The plane hummed softly through the skies, only an hour left until landing in Mexico. Everyone was either dozing off, chatting lightly, or watching the clouds drift below. But not Nora.
Curled up on her seat, knees to her chest, silent tears streamed down her face. Her stomach had been aching for hours. The pain wasn't just physical — it felt deeper, heavier. She vomited again, trembling. Zayan didn't leave her side, rubbing her stomach gently, whispering comforting words.
"It's okay, my love… just hold on a little longer."
Asher's phone buzzed.
A message from Issac.
A picture of Nana's diary.
Asher opened it, scanning a particular page. His heart clenched as he read it out loud, so Zayan could hear:
"Today Nora, my darling baby girl, hasn't been sleeping at night. She keeps asking, 'Nana, when will my mother come for me like the other kids?' I told her, 'Soon, my love.'
She grew up with hate, bitterness, and pain — no joy, no peace. If only someone could absorb all her pain and turn it into happiness… in this life, I'd be forever grateful.
Nora worked hard for me and the orphanage. She'd go out at 3 a.m., return at 1 p.m. Then she finally got a job as a maid in the Kai mansion. I pray everything works out for my baby girl.
She taught Asher how to walk. His first words were 'Nunu' — that's my Nora. She smiled that day, clapped too — for the first time in years."
— Signed, Nana Lilly Anthony Drake.
Everyone went quiet.
They turned to Nora, who sat by the window with her headphones in, still holding her stomach.
"What?" she asked softly when she saw their eyes on her.
Another ping. Issac sent pictures — childhood photos of Nora.
No smile in most of them — just a quiet, broken little girl. But one photo stood out: baby Asher smiling at Nora, and one more with Nana, Asher, and Nora with folded arms and a messy ponytail.
"I remember this," Asher whispered, voice thick with pain. "She got mad at something I did."
Zayan looked at Nora. She was now sketching clouds from the window, gently patting her hair.
Frya quietly picked up her phone and texted her mother:
"If only you didn't leave Nora in that orphanage… she could've had a happy life with us. She didn't deserve this, Mom."
Miska, sitting beside her, leaned in and said huskily, "She's your sister. Calm down."
Frya folded under the weight of it all.
Touchdown.
The plane landed in Mexico. A welcoming team awaited them.
The moment Nora stepped out, she vomited again. Sora was there instantly, holding her, helping her clean up and change clothes.
"Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Kai," a man said warmly in a thick Mexican accent. "It is a great pleasure having you here. I am Mateo, this is Daniel." He shook hands with Zayan. "And this is Alejandro. With me are my wife, Mrs. Camila, Miss Sofia, and Mrs. Ximena."
"Gracias," Zayan nodded respectfully.
Nora, now by Sora's side, caught their eyes. The locals softly muttered:
"Precioso… hermoso… bastante… asombroso."
Zayan understood — beautiful, precious, wonderful.
Nora turned to him. "Z? My tummy doesn't hurt anymore," she said with a little smile. "Hello!" she waved to the welcoming team.
They arrived at a breathtaking villa. Pools shimmered outside, stairs curved like marble waves. Nora was stunned.
"It's so pretty…" she whispered.
Zayan gently took her hand. "Come on, darling. Let's go in."
The villa was automated — lights shifted with movement, doors opened on cue.
Issac sent Asher another message. This time, it was a song Nora used to sing as a child when she was angry, sad, or happy. Her little voice echoed through the old memories.
Asher read it quietly, heart aching.
Morning came.
Nora was pale. Hollow.
She wore Zayan's oversized grey hoodie, baggy joggers, and socks, and made her way downstairs. She barely touched her breakfast.
Zayan left for the company. Everyone else went out to explore.
Hot air balloons rose above the Mexican landscape. Nora stared out at the beauty below, but her eyes stayed distant.
Later, they headed to Teotihuacan.
Kiernan walked up beside her. "Hey, Nunu. What's wrong?"
"Nothing…" she replied, her voice almost inaudible.
Maverick gently picked her up on his back without a word. She allowed it.
At lunch, she ate churros and a bit of chili. Damian fed her quietly.
Back at the villa, Zayan, Miska, and Lisa were discussing the operation. Nora sat quietly by the pool, feet in the water. Asher pulled Zayan aside, showing him the lyrics of Nora's childhood song.
Zayan's gaze turned to her.
Dinner.
Everyone was gathered. But Nora was missing.
Then — a soft voice drifted through the air.
Singing.
"They push me far away, and I don't wanna go there…
Mommy said I'm special and I know that's true…
Like my favorite color, huh? My shoe is blue…
Mommy said I'm special and I know that's true…
But they push me away… nobody wants me anymore…
So I stay right here."
Her voice was cracked, fragile — like it came from a place buried deep inside.
Suddenly, they heard her footsteps.
Running.
Fast.
"NORA!!" Zayan yelled, bolting after her.
She ran outside, still singing, still crying, still smiling — heading for the cliff.
Zayan caught her just in time, yanking her back.
"ARE YOU MAD?!" he shouted. "WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!"
Nora just clapped, smiling faintly through tears.
"Nana said I'm special… but why do special people go through so much shit?" Her voice was broken, trembling.
Zayan held her tightly. She was shaking.
"Nora loves Z… but Nora wants to rest," she whispered. "I want to go to the blessed place where Nana is. She said I'm special… Yay! Special people go to the blessed place…"
The others finally reached them, breathless.
Then — she screamed.
A powerful, deafening scream.
It echoed through the valley, rippling like thunder across the city.
"NANA!!! NORA IS SPECIAL! I LOVE EVERYONE AND Z!!!"
She jumped into Zayan's arms, exhausted. "I'm tired of the pain, Z. I need to rest… I love you," she whispered and collapsed into a deep sleep.
Zayan carried her back.
Kasir gave her two doses, as instructed by Arion.
"We'll schedule the operation," Arion said. "June 20th. We just need to hope everything goes well."
Zayan looked at Arion. "If she gets pregnant… can she still have the operation?"
Arion paused. "Let me consult with the team. I'll get back to you."
Zayan nodded, kissed Nora's forehead.
Downstairs.
Everyone was silent.
Asher stared outside, dazed.
"What the heck just happened?" Kiernan muttered.
Kyomi answered, "Her past… it's catching up to her. Traumas. She's reliving them. It's damaging her brain."
Aaila and Imara echoed, "It's worse than we thought."
"When's the surgery?" Asher asked.
"June 20th," Royce replied, jotting notes.
Aaila went to Asher, who sat frozen.
She sat on his lap, cupped his face.
"You need something, love?" he asked in his soft British accent.
She kissed him gently. "She'll be fine. I promise."
Asher smiled weakly, holding her tight.