The room held tension like it was part of the structure.
Not loud.
Not chaotic.
Just tight.
Controlled.
Voices stayed low.
Careful.
Measured.
Izana sat at the head of the table.
Still.
Composed.
Untouched glass in front of him.
Dante stood just behind.
Silent.
Watching everything.
One of the men leaned forward.
"…This is already unstable."
Izana didn't look at him.
Not immediately.
Then—
"…Then stabilize it."
The man frowned.
"…That's not the point."
Another voice joined in.
"…You're avoiding it."
Izana's gaze shifted slightly.
"…No."
A pause.
"…You are."
Silence followed.
Short.
Uncomfortable.
Then—
"…We need a decision."
Izana's fingers tapped once against the table.
Light.
Barely there.
"…You'll get one."
The first man leaned back.
Frustration controlled.
"…When."
Izana's eyes lifted.
"…When I'm done listening."
A quiet scoff came from the side.
"…We don't have time for this."
Izana didn't react.
"…You do."
Dante's gaze flicked across the room.
Tracking tension points.
Watching for fractures.
One wrong push—
and this would break.
Another man spoke.
"…This affects everyone here."
Izana finally turned fully toward him.
"…Then speak clearly."
The man hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then—
"…The north sector isn't holding."
"…Then hold it."
"…We tried."
Izana's voice stayed even.
"…Try again."
The man's jaw tightened.
"…That's not a solution."
Izana leaned back slightly.
"…It is."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…You just don't like it."
Silence again.
Heavy.
Dragging.
Then—
Izana stilled.
Just slightly.
Barely visible.
Something—
off.
Not in the room.
Outside of it.
A shift he couldn't place.
Gone in a second.
He didn't acknowledge it.
Didn't let it show.
"…Continue."
The mansion felt different.
Quiet.
Soft.
A silence that didn't push back.
Leah rested against the pillows.
Half sitting up.
One hand over her stomach.
The other tracing slow circles against the blanket.
Elias sat nearby.
In the armchair.
Close enough to watch.
Far enough to give space.
"…He's quieter today."
Leah glanced down immediately.
"…Don't say that."
A small movement answered her.
Right on time.
Leah exhaled softly.
"…Okay. Maybe not."
Elias watched the shift.
Measured.
"…Strong."
Leah nodded faintly.
"…Too strong sometimes."
A pause settled.
Comfortable.
Then—
Elias spoke again.
"…I didn't expect this."
Leah looked at him.
"…What."
"…A child in this house again."
Her expression softened.
"…You're going to be a great grandfather."
Elias didn't respond right away.
Then—
"…We'll see."
But his voice lacked its usual edge.
Quieter.
Less guarded.
Leah noticed.
A small smile formed.
"…You're already soft about it."
Elias gave her a look.
"…Don't exaggerate."
"…You're sitting here."
"…You're not moving."
He didn't deny it.
Just—
"…You shouldn't be alone."
Leah leaned back slightly.
"…I wouldn't be."
A pause.
Then—
"…But I like that you're here."
Elias didn't answer.
But he didn't look away either.
Leah's hand moved slowly over her stomach.
"…He's been calmer."
"…Temporary."
Leah huffed lightly.
"…You're very reassuring."
"…I'm realistic."
"…Same thing."
"…No."
That earned a faint smile.
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…He's going to be big."
Elias glanced at her stomach.
"…He already is."
"…Like his father."
Elias didn't comment.
But the silence agreed.
Leah shifted slightly—
Then paused.
Her hand stilled.
Just for a second.
Barely noticeable.
Elias noticed immediately.
"…Leah."
She shook her head faintly.
"…It's nothing."
Another second passed.
Then—
it hit again.
Stronger.
Leah inhaled sharply.
Her shoulders tensed.
Elias leaned forward.
"…What is it?"
Leah pressed her hand down more firmly.
"…That's new."
"…Explain."
Leah swallowed.
"…It feels like—."
She stopped.
Another wave.
Sharper.
Her breathing changed.
Not steady anymore.
Leah sat completely still.
Eyes lowering.
"…Elias."
His tone shifted.
Immediate.
"…What."
Leah exhaled slowly.
"…I think—."
She didn't finish.
The moment answered for her.
Everything shifted.
Leah froze.
Looked down.
A pause.
Then—
"…Oh."
Silence.
Then Elias moved.
Instant.
Controlled.
"…Stay where you are."
Leah didn't argue.
Didn't move.
Her breathing picked up.
"…Okay—."
"…Don't move."
He stepped forward.
Already pulling out his phone.
At the same time—
"…Get someone here."
His voice carried toward the door.
Staff moved immediately.
No hesitation.
Leah exhaled unevenly.
"…He really picked now."
Another breath.
"…Of course he did."
Her hand tightened against the sheets.
Zarek moved again.
Stronger.
Lower.
Different.
Leah winced slightly.
"…That's not gentle."
Elias dialed.
Phone to his ear.
Watching her.
Not missing anything.
"…Stay with it."
Leah nodded faintly.
"…I am."
Another wave.
She gripped tighter.
"…Okay…"
Her breathing shifted.
Measured.
But harder.
"…He's not subtle."
Elias didn't answer.
The line rang.
Leah exhaled again.
"…Izana's going to be annoyed."
"…Why."
"…Because he wasn't here."
A pause.
"…He should've been."
Elias didn't respond.
The line kept ringing.
Leah closed her eyes briefly.
"…He told me to rest."
Another breath.
"…I did."
Another wave hit.
Stronger.
She tensed.
"…Okay—."
Elias stepped closer.
"…Focus."
Leah nodded.
"…I am."
Her voice tighter now.
Still controlled.
Still her.
But strained.
Zarek moved again.
Leah pressed her hand down.
"…Zarek…"
Softer now.
"…Calm down."
Another breath.
"…Your timing is terrible."
A faint attempt at humor.
Elias almost reacted.
Almost.
The line continued.
Still ringing.
Leah exhaled.
"…He's not answering."
"…He will."
"…He better."
Another wave.
She leaned back slightly.
Eyes shut tight for a second.
Then opened them again.
"…Okay."
Elias watched closely.
Measured.
"…Stay steady."
"…I am steady."
"…Stay that way."
Leah gave a faint breath of a laugh.
"…You're very commanding today."
"…It's necessary."
"…You sound like him."
"…Unfortunate."
That got a small reaction from her.
Even now.
Then—
another shift.
Stronger.
Lower.
Leah inhaled sharply.
Her hand gripping the sheets harder.
"…That's worse."
Elias didn't look away.
"…Yes."
Simple.
Direct.
Real.
The room had changed.
Completely.
No softness left.
Only tension.
Only waiting.
The line kept ringing.
Leah's breathing filled the space.
Uneven.
Sharp.
Controlled.
But breaking at the edges.
"…Answer."
A pause.
Then quieter—
"…Just answer."
Elias's voice came low.
Steady.
But firm.
"…Pick up."