Ivy had no idea how fast she ran to her room. She slammed the door shut, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.
What was that? She wondered, a deep crease forming between her brows.
But the moment she turned around—the room was empty.
"Uh… where did Leo go?" she muttered, glancing around.
Just then, a knock sounded.
She quickly turned and opened the door.
"Tada! I'm back!" Leo chimed, holding his banana plushie proudly in his arms.
Ivy blinked as the boy rushed past her, sprinting toward the bed and climbing onto it.
"Mommy, come on, let's sleep!" he said, patting the space beside him.
Ivy couldn't refuse. Despite everything, she found herself drawn to him.
She had almost forgotten what had happened downstairs… almost.
But the lingering feeling stayed with her as she lay down beside Leo.
"Are you going to sleep with this?" she asked, pointing at the oversized banana plushie that occupied nearly as much space as a small child.
Leo nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Mommy! Mister Banana always sleeps with me. I'm sure he'll help you sleep better too."
"Is that so…" Ivy adjusted herself, getting comfortable, and glanced at him.
Leo had often slept alone whenever Xander was busy. That was when Xander had gotten him the banana plushie—a gift from one of his business clients.
Back then, it had been bigger than Leo himself.
Now that he was six and a little taller, the plushie seemed smaller—but it still brought him the same comfort.
Ivy didn't argue.
Soon, Leo snuggled closer to her, with Mister Banana resting on his other side.
Only then, in the quiet stillness of the room, Ivy became aware of the strange restlessness in her chest.
"Mommy, aren't you sleepy?" Leo asked, noticing she still hadn't closed her eyes.
He had wanted to ask for a bedtime story, but knowing she was still recovering, he held himself back. In his mind, she was here to stay now.
He had all the time in the world.
Ivy looked at him, unsure how to answer.
As Raven, she had barely slept—her mind always calculating, planning, surviving. Even now, in Ivy's body, sleep refused to come easily.
"Don't worry, Mommy. I'll help you sleep," Leo said softly.
He turned toward her and gently placed his hand on her forehead, slowly stroking it.
"Daddy does this whenever I can't sleep," he added.
Ivy stilled.
She had never experienced something so gentle. Not as Ivy… not even as Raven.
So when Leo's soft hand brushed against her skin, her eyes closed almost instantly, as if her body had been waiting for that warmth.
She didn't know when she drifted off. But when she opened her eyes again, it was because the gentle movement had stopped.
Leo had fallen asleep.
Careful not to wake him, Ivy slowly lowered his hand and tucked him properly under the duvet.
"Kind kid…" she murmured softly.
And then her thoughts returned.
For how long, she didn't know.
***
The next morning, Ivy woke up to find Leo staring at her, propped up on his elbow, his chin resting on his palm.
"Good morning, Mommy," he greeted with a wide smile.
Ivy frowned slightly as she pushed herself up, unsure when she had actually fallen asleep after lying awake for so long.
"Why are you up so early, Leo? And where are you going?" she asked, noticing he was already dressed—even though it was just seven in the morning.
Most children would still be asleep at this hour.
"It's time for school, Mommy!" he announced, jumping off the bed and grabbing his backpack.
Ivy blinked, then nodded, forming a small oh of understanding.
"Okay, Mommy! You can go back to sleep. See you after school!" Leo ran around the bed, quickly pecked her cheek, and dashed out of the room.
"…?"
When she heard the faint sound of a car driving away, Ivy pushed herself out of bed and stepped onto the balcony.
The morning air was still, almost too quiet.
"Suddenly, the room feels so quiet…" she murmured, already missing the boy who had filled it with constant chatter.
It had only been a day, yet she was slowly growing accustomed to his presence.
"Get yourself together, Raven," she told herself, turning back inside.
But just as she stepped into the room, a knock sounded on the door.
"Come in," she said.
The door opened slowly, revealing Butler Rupert.
"Madam, are you awake?" he asked politely.
Ivy nodded.
"If so, the master has asked for you to join him for breakfast," he informed her.
***
Meanwhile, Xander had already gotten ready for work and was now seated at the breakfast table, waiting for Ivy.
His mind was anything but calm.
What had happened last night kept replaying in his head. And just to convince himself it had been nothing more than a momentary lapse, he needed to see her again.
But the moment Ivy walked in—dressed simply, effortlessly—Xander found himself holding his breath.
The memory hit him instantly.
Returning to his room… the cold shower he had taken, trying to suppress something he hadn't felt in years.
It had been unexpected.
After that one night long ago… after all these years—he had finally felt desire again.
Does that mean she is—
His thoughts abruptly cut off as Ivy took the seat across from him, her presence suddenly too close, too real.
A faint trace of her scent drifted toward him, and just like that, his mind went blank.
"Have you thought about what I said last night?" Ivy asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Xander cleared his throat, regaining his composure.
"What is there to think about? I've already been clear."
Ivy shot him a sharp look, but the moment her eyes landed on his face, the memory of last night flashed through her mind, catching her off guard.
For a brief second, she was speechless.
And then—
"You're handsome."
The words slipped out before she could stop herself, catching Xander off guard.