The air was still heavy from yesterday's chaos, yet the world kept moving. In the quiet of the late afternoon, Shaw approached Nora as she stood near the garden balcony, lost in thought.
"Nora," he said gently, his accent softer now, "I want you to come to Poland with us. Just for a while. I'd like you to meet my family."
She blinked slowly, staring ahead at the sky. "Maybe…" she said, her voice distant.
Shaw nodded, not pushing. "Think about it."
Later that evening, the sound of a suitcase zipping shut broke the silence in her room.
Zayan stood in the doorway, his eyes scanning her packed bag. "W…w…where are you going?"
Nora didn't flinch. She looked up at him with the same unreadable calm she always wore. "Poland. To meet Shaw's family," she said flatly, void of emotion.
"Asher's coming with me."
Zayan leaned back against the wall, trying to stay composed. "But… why?" he asked quietly, his voice just above a whisper.
Nora tilted her head slightly, studying him. "You don't want me to go, Master?"
He looked up sharply. She was teasing him, and they both knew it.
In two quick steps, he crossed the room and pulled her gently into his arms. "No," he whispered against her forehead. "I don't want you to go."
Her breath caught for a second.
Then he asked, "If I call… will you pick up?"
"I lost my phone," she said softly.
Zayan stepped back a little, frowning. "What time is your flight?"
She blinked, then slowly looked up. "Wait… Poland isn't a car trip?"
He stared at her. "Hold on—you've never been on a plane before?"
Nora shook her head. "I don't know much… Nana taught me some things, but not all."
Zayan chuckled lightly, the tension breaking for a moment. "Jezz… I'll teach you everything when you come back, alright?"
He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Good night, baby."
Then he left—but he didn't sleep.
Instead, he drove into the city, walked into the nearest store, and bought her a phone—something sleek and easy to use. Then he spotted the AirPods and added them to the purchase.
The next morning, the sun was just rising when Nora stepped into the grand foyer, ready to leave.
Zayan was waiting by the door. Without a word, he handed her a small box and a paper bag.
She looked at them. "A phone?" she asked, recognizing the shape.
"And these?" she held up the AirPods, confused. "What is this?"
Zayan's eyes widened. "Seriously? You've never seen AirPods?"
She tilted her head, amused.
He rubbed his forehead, laughing softly. "When you get back, I swear, I'm teaching you everything. Jezz…"
He pulled her in again, kissed her lips slowly, and whispered, "Come back to me."
Downstairs, Catalina and Aveline stood with Aveline's daughters, watching quietly. Nora approached them.
As she passed Aveline, she stopped, gave her a calm smile, and waved. "Bye, Mom. I'll see you when I get back, okay?"
Aveline's eyes went wide, shocked and speechless.
Zayan, watching from behind, couldn't take his eyes off Nora. As she waved goodbye to them all, her smile lingered—a smile that he knew he'd never be able to forget.
She didn't say much, but somehow… she said everything.