The car stopped right in front of her.
Leah didn't move at first.
Her body felt still.
Like everything had paused.
Then the door opened.
Dante stepped out first.
Quick.
Alert.
His eyes scanned the surroundings out of habit.
Then he turned.
Opened the door.
Izana stepped out slowly.
Carefully.
Controlled.
Leah's breath caught.
There he was.
Standing.
Alive.
Her feet moved before her mind did.
Fast.
Closing the distance between them.
"Izana—."
Her voice broke slightly.
She didn't slow down.
Didn't hesitate.
She reached him and wrapped her arms around him.
Careful.
So careful.
Avoiding his arm.
Holding him like she was afraid he might disappear again.
Izana stilled for a fraction of a second.
Then his arm moved.
The one that wasn't injured.
He pulled her closer.
Firm.
Grounding.
Safe.
Leah pressed into him.
Her breath uneven.
Her fingers tightening slightly against his coat.
"…You're here," she whispered.
"I am."
Low.
Steady.
Unshaken.
She pulled back slightly.
Reluctantly.
Just enough to look at him.
Izana's gaze dropped to her face.
And paused.
Tears.
Quiet.
Trailing down her cheek.
His expression softened.
Just slightly.
Enough to matter.
His hand lifted slowly.
Careful.
His thumb brushed against her cheek.
Wiping the tear away.
"…Li."
Soft.
He leaned forward.
Pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Warm.
Lingering.
Her eyes closed briefly.
Just a second.
Then opened again.
And dropped.
To his arm.
The sling.
The stiffness in the way he stood.
The way he didn't move it at all.
Her chest tightened.
This wasn't small.
Not something he could brush off.
"…You said you were fine," she murmured.
"I am."
Same tone.
Same calm answer.
She shook her head slightly.
"…You're not."
A small pause.
Then—
"I'm standing," he said.
"…That's enough."
Leah looked back up at him.
"…That's not enough for me."
A faint silence followed.
Then his gaze softened again.
Just for her.
"…I know."
Her hand hovered near his arm.
Careful.
Unsure.
"…Does it hurt?"
A pause.
"…It's manageable."
"That means yes," she said quietly.
Dante let out a small breath behind them.
"…You two done or should I come back later?"
Leah didn't even look at him.
"Not now, Dante."
He raised his hands slightly.
"Alright. Just making sure."
Izana exhaled faintly.
"…Focus," he muttered.
Dante smirked.
"Always, boss."
Leah stepped closer again.
Her voice softer now.
"…Come inside."
Izana nodded once.
That was enough.
Elias stood by the doors.
A doctor beside him.
Ready.
Waiting.
Leah guided Izana forward.
Slow steps.
Measured.
Her hand hovered near his side.
Not touching unless needed.
But always there.
"…Careful," she murmured.
"I am," he replied.
"You say that a lot."
"And I mean it."
She glanced at him.
"…You also said you were fine."
A small pause.
Then—
"…I'm working on that."
That almost made her smile.
Almost.
They stepped inside.
The doors closed behind them.
The mansion quiet again.
But focused now.
Prepared.
The medical corridor was ready.
Lights bright.
Equipment set.
Doctors waiting.
Leah led him straight into the room.
No hesitation.
No delay.
She turned slightly.
"…Sit."
Izana lowered himself carefully onto the bed.
Controlled.
Every movement precise.
Leah pulled a chair closer.
Sat beside him immediately.
Close.
Within reach.
Her gaze never left him.
Not once.
Doctors stepped forward.
Professional.
Focused.
They began removing the sling.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Leah watched.
Still.
Silent.
Her hands resting in her lap.
Tight.
Controlled.
"…You should have told me more," she said quietly.
Izana didn't look at her.
"…There wasn't time."
"There was enough time to say 'I'm fine,'" she replied.
A pause.
"…You're right."
She glanced at him.
Slightly surprised.
"…You agree?"
"I do."
"…That's new."
A faint pause.
Then—
"…Don't get used to it."
That earned a small breath from her.
Almost a laugh.
Almost.
The final layer of bandage came off.
Leah saw it.
And froze.
Her breath caught.
Quiet.
Sharp.
But she didn't look away.
Didn't move.
Her eyes stayed fixed.
Taking it in.
Understanding.
"…Iz…"
Soft.
Barely a whisper.
He turned his head slightly toward her.
"…I'm here," he said.
Simple.
Grounding.
Her fingers tightened together.
But she stayed calm.
Stayed present.
The doctor examined the arm carefully.
Focused.
Quiet.
Time stretched.
Leah didn't interrupt.
Didn't ask questions.
She just watched.
Then finally—
The doctor stepped back.
Serious.
Controlled.
"He will need surgery."
The words landed heavily.
Leah didn't react immediately.
"…We'll prepare right away."
Movement resumed.
Doctors stepping out.
Giving instructions.
Preparing.
Within moments—
The room was empty.
Just them.
Silence returned.
Different now.
Heavier.
Leah stared at his arm for a second longer.
Then slowly looked up at him.
Izana was already watching her.
Carefully.
She looked…
Quiet.
A little shaken.
A little hurt.
"…That's not 'fine,'" she said softly.
A pause.
"…No."
She leaned forward slightly.
Her hand lifting.
Careful.
She didn't touch the injury.
Just his hand.
Her fingers wrapped around it.
Gentle.
But firm.
"…You scared me," she whispered.
He didn't answer immediately.
His thumb brushed lightly against her hand.
"I know."
Quiet.
Honest.
She swallowed.
"…Don't do that again."
"I won't."
No hesitation.
She searched his face.
"…Promise?"
A small pause.
Then—
"Yes."
That was enough.
She moved her chair closer.
Not letting go of his hand.
"…You should have let me worry properly," she murmured.
"I didn't want to worry you at all."
"…That didn't work."
A faint pause.
"I can see that."
Her lips curved slightly.
"…You're terrible at this."
"…At what?"
"…Reassuring people."
He looked at her.
"…I reassure you."
"…Barely."
A small silence.
Then—
"…But it's enough," she added quietly.
His gaze softened.
Just slightly.
"…Good."
Leah exhaled slowly.
Her shoulders relaxing just a little.
"…You're not leaving again anytime soon," she said.
"…Not immediately."
She raised an eyebrow slightly.
"…Izana."
A faint pause.
Then—
"…I'll stay."
That was enough.
Her grip tightened slightly around his hand.
"…Good."
Silence settled again.
Softer now.
Outside—
Footsteps.
Voices.
Preparation.
But inside—
Stillness.
Leah leaned slightly closer.
Her voice quiet.
"…I'm here."
He looked at her.
Really looked at her.
"I know."
And this time—
There was something softer in his voice.
Something quieter.
Reserved only for her.
Leah's thumb brushed lightly against his hand.
A small movement.
Grounding.
Reassuring.
For both of them.
Outside—
Footsteps.
Voices.
Preparation.
The surgery.
Coming soon.
But inside the room—
It stayed still.
For just a moment longer.
Just them.
And nothing else.