Two days later on the 7th of November.
The mansion had settled again.
Not peaceful.
Just quiet in a way that felt temporary.
Like something was always waiting just beyond the walls.
Leah was in bed.
Resting.
Not asleep yet.
Just still.
One hand resting over her stomach.
The other tucked into the blanket beside her.
Zarek had been calmer these last two days.
Less force.
Less sudden movement.
More steady presence than pressure.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…At least you're behaving today."
A small movement answered her.
Soft.
Controlled.
Almost like agreement.
Leah smiled faintly.
"…Good."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…Keep it that way."
Another gentle shift followed.
Not strong.
Just there.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
Not sleeping.
Just resting inside the silence.
Upstairs, the nursery sat just beside their bedroom.
A few steps away.
A door away.
Izana was inside it.
The room was already finished.
Everything already in place.
But he was still there.
Checking anyway.
Blankets folded once.
Then again.
Then adjusted slightly.
Drawers opened.
Closed.
Reopened.
Everything was correct.
Still, he looked again.
Not because he doubted it.
Because it kept his hands steady.
The silence in the room was different from the rest of the house.
Controlled.
Contained.
Izana exhaled once.
Slow.
Then reached to straighten a small folded sheet again.
Stopped.
Paused.
Then left it as it was.
For once.
The knock came from the hallway.
Sharp.
Dante.
"…Boss."
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Just turned slightly.
"…What."
Dante stepped into view.
Serious.
Focused.
Not rushed, but urgent.
"…We need you."
That shifted the air instantly.
Izana straightened fully.
Not tense.
Just aware.
"…Explain."
Dante shook his head once.
"…It's not stable. They're not listening to anyone else. It has to be you."
Izana's gaze didn't move from him.
"…Where."
Dante hesitated.
Then—
"…North sector. It escalated faster than expected."
A pause.
Then Dante added carefully—
"…They're waiting."
That word mattered.
Waiting.
Izana's jaw tightened slightly.
Not anger.
Decision forming.
His eyes shifted once.
Toward the nursery window.
Then toward the bedroom door next to it.
Leah.
So close.
Dante continued.
"…I can't hold it off much longer."
Silence.
Then Izana spoke.
Low.
Controlled.
"…No."
Dante blinked.
"…Izana—."
Izana cut him off.
Not sharp.
Just final.
"…She's next door."
Dante exhaled slightly.
"…I know."
"…Then handle what you can."
Dante stepped forward a little.
"…I can't replace you in this. You know that."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…They won't listen to me."
Izana didn't answer immediately.
Just stood there.
Still.
Measuring.
Then Dante said it clearly.
"…You're the boss."
That landed differently.
Not as pressure.
As fact.
Izana exhaled slowly.
Controlled.
His eyes shifted once more toward the bedroom door.
Then—
"…Get the car ready."
Dante nodded immediately.
Turned.
Izana added before he left—
"…I need to tell her."
Dante paused for half a second.
Then walked away.
Izana stood outside the bedroom door for a moment.
Hand on the handle.
Didn't open it immediately.
Not hesitation.
Just timing.
Then he entered.
Leah was already awake.
Already looking at him.
Like she had been waiting for the shift in the house.
Her voice was quiet.
"…You're leaving."
Not a question.
Izana didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
Leah studied him for a moment.
Then nodded slightly.
"…Something happened."
"…Yes."
A pause.
Leah exhaled softly.
Then—
"…Okay."
Izana didn't move immediately.
That calm response stayed heavier than anything else.
Leah added quietly—
"…You don't need to explain everything right now."
Izana looked at her.
Then stepped closer.
Sat at the edge of the bed.
Careful.
Close.
"…I'll come back."
Leah nodded.
"…I know."
A pause.
Izana's hand rested lightly on the bed beside her.
Not touching her yet.
Just there.
"…Call me if anything changes."
Leah tilted her head slightly.
"…Nothing is going to change in a few hours."
Izana didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…Call anyway."
Leah gave a faint tired smile.
"…You're very consistent when you're worried."
Izana looked at her.
"…I'm not worried."
Leah raised an eyebrow.
"…That's worse."
A faint pause.
Then Izana spoke softer.
"…I'm aware."
That made her expression soften slightly.
Leah adjusted her position.
"…I'll be fine."
Izana held her gaze.
Longer than usual.
Then nodded once.
"…I know."
Not doubt.
Just certainty.
He stood.
Leah shifted slightly on the bed.
Watching him.
"…You checked the nursery again, didn't you."
Izana paused.
Then—
"…Yes."
Leah exhaled.
"…Of course you did."
Izana stepped closer again.
Leaning down.
Pressed a slow kiss to her forehead.
Then lower.
Her stomach.
Zarek moved immediately under his hand.
Izana stayed there a moment longer.
Hand steady.
Warm.
"…Stay calm."
Leah gave him a tired look.
"…I am calm."
"…Good."
A pause.
Then Leah added softly—
"…He listens to you more when you're here."
Izana looked at her.
"…He listens when you're calm."
Leah let out a small breath.
"…That sounds like a compliment and a complaint at the same time."
"…It's neither."
Simple.
Warm.
Leah smiled faintly.
"…You're difficult."
"…So are you."
That earned a small laugh from her.
Zarek shifted once.
Izana's hand didn't move away.
Just stayed.
Steady.
Leah's voice softened.
"…Go then."
Izana didn't move immediately.
Just looked at her.
Longer than necessary.
Not dramatic.
Just present.
Then turned.
Walked out.
Downstairs, Dante was already waiting.
Car running.
Door open.
"…Boss."
Izana stepped in immediately.
No hesitation now.
Just movement.
"…Go."
Dante closed the door.
The car pulled away.
Upstairs, the mansion stayed quiet.
Leah lay back slowly.
One hand resting over her stomach.
Zarek shifted once.
Then settled.
She exhaled softly.
"…You always leave like it's controlled."
A faint pause.
Then quieter—
"…But it never feels like it."
She stared toward the door for a moment.
Not worried.
Just aware.
Then—
"…Come back soon."
The nursery door beside her room stayed closed.
Still.
And the house waited.