Nora had woken up on the wrong side of the bed—again.
Ever since Zayan left for Switzerland, she hadn't been the same. Her emotions were unstable, like walking on glass barefoot. She cried in silence, snapped without warning, and often retreated into herself. No one could reach her—not even Shaw or Asher. It was like a piece of her had gone missing.
She was broken. Empty. Waiting.
Meanwhile, across oceans, Zayan Kai sat in a high-security medical facility in Zurich, Switzerland. Beside him stood Arion, calm as always, with Nora's medical file under his arm. Around the large glass table sat six of the most brilliant neurosurgeons in the world.
Arion began the introductions.
"From the States, we have Dr. Aaila."
She gave a short nod. "Pleasure to meet you."
"Dr. Kasir from India."
"I'm honored," he said.
"Dr. Imara, from Africa."
"Happy to be here."
"Dr. Kyomi, from Japan."
"Well, Mr. Kai," Kyomi said in her smooth Japanese accent, "based on her symptoms, it seems she is on the edge of remembering everything. After this operation, I believe she will recover. I guarantee you, this will change her life."
Zayan stayed silent but hopeful.
"Dr. Royce from Norway."
"Looking forward to helping her," Royce added with a calm smile.
"And finally… myself," Arion said, tapping the file gently.
"So," Imara asked, "when is the operation scheduled to begin?"
Zayan looked at Arion, who pulled out Nora's medical calendar.
"May 6th," Arion said. "But we must observe her closely before then. Her birthday is in two weeks—April 15th. You're all invited to stay at the Kai estate."
"Sounds like a plan," Kasir said, nodding.
"I'll head back this afternoon," Arion continued. "Meet me at the airport."
Two hours later, the doctors boarded Zayan's private jet, eyes wide in amazement.
"Woah," Royce muttered, sinking into the leather seats.
"Goddamn, he's rich," Kyomi whispered.
"I mean, this is another level," Imara added.
"Private luxury," Kasir chuckled. "He really is the Devil."
Six hours later, they landed in Eldoria.
Zayan stepped off the plane, and his eyes caught a blur of blue running toward him across the tarmac.
"Z!!!!!!!"
It was Nora—dressed in a flowing blue gown, eyes filled with tears, smiling through the sadness. She jumped into his arms, legs wrapping around his waist like she used to when they were kids.
"There's my princess," he whispered, holding her tightly.
"YAAAAAYYY! You're back!" she giggled, eyes glowing for the first time in weeks.
"Yes, yes, I am."
She turned toward the doctors. "Hello everyone, I'm Nora. Nice to meet you," she said sweetly with a bright, radiant smile.
The doctors were stunned.
Imara leaned toward Aaila. "Damn… she's gorgeous."
"You can say that again," Kasir added, impressed.
"Unreal," Royce said.
Kyomi just stared. "What a beauty…"
Zayan felt his heart swell with pride. The way they all looked at her, admired her—she was his, and he was the luckiest man alive.
Back at the mansion, the team was greeted by the staff. Arion looked unfazed—he'd been here before. The rest were speechless at the size and luxury.
"Granny Pany! Granny Pany! Granny Pany pant!" Nora sang joyfully on Zayan's back, as if the storm inside her had passed for just a moment.
"Asher!" she called. "Z's back!"
Everyone had been searching for her. Shaw had been the one to sneak her out to the airport. Darba and Lisa had turned the store room upside down trying to find her.
Asher was not pleased.
"Nora, please, wear these," he said firmly, handing her a pair of headphones.
"Okie!" she chirped, putting them on.
Aaila glanced at Asher, her heart skipping a beat. Damn… who is this hot stuff? she thought to herself.
Asher turned to Shaw, glaring. "Are you insane?"
"What?! She was crying, begging to see Zayan," Shaw defended herself.
"You could've called or texted, you know?" he snapped, rubbing his forehead.
Then he looked at the team. "And these people are?"
"The neurosurgeons," Zayan answered. "They'll be performing her surgery."
Asher relaxed a bit. But his eyes caught Aaila staring at him. He noticed her figure, the tight bun, her confident aura. She was beautiful.
He raised an eyebrow.
Zayan caught the exchange and cleared his throat loudly behind him.
Asher jumped, "Huh? No! Not lost at all."
Everyone went to their rooms to settle in.
Later, Nora wandered into the kitchen and gasped with joy.
There was a vanilla cake and five cinnamon rolls waiting on the counter.
"Yayyyyyyy!" she clapped, and without hesitation, ate everything.
At the dining table, the team gathered for dinner.
"Nora? Nora?" Zayan called. "Where are you, love?"
Rex found her first.
"Zayan!" he yelled. "I think I found the love of your life."
Everyone stood to follow him.
There she was—fast asleep on the floor, icing smeared across her mouth, a cinnamon roll in one hand, and an empty plate beside her.
Rex stared at the fridge. "Hold on—my cake! She ate it all!"
Zayan laughed and gently picked her up.
Back in their room, he cleaned her face and tucked her in.
"Hungry… Z… more… food…" she mumbled in her sleep.
He kissed her head.
"It's morning, baby. You'll get more food then."
Sitting beside her, he began to make plans—her birthday, the memories, everything. He didn't know what she'd remember, but one thing was certain…
He wasn't giving up on her.
Not now. Not ever.