Zayan came downstairs, adjusting his cufflinks, only to see his father leaning casually against the couch.
"Hey," Raphael greeted.
Zayan rolled his eyes.
"I'm here!" Kian's cheerful voice rang from the hallway, full of boyish excitement.
Zayan chuckled. He handed little Elowen to Catalina just as Nora descended the stairs with Liam by her side.
She was breathtaking. Her crimson-red gown clung perfectly to her figure, the daring thigh-high slit showing just enough to tease. The halter-neck design framed her shoulders elegantly, a sleek black blazer draped loosely over her arms. Zayan leaned against the wall, captivated, as she gathered her hair into a messy bun, letting a few curled strands fall to frame her face. She applied a cherry lip balm, pursing her lips with satisfaction.
"All done," she announced, catching Zayan's stare.
"What?" she asked again, half-smiling.
"Marry me again, love," he said, grinning endlessly.
She laughed and kissed him briefly. The kids were already at school, so Nora drove with Zayan and Kian in the back, guarded by their men. The rest of the Black Scar Lords followed in separate vehicles—except Xandria, who was heavily pregnant with Arion's child.
Meanwhile, in the principal's office, the air was tense.
The bully's parents were seated, glaring. Seraphina and Lysander were there; Liam was in class.
"Well, Lysander," the principal began carefully, "I know what you did was wrong… but Sam was also wrong."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Harrison," Lysander said, voice trembling. "I really worked hard on the drawing. I swear I was just… having a bad day. I thought if I submitted it—even if it only got third place—I'd be happy. But he and his friends… they troubled me. I begged him to let me pass, but he tore it. My hard work… gone. I snapped a little and… this happened." He gestured toward the bully's leg.
The boy's name was Sam.
"Did you hear that, Mrs. Elsa Wilson, Mr. Wilson?" the principal asked.
"I don't care!" Mrs. Elsa snapped. "He broke my son's leg!"
"Well, if your son wasn't being an asshole to my twin, maybe this wouldn't have happened," Seraphina shot back. "You know what? I blame you for not teaching him manners. The other day he put nails on the teacher's chair and blamed someone else for it!"
"An ill-mannered child, indeed," Mrs. Elsa sniffed.
"Shut it, bitch!" Seraphina's voice was like a whip. "I ain't ill-mannered—it's your fucker of a son who's a dumb, useless, good-for-nothing, bastardized idiot!"
Mr. Wilson flinched slightly.
"Who is your father?" he asked.
Seraphina didn't answer.
"I'm sure your father is a very useless man," Mrs. Elsa continued coldly, "and your mother—a hoe. It's unfortunate they're raising a terrorist like your brother."
Lysander froze. Her words pierced deep.
"I… am not… a t…t…terrorist," he whispered, breath faltering. His chest tightened, panic flooding him. "L-Lilly…"
"Larry!" Seraphina cried, catching him as he struggled to breathe.
"Elsa! What the hell?!" Mr. Wilson barked.
"Lysander?!" Nora's voice rang as she rushed in, her heels clicking on the polished floor. "My baby, why aren't you breathing?" She cradled him, panic rising. "Z!" she called urgently.
Kian entered, alarmed, and Zayan was right behind him.
"Larry?" Zayan's voice dropped to a deadly edge. He knelt beside his son, unbuttoning his shirt while Nora pressed a glass of water to his lips.
"M… Mama… she called me a t…t…terrorist," Lysander gasped before his body went limp.
"Larry?! Larry!!" Seraphina shook him, her voice breaking.
"Hey, bubby?!" Zayan slapped his cheeks lightly. "LYSANDER!"
"How fucking dare you?!" Zayan and Seraphina roared in unison, their rage burning.
Kian scooped Lysander into his arms and bolted for the car, rushing him to the hospital. Seraphina's vision tunneled, her fists shaking. Her eyes fell on Zayan's gun. She snatched it up and aimed it at Mrs. Elsa without hesitation.
"How dare you," she seethed. "You know I can shoot and kill at the same time, right?" Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous thrill.
"Lilly, dear, drop the gun," Zayan ordered firmly.
"No!" she snapped. "You made him pass out. Now I'll make you pass out." A devilish smile curved her lips, followed by a giggle. She closed her eyes, whispering, "If I wanted to, I could kill you. But I won't… because of Larry." She handed the gun back to Zayan.
He pulled her into a hug.
"You're Zayan Kai," Mr. Wilson breathed, realization dawning. Mrs. Elsa's eyes widened in fear. Sam hid behind her.
"I'm taking my kids out of this school," Zayan announced to Mr. Harrison, his voice low and lethal. "If this boy isn't punished—or Elsa—I'll shut your school down."
Kaiza entered, carrying Liam. "Hi, Dada!" the boy chirped, sniffling.
"Hey, Li-li," Zayan softened, kissing his forehead.
Seraphina went to her class, packing both her and Lysander's bags. Her knuckles were scraped from earlier fights.
"Where's Larry?" Liam asked from Zayan's arms.
"We're going to meet him now, okay?" Zayan said gently. Liam nodded.
At the hospital, Seraphina was the first out of the car, demanding to know her brother's room. She burst in to find Lysander awake, eating as Nora fed him.
"Larry!" Liam and Seraphina cried, scrambling onto the bed to hug him.
"What happened, Larry?" Liam asked.
"It's nothing, Li-li," Lysander said weakly.
Zayan sat beside him. "Hey, Larry. How are you feeling, love?"
"I'm okay, Papa," the boy managed a small smile.
"I'm fine, Mama," he told Nora, squeezing her hand.
Arion entered, holding test results. "Zayan, please—come with me."
Nora followed, anxiety in her step. "What's wrong?"
"It looks like Lysander has a weak heart," Arion said gravely. "I suggest you homeschool him until at least age eleven. These kinds of stress… they could be fatal."
"He turns five next week," Nora whispered.
"Then please—avoid these incidents. I'll assign him a nurse, someone trustworthy."
Zayan nodded. "Choose carefully—male or female, I don't care. But not rude. Not stupid. You know what I mean."
Arion nodded.
"Thank you," Nora said softly, pressing a £6 million cheque into Arion's hand.
Back home, Elowen was crying. Raphael rocked her gently. "Shh… it's okay."
Zayan entered, clearing his throat.
"Oh—hey, welcome back," Raphael said. "Elowen's hungry. I'll feed her."
"Thank you," Nora said warmly, taking Liam and Seraphina by the hand.
"Is he okay?" Raphael asked quietly once they were gone.
"He's already developing heart problems," Zayan admitted, his voice heavy.
"Hey… he'll be fine. He's strong—just like you," Raphael reassured, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.
Zayan inhaled deeply. "Thanks."
Later that night, Nora was feeding Elowen while Zayan tucked the other kids in. When he returned, she was staring into space, worry etched on her face.
"Baby," Zayan murmured, rubbing her shoulders, "Larry will be fine. We'll set up the homeschool room, get the best teachers. He'll be safe."
She smiled faintly, nodding. "Yes, we will, love."
They kissed, sealing the promise.