Leon immediately locked his phone and placed it face down on the desk.
"Send him in." He rolled his eyes as he said it.
A few moments later, Finn and James entered the office.
"How's it going?" Finn asked as he walked over and dropped onto the sofa.
Leon leaned back in his chair. "Great."
Finn raised an eyebrow. "How's Mira?"
"Fine."
"And?"
Leon frowned. "And what?"
Finn sighed. "Leo, she's recovering. She's adapting. That's good."
"Yes."
"But how are you planning to end this story?"
Leon's expression darkened. His gaze unconsciously drifted toward the phone on his desk.
Finn immediately noticed. "You're watching her, aren't you?"
Silence.
"Leo," Finn said quietly, "this isn't a permanent solution."
For a moment, Leon didn't answer.
Then his jaw tightened. "I... I won't let her go."
His fist slowly clenched. "She almost died, Finn."
The words came out softer than he intended.
"I sat beside her hospital bed for twenty-nine days."
His eyes lowered. "I watched machines breathe for her."
The room fell silent.
"Every morning, I woke up wondering if she'd open her eyes."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"I didn't care if she hated me."
His voice trembled slightly.
"I didn't care if she never wanted to see me again."
He looked away.
"As long as she woke up, I was ready to do anything."
A long pause followed.
"And then fate gave me this opportunity."
Neither Finn nor James interrupted.
"And now she's here."
Leon's expression softened.
"She's smiling."
Another pause.
"She's happy."
"And I'll do whatever it takes to keep it that way."
The gentleness vanished from his eyes.
"Whatever the price."
Finn's expression softened.
"Leo..."
But Leon cut him off.
"I know what you're going to say."
"Then answer me this." Finn leaned forward. "What happens when she finds out?"
Leon met his gaze without hesitation.
"She won't."
Finn stared at him.
"I'll make sure she never leaves me."
The certainty in his voice was unsettling.
"How long do you think a world built on lies can survive?" Finn asked.
"As long as I protect it."
The answer came immediately.
The room fell quiet once more.
Finally, Finn let out a long breath and shook his head. "You're impossible."
A faint smile tugged at Leon's lips.
"I've heard that before."
Finn stood up. "Fine. We both know you won't change your mind."
Leon said nothing.
Finn glanced at James.
"We'll help you."
A rare look of gratitude flashed across Leon's face.
"If Mumu stays with us too..." He looked down for a moment.
"...then I won't ask for anything else in this life."
Finn's eyes narrowed. "What exactly is your plan?"
Leon's expression turned serious.
What's your plan?"
"Simple." Leon's gaze sharpened. "Make her trust me."
"Then?"
"Make her love me." A small smile appeared. "Everything else will be easier."
"She'll be happy."
"It won't take long."
At that moment, James's phone vibrated. His eyes widened after reading the notification. He immediately stood up.
A grin spread across his face.
"Sister-in-law is here."
For the first time that day, Leon's composure cracked.
"What?"