Sara sat down on the chair in the hallway, tears falling nonstop. Serena and Lilia sat next to her, looking at her worriedly.
Elio (running over, voice frantic): "Sara! Don't cry anymore… seeing you like this makes my heart ache."
He sat down, clumsily dabbing Sara's tears with a tissue, his voice gentle as if coaxing a child.
Elio: "Hey, if you keep crying, Grandma in heaven will be sad. Do you want Grandma to see you as strong or weak?"
Sara (choking): "I… I miss Grandma so much… all the time… like there's a hole in my heart."
Julian (stepping out, folding his arms and leaning against the wall, sighing): "Crying isn't bad. But if you cry to stay stuck in pain, you'll only torture yourself. Sara, cry enough… then promise us, you'll sing for Grandma, with your strong voice."
Lucas (putting his hand on Sara's shoulder, serious but gentle): "That's right. Look at us, no one is perfect. But when you lose someone… the only way to keep them alive in your heart is to turn the pain into strength. Your grandmother would definitely want you to continue singing, not to fall apart."
Serena (pursing her lips, smiling faintly): "Sara, we're still here. We are BABYQUEEN, we are family. You will never be alone."
Lilia (holding Sara tightly): "Lean on us. Let us cry with you."
Sara (looking up, sobbing but her eyes brightening): "… Thank you everyone… I will try… for grandma… and for the group."
In the room, only Damien sat silently with a cold expression, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. Rayden crossed his arms, his eyes glaring at him.
Rayden: "Damien, what did you just say to Layla? Did you know that her eyes were torn apart when she ran away?"
Damien (in a low, indifferent voice): "I just reminded her that this is work. On stage, we don't have the right to let our emotions control us."
Rayden (slamming his fist on the table): "Work? Or is it an excuse for you to fool yourself? Damien, you love Layla… but the way you love her is suffocating her. Do you want her to be happy or do you want her to slowly die in your coldness?"
Damien (pausing, clenching his fists, his voice hoarse): "… I… just don't want to be weak. If I let go, we'll both be crushed."
Rayden (looking at him disappointedly, his voice softening): "Don't make excuses. Love that doesn't let her breathe… isn't love anymore, it's chains. Think carefully, Damien. Before it's too late."
Rayden opened the door and walked out, seeing Jennifer hugging Layla in the hallway. He walked over, his eyes softening.
Rayden (sitting down next to Layla): "Layla, don't cry anymore. Damien… he's clumsy, but he's not heartless. Give him time. And you, don't forget that besides Damien, you have us who will never let you down."
Jennifer (holding Layla tighter, smiling gently): "That's right. Layla, you don't have to be strong alone. You have me, BABYQUEEN, and people who truly want you to be happy."
Layla (sobbing, voice trembling): "But… I'm so scared… scared of being abandoned again, scared that no one really wants me."
Jennifer (wiping away Layla's tears): "Silly… you are the center of all of us. Without you, BABYQUEEN would be incomplete. Don't doubt your worth anymore. Believe that the Layla I know, will always shine, even when surrounded by darkness."
Layla buried her head in Jennifer's shoulder, sobbing, but this time the tears were released. Rayden sat there quietly, nodded slightly, then left, leaving a peaceful silence between the two sisters.
Sofia stood far away, witnessing everything, a faint smile flashed across her eyes. She turned on her heel and walked into Astrix's room, where Damien was engrossed in his laptop, his face tense.
Sofia (voice as sweet as honey): "You're always so serious. Damien is cold, strong... that's why... I like you."
Damien paused on the keyboard, turned to look at her, his eyes as icy.
Damien: "Sofia, what are you talking about?"
Sofia (approaching, eyes provocative): "I like you. Not on stage, not in the script. For real. Layla is just a beautiful role that you and she painted together. But me... it's different, I see you clearly, Damien."
Damien (standing up, voice cold and piercing): "You're wrong. I don't need someone who 'likes' me just because of this fake strength. And Layla… isn't a role. She's the reason I'm still fighting."
Sofia (smiling faintly, tilting her head): "That's interesting. You love her the wrong way, Damien. That love will destroy her. And when she falls, you'll understand… who's always on your side."
Damien clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger but still keeping his voice calm.
Damien: "If you dare to use Layla to say these trashy words again… I won't forgive you, Sofia."
Sofia chuckled softly, turned away, leaving the room tense and stuffy. Damien watched, his face cold but his eyes hiding a storm of emotions.
In the evening, around 6 o'clock…
In the living room, the sound of the game was loud.
Serena was staring at the screen, pressing the buttons with both hands, but was still surpassed by Julian.
Serena (gritting her teeth): "Aishhhh! You lost again?! You hacked, right, Julian?!"
Julian (smirking): "What hacking? If you're bad at it, then admit it. You're a gaming genius."
Serena (rolling her eyes, slapping Julian's shoulder): "You're a genius! If you laugh again, I'll block you!"
Julian (grimace, laughing and rubbing his shoulder): "Yah yah, that really hurts! You really don't know how to lose properly…"
Serena (pouting, low voice): "…Not fair."
Julian (softening his voice, looking at her intently): "I'll give in next time. Okay, hot-tempered princess?"
Serena (blushing, turning away): "Who wants me to give in!"
On the balcony, Sara was sitting with Elio. She hugged the hot cup of tea tightly, her eyes red.
Sara (voice trembling): "Elio… Grandma has always been by my side since I was little… Now that she's gone, I feel so empty."
Elio (gently pulling the shawl over her shoulders): "Shhh… I'm not empty, Sara. Grandma is still in my heart."
Sara (sobs): "But I miss her so much… I'm afraid I can't bear it."
Elio (gently placing his hand on her head, stroking it like he's coaxing a child): "It's okay, go ahead and cry. I'm here. You don't have to suffer alone."
Sara (leaning her head on his shoulder, whispering): "Elio… do you really think I'll be okay?"
Elio (smiling, whispering in her ear): "Yes. Because you're the strong Sara I know. And if you fall, I'll pick you up."
(Sara cried louder, but a weak smile appeared between her tears.)
In the kitchen, the aroma spread throughout the house. Jennifer was cutting vegetables, Layla was washing dishes, and Rayden stood next to her preparing spices.
Jennifer (smiling brightly): "Layla, you washed it so thoroughly, this bowl is shiny."
Layla (frowning): "I just want to do something to help… not just stand by and watch."
Rayden (softly): "You've helped a lot, Layla. No one here wants to see you struggling."
Layla (looking down, muttering): "…I'm just afraid of being left behind."
Jennifer put down the knife, walked over and hugged Layla gently from behind.
Jennifer: "Silly girl, we will never abandon you. You are the center of BABYQUEEN, and also our little sister."
Rayden (nods, smiles slightly): "Yes. And whoever makes you cry, will have to go through us first."
Layla chuckled lightly, feeling warmer.
In the dance studio, the music was playing. Lilia and Lucas were spinning around.
Lilia (gasps, laughing loudly): "You're dancing out of rhythm! Your left foot, not your right!"
Lucas (waves his hand): "No, I'm dancing wrong. You danced wrong? I can't believe it!"
Lilia (dances again, intentionally turns the wrong way): "Here, just like you did earlier!"
Lucas (laughs, puts his hands on his hips): "You dare to tease me? Okay, this time I'll make you bow down."
He grabbed Lilia's hand, pulled her around so well that she almost fell into his chest. The two looked at each other awkwardly for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Lilia: "Alright, I admit you're good. But you're still worse than me!"
Lucas: "Huh? You really don't know how to be humble!"
But in all that joy… Damien did not appear.
Layla sat at the dining table, her eyes unconsciously turned towards the door. The meal was full of laughter, but her heart felt a little tight.
Layla (thinking, her eyes downcast): "Damien…Why…didn't you…come…?"