The night was quiet, but Nora couldn't sleep. She sat by the window, tears streaming silently down her cheeks. Her heart ached.
Across the room, Asher stirred awake. Almost instinctively, he felt his mother's pain, and his own eyes welled with tears. In another part of the house, Rose, Issca, and Kenna were also awake, crying in the silence of their rooms.
Zayan woke, and the first thing he saw was Nora trembling by the window.
"Hey, baby… why are you crying?" he whispered, walking to her.
Her voice cracked. "It's Nana's birthday today—September 6th. And the twins' birthday is coming on the 13th. I miss her so much, Z. I wish I had saved her that day. I love my Nana…"
Zayan pulled her into his arms as she broke down. "Shhh, love. I miss Nana too, baby," he murmured, stroking her hair.
Morning
Nora dressed quietly, her heart still heavy. Asher came out of his room, his eyes red.
"Hey, Mama," he said, hugging her tightly. His small voice trembled. "I really, really miss Nana."
"Me too, Ash. Me too," Nora whispered, holding him close.
"We should spend the night in Nana's room. I'll call Issca and Rose, and you call Kenna," she said softly.
Asher dialed Issca, his voice shaky. "Sora, pick up… you're crying too, right?"
"Yeah," Issca whispered, sniffling. "Since midnight."
"Mama said we'll all spend the night in Nana's room. Meet us at the graveyard later," Asher told her.
"Okay," Issca said, voice breaking.
Nora turned, burying her face in Zayan's chest again.
Catalina appeared, her hand tucked into Raphael's. "Zayan, I want to host a big party and dinner. It's been so long, please, my child."
Zayan exhaled, rubbing his temples. "…Alright, Mom. We can have a party."
"Yes!" she squealed, kissing Raphael.
"Ew," Zayan muttered, making Catalina laugh.
Raphael noticed Nora's pale face. "What's wrong with Nora?"
"Today's Nana's birthday… she's sad," Zayan answered. Catalina explained what had happened. Raphael's eyes widened. "Damn…"
Lysander's Nurse
Later, Lysander's new nurse arrived—a nineteen-year-old prodigy named Cassian, one of Arion's best students. He set up Lysander's blood bank drip with precision.
Nora hugged all her children tightly. "I love you all."
"We love you too, Mama," they chorused before she left for work.
Zayan dressed Liam and Elowen, who babbled happily.
"Bye, Larry!" Liam waved as they left.
"Bye, Li-Li," Lysander smiled weakly.
"Papa, Liam loves Larry!"
Zayan ruffled his hair. "Of course you do."
"But Liam doesn't love me…" Seraphina pouted dramatically.
"Liam loves Lilly too, very, very, very much!" Liam shouted, kissing her cheek. "Mwah!"
Seraphina giggled.
At the Company
"Good morning, everyone!" Liam skipped inside.
"Morning, Li-Li!" staff greeted warmly.
"Good morning, Black Scarf Lords!" Liam announced proudly.
"It's Black Scar Lords, Li-Li," Vincenzo corrected, chuckling.
Conversations shifted quickly to Nora.
"Did Nora cry too?" Azara asked.
"Yeah. Same with Kenna. They all went to the graveyard… then they'll spend the night in Nana's room," Zayan said.
"How did she die?" Azara whispered.
"The orphanage caught fire… she didn't make it out," Zayan said grimly.
"Damn…" Eryx muttered, holding baby Noah.
The Meeting
Alex entered with a smile. "Sir, Mr. Lucian and his sister Sasha are waiting."
Zayan sighed and entered the meeting room.
"Be at ease, Zayan," Lucian said. Sasha's eyes trailed him like a predator.
Sasha slid a file close. "Sign here," she purred, leaning in.
"Back off, girl," Kian snapped. Sasha glared.
Just then, Lysander called. "Hi, Papa… can I come? I'm hungry too."
"Alright, boy. Come soon—I'll order food," Zayan said warmly.
Minutes later, Lysander arrived with Cassian, his drip bag swinging. Liam stormed in, angry.
"Papa! Larry is here and Liam doesn't like him in pain. He still has the red bag thing and a tube! Will Larry be okay? Will he come to school?" Tears spilled down his cheeks.
Zayan bent to him. "Li-Li, that red tube is to make Larry better so he can go to school again. Don't you want Larry to carry you on his back?"
"Yes!" Liam sniffled.
"Then he has to wear it, baby," Zayan said. Liam nodded slowly.
Across the room, Sasha's jealousy burned hotter.
Family Fire
Back in Zayan's office, Lysander sat weakly. "How can he go through this pain at his age…" Azara whispered.
Lysander smiled bravely. "Hi, Papa."
Elowen began crying again. "Give her to me," Lysander said, holding her by the window. He sang softly:
"Bye, blue baby blue… I wish I could see the wicked truth… caught up in the blue, yes I do…"
Elowen giggled, soothed. Zayan secretly recorded it and sent it to Nora, who smiled through her tears at the graveyard, sending back photos of Nana's cake and everyone together.
"So cute," Zayan typed back.
Nora mischievously sent him a scandalous photo.
"Nora!" he texted back, grinning like a fool.
During the meeting, Lucian leaned in. "So, Zayan… who's your wife?"
"You'll meet her at the party. She's the mother of my four kids," Zayan said firmly.
Sasha's jaw clenched.
"Hey, bitch!" Seraphina suddenly snapped. "Stop looking at our father like you own him! He belongs to Mama. Eyes off, before I shoot them out!"
"That's my girl!" Kian laughed.
Sasha bristled. "Didn't your mama teach you manners?"
Seraphina smirked. "Well, Miss Dumbledore, Mama did. I don't think yours did. Also—look at Dad again and you'll meet God early. And by the way—our Mama is more beautiful than you. You look like a fat pig!"
Kian and Seraphina high-fived. Zayan chuckled with pride.
Later That Night
In the car, Liam cuddled into Lysander.
"Dad, Li-Li doesn't love me…" Seraphina pouted.
"Nooo, Liam loves Lilly too! Larry just needs cuddles!" Liam shouted, dragging her into the hug.
At home, Cassian replaced Lysander's empty blood bag. Zayan and Nora had already paid the boy £70 million for his loyalty and care.
That night, Nora, the kids, Kenna, Rose, Asher, and Issca all slept in Nana's room. The soft glow of the camera caught the moment—a family clinging together in memory and love.
Photos flew back and forth to friends and family—each one responding with warmth.
Finally, Zayan whispered into the group chat:
"Happy Birthday, Nana. We love you."
And one by one, they drifted off to sleep, hearts aching but full of love.