It was 10:45 PM when Nora stirred in bed, her throat dry and her lips chapped. She sat up quietly, careful not to wake Zayan, and tiptoed out of the room toward the kitchen.
On her way back, she paused as she heard a familiar voice — Asher, speaking on the phone.
"Yeah, I need that car delivered tomorrow. It's for Zayan Kai — his birthday gift."
Nora's eyes widened with surprise. "It's Z's birthday tomorrow?" she whispered, then squealed softly, "Yayyyyyyyyyy!"
Clapping gently, she spun on her heel and dashed back into the kitchen. With quick, determined movements, she climbed up on a shelf to reach the ingredients: flour, eggs, sugar, black food coloring. She had watched Rex bake countless times. She remembered how he sifted, measured, and folded with such care. Tonight, she would do the same — for Zayan.
Flour dust floated in the air as she worked. The scent of cocoa warmed the space. Despite burning her fingers in the process, Nora didn't stop. She pushed through the sting and finished icing the cake with her signature black swirl by 11:56 PM.
Humming softly, she carried the cake up the stairs.
The boys were still awake and spotted her as she passed.
"Hey, Nora?" Asher called out. "Why are you up? Are you okay?"
She glanced at the clock. "It's 11:58! I made a cake for Z. It's his birthday soon!" she giggled.
Asher started recording, and the boys followed behind her, grinning.
Nora entered Zayan's room quietly, climbed onto the bed, and leaned close to his sleeping face.
"Z!" she whispered.
"Hm?" he mumbled, still groggy.
She began to sing softly:
"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you…
Happy birthday, happy birthday,
Happy birthday to you…"
Zayan blinked at her, groggy and confused, until she lit the candles.
"Make a wish," she said brightly.
Zayan closed his eyes.
I wish Nora gets better… I wish she remembers everything. I just want my Nora back.
He blew out the candles. She cut a slice of the cake and fed it to him, beaming.
Zayan noticed her fingers, red and sore from burns.
"Love…" he said gently, reaching for the first aid kit. "You should've waited until morning… and worn gloves."
She just giggled, her eyes twinkling. He carefully bandaged her fingers and kissed the top of her head.
God, I love her, he thought.
Later That Morning
Everyone gathered to wish Zayan a happy birthday. Gifts were exchanged, laughter filled the house, but Zayan was distracted. He had meetings lined up — and afterward, a visit to Arion Hospital to finalize plans for Nora's surgery.
At noon, Nora was back in her creative bubble. On the balcony, she painted silently — a portrait of her and Zayan, standing hand in hand. She had started it in the morning and worked nonstop.
Darba walked by and peeked at her work. "Whatchu doing?"
"Painting for Z!" she chirped happily.
Not far off, Neal found himself stealing glances at Darba.
Rex smirked. "Oooh, look who's in love."
"Shut up," Neal muttered, cheeks flushing.
Zayan returned early. He heard a strange little tune coming from the balcony.
"Humpty Dummy sat on a wall,
Humpty Dum is a weasel,
He sat on the wall…
Down goes the weasel!"
It made no sense, but hearing Nora sing it so cheerfully made him burst into laughter.
She looked up and grinned. "Do you like it?"
"I love it," he smiled.
Broken Beauty
As evening fell, Zayan refused a party — he only wanted time with Nora. Still, a few people gathered at the estate for casual drinks and music.
Nora carried her finished painting with both hands, her face glowing with pride. She walked carefully through the hallway, holding it like treasure — until she bumped into a woman dressed in designer heels and a mean attitude.
"Hey! Are you f**king blind?!"
Nora looked up, startled. "S-sorry…"
The woman didn't accept her apology. She slapped her.
Then, deliberately — cruelly — she stepped on the painting, ruining it.
The vibrant colors smeared, torn.
Nora's lip trembled. Her eyes went wide with disbelief… and then she screamed.
It wasn't a regular scream. It was a broken, aching, soul-splitting cry that made the mirrors crack and windows shiver.
Lisa, Darba, Rex, and Asher ran toward the sound. Zayan, hearing the chaos, rolled up his sleeves and stormed out.
They found her… on top of the woman.
Nora had completely snapped.
"You… RUINED… MY… PAINTING!!!" she cried, slamming the woman's head against the wall.
"Whoa," Asher muttered, shocked.
Zayan rushed in, pulling her away, but she kept kicking and crying.
"Z… Z… i… m… a…"
"Shhh, baby. I'm here," Zayan whispered, wrapping her tightly in his arms.
Everyone stood frozen, watching the girl sob in agony over what she made with so much love.
Lisa stepped forward and slapped the woman clean across the face. "Try touching her again," she hissed.
"Is she your sister, Mr. Kai?" someone asked.
"No," Zayan said firmly, eyes on Nora. "She's my wife."
Kisses, Chaos, and Milk
Later that night, Nora curled up beside Zayan in bed, still sad over the painting.
He kissed her forehead. "Wanna see something?"
"Mhmm," she nodded.
He leaned in and gently kissed her lips.
It had been so long since they kissed.
She blinked. "I didn't know… there was a lips-kiss…"
Zayan smiled. "There is. And it's only for you."
Just as they shared the moment, a loud moan echoed from the other room.
Zayan paused, groaned, and shouted, "Rex! Lisa! Please keep it down and CLOSE the door! Thank you!"
Laughter followed behind the walls.
He passed Neal and Darba on the stairs — kissing in the shadows.
He shook his head. "Y'all are f**king crazy."
The Night Before
Nora had taken a long bath and wore a soft nightgown. She sat in bed, sipping warm milk and eating doughnuts that Zayan brought her. Her eyes fluttered shut, the sugar making her sleepy.
Zayan tucked her in and kissed her temple.
Then he sat by his desk, opening his laptop.
A file waited from Arion Hospital.
The final steps. The surgery. The risk. The hope.
He looked back at Nora, sleeping peacefully.
Happy birthday to me, he thought.
But more than anything… I want her back.
And so, as the house quieted, Zayan began the preparations that could change everything.