Zayan's phone had been ringing all morning — his father, persistent and unyielding. Even his cousins had been calling.
Liam wandered into the room. His father was napping, the phone buzzing on the table. Curious, he picked it up.
"Zayan, my child, it's good you answered. I want to talk to you—"
"Hello! I'm Liam. Dada is napping now, so bye-bye. When Dad wakes up, Liam will tell Dada to call you back, okie?"
A pause. Then a warmer voice: "Why, hello, baby Liam. If your dad wakes up, tell him that your grandpa called. Okay, baby?"
"Okie! Bye-bye," Liam chirped, ending the call.
Zayan stirred awake to the smell of food. Nora was feeding him.
"I love your cooking, my love," he mumbled through a full mouth.
Liam came running in, giggling.
"Dada, dada! Guess what!"
"What, my boy?" Zayan asked, lifting him up.
"Grandpa called! He said he's been calling you to talk, but I told him Dada is sleeping. He asked my name, I said Liam! Then he said, 'Okay, baby Liam.'" Liam poked his chest proudly.
Zayan's hands clenched into fists. His expression darkened.
"Did Liam… misbehave?" Liam asked in a small voice.
Zayan didn't answer right away, his mind still burning with old anger. Liam's smile faded. He slid down from Zayan's lap and quietly sat in the corner of the room, facing the wall.
Nora frowned. "Liam, sweetie, why are you sitting there?"
"Papa is mad at me, so Liam sit in the corner now," he said softly.
Zayan's chest tightened. "Liam, dear… come here." He lifted his son into his arms. "Listen, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at Grandpa, not you. You know Papa loves you and the twins, right? Why would I be mad at you, huh?"
Liam's eyes brightened. Winter dashed into the room.
"Hey, Liam, come see! A big rainbow! You love rainbows, right?"
With a squeal, Liam jumped onto Winter's back, joining the other kids and Levi by the window.
Nora slid her hands onto Zayan's shoulders. "Z, my darling…"
He turned, face crumpling, and buried himself in her arms.
"Baby, you're not a bad father or husband, okay? You're a good man. I swear," she whispered, rubbing his back.
Zayan cried until his eyes hurt.
Later, Nora helped him into his vest when her stomach tensed.
"Ouch!" she winced, holding her bump.
"What's wrong, baby?" Zayan asked quickly.
"She's kicking… a lot harder," Nora laughed.
Zayan kissed her tummy, then kissed her lips.
At the company, Zayan secured a £700 million deal, sealing a powerful new partnership. The Black Scar Lords also scored more gains. Azara shopped for Rose, Levi, and little Lora. Rose adored Azara deeply — and the feeling was mutual.
"I wish someone would come into our lives soon," Atreus said wistfully.
"Single assholes," Zayan teased, making everyone laugh.
"Well, we'll get someone soon, Zayan Kai Resia," Atreus replied with fake tears.
A woman approached Azara.
"Excuse me, are you single?"
"Nope," Azara said proudly. "I have a wife and two kids."
"Oh! Sorry for disturbing," the woman said, retreating quickly.
"You don't see that every day," Kian chuckled.
"True Good humor," Kaiza added.
Later, Rose was upset with Azara for overspending. Still, she made lunch for her.
"Lora, sweetie, tell your mama I'm not talking to her," Rose said.
Lora giggled. Levi carried her over, kissed Rose's cheek, then left.
Azara returned with flowers.
Rose narrowed her eyes. "Hmmmm… fine."
"I got a lot of things for you, my love," Azara said, revealing boxes.
"I told you to stop spending, remember?" Rose sighed.
"Oops," Azara laughed, pulling her in for a deep kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Meanwhile, at home, Liam was fuming.
"LARRY!" he yelled after Lysander stole his samosas.
"Whoa, chill," Seraphina giggled at his chubby, angry face.
"Hey, my lovelies," Zayan said, handing them shopping bags.
"Dad, you spend too much," the twins said in unison.
"Yeah, he does," Nora added, giving him a long, deadly look.
"I love you," Zayan grinned, kissing her cheek.
To the Netherlands
The family boarded the plane to Utrecht. Six hours later, they landed.
"Welcome, Mr. Kai," Mrs. Tessel greeted.
"Hello, Mrs. Nora, how are you?"
"I'm doing well," Nora replied warmly.
A week later, the deal was finalized — £6 billion for Zayan and the Black Scar Lords. While the family shopped again, Nora picked out more clothes for herself, the kids, Zayan, and their soon-to-arrive baby girl.
They packed up.
Next stop: Germany.