The Devil And The Maid.

It was a peaceful afternoon. Nora was resting upstairs, asleep in their bedroom. The twins, Lysander and Seraphina, were joyfully spending time with Aveline and her daughters. Zayan stayed back in the room, watching Nora sleep peacefully. He sat beside her on the bed, gently stroking her hair with soft, protective affection.

Then his phone buzzed.

It was Alex.

"Zayan… she's coming."

Zayan's hand paused. He leaned back slightly and answered calmly.

"Let her come."

Minutes later, everyone was gathered downstairs. Nora was still asleep.

Zayan walked down the stairs and spoke with a rare tension in his voice.

"Mom… she's back."

Catalina lifted her head sharply. "Who is coming?"

"My sisters," Zayan said, walking further into the room. "All three of them."

Catalina sighed softly, a strange flicker of nostalgia in her eyes. She looked around at everyone and began to explain.

Zayan had always been distant from his siblings. Even though they grew up under the same roof, he was different—always alone, quiet, unbothered by connection. His sisters had built lives of their own far away in Denmark. Now, they were returning home after many years.

An hour passed.

Then, the front door burst open.

"MOM!!"

Three young women rushed inside, their faces lit with joy. Catalina opened her arms, instantly embracing them.

"My babies!" she cried. "I missed you so much."

"We missed you too!" they all said in unison.

The first was Melanie—elegant, smart, and poised. The CEO of a leading designer brand.

The second was Meira—a fiery, hot-tempered mafia boss who ran their late father's oil empire with an iron grip.

The third was Creise—a calm and composed diplomat who spent most of her time traveling across the globe.

As laughter filled the room, none of them noticed Nora descending the stairs… until silence fell.

Nora walked in quietly, her gown stained with blood—both from her mouth and nose. She was cleaning her hands with a cloth, her steps measured, her expression unreadable. Catalina, caught in mid-conversation, turned and noticed her.

Without a word, Nora stepped into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, she returned with a cup of freshly brewed lemon tea with ginger and clove—the exact way Catalina liked it.

"Here you go," Nora said softly, placing it gently in front of Catalina.

Everyone turned to stare.

Nora looked stunning—tired, yes, but radiant in her quiet beauty.

Catalina blinked, stunned.

"Nora, love… you remembered my tea?"

Nora gave a small nod. "In my dreams… I heard you asking me to make it. I'm sorry I forgot." She bowed her head.

Catalina's eyes watered. "That was… seven years ago, love."

"Seven years?" Nora whispered, shocked.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Thank you," Catalina said gently, brushing Nora's cheek. Nora gave a faint smile and walked toward the garden.

Melanie leaned in. "Who… who is she? And why is she acting like that?"

Catalina looked at them and said calmly, "That's your brother's wife. And the mother of his twins."

The sisters froze.

"WHAT?! Zayan got married?!" Meira said, wide-eyed. "And he's a father too?"

Before anyone could say another word, Zayan stepped inside—carrying the twins in both arms. They were giggling and babbling nonstop.

Catalina's heart melted as the twins reached out to her with wobbly legs.

"Lysander and Seraphina have been talking all day," she smiled.

"Blah blah blah!" Lysander said happily, hugging Catalina.

Zayan turned to his sisters with a calm expression. "Welcome home. How was your trip?"

Melanie raised a brow. "You have a lot of explaining to do."

"Are you… smiling?" Creise asked, almost in disbelief.

He gave a small nod.

"Zayan… Nora made my tea. The one I asked for… the one I haven't had since the day she left," Catalina said softly. "She remembered."

Zayan's expression changed. "And her clothes were stained—she changed before anyone else noticed. Where is she now?"

"In the kitchen, I think."

Zayan pulled out his phone and checked the security feed.

Nora was on the rooftop—the place Zayan always retreated to. She was sitting on the ground, her legs pulled to her chest.

Zayan rushed upstairs.

"Nora, darling," he said gently. "The twins are back."

She pointed in the distance. "Z… do you remember? When Nana died in the fire… the orphanage was destroyed."

Her voice was soft and childlike.

"I try to remember but… my head hurts. There was blood everywhere—on the bed, on me. Nothing is clear." She clutched her chest. "Z… will I die?"

Zayan quickly knelt, cupping her face. "No. My baby girl, nothing will happen to you. I promise. We'll go to the hospital tomorrow, alright?"

She nodded faintly.

"I made food… come eat. You said your sisters are here?" she asked with a gasp. "Z has sisters?!"

He chuckled softly. "Yes, I do."

He lifted her onto his back and carried her down.

At the dinner table, laughter returned.

Everyone couldn't stop praising the food.

"Who made this?!" Melanie asked.

"Nora," Asher said, his mouth full.

"Yeah," he added. "Your brother's wife. And my sister."

Nora held the twins on her arms as they babbled, giggled, and bounced. Seraphina was now in Zayan's arms, still giggling at her father. Soon, it was time for naps. Nora gently put them to sleep and eventually fell asleep herself inside the playroom, curled up beside them.

Zayan entered quietly, covering them with a blanket.

Then he went back downstairs.

His sisters were waiting.

The boys were all out attending business—Asher was on a date with Aaila, Maverick with Nathaira. Zayan sat down, his jaw clenched.

"Start explaining," Melanie said softly.

He nodded. "She wasn't just a maid. That's what I thought at first. But she was… everything."

He told them everything—about Bora, about the orphanage, about Nana and the fire. How Nora had saved his life more times than he could count. Her pregnancy. The twins. Her suffering. And now, the terrifying nosebleeds and the blood from her mouth.

Zayan covered his face, on the verge of breaking down.

"She did all that?" Meira asked in disbelief.

He nodded slowly.

Just then, Seraphina woke up and waddled down the hallway with her pacifier.

"Uhmm… brother?" Melanie called out. "Your baby girl is awake. And she's… walking."

Zayan rushed out. The moment Seraphina saw him, she giggled happily and ran into his arms.

"Shouldn't you be asleep now, love?" he whispered with a smile.

Lysander woke up soon after and waddled into the living room. Melanie scooped him up.

"Hi baby boy," she cooed. "I'm your Auntie Melanie."

Lysander laughed.

Later, while everyone played with the babies, Zayan cradled Nora in his arms, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.

"I love you," he whispered. "And I always will."