noted."
She leaned up slightly.
Pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
"…And don't overwork yourself," she added quietly.
His arm tightened around her just slightly.
"…You're giving orders now?" he murmured.
"Yes," she said simply.
A small pause.
Then—
"…Fine," he said.
"…I'll listen."
Her smile softened.
"…Good."
The moment lingered.
Then—
Reality returned.
Izana stepped back.
Not far.
But enough.
"I need to prepare," he said.
Leah nodded.
"…I'll be here."
His gaze lingered on her.
Just for a second longer than necessary.
Then he turned.
Back to the desk.
Back to the work.
Back to the world that demanded everything from him.
But not all of him.
Never all of him.
Because part of him—
The part that mattered most—
Stayed with her.
Leah stood there for a moment.
Watching him.
Her hand lifted slightly.
Resting over her heart.
His words echoed softly in her mind.
I always do.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Held onto that.
Believed in it.
Because she trusted him.
Because he had never broken that promise.
And he wouldn't start now.