The hospital was finally behind them.
Zayan held Nora in his arms, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist like a small child hugging her protector. She was still deeply asleep, face resting peacefully against his chest. Everyone had returned to the mansion, exhausted and in need of rest. Zayan laid down with her in their room, equally tired, and the two drifted off to sleep together.
The mansion was quiet once more.
The next morning, a soft knock echoed through Zayan's room. It was Doctor Kasir and Aaila.
Surprisingly, it was Nora who opened the door, rubbing her eyes with small yawns escaping her lips.
"G-Good morning," she mumbled, still drowsy, her voice childlike and low.
Zayan was in the bathroom.
"Hello, Nora," Kasir said gently, crouching a little to meet her sleepy gaze. "How are you feeling now?"
"…A-Am hungry," she whispered.
Aaila chuckled softly and checked her temperature. "She's a little hot, but she'll be fine in a few minutes," she reassured Kasir.
Just then, Zayan's voice echoed from behind, "Nora?"
She turned toward him.
"Time for breakfast, darling."
She ran into his arms, wrapping herself around him once again. He hugged her back, resting his chin against her hair as the doctors watched quietly.
At the breakfast table, Nora barely touched her food. She sat quietly, pushing her plate away. The doctors exchanged glances, silently observing her while Zayan retreated to his study with her medical file, reading and rereading every detail.
Nora slowly got up and wandered to Asher's room.
"Ash?" she called softly.
He wasn't there.
Feeling a growing emptiness in her chest, she clutched her toy tightly—the one Zayan had gifted her—and tiptoed through the hallway toward his office. Still dressed in her soft baby gown, she looked small and lost.
No one else was in the mansion. The doctors had returned to Arion Hospital to further analyze her file.
As she stepped outside, she saw the head maid, Mrs. Jane, talking with the mansion's driver. They were an older couple, quietly married and faithfully serving the Kai household.
"Mrs. Jane?" Nora called out softly.
Jane turned immediately. "Yes, dear? Do you need something?"
"I… I want to go see Z… at his office. Please," Nora said, her tone low and pleading.
Jane exchanged a look with her husband, who smiled warmly. "Come on, dear. Let me take you," he said.
"I'll come with you," Jane added quickly. "We'll make sure you get there safely."
"Thank you," Nora whispered, bowing her head slightly. Even in her childlike state, she remained respectful and soft-spoken.
40 minutes later…
They arrived at Kai Industries.
Everyone knew her here—Zayan's wife, Mrs. Nora Kai.
"Good day, Mrs. Nora," the secretary, Miss Yura, greeted with a gentle smile.
"Good morning, Miss Yura. Please… I want to see Z," Nora said, blinking slowly.
"Of course, dear. He's in a meeting, but you can wait here," Yura said, guiding her to the VIP lounge.
Mrs. Jane hugged her gently. "Take care, okay?" she said to the secretary. "Please keep an eye on her."
"I will," Yura promised.
Just a few minutes passed when a group of men entered. One of them, tall and light-skinned with neatly braided hair, was directed to the VIP room.
Nora was silently watching the city through the tall glass windows when the man noticed her.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice curious but sharp.
Nora didn't respond. She just kept staring outside.
"Rude," he muttered.
"Mrs. Nora?" he said again.
"Hm?" she responded faintly.
"I informed Mr. Kai. He said you should come to his office."
Nora stood and walked toward the door. As she passed him, the man's eyes widened. "Wow… what a beauty."
His name was Miska—a long-time business partner of Zayan's company. As she sat briefly in Zayan's chair, he raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you sitting on Mr. Kai's chair?" he asked.
Nora didn't answer.
Suddenly his tone snapped, sharp and harsh. "HEY!"
Nora flinched. Tears welled in her eyes and fell freely down her cheeks.
"What the—why are you crying? Shut up—"
"Mr. Miska!" Alex, Zayan's assistant, stormed in.
"What?"
"Do you even know who you're yelling at?"
"The lady here—"
"That's Mrs. Nora Zayan Kai. Mr. Kai's wife."
Miska froze instantly.
"She… she had an accident years ago," Alex continued, lowering his voice. "She doesn't remember anything. She's in a child-like state. You're lucky Mr. Kai didn't see this—your partnership would've ended today."
Miska's face dropped in shame.
"I… I'm sincerely sorry. Is she… getting better?"
"No one knows. Only Mr. Kai does," Alex said. "Now calm down."
Alex turned to Nora. "Hey, hey, Nora love… It's okay. Zayan's almost done. He ordered your favorite drink."
Nora took the drink with shaky hands and sipped it quietly, going back to her spot by the window.
Miska sighed and sat in Zayan's office, guilt heavy on his shoulders.
"My princess?" a familiar voice called.
Nora turned.
"Z!" she beamed and hurried to hug him.
Zayan lifted her effortlessly.
Miska watched in silence as the man known for his ruthlessness melted in the presence of his wife.
"Ah, Miska," Zayan said smoothly. "Good to see you again."
"Z… he shouted at me," Nora whispered sadly.
Zayan turned a piercing stare on Miska, his expression unreadable.
"She's telling the truth. But I apologized, Zayan. I didn't know…" Miska said quickly.
Zayan nodded once, saying nothing.
As the men discussed business and finalized a project, Nora sat beside Zayan, nibbling on sushi and wings.
Hours passed.
Then Zayan's phone rang.
"Hey, is Nora with you? We can't find her anywhere," Rex's voice came through.
"Yeah. She's here with me. She came to the office," Zayan replied.
"Oh. Okay, thanks."
The call ended.
"All arrangements are done. There won't be any issues this time," Miska said.
"There better not be," Zayan said, his voice laced with a dangerous edge.
Suddenly Nora pointed out the window.
"Hey Z! Look! A rainbow! Wow! It's really pretty!"
Both men looked. Nora clapped her hands in joy.
Zayan smiled gently.
"Will she ever… be better?" Miska asked softly.
"She will," Zayan said, confidence in his tone. "And you're invited to her birthday party. It's next week. Don't be late."
"I'll be there," Miska nodded.
That evening, back at the mansion…
Everyone was busy with their own work when they turned to see Zayan walking in, Nora fast asleep in his arms.
He gently placed her in her hammock, brushing her hair back as she stirred.
Then he returned to his study, resuming his reading of her file with the other doctors.
Outside, the sky began to dim, but inside the mansion, peace—though fragile—had found its place once again.