The Devil And The Maid.

Nora was still deep in sleep when Zayan gently carried her downstairs, wrapping a blanket tightly around her frail body. Her head rested against his chest, her breathing soft but uneven. He laid her carefully on the long couch in the main lounge where his sisters were waiting. They immediately noticed the tiredness in Zayan's eyes — his skin was pale, his movements slower than usual.

"Zayan… are you okay?" Meira asked, narrowing her eyes.

He gave a weak smile. "I'm fine. It was just a rough night at the office."

"That's a lie," Melanie said firmly, folding her arms. "You're sick. You look like hell."

Zayan sighed and opened his phone, casting the CCTV footage to the nearby screen. "She took care of me all night," he said quietly, a note of disbelief still in his voice. "She never left my side. Look."

On the footage, they saw Nora moving around at night — adjusting his blankets, wiping his sweat, whispering softly to him in the dark. She was restless but alert, never once leaving his side.

As they watched, a sudden voice echoed through the room.

"Asher! Get me the basket from my room — Nana's drugs are inside. She needs it. And come for breakfast, please. Wake Issca with the babies too."

Everyone turned sharply.

It was Nora. Speaking. In her real voice.

Still sleeping, her brows furrowed as if she were in the middle of a dream, but her voice was loud and clear.

Meira gasped. "Zayan… was that… her real voice?"

Zayan's mouth parted slowly. "Y-Yes… yes, it is."

"Asher! Get down for breakfast now!" she called again — louder this time.

But Asher wasn't even at the mansion.

Melanie turned to Zayan, stunned. "What's going on? Zayan… her voice… that's her voice."

Zofia remained silent, watching everything with unreadable eyes.

Zayan immediately dialed Arion. "Bring her injections. Now."

Nora's body grew more restless. She began twisting and turning, murmuring again.

"Nana…? Nana, please wake up. Please… I love the bracelet you made…"

Suddenly, her legs began to kick violently. She was trapped in a nightmare.

Zayan rushed to hold her down. "Tie her hands and legs — gently!" he ordered.

Arion and his medical team arrived quickly, minus Aaila.

They held Nora down as she thrashed. Arion prepared the syringes, his hands steady despite the chaos. After the final injection was administered, Nora's kicking slowed, her voice softened, and eventually, her body stilled.

Zayan exhaled deeply, running his fingers through her hair. His heart ached. This wasn't how things were supposed to be.

"Mama…" a small voice cried.

Lysander.

The baby boy had walked from the corner of the room and was now trying to climb up the couch to reach his mother. Neal gently lifted him and placed him beside her. Lysander wobbled forward on tiny legs and hugged Nora tightly.

"Mama!" he said again.

Zayan clenched his fists and stood up abruptly. His whole body trembled with rage and helplessness. He stormed off into his private boxing room.

Inside, he unleashed everything. Fists slammed into the punching bag again and again as Nora's pale face flashed in his mind. Her voice. Her pain. Her strength. Her sleep-talking. Her trauma. Her silence.

He broke.

Tears streamed down his face as he dropped to his knees, the punching bag still swinging above him.

"I just want my Nora back… please… Lord," he whispered, crushed, his voice trembling in the silence. "Please…"

He remained like that for three hours. Then, in silence, he showered and dressed before returning to the lounge.

Nora was awake.

Lysander had woken her with his cries, and she now cradled him in her lap, making funny noises and exaggerated faces. The little boy giggled loudly.

Seraphina, snuggled in Rex's arms, opened her eyes and saw Zayan.

"Z!!!" she squealed.

Zayan smiled as she ran into his arms. He picked her up, pressing his forehead against hers. She giggled and kissed his cheek. He closed his eyes, grateful for this moment of peace.

Later, they all sat down for breakfast.

To Zayan's surprise, Nora ate everything on the table — even the toast she usually avoided. He chuckled softly, watching her.

"Finally got your appetite back, huh?" he teased.

Nora grinned at him playfully.

Just then, she was on a video call with Asher and Aaila. Her face lit up at the sight of them.

"Hey! I miss you two so much," she said, waving as the twins sat on her lap.

The twins, however, were not in the mood for peace. They were blabbering and yelling at each other — a full-on baby argument.

Everyone stared at them in amusement.

"What's wrong now?" Nora asked softly.

The twins responded in their own baby language, still bickering. Nora nodded seriously as if she understood everything.

Zofia raised a brow. "You understand your kids?"

Nora turned and nodded without a word.

Zofia watched, speechless, as Nora calmed both babies down, speaking to them in the same soft tone. The twins settled quickly, curling into her lap.

Zayan entered the room quietly, watching the scene unfold.

He smiled.

James stood up and looked directly at Zofia.

"This," he said, gesturing to Nora and the children, "is something you — of all people — will never understand or be capable of doing for your own family."

Without waiting for her reaction, he walked out. One by one, the others followed.

Zayan walked over and sat beside Nora, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. The twins giggled, climbing over them both.

And for the first time in days, laughter filled the room.

Together — as a family.