The mansion was quiet.
Too quiet.
Leah lay in bed.
Staring at the ceiling.
The room was dim.
Soft shadows stretching across the walls.
Izana's side of the bed was empty.
Cold.
Untouched.
She turned slightly.
Instinct.
Her hand reaching across the sheets.
Searching.
Nothing.
She paused.
Fingers pressing lightly into the fabric.
Then slowly—
She pulled his pillow closer.
Holding it.
"…You said you'd call," she murmured softly.
Her voice barely filled the room.
A pause.
"…You always do."
She closed her eyes.
Tried to sleep.
Tried to relax.
But it didn't come.
The silence pressed in.
Louder than before.
Heavier.
Her eyes opened again.
She exhaled quietly.
Then sat up.
The blanket slipped from her shoulders.
The air felt colder now.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
Stood.
Barefoot against the floor.
And walked.
Through the quiet halls.
Slow steps.
Measured.
Familiar.
She didn't think about where she was going.
She just moved.
Until—
She reached the nursery.
The door was slightly open.
She pushed it gently.
It creaked softly.
Inside—
Nothing had changed.
Empty.
Still.
Waiting.
She stepped inside.
Her gaze moved across the room.
The walls.
The space.
The future.
Her hand lifted.
Rested lightly against the wall.
Then slowly—
It moved.
To her stomach.
A soft breath left her.
"…We'll be okay," she whispered.
Silence answered her.
She slid down gently.
Back against the wall.
Sitting on the floor.
Knees drawn slightly inward.
Still.
Quiet.
Waiting.
—
The jet landed smoothly.
Cold air greeted them.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
Izana stepped out first.
Expression already different.
Gone was the softness.
Replaced by control.
Precision.
Dante followed behind.
Stretching slightly.
"…You always pick the coldest places," he muttered.
Izana didn't respond.
His gaze was already scanning.
Everything.
"…Feels off," Dante added.
A pause.
"…It is," Izana said.
Simple.
Certain.
They moved toward the waiting cars.
No hesitation.
No wasted movement.
Inside the car—
Silence.
City lights blurred past.
Izana sat still.
Eyes forward.
Thinking.
Calculating.
Dante glanced at him.
"…You trust them?" he asked.
"No."
Immediate.
"…Then why take the deal?"
Izana didn't look at him.
"…Because they need me more than I need them."
Dante leaned back slightly.
"…And if they try something?"
"…They won't succeed."
No doubt.
No hesitation.
Just fact.
Dante smirked faintly.
"…You're still thinking about Leah."
Silence.
"…Focus," Izana said.
Dante chuckled quietly.
"…Right. Definitely a yes."
—
The hotel was quiet.
Private.
Secure.
Izana stepped inside.
The door closed behind him.
Silence returned.
Different from the mansion.
Colder.
Emptier.
He removed his coat.
Set it aside.
Then sat on the edge of the bed.
Phone in hand.
He looked at it.
Just for a second.
Then dialed.
—
The phone rang.
Leah froze.
Her head lifted.
She reached for it immediately.
Izana.
"…Iz?" she answered softly.
Her voice filled the quiet room.
"…Why are you there?" he asked.
His tone calm.
But observant.
She glanced around slightly.
"…I couldn't sleep."
A pause.
"…You should be in bed."
"…I will," she murmured.
"…In a minute."
Silence settled.
Then softened.
"…Did you get there safely?" she asked.
"Yes."
"…Everything's fine."
She nodded slightly.
Even though he could see her.
"…Good."
"…I was worried."
"I know," he said.
Quiet.
Certain.
"…Did you eat?" she asked.
A small pause.
"…Yes."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…You're lying."
"…Half lying," he corrected.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"…That's not better."
"…It's accurate."
She let out a small, tired laugh.
Her head leaned back against the wall.
"…You look tired," he said.
"I couldn't sleep," she admitted again.
"…It's quiet."
"I know."
Her fingers rested lightly on her stomach.
Unconsciously.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
Silence lingered.
Soft.
Comfortable.
"…Stay with me," she murmured.
"I will."
No hesitation.
Her eyes blinked slowly.
Heavier.
"…Iz…"
"…Hmm?"
"…Don't take too long…"
"I won't."
Her breathing slowed.
Evened out.
Her head tilted slightly to the side.
"…Iz…"
"…Yes?"
"…Stay—."
She didn't finish.
Silence.
She had fallen asleep.
Just like that.
Mid-sentence.
Mid-thought.
Izana didn't move.
Didn't speak.
He just watched.
Her head resting against the wall.
Her breathing calm.
Her hand still against her stomach.
She had waited for him.
Stayed awake.
Just to hear his voice.
A faint shift crossed his expression.
Subtle.
Barely there.
"…You should have gone to bed," he murmured quietly.
But he didn't wake her.
Didn't call her name.
Didn't interrupt.
He stayed.
Just for a moment longer.
Watching.
Memorizing.
The quiet.
The calm.
Her.
"…Goodnight, Li," he said softly.
Then—
He ended the call.
The screen went dark.
The room felt colder.
He stared at the phone for a second.
Then picked it up again.
A message.
Short.
Direct.
To Elias.
She's asleep in the nursery.
No more.
No less.
He set the phone down.
Silence returned.
—
A knock at the door.
"…Enter."
Dante stepped in.
"…All clear," he said.
Then paused.
"…She asleep?"
"Yes."
Dante smirked faintly.
"…That's the calmest you've looked all day."
Izana didn't respond.
Didn't deny it either.
"…Tomorrow starts early," Dante added.
"I know."
Izana stood.
Walked toward the window.
City lights stretched endlessly below.
Unfamiliar.
Unpredictable.
Dangerous.
His reflection stared back at him.
Cold.
Controlled.
Untouchable.
But behind it—
Something softer remained.
"…Get some rest," Dante said, heading toward the door.
Izana didn't move.
"…You too," he added.
The door closed.
Silence.
Again.
Back at the mansion—
Soft footsteps echoed through the halls.
Elias moved slowly.
Deliberate.
Quiet.
He stopped at the nursery door.
It was slightly open.
He pushed it gently.
Inside—
Leah sat against the wall.
Asleep.
Head tilted slightly.
Breathing slow.
Peaceful.
Elias watched her for a moment.
Silent.
Then exhaled softly.
"…Stubborn," he murmured.
A small pause.
"…Just like him."
He didn't step closer right away.
Didn't wake her.
Instead—
He turned slightly.
His voice low.
Controlled.
"Someone."
Footsteps approached quickly.
A maid appeared at the door.
Respectful.
Attentive.
"…Sir?"
Elias gestured toward Leah.
"She fell asleep here."
A pause.
"Bring someone to help move her."
The maid nodded immediately.
"Yes, sir."
She disappeared briefly.
Then returned with another staff member.
Careful.
Quiet.
They approached Leah slowly.
Gentle movements.
One of them knelt slightly.
"…Miss Leah," she said softly.
No response.
Leah stirred just a little.
Barely awake.
They didn't rush.
Didn't force it.
Instead—
They carefully lifted her.
Supporting her.
Making sure she stayed comfortable.
Half-asleep.
Unaware.
As they moved her—
Leah murmured softly.
"…Iz…"
Elias's gaze shifted slightly.
He watched her.
Then spoke quietly.
"…He called."
Her expression softened.
Even in sleep.
She relaxed again.
The staff carried her carefully out of the nursery.
Elias followed at a distance.
Hands behind his back.
Watching.
Making sure.
They reached her room.
Placed her gently on the bed.
Pulled the blanket over her.
Adjusted it carefully.
Elias stepped closer.
Just slightly.
His hand moved.
Straightening the edge of the blanket.
A small gesture.
Precise.
Quiet.
He looked at her for a moment longer.
Then—
"…He worries," Elias murmured softly.
A pause.
"…Even when he doesn't say it."
Leah didn't hear him.
Still asleep.
Peaceful.
Elias turned.
Walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
Just for a second.
"…And so do you," he added quietly.
Then he left.
The door closed behind him.
The room fell silent again.
But this time—
It felt warmer.
Far away—
Izana stood at the window.
Still.
Silent.
Thinking.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them again.
The city hadn't changed.
Neither had the danger.
But something else had.
He turned slightly.
Walking back toward the bed.
Phone resting nearby.
He glanced at it once.
Then away.
"…Tomorrow," he said quietly.
Not to anyone.
Just to himself.
Then he sat down.
The room silent around him.
Cold.
Empty.
But his thoughts weren't.
Because somewhere—
Miles away—
She was sleeping.
And that was enough.
For now.