Eyrx's eyes filled with tears.
For a moment, he couldn't breathe.
The world around him blurred, but he forced himself to stand still.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
A doctor entered the scene, followed by the investigator.
His expression was heavy, tired… like someone who had already seen too much.
"We checked everything," the doctor said quietly. "The body… it is confirmed. It's Grace."
Silence fell.
Eyrx slowly turned his head toward him.
His voice cracked.
"Where is she?"
The doctor hesitated.
"You don't understand," he said softly. "She is already dead."
Something inside Eyrx snapped.
He grabbed the doctor's collar and pulled him forward.
"What are you saying?"
His voice shook with rage and pain.
The doctor raised his hands, signaling the guards.
"Calm him down."
He stepped back. "Take the body to the preparation room before it degrades further."
The investigator nodded.
"Okay."
But Eyrx didn't hear them anymore.
His breathing turned uneven.
"I want to see her," he whispered. "I know… that wasn't Grace."
The investigator looked at him coldly.
"It's impossible. The identification is confirmed."
Eyrx shook his head violently.
"No. No, it's not her."
Then he ran.
Hazel's voice followed him instantly.
"Eyrx! Stop!"
The investigator moved to stop him too, but Eyrx was already gone.
He pushed open the door.
The morgue room.
Cold air hit his face.
Inside, a white cloth covered a body laid on a metal table.
Still.
Silent.
Unmoving.
Eyrx froze at the entrance.
For a long moment, he didn't move at all.
Then, slowly… step by step… he walked forward.
Behind him, Hazel and the investigator arrived, stopping at the doorway.
"Don't," the investigator said sharply. "You can't see it. It's not something you should remember."
Hazel's voice trembled.
"Eyrx… I told you not to lose control."
But he didn't listen.
His hand reached forward.
And he pulled the cloth away.
A sharp gasp filled the room.
The investigator immediately covered it back.
"Don't look!"
But it was already too late.
Eyrx saw it.
His eyes widened.
Empty.
Shattered.
It wasn't Grace.
Or at least… it didn't feel like her anymore.
His knees gave out.
He fell to the floor.
A broken sound escaped his throat.
"Grace…"
Then again, louder.
"GRACE!"
His scream filled the room so violently that his body trembled.
Blood appeared at the corner of his lips.
Hazel's eyes widened.
"Eyrx!"
In a flash, she struck the side of his neck.
His body went limp.
He collapsed into her arms.
The investigator turned sharply.
"What did you do?"
Hazel caught her breath.
"If I didn't, he would've died here."
For a moment, silence returned.
The investigator looked down at Eyrx.
"…He loved her that much?"
Hazel didn't answer.
Only nodded.
Soon, doctors rushed in and took Eyrx away.
Hazel stood outside the morgue, staring at the closed doors.
The world felt heavier now.
The investigator stepped beside her.
"Can I ask you something?"
Hazel glanced at her.
After a pause, she nodded.
They sat on a nearby bench.
"What was your relationship with Grace?" the investigator asked.
"I just knew her," Hazel replied. "She was my brother's friend."
The investigator's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That doesn't look like just a friend's reaction."
Hazel stayed silent.
The investigator continued, "Did you know she was involved in a case?"
Hazel's expression changed for a brief second.
Then she shook her head.
"No."
"I won't tell anyone," the investigator said calmly. "Just answer honestly."
A long silence followed.
Then—
"Yes," Hazel finally admitted.
The investigator leaned forward.
"One last question. How long did Grace work for them?"
"I don't know," Hazel said quickly.
At that moment—
Her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Her grandmother.
Hazel answered and walked down the hallway.
"Yes?"
"How is Eyrx?" her grandmother's voice came through.
"He woke up… but he's been admitted again. For two more days."
A pause.
"What happened?"
Hazel lowered her voice.
"Grace's body was found. It came to this hospital for investigation. Eyrx saw it… and lost control."
Silence on the other end.
Then her grandmother spoke sharply.
"She wasn't dead."
Hazel stopped walking.
"What?"
"How do you know?" Hazel asked.
Her grandmother's voice dropped.
"She belongs to that clan."
Hazel frowned.
"Cl—"
"Shh," her grandmother cut her off. "Don't say it aloud."
Then, firmly—
"Listen carefully. Stay with Eyrx. I'm coming today."
"What? No, you don't need to—"
"It's his birthday," her grandmother interrupted. "And today… he awakened his power."
Hazel's eyes widened.
"Don't speak loudly," her grandmother warned. "You're not at home."
A sharp ring echoed at the house door in the background.
Her grandmother sighed.
"I have to go. Call me if anything happens."
The call ended.
Hazel stood frozen for a moment.
Then she turned back toward Eyrx's room.
As she reached the corridor—
She stopped.
A man stood in front of Eyrx's door.
Jack.
In his hand… an envelope.
Hazel's eyes sharpened instantly.
Slowly… carefully… she walked toward him.
Her voice cut through the silence.
"Jack…"
"Why are you here?"