The mansion was unusually loud that afternoon. All the boys were at Zayan's estate. Aveline was also there, sitting uncomfortably on the edge of the sofa, her eyes flickering nervously.
As instructed by Zayan, Nora stepped into the living room, her presence heavy like a storm brewing in the distance.
She turned directly to Aveline, her voice sharp and cold.
"Tell me—why did you leave me in that orphanage?"
Aveline froze. The silence that followed was thick, suffocating.
Nora's anger was fierce, dangerously calm—worse than even Zayan's when provoked. Frya and Sora stood behind their mother, hesitant and visibly shaken.
Frya tried to speak.
"P-Please, calm down—"
Nora snapped, eyes burning.
"I ain't fucking talking to you. Keep quiet."
She walked toward Aveline, every step a threat.
"Answers. I'm kinda waiting."
Aveline stammered.
"I… I had no other option, my child, I—"
Nora's voice cut through like a blade.
"Who are you calling 'your child'? I mean, sure—you gave birth to me. But were you there for me? Did you raise me? No. My Nana did everything you were supposed to do. You left me."
Upstairs, Zayan was in his office, deep in meetings. Shaw, however, kept him updated.
Text from Shaw: She's getting mad now.
Zayan unlocked his iPad, switching to the mansion's live camera feed.
On screen, Nora had sunk to the floor, sitting cross-legged while everyone else remained standing. She looked broken—but the rage in her eyes said otherwise.
Aveline stepped closer, voice shaking.
"Your grandmother was going to kill you. Your father… he said he wanted nothing to do with a bastard child."
Shaw frowned.
"My father said that because of Grandma. He sent someone to help you with the baby, but you left. He was devastated. He thought you both died on the bridge… but you were never there."
Nora rose slowly from the floor, trembling.
"Back. The. Fuck. Away. From me."
Her voice was venom.
"I only have six brothers and an orphanage. No family members. At all."
Sora stepped forward.
"I understand your pain, but Mom is not at fault—"
"Can you shut up? Damn!" Nora's voice thundered.
Frya tried again, gentler.
"Nora—"
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Nora screamed, grabbing the nearest vase and hurling it.
Frya barely dodged. The vase shattered against the wall, but a shard sliced Frya's hand.
Aveline gasped, rushing forward.
"What the hell, my child—"
Nora's eyes flared.
"I AM YOUR CHILD?! FOR FUCKING SAKE!"
Rex couldn't take it anymore. Neither could Neal. Seeing her spiral like this—it was unbearable.
Without a word, Rex stepped forward and, with a swift, clean move, knocked her out with a strike to the neck. Nora collapsed into Neal's arms.
Zayan called immediately.
"Take her back home," he said firmly to Shaw.
"Now."
As the boys prepared to leave, Shaw turned to Aveline, gave her a long look, and simply said:
"Hmph."
Then walked out.
Four hours later.
Zayan returned to the mansion.
He stared at the broken vase, the bloodied floor, and Aveline slumped on the carpet. Frya and Sora sat silently, their faces pale.
Catalina, a close friend of Aveline's, tried to console her.
Zayan exhaled.
"She broke the vase, huh?"
His mother looked up at him.
"She's gone…"
Zayan shook his head.
"I asked them to take her. Let her cool off somewhere safe. I'm leaving for Bora tomorrow. I need a break."
He turned and walked away, calling Shaw.
"We're going on vacation. All of us. Pack bags. Including hers."
Zayan didn't forget about Asher. He hadn't seen Nora in a while. This was the perfect opportunity for them to reconnect.
He also placed full-time security at the orphanage. The children had to be safe. Always.
Morning.
"Nora… Nora… come on, wake up," Ash whispered, brushing her cheek.
Her eyes fluttered open.
"Took you long enough," Asher grinned, kissing her cheek.
She blinked.
"What happened?"
Rex spoke up, awkwardly.
"I… I knocked you out."
"You what?!" Nora growled, trying to sit up. She winced.
Zayan handed her a glass of water. She drank, glaring at everyone.
"I'm not talking to any of you. Except Asher."
They were already in the air, flying. The private jet hummed quietly.
Nora looked out the window.
"Where the hell are we going?"
Asher smiled.
"Vacation."
"A what?" she turned to him, confused.
"Vacation," the boys all said in unison.
Zayan added,
"You need it."
Nora crossed her arms.
"I don't need a vacation. I need to work. I have things to do—like…"
She paused, drawing a blank.
Zayan raised a brow.
"Like?"
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
"Hmm."
He smirked as his eyes wandered—lingering on her chest before he looked away, amused.
Later, she finally ate something—some warm food, a glass of milk—and curled up beside Asher, falling asleep with his arm draped over her.
Night blanketed the sky.
In just five hours, they'd land in Bora. Zayan leaned back, watching Nora sleep, her features calm and beautiful under the cabin light.
"My darling Nora…" he thought to himself.
"I will get married to you soon. By any means necessary."