The Devil And The Maid.

It was a calm Friday morning.

Nora had just finished bathing the twins. Their soft coos and giggles echoed around the nursery as she carefully wrapped them in clean towels and handed them over to Asher.

He smiled. "You okay?"

She pressed a hand to her forehead. "I'm not feeling well," she murmured.

Imara and Aaila exchanged glances immediately.

"We'll stay back with her," Imara said.

Nora nodded weakly and whispered, "Thank you," before slowly making her way to the couch.

Meanwhile in Paris…

Zayan and his team had just concluded the final phase of the project. Exhausted but satisfied, he stopped at several designer stores to buy baby clothes and gifts for Nora.

"This one," he said, holding up a tiny onesie. "She'll love it."

With bags in hand, he boarded his private jet, his thoughts solely on getting back to his family in London.

Back at the Mansion

Nora had fallen asleep on the couch, her face pale, her breathing shallow. Aaila checked her temperature.

"She's burning up," she whispered in panic. "It's worse than before!"

Without hesitation, she called an ambulance and then dialed Asher.

But hours passed. The ambulance hadn't moved. Neither had Asher and the others.

Five hours later, Zayan's jet landed. His mansion wasn't far from the airport, so he, Lisa, and Miska jumped into a car and drove straight there.

As soon as Zayan stepped through the door, he saw her—his Nora—lying motionless on the couch, a damp yellow cloth on her forehead, her nose red, and her skin pale and glistening with fever.

"Mr. Zayan, you're back?" Imara said nervously.

Aaila looked at him, then back at Nora, tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Lisa asked, walking over and touching Nora's face.

"Damn… she's too hot!" Lisa gasped.

Zayan didn't speak. He dropped his coat, walked over to Nora, gently lifted her into his arms, and placed his palm on her forehead.

"She's burning up," he said hoarsely.

"We need to get her to a hospital," Imara insisted.

"There's serious traffic," Aaila added. "They can't get through."

Just then, Mrs. Jane stormed in, furious.

"Can you believe some spoiled brat caused a traffic standstill just because she wanted to go shopping with her stupid friends?! There was even an ambulance stuck behind it all!"

Zayan's eyes darkened.

"Who?" he asked sharply.

"They said her name's Lane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arian. No one's allowed to move until she's done. School buses, public transport—everyone's stuck!"

That was the last straw.

Zayan turned to Aaila. "Change her. We're getting her out ourselves."

Within minutes, they reached the gridlock. It was worse than imagined. Zayan and his men stepped out, and the crowd instantly reacted to his presence. One of the blocked drivers recognized him and panicked.

"Who owns this car?" Zayan demanded in a cold, terrifying voice.

"I-It's Miss Lane… daughter of the Arians…" the driver stammered.

"Where is she?"

The man pointed at a store nearby.

Zayan's jaw clenched. Asher and the others arrived just in time, Maverick holding Seraphina securely.

Zayan stepped in first, his fury radiating off him. Asher followed, voice sharp.

"I ain't got time for this bulls***."

He spotted Lane and barked, "Hey, you stupid b*tch!"

Lane turned, shocked. "Who the hell are you calling a b*tch?"

"You, you pathetic excuse for a human being! You blocked the road for shopping while people are dying? You and your bloodsucking, attention-seeking friends should be in jail!"

Zayan had never seen Asher that furious before.

One of Lane's friends gasped. "Wait… aren't you Mr. Zayan Kai? Nora's husband?"

Zayan nodded.

Lane's eyes widened in fear.

"Now listen," Zayan said, his voice like ice. "I can ensure your parents pay the full price for this stunt… or you can move your stupid cars. Now."

Lane paled. "I'm so sorry! Move the cars, now!" she yelled to her drivers.

Traffic started flowing instantly.

Zayan ran back to the car and sped toward the hospital.

At the Hospital

Zayan gently carried Nora into the emergency room and placed her on the bed. Her face was flushed, her breathing uneven.

"She was just getting better," he murmured, brushing hair from her face. "What's wrong now?"

Lysander and Seraphina, now awake, beamed at the sight of their father. Zayan smiled faintly and held Lysander, while Asher fed Seraphina.

Suddenly, Nora began mumbling in her sleep.

"Nana… Zayan… Ash?"

They all froze.

Then her tone changed—terrified, childlike.

"B-B-Bora… stop… stop hitting me… ZAYAN! Z-Z-Z!"

She began kicking violently in her sleep. One of her flailing hands almost struck Lysander.

The doctors rushed in and held her down. An injection was administered quickly, and she slowly calmed.

Dr. Arion checked the scanner, nodding slightly.

"Her wounds are healing well," he said. "But… she's starting to remember."

Zayan looked up. "Is that bad?"

"We think the memory procedure is finally working," Arion said. "But for now, no one should do or say anything that could trigger her. Her emotional wounds are opening up, and it's dangerous."

Everyone nodded.

Later That Evening

Issca stood by the window, holding Lysander. He made the baby laugh with silly faces.

Sora walked over and smiled. "Hi, Lysander! It's Auntie Soso," she cooed.

She glanced at Issca. "How old are you again?"

He smiled, rolling up his sleeves. "I'm 19. And you?"

"24," she replied.

He gently brushed her hand while taking Lysander back. "You're from the orphanage, right?"

She nodded.

"You're Nora's half-sister?"

"…Yeah," she said softly.

"Nice to meet you. I hope we see each other again." He smiled perfectly and walked off, leaving Sora blinking in surprise.

Nora Awakens

Her eyes fluttered open. She turned and whispered, "Z?"

Zayan leaned in instantly. "Yes, darling."

She looked around slowly. "Hungry… please."

He chuckled, relieved. "Okay, love."

He placed Lysander gently on her, and the baby bounced happily on her chest. She giggled softly, wrapping her arms protectively around him.

Zayan returned a while later with food. Nora was now asleep, both babies snuggled in her arms. Carefully, he woke her.

She blinked sleepily, then giggled. "Nora is fine, Z," she whispered with a smile.

He kissed her forehead. "Yes, you are, love."