Asher returned minutes later with a plate of warm cinnamon rolls, their sweet scent filling the room. Nora's eyes lit up like stars.
"Yay! Yummies!" she squealed, clapping her hands.
She bit into one and gave a loud, content hum, crumbs sticking to her lips. Zayan knelt beside her, watching every move like she was made of glass. He wanted to smile—wanted to believe she was okay—but the deep hollowness in her eyes reminded him of the truth.
Nora didn't remember him.
Not the long nights.
Not the fights.
Not the kisses.
Not the love.
He swallowed the lump in his throat and gently wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"Thank you, Mr. Handsome," she giggled innocently.
Zayan's heart shattered all over again.
Downstairs, Aveline and her daughters sat in silence, the atmosphere suffocating. Catalina had arrived and was doing her best to distract the girls.
"She really… doesn't remember anything?" Frya asked, still nursing her bandaged hand.
Shaw nodded. "It's real. She thinks like a child. She's stuck in a mental place where her trauma feels safest. We don't know how long she'll be like this."
Aveline bowed her head in shame. "All this… because of our past mistakes. I don't deserve to be her mother."
"You don't," Shaw said flatly, his tone icy. "But Zayan does. And he'll fight like hell to bring her back."
Back in Zayan's room, Asher sat with Nora, helping her tie her shoelaces. She giggled when she messed up and cheered when she got it right.
Zayan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes dark with thought.
"She's like a little flame again," Asher said quietly, "flickering… but still there."
"I'm going to fix this," Zayan said. "No matter what it takes. I'll get her memories back. I'll remind her."
Asher nodded slowly. "I'll help. But Leon…?"
Zayan's eyes turned to steel. "He's not dead. I can feel it. I'll finish what you started."
Asher stood. "When?"
"Soon. But not before I make sure she's stable. Safe."
That night, Zayan brought Nora a new stuffed animal—a dragon with soft wings and a golden belly.
"I named him 'Zayany!'" Nora chirped, snuggling into her bed.
Zayan smiled softly. "Zayany, huh? That's a good name."
He sat by her bed and held her tiny hand as she closed her eyes.
"Nighty night, Mr. Kai," she murmured.
Zayan stared at her sleeping face.
"Come back to me, my love. Come back to yourself. I'll wait… no matter how long it takes."