Nora sat cross-legged on the floor in a black maxi gown that perfectly traced her silhouette. Her brows were furrowed, eyes darting left and right as she threw items out of her suitcase, making a mess across the room.
"Where are they?" she muttered, frustration rising. "Where are my art supplies?"
She looked on the verge of tears. Everyone was already packed and waiting by the door, but she wasn't budging.
Zayan came downstairs, adjusting the cuff of his shirt. "Are we ready to—?"
Thwack! A pillow hit his face. He blinked, stunned, only to see his furious wife glaring at him.
Royce leaned closer to the group and whispered, "She's like this when something—or someone—important to her is missing. She's deeply attached. Withdrawal kicks in instantly."
Imara walked toward her calmly. "Nora? What's wrong, love?"
"My art stuff… I can't find them. They're not here." Her voice cracked, her shoulders slumped.
Zayan stepped forward. "They're in my luggage. I packed them for you, baby. You can use them anytime—and we can even get you new ones."
Her face lit up like a spark of sunshine after a storm. "Really?! Okay! Let's go, go, go!"
The mood shifted instantly.
At the airport, Nora was all smiles, swinging Asher's hand like a child.
Her eyes widened when she saw the private jet. "Woooow! It's HUGE!"
"That's your Z's," Asher said. "He owns it."
"Really?! Yayy!"
Miska stood nearby, his neat braids tied back, fresh tape line along his hairline. "Good morning, Mrs. Nora."
Nora looked up, blinked, and replied, "Good morning, Mr. Donkey."
Zayan choked on his laugh, while everyone burst out laughing.
Miska blinked. "Wait—what? Donkey?! Who the hell is a donkey?"
"You are," Nora said with a sweet giggle.
Frya laughed, catching Miska's eye. He smirked, his gaze lingering on her a second longer than usual.
Everyone boarded the jet: Aaila and Asher, Lisa and Rex, Damian and Shaw, Imara and Kasir, Arion and Neal, Kiernan and Maverick, Frya and Miska, Sora and Royce, Kyomi, and finally, Zayan with Nora.
Nora sat by the window, and Zayan buckled her seatbelt.
"My head hurts," she said softly. "Milkshake, please?"
Zayan kissed her forehead and got her one. As she sipped it, the plane began to move. Her eyes widened in terror.
"Z… Zayan… why is it going up?! Take it down! Take it down!"
He pulled her into his arms. "Love, look outside. We're flying—that's how we reach far places."
She slowly opened one eye and gasped as white clouds floated by. "Whoa… we're flying!"
She pulled out her sketchpad and began drawing the clouds.
Moments later, she looked up innocently. "Hey, what if we go down and boom—the pretty plane explodes and everyone dies?"
Everyone froze.
Asher stared at her, wide-eyed. "Why… would you say something so terrifying?!"
She giggled.
Nora eventually leaned her head on Zayan's shoulder, staring at him, lips slightly parted. "Nora wants you," she whispered.
He leaned in and kissed her, slow and deep. She smiled against his lips and rested peacefully on his chest.
After nearly four hours, they landed in Hong Kong. Waiting on the tarmac were five people.
Zayan carried Nora in his arms—her legs wrapped around him, arms around his neck.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Kai," one of the men said. "I'm Ivan Ka-Ho. This is Derek Tsz-Wan and Justin Chan-Yin. And here we have Mrs. Bella Hiu-Tung and Miss Karen Man-Yee."
Zayan introduced everyone. "And finally, my wife… Nora Zayan Kai. A pleasure."
Cars lined up to escort them to the villas.
Nora had fallen asleep again.
Arion leaned closer, checking her eyes. "They're white. Pale. It's like she's losing blood."
Imara placed two fingers on her wrist. "Pulse is weak. Her energy is fading too fast."
"She needs food. And to stay active," Royce added.
Zayan looked worried, brushing strands of hair from her damp forehead. Doctors were already scribbling notes.
Later that evening, Asher sat on the balcony, a cigarette in hand. The soft breeze blew smoke into the air.
Aaila walked out, smelled it, and immediately yanked the pack from his pocket, stomping on the lit stick.
"Hey!" Asher exclaimed.
"Shut up," Aaila snapped. "What if Nora sees you? Or Zayan?"
Asher slumped against the wall. "It's… for Nora."
He sat on the floor, arms draped over his knees.
"I want my sister back. My mom too. Even in this childlike state, Nora protected me. She loved me… and I couldn't save her. It's my fault."
Tears fell.
"I miss the real her. And when I see blood coming from her nose, or her body shaking… it breaks me. She smiles through her pain, but it's killing her inside."
Aaila dropped to her knees and hugged him. "We'll get her back. I promise."
He looked at her—and without a word—kissed her deeply, broken and desperate.
Zayan stood at the door, unseen, watching.
He turned away, heart heavy.
The operation… was his only hope.
His last chance… to bring his Nora back.