The night had been peaceful. Nora slept soundly with the twins snuggled against her. Before drifting off, she'd made sure to drink enough water—just in case. Now, early morning light filtered into the room, and nature was calling.
Nora stirred and slowly sat up, nudging Aaila beside her.
"Come with me?" she whispered, half-asleep.
Together, they tiptoed into the bathroom. Nora did her business, and Aaila carefully dipped the pregnancy test strip into the urine. The two women stared at the strip, waiting for the two longest minutes in history.
While they waited, Nora stood in front of the mirror, gently brushing her hair.
Suddenly, Meira popped in. "Is it done?" she asked eagerly.
Aaila shook her head. "Not yet."
"Hmhm…" Meira hummed with a mischievous smile. "Hey, Nora, do you know Zayan's full name?" she asked, teasing.
Nora blinked. "No… What is it?" she asked with childlike curiosity.
"You wanna know?" Meira said, grinning.
Nora nodded eagerly.
Meira leaned in and whispered Zayan's full name in her ear.
Nora's eyes went wide before she burst into uncontrollable giggles. Meira joined in, and soon all three of them were laughing like schoolgirls.
Just then, Aaila turned back to the strip—and gasped.
"Nora…" she said softly. "Congratulations. You're pregnant again."
Nora's eyes welled up. Aaila hugged her tight, and Meira squealed with joy. "We have to tell Zayan!"
They helped Nora dress, and Meira practically carried her to the grand living room where most of the family was already gathered.
Nora held the pregnancy test in her hand like it was a sacred relic. "Ash, take me to Z now, please," she said, her voice tinged with a dramatic sadness.
"Asher," she said again with urgency. "MAX! Let's go."
Max barked and came bounding down the stairs.
And just like that, Nora, Asher, and Max headed straight for Zayan's office.
Meanwhile, Zayan had just finished his meeting and returned to his office. Seated inside were the Black Scar Lords, chatting casually.
"Hello, weird people," Zayan smirked as he entered, adjusting his cufflinks.
But before the Lords could respond, the door burst open.
There stood Nora, Asher, and Max—and Nora was fuming.
"ZAYAN BENJAMIN FREDERICK RAPHAEL KAI!!!" she shouted.
Zayan froze. The room went dead silent.
"Damn," Eryx whispered.
"What the hell?" Zayan muttered, turning to face his furious wife.
Without hesitation, Nora marched up, climbed onto his desk, grabbed an umbrella lying nearby, and hooked it around his neck, pulling him down to her level.
The gang stared in shock. Their powerful leader—bowed by an umbrella-wielding woman.
"N-Nora… why are you angry, love?" Zayan stammered, trying to defuse the moment.
"Nora has another baby in her tummy!" she shouted. "And you lied to me about how babies are made, you liar!"
She shoved the positive pregnancy test into his hand.
The Lords all exchanged glances in stunned silence.
"Nora, dear, maybe you should come down first," Valencia said cautiously, reaching out.
Nora climbed down, still holding the umbrella like a sword, and glared at the entire gang.
"WHAT?!" she demanded.
"N-n-nothing, ma…" they all stuttered in fear.
Zayan rubbed his neck, clearly embarrassed. "Sorry, darling," he murmured sheepishly.
Just then, Alex entered the office. "Mr. Kai, the Don—Rhea Daniel—and her brother, Mr. Cyrus, are here."
He paused when he spotted Max.
"Hold on… Is this a Siberian Husky?"
"That's Max, my doggy!" Nora said sweetly, instantly shifting from fury to affection. "Max!" she called again, rubbing his head. "Good boy."
Zayan, trying to calm her further, said, "Do you want a milkshake?"
Nora shot him a side-eye that could kill.
"…Hm. Alright then," Zayan muttered, backing off.
In the meeting room, Zayan sat across from Don Rhea and a Brazilian representative. They discussed terms of partnership and expansion, agreeing on key terms.
Zayan nodded slowly. "We'll come to Brazil—me, the gang… and my angry wife."
The room chuckled lightly, but Zayan's tone turned cold. "But if anything goes wrong, this deal is off."
Rhea nodded firmly.
Moments later, Nora stepped in, Max at her side.
"Ahem," she cleared her throat. "I've been waiting for my milkshake."
The gang quickly stepped back as she walked to Zayan. He discreetly signaled Alex, who handed over the milkshake behind him.
But Rhea's face twisted in shock.
"Nora?" she said, standing up in disbelief.
Zayan turned sharply. "You… know my wife?"
"Your wife?!" Rhea gasped again.
"Yeah," Zayan said cautiously.
Rhea stepped forward. "Nora, don't you remember me? You always stayed near the school library. You were so smart…"
Nora blinked. "Uhmm… Who are you?"
Rhea frowned, confused. "It's me, Rhea Daniel. I used to come to the orphanage with Nana. You wanted to be a lawyer, remember?"
Nora's hands trembled. "Z? Z?!"
Her breathing quickened—panic set in.
Zayan rushed to her side, carrying her to his private office. He sat her down, cradling her gently, whispering calming words.
Alex stepped in, speaking to Rhea. "She had an accident. Lost her memory. She doesn't remember her past… not even Nana. And… her Nana died in the fire."
Rhea stood in shock. "N…Nana is… gone?"
"Yeah," Alex said. "Burned eight years ago in the orphanage fire. But Zayan rebuilt it."
Rhea slowly sank to the floor, devastated. "I called Nana's phone every year. I wanted to bring Nora abroad to study law… that was her dream."
She looked up weakly. "How about… Asher?"
"Right here," Asher said, walking in.
Rhea blinked at the grown man. "TF? Ash?!"
He smiled. "Yeah. It's been a long time, Rhea."
"I'm coming to the mansion tomorrow," Rhea said softly. "If that's okay."
Zayan nodded. "It's fine."
That evening, back at the mansion, Nora was curled up on the couch, sipping her milkshake as Zayan sat beside her.
He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Nora's going to be a mommy again, right?"
Nora nodded, her cheeks glowing with joy.