It was 11:57 PM when Zayan quietly entered the orphanage.
The fire pit had long burned out, and the children were asleep in a cozy pile of blankets and sleeping bags. Max lay curled at the corner, his ears twitching occasionally. But one person was missing.
Nora.
Zayan searched briefly before heading out back to Nana's garden—the place Nora always visited when her heart was heavy.
There she was, sitting on the small stone bench surrounded by moonlit flowers, barefoot, her long hair loose and windswept.
"Nora…" Zayan said gently, stepping toward her. "Why aren't you sleeping, darling? What's wrong?"
She looked up at him slowly, her voice soft but cracked with pain.
"Z… Nora's memory is forever gone now," she said. "Nora only remembers the present… not the past. But every night, the memories… they won't stop. They come when I sleep. They hurt. I try to remember, and…"
She pointed toward her sleeping bag inside, where a faint, dark red stain was visible.
"Blood everywhere," she whispered. "See?"
Zayan's chest tightened. He walked over, sat beside her, and gently patted her head.
"Nora, baby… we're all working on this," he said softly. "We'll get your full memory back, even if it takes forever. I'll do everything in my power—just for my Nora."
He cupped her face with both hands, wiping the tiredness from her expression with his thumb.
Then he smiled gently.
"Happy birthday, my love."
Nora blinked, startled.
She gasped. "It's Nora's birthday?" she asked, confused.
"I forgot about that," she laughed suddenly, almost innocently.
He took her hand and led her back inside.
The moment they stepped into the main hall, the lights flicked on.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA NORA!" everyone chorused.
Rose stepped forward with a small cake glowing with a single candle.
Issca, Sora, Sachi, and Azara were gathered, all smiling widely. Max barked softly beside them.
Nora giggled and covered her mouth.
"Thank you," she whispered, heart full.
The Next Morning
Nora woke early, taking Max for a walk with Sachi by her side. Zayan, always protective, had assigned two security guards to follow at a respectful distance.
It was a peaceful stroll through the park until they reached the playground. Nora sat on the swing while Max laid loyally beside her, and Sachi pushed her back and forth. The moment felt light, safe, simple.
Then—
"Excuse me, girl?" a sharp, rude voice interrupted.
A middle-aged woman in an expensive coat stood near the swing set, nose upturned in disdain.
Sachi crossed her arms. "Yeah? Problem?"
"I'm not talking to you," the woman snapped. "I'm talking to her. This is a children's playground. Not for adults like her."
Nora didn't respond. She just kept swinging, her eyes on the sky.
One of the guards stepped forward. "Ma'am, do you know who you're talking to?"
"I don't care who she is! She needs to leave. Now!" the woman yelled.
Max growled lowly, his hackles raised. Nora reached her hand out.
"Down, boy," she said calmly. He instantly obeyed, sitting beside her like a statue.
The woman stormed off and returned a few minutes later—with two police officers.
One of the cops hesitated as he stepped forward.
"Uh… Mrs. Nora Zayan Kai?" he asked carefully.
Everyone froze.
Nora smiled sweetly.
"Hello, everybody."
The rude woman paled. The cop turned to her sharply.
"Are you insane? Do you realize what you were about to do?! That's the wife of Zayan Kai. Trying to arrest her could get the entire department shut down!"
The woman stumbled back in shock.
"Our deepest apologies, Mrs. Kai," the officer said, bowing his head slightly.
"It's okay, Mr. Police Officer," Nora said kindly. "And thank you."
"Happy birthday, Mrs. Kai," the other officer added quickly before they left.
"Bye-bye!" Nora waved, grabbing Max's leash and heading toward the Lilith mansion with Sachi.
The Lilith family mansion was quiet when she walked in.
"Hello, everyone!" she called out.
Zofia turned around.
"…Is that a dog?" she asked with a raised brow.
"Yep! This is Max."
The husky barked happily in response.
"Well, hello Mr. Max," Henry said, bending to pet him. The dog immediately plopped on the floor, tail wagging.
Nora looked around. "What today?"
Zofia gave Boris a small nod. A moment later, the dining room doors opened—
And out came a beautiful blue cake with HAPPY BIRTHDAY NORA ❤️ written in white icing.
Nora's eyes widened with joy.
She clapped her hands and let out a gleeful laugh, her face glowing.
"She smiled… just like her father," Henry said, voice quiet with memory.
Zofia nodded, watching Nora with warm eyes.
"Yeah… she does."
Nora cut the cake and shared slices with everyone—feeding Max a little piece too.
Eventually, all the excitement lulled into quiet comfort.
And there, nestled in Zofia's lap, Nora fell asleep—peaceful, safe, and finally, loved.