A week had passed.
The mansion wasn't tense anymore.
But it wasn't relaxed either.
It had settled into something quieter.
Something watchful.
Controlled.
The kind of silence that stayed in the background—
not threatening.
Not calm.
Just… present.
Leah hadn't left the bedroom.
Not since that day.
The doctors had been clear.
Rest.
No strain.
No stress.
So she stayed.
Even when she didn't want to.
Even when it made her restless.
She shifted slightly against the pillows.
Careful.
Slow.
Her hand rested over her stomach.
Familiar now.
Constant.
Then—
a kick.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Leah exhaled softly.
"…You again."
Another kick followed.
Then another.
More insistent this time.
Her brows pulled together faintly.
"…You don't stop, do you…"
She adjusted slightly.
Trying to get comfortable.
But the movement didn't stop.
It rarely did anymore.
Morning.
Night.
The same times.
Like clockwork.
Her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach.
"…You're going to be exhausting, you know that?"
A pause.
Then softer—
"…Just like him."
The door opened quietly.
Leah didn't turn immediately.
She already knew.
"…You're walking again."
Izana stepped in.
Slow.
Measured.
Still not fully steady.
But upright.
"…A little."
Leah watched him carefully now.
Her eyes moving over him.
Checking.
Assessing.
"…You shouldn't be pushing yourself."
Izana didn't stop moving.
Didn't sit yet.
"…I'm not."
Leah gave him a look.
One that said she didn't believe that for a second.
"…You say that like I don't know you."
Izana didn't respond.
He stopped beside the bed instead.
Close.
Within reach.
Then—
another kick.
Immediate.
Stronger.
Leah let out a quiet breath.
"…See?"
Izana's gaze dropped instantly.
His hand moved.
Resting over her stomach.
Warm.
Steady.
The reaction was immediate.
The movement beneath his hand slowed.
Then—
stilled.
Leah watched it happen.
Like she always did.
A faint exhale left her.
"…He only listens to you now."
Izana's thumb moved slightly.
Slow.
Familiar.
"…He listens when it matters."
Leah studied him.
"…That sounds like something you would say."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…It's not fair."
Izana didn't look up.
"…What isn't."
"…That he calms down for you so easily."
A small breath.
"…I have to deal with him all day."
Izana's tone didn't change.
"…You're doing fine."
Leah huffed faintly.
"…That's not reassuring."
Silence settled between them.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
Not anymore.
Leah shifted slightly.
Carefully.
"…You're leaving again."
Not a question.
Izana's hand stilled for a second.
Then—
"…For a bit."
Leah nodded faintly.
Her gaze stayed on him.
"…You always say that."
A pause.
"…And it's never just a bit."
Izana didn't answer.
Didn't deny it either.
Leah exhaled softly.
Then—
"…Don't make me come looking for you."
Izana finally looked at her.
"…You won't."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…Stay here."
Leah held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then nodded.
"…Fine."
Another small kick came.
Izana's hand adjusted slightly.
The movement calmed again.
Leah watched him.
"…Come back."
Izana didn't hesitate.
"…I will."
He stepped back.
Turned.
And left.
The door closed quietly behind him.
The room settled again.
Soft.
Still.
But the quiet didn't follow him.
Not all the way.
—
The office felt different.
Colder.
Sharper.
Like it had been waiting.
Dante was already there.
Standing near the desk.
Arms loosely crossed.
He didn't look surprised.
"…You shouldn't be here yet."
Izana didn't slow.
Didn't hesitate.
"…I am."
Dante watched him approach.
Measured.
Observing.
"…You're still recovering."
Izana didn't respond to that.
He stopped at the desk instead.
Resting one hand lightly against it.
Steadying.
Not showing it.
"…Update."
Dante didn't push further.
Didn't argue.
"…He's still alive."
A pause.
"…Hasn't said much."
Izana's gaze stayed forward.
Unmoving.
"…I didn't expect him to."
Dante shifted slightly.
"…He's not asking for mercy."
Izana's expression didn't change.
"…He wouldn't."
Silence stretched.
Heavy.
Then—
Izana spoke.
Calm.
Flat.
"…I want him gone."
No hesitation.
No emotion.
Just final.
Dante studied him for a moment.
Carefully.
"…You're sure?"
Izana didn't look at him.
"…Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"…He served his purpose."
The words settled into the room.
Cold.
Deliberate.
Dante exhaled slowly.
"…This ends that line."
Izana's gaze didn't waver.
"…It already ended when he died."
A pause.
"…This is just cleaning it up."
Silence followed.
Then—
Dante spoke again.
Quieter this time.
"…And Leah?"
Izana's gaze shifted slightly.
Sharpened.
Just a fraction.
"…He mentioned her."
A pause.
His voice dropped.
Colder.
"…That was enough."
No hesitation.
No second thought.
Dante nodded once.
Understood.
"…How do you want it done."
Izana didn't take long.
"…Make it quiet."
A pause.
"…No mistakes."
Dante straightened slightly.
"…Understood."
Silence filled the room again.
But it wasn't empty.
It was final.
Izana turned.
Didn't linger.
Didn't stay.
He left.
Just like that.
—
The hallway felt quieter than before.
But not lighter.
Not after that.
His steps were slower now.
Measured.
Still recovering.
But steady.
Controlled.
The closer he got to the bedroom—
the quieter everything became again.
Like the mansion shifted with him.
Adjusted.
The door opened.
Leah was where he left her.
Resting.
One hand over her stomach.
Eyes half-lidded.
But not asleep.
She looked up the moment he entered.
"…You're back."
Izana stepped inside.
Closed the door behind him.
"…I told you I would be."
Leah watched him carefully.
Studying him.
Something in her expression shifted.
Slightly.
"…That was quick."
Izana didn't answer.
He moved closer instead.
Back to the same spot.
Beside the bed.
Then—
a kick.
Immediate.
Leah exhaled softly.
"…There he is again…"
Izana's hand moved instinctively.
Resting over her stomach.
The reaction came instantly.
The movement slowed.
Then stilled.
Leah's eyes stayed on him.
"…You were gone."
"…Not long."
A pause.
Her gaze didn't soften.
Didn't move.
"…Something changed."
Silence.
Izana didn't respond.
Didn't deny it.
Leah's fingers tightened slightly over the sheets.
"…It's over, isn't it."
A pause.
Just a second.
Then—
"…Yes."
The word settled between them.
Heavy.
Quiet.
Leah exhaled slowly.
Her eyes didn't leave him.
"…Okay."
No questions.
No pushing.
Just—
acceptance.
For now.
Izana's hand stayed where it was.
Resting.
Grounding.
The room fell quiet again.
But this time—
it wasn't tense.
It wasn't sharp.
It was something else.
Something quieter.
Leah shifted slightly.
Settling back.
Her eyes growing heavier.
"…Stay."
Izana didn't move.
"…I am."
A small kick came.
Soft.
Then faded.
Calm again.
Leah's breathing slowed.
Evened out.
Her eyes closed.
Finally.
Resting.
Izana stayed where he was.
Hand still resting over her stomach.
Watching.
Making sure.
Not moving.
Not leaving.
Exactly like he said.
And this time—
nothing pulled him away.