Coming Home.

It had been weeks since Nora left. The mansion wasn't the same. Neither was Zayan.

Every night, he reached for her in bed, his arm finding only cold sheets. Her laughter, her silly morning hums, the way she'd wrap her arms around him mid-conversation—all gone. Her scent, her presence, her kisses.

He missed her so much… it felt like losing parts of himself.

But it was the silence from his twins that made him unravel the most.

Over at the Lilith mansion, Nora sat curled on the couch, holding her bump as her stomach churned again with morning sickness. Her face was pale, her eyes tired. The twins were getting restless—crying for their father at night, crawling to the window when they heard a car, calling out:

"Dada!"

It broke her every time.

She clutched her tummy and whispered, "Your dada misses you… and Nora misses him too."

Salvius had been watching quietly. When she finally nodded, giving herself permission, he made the call.

At Kai Corp's headquarters, Zayan was deep in silence as always—until the doors burst open and—

"DADA!!!"

Seraphina and Lysander rushed into the room, their tiny feet padding across the floor.

Zayan's head shot up. Time froze. His eyes widened with disbelief… then turned wet with emotion.

"My babies…" he breathed, scooping both into his arms.

He hugged them so tightly, kissing every part of their little faces while they giggled and shouted, "Dada! Dada!"

"Where were you?" Seraphina asked, poking his cheek.

"Dada go?" Lysander said with a pout.

Then they both handed him a paper. Crayon drawings and Nora's soft handwriting:

Nana's garden. Then… home.

Zayan smiled, a real smile, the first one in weeks.

"He's smiling," Xandria whispered.

"Yeah," Azara added, her voice full of relief. "Finally."

Later that evening, after work, Zayan brought the twins back home. A surprise awaited them parked in the driveway:

A brand-new G-Wagon.

The one Nora always wanted.

Inside, Max sat like a guard on the couch.

"Max?" Zayan asked, surprised.

"Wait, the dog's name is Max?" Eryx blinked.

"Yeah," Zayan nodded. "Nora found him."

He gave a half-laugh. "She said he reminded her of me—loud and grumpy but loyal."

That night, when the stars had started blinking awake in the sky, Zayan slipped out quietly. He knew exactly where she'd be.

Nana's garden.

The place where Nora always found peace.

There she was. In a soft summer dress, her hair tied lazily, barefoot in the grass, her fingers running along the petals of blooming marigolds. She was humming quietly, speaking to the flowers and her growing bump.

"Nora misses Z a lot," she said to no one in particular. "And I love my Z. But Nora feelings are hurt. Still… Nora forgives Z."

She giggled softly, patting her belly. "Right, baby 3?"

Zayan couldn't take it anymore. He walked up behind her slowly, like approaching something sacred.

"Nora…" he whispered, his voice breaking as he breathed her in.

She stiffened at first, but then relaxed.

"I missed you so much, baby," he said, his arms wrapping tightly around her.

Nora turned to him slowly. "Z is a big meanie."

He laughed, burying his face in her neck. "Yeah… I am. I'm sorry, love. So, so sorry. I was in a bad mood, but that doesn't excuse it. I'll never speak to you like that again."

He cupped her face gently, looking into her eyes. "I love you so much, Nora. You and our babies—you're everything. I just want you to get better. I want to protect you, not hurt you."

She looked into his eyes, eyes that had missed her so deeply… and then she kissed him.

Soft and sweet. Forgiving.

They embraced again, and from the distance, Zofia smiled and walked away quietly.

The mansion erupted with joy later that night when Zayan stepped in with Nora on his back.

"Hey everyone!!!" she shouted, giggling.

"NORA!!!"

They all swarmed her—Cersie, Melanie, Meira, Russo, Sachi, even Dabira.

Tears. Laughter. Relief.

Everything felt whole again.

And joy multiplied when they heard the news—Lisa had given birth to a baby girl, and Nathaira to a baby boy. The mansion was full of life once again.

Zayan carried Nora gently into their room where the twins were already asleep.

He laid her down softly beside them and kissed her forehead.

He held her hand as he lay beside her, finally at peace.

"Thank you for coming back to me, my darling Nora."

She smiled, eyes heavy with sleep, and whispered:

"Always, Z."