The aftermath of the battle left the Lilith estate unusually quiet. Nora, drained from the fight and the weight of her memories, had fallen asleep on the blood-stained couch, curled up like a child finally at rest.
Zayan sat nearby, carefully cleaning each of her weapons—blades, handguns, even the delicate throwing knives she always kept hidden in her boots. With practiced hands, he packed them into their rightful cases, organizing them the way she liked.
Upstairs, the gang and family gathered. Shaw and Zayan joined a video call with the twins—laughter filled the room as the little ones ran around giggling, now old enough to chase each other, squealing with joy.
But downstairs, something shifted.
Nora stirred.
At first, it was slight—just a twitch. But soon, her peaceful expression twisted. Her legs started kicking violently, tears rolled down her cheeks, and then—
Blood.
It dripped slowly from her nose.
"SHAW!"
Lucy's scream rang through the entire mansion. She clung to Nora's trembling body, terrified.
Zayan and Shaw bolted down the stairs, panic surging through them. Zayan's eyes darkened the moment he saw her.
Not again.
"Aaila!" Shaw called out. She arrived instantly, carrying the emergency medical kit she always kept prepared—for Nora.
Zayan cradled her body gently in his arms as Aaila quickly injected the sedative. Nora's body shivered, her hands twitching as her mind relived it all—memories, pain, fear, and a longing buried deep.
"Zayan… Zayan…" she whispered weakly in her sleep.
He leaned in close, brushing her hair back, voice soft as silk.
"I'm here, darling. I'm right here."
Her lips trembled.
"Nana… Asher stole my clothes again… He keeps taking my stuff… he's just a baby… I know… but they're mine."
Asher laughed quietly, holding Aaila's hand.
"Yeah… because they were Mama's. Her favorite things," he said, sadness hidden behind his smile.
"Nana… one day, I promise I'll be the greatest lawyer ever… I'll study hard… I'll graduate… and I'll become the richest lawyer in the world—just for you, Nana…" she murmured, still caught between past and present.
"So Nora can help people and marry a good man… someone who understands me…"
Her hands moved gently in the air, like she was painting her dream into the sky.
"I love you."
Asher's voice cracked.
"Yeah… That's what she always wanted. She used to steal law books and read them in the library when no one was watching. Nora… she's really smart."
Zayan looked down at her, something fierce and gentle in his eyes. He lifted her carefully, taking her back to their room. Sitting beside her, he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"I promise you… Nora will be the best lawyer in the world. Even if I have to burn this whole world down to make it happen."
The next morning
Zayan and the boys brought Nora to their father's grave. As she stood before the headstone, she saw a picture—his eyes, his jaw, his quiet strength.
She stared for a moment, then laughed softly.
"Hey… it's me," she whispered, touching the photo.
Zayan glanced between the two.
"Woah… Nora darling, you really do look like your father."
She nodded, not letting go of his arm. They stood there in silence for ten minutes—just being. No war, no pain, no masks.
Back at the mansion, Nora made a video call to the twins. Their little faces lit up at the sight of her.
"Mama!" they squealed, voices bright with joy.
In another corner of the estate, Rose sat with baby Levi cradled in her arms. His little body snuggled into her chest, sleeping peacefully. Azara watched from the doorway, eyes soft.
She couldn't forget that night—the night she and Rose shared something deeper.
Azara walked over, gently pulling Rose closer.
"Hey, beautiful."
"Someone might see us," Rose whispered, glancing around.
Azara just laughed and kissed her deeply, full of fire and tenderness. They stumbled onto the bed, limbs entangled, laughter fading into moans.
Back on the video call, Nora sang a lullaby. Her voice was soft, sweet—filled with the kind of warmth that only a mother could offer.
The twins slowly closed their eyes, comforted by the sound.
Zayan entered the room quietly, wincing. His back was still sore from the battle. Without a word, he lowered himself onto the bed and rested his head on Nora's lap.
Still singing, she ran her fingers through his hair, eyes full of love.
His breathing slowed… then stopped. Not from danger—
But from peace.
Together, they slept.