The mansion was quiet.
Too quiet.
Leah stood by the front doors.
Hands lightly clasped in front of her.
Waiting.
Outside, the car was already running.
Engine low.
Steady.
Patient.
Izana stood in front of her.
Dressed.
Composed.
Ready.
Always ready.
Leah looked at him.
Really looked at him.
The coat.
Dark. Clean. Perfectly fitted.
The watch on his wrist.
The way his posture never faltered.
And his eyes.
Still soft.
Still warm.
Still hers.
"…You're leaving now," she said quietly.
"Yes."
Simple.
Certain.
She nodded once.
"…Okay."
A pause.
Neither of them moved.
Then Leah stepped forward slightly.
Her hands lifting.
Adjusting his coat.
Smoothing it down.
A small gesture.
But careful.
Precise.
Izana watched her the entire time.
Silent.
Focused.
"…You don't need to fix it," he said softly.
"I know," she replied.
"…I want to."
His gaze softened slightly.
Her fingers brushed the collar.
Straightened it.
Then lingered.
Just for a second.
"…You'll call?" she asked quietly.
"Yes."
A pause.
"…Every chance I get."
She nodded again.
"…Good."
The front door opened behind them.
Dante stepped in.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression unreadable—
for about half a second.
Then the smirk returned.
"Well," he said lightly, glancing between them.
"…This is emotional."
Leah let out a small breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
Izana's gaze shifted.
Sharp.
"…Be quiet," he said.
Dante raised his hands slightly.
"Just saying," he shrugged.
"…I leave you two alone for five minutes and suddenly it's a goodbye scene."
Leah shook her head softly.
"…You're still the same," she murmured.
"Always," Dante replied.
Then he glanced at Izana.
"…Don't worry, Leah. I'll make sure he doesn't start a war while we're gone."
Izana didn't miss a beat.
"…Focus on your job."
Dante smirked.
"…That is my job."
A small silence followed.
Then it settled again.
Heavier this time.
Leah looked back at Izana.
"…Be careful," she said softly.
"I will."
"…Don't skip meals."
A faint pause.
Then—
"…Noted."
Her lips curved slightly.
"…And don't ignore your calls," she added.
He raised an eyebrow.
"…You're giving me a list now?"
"Yes," she said simply.
A brief silence.
Then—
"…Fine," he said.
"…I'll follow it."
That was enough for her.
Then she stepped closer.
Closing the distance.
His arm moved automatically.
Resting at her waist.
Pulling her in.
Familiar.
Natural.
She leaned into him.
Just slightly.
"…Come back to me," she whispered.
His hold tightened.
He lowered his head.
Forehead resting against hers.
Close.
Warm.
Steady.
"…I always do," he murmured.
Her eyes closed briefly.
"…I know."
A second passed.
Then another.
He leaned forward.
Pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
Not rushed.
Not distracted.
Intentional.
When he pulled back, his hand lingered at her waist.
Then—
He stepped away.
The moment ended.
Dante cleared his throat lightly.
"…Alright, before I start feeling like a third wheel—."
Izana didn't even look at him.
"…You already are."
Leah smiled faintly.
Then Izana turned.
Walked toward the door.
Dante followed.
The cold air slipped inside as the door opened fully.
Leah stepped outside behind them.
The car waited.
Still running.
Dante moved first.
Opening the back door.
Izana paused.
Just for a second.
He looked back.
At her.
Leah stood still.
Hands at her sides.
Watching him.
He didn't say anything.
Didn't need to.
Then he got into the car.
Dante followed, sliding in beside him.
The door closed.
A dull, final sound.
Leah stepped back slightly.
The car pulled away.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
She didn't move.
Didn't blink.
She watched until it disappeared completely.
And then—
The silence hit.
Different now.
Heavier.
The airstrip was quiet.
Cold.
Open.
The private jet stood waiting.
Sleek.
Powerful.
Untouchable.
Izana stepped out of the car.
His expression already different.
Calm.
Sharp.
Unreadable.
Dante followed.
Stretching slightly.
"…You always pick the coldest places," he muttered.
Izana didn't respond.
His gaze was already on the jet.
"…You're thinking about her," Dante added casually.
A pause.
"…Focus," Izana said.
Dante smirked.
"…That's a yes."
Izana walked past him.
Boarding without hesitation.
Inside, the jet was silent.
Controlled.
He took his seat.
Dante sat across from him.
Still watching.
"…You know," Dante said lightly, "…most people would be a little more dramatic about leaving their wife behind."
Izana didn't look up.
"…I'm not most people."
"Yeah," Dante said.
"…That's the problem."
A pause.
Then Izana's hand moved.
Reaching for his phone.
His thumb hovered over the screen.
Just for a second.
Then he set it down.
"…We'll land in a few hours," Dante said.
Izana nodded once.
Silent again.
Back at the mansion—
Leah stepped inside slowly.
The door closed behind her.
The quiet returned.
But it felt different now.
Empty.
She walked through the halls.
Slowly.
Everything was the same.
But it wasn't.
His absence lingered in every room.
The office.
The living room.
The staircase.
She stopped briefly.
Then continued.
"…Leah."
She turned.
Elias stood nearby.
Watching her.
Calm.
Knowing.
"…You're worried," he said.
She hesitated.
Then nodded slightly.
"…A little."
He stepped closer.
Hands behind his back.
"He carries a heavy name," Elias said quietly.
"…But he carries it well."
Leah listened.
"He will return," Elias continued.
"…He always does."
Her chest tightened slightly.
"…I know," she said softly.
Elias gave a small nod.
Then he turned.
Leaving her with the quiet.
Leah walked upstairs.
Slow steps.
She entered the nursery.
Empty.
Still unfinished.
She stepped inside.
Her hand rested lightly against the wall.
Then slowly—
Against her stomach.
A quiet breath left her.
Her phone rang.
She froze.
Then quickly reached for it.
Izana.
She answered immediately.
"…Iz?"
"I'm in the air," his voice came.
Calm.
Steady.
She exhaled softly.
"…Okay."
A pause.
"…Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yes," she said.
"…I'm fine."
Another pause.
"…I'll call when I land," he said.
"…Okay."
Silence lingered.
Then—
"…Come back to me," she said softly.
A pause.
Short.
But there.
"…I will," he replied.
The call ended.
Leah stood in the nursery.
Phone still in her hand.
The quiet returned.
But this time—
It felt… steadier.
Because he was still there.
Just…
Far away.