"Inside the outer perimeter wall miss it is a big domain that is hard to miss but you’ll need proper permission to enter so be careful how you approach."

She was already moving as she pushed through the crowd with single-minded focus and her heart hammering harder with every single step she took toward him.

’Neil I’m coming for you at last and I left everything behind so please just let me stay near you even if it’s only a small place and even if I have to share your heart with others now.’

Inside Neil’s domain the central open area glowed softly under the warm light of evening lanterns that cast gentle shadows across the peaceful space.

The air felt peaceful and alive while carrying the faint lingering aroma of freshly cooked meat and spiced wine from Fay and Ray’s earlier preparations that still hung in the atmosphere.

Rob Bob and Mob sat near the edge of the area with their loud cheerful voices carrying as they argued playfully over some silly game that made the domain feel like home.

Leon stood watch at the main gate with arms crossed and his usual composed posture relaxed but alert as always in his role as commander.

Magnar lay curled up like a living mountain of fur and muscle with one mythic-class eye half-open in lazy vigilance over everything happening around him.

Neil sat on a low stone bench near the main building while Ileana nestled comfortably against his side in a way that showed how close they had become.

Her voluptuous body pressed softly into him with one hand tracing slow lazy patterns along his arm as she listened with that quiet attentive smile she always gave only to him.

Her nightwear from earlier had been swapped for a simple yet elegant robe that hugged every curve perfectly and made her look even more beautiful in the lantern light.

Neil’s voice was low and calm as he recounted the chaos of the recent event in careful detail while sharing everything that had unfolded with Jane and the others.

"...and then Jane just burst into sobs and jumped straight into my arms right there in front of teacher and half the damn crowd which caught everyone completely off guard."

Caleb nearly lost it and grabbed Robert by the collar which made the whole scene turn into a complete mess that still played in his mind even now.

The recording from her ship proved it though because her father and grandfather forced the breakup when they threatened to kill him if she didn’t obey as planned.

She wasn’t lying about that part but still the whole situation left him feeling conflicted about what to do next with all the complications it brought.

He sighed while running a hand through his hair and his eyes grew distant with the weight of everything pressing down on him at once.

’How the hell am I supposed to sort this out when I have Ileana and Cynthia already in my life while Jane showing up now stirs everything up again in ways I never expected.’

And with the lost elven city coming soon along with Caleb’s games and Rabid Wolf probably already on the move he didn’t have time for any of this emotional chaos.

Ileana listened without interrupting as her fingers remained gentle and reassuring on his arm while she processed every word he shared with her in that moment.

She was just about to reply when a soft chime sounded directly in Neil’s mind from Nemo with important information that changed the atmosphere instantly.

"Master," Nemo’s calm voice spoke clearly inside his thoughts as the notification came through without any warning.

"Visitor at the domain entrance it is Jane Aven and she requests entry so should I allow temporary access for her right now or wait for your confirmation first."

Neil froze mid-breath as his eyes widened sharply from the unexpected news that hit him like a sudden Phantom Imprint activation.

"Jane?" he repeated in surprise while trying to process what this meant for everything happening in his life at the moment.

Ileana straightened beside him while sensing the sudden tension in his body as she tilted her head with beautiful features that remained curious but calm.

Before Neil could even form a full thought the domain barrier shimmered at the main gate as Nemo had already granted access on his half-formed confirmation.

Jane stepped through with her golden blonde hair slightly messy from the teleport and eyes red-rimmed but burning with raw determination that showed how far she had come.

Neil stood up slowly as shock became clear across his face while he tried to keep his voice steady in the face of this unexpected arrival.

"Jane what the hell are you doing here after everything that happened at the event and all the family drama that followed it so closely."

His voice came out guarded as a careful mix of old buried feelings and fresh caution filled him with questions about whether this was the right move.

Jane’s gaze locked on him first with relief flooding her expression for a split second before it flicked to Ileana still seated close beside him in that intimate way.

A sharp hot stab of jealousy twisted deep in Jane’s chest as she took in the sight of the other woman who looked so perfectly at home with Neil.

Ileana was stunning with voluptuous curves that made Jane suddenly feel plain and inadequate along with graceful poise and long lashes that enhanced her beauty even more.

An aura of quiet confidence radiated from her that screamed she belonged exactly where she was pressed against Neil like she had every right to be there.

’She’s so beautiful and no wonder he moved on so completely after I was gone and hurt him badly with my actions back then.’

Jane thought with her throat tightening painfully as the reality of the situation hit her hard but she forced the jealousy down swallowing hard to stay composed.

She had already accepted this truth on the long journey here because sharing was the price she was willing to pay to be near him again.

"Neil I left the family completely and I want nothing to do with my father or grandfather anymore because they are greedy monsters who would sell their own souls for profit and status."

The bounty the marriage to Caleb and the Shadow Empress deal none of it matters to me anymore in the slightest after what I witnessed.

I just want to be with you even if you have other women and even if I’m not the only one anymore so please let me stay near you if you can find it in your heart.

Her words hung heavy in the air as fresh tears welled up again threatening to spill while she waited for his response with everything on the line.

Ileana watched the entire exchange in silence for a long moment with her expression soft yet unreadable as she took in every detail of the moment.

Then she rose gracefully to her feet while slipping her arm lightly around Neil’s waist in a subtle show of support that spoke volumes without a single extra word.

"Hubby let her inside properly because I would like to have a chat with her first in private as woman to woman if that is alright with you right now."

Neil hesitated with his brows furrowing deeply as doubt filled him about whether this was fair to Ileana after everything they had built together.

’Is this fair to Ileana when she has been here through the blood the battles the Phantom Imprint experiments and the domain growth through every challenge so far.’

But Ileana met his eyes with firm reassurance and no hidden hurt visible which helped ease some of the conflict inside him in that moment.

He exhaled slowly while making his decision with careful thought. "Alright come in Jane and we can figure this out step by step from here."

Jane’s face lit up with fragile desperate hope as Nemo fully opened the path for her to enter the domain without any further barriers in her way.

Leon gave a respectful nod from his post but said nothing while Magnar lifted his massive head sniffed the air once toward the newcomer and then settled back down with a low rumble of acceptance.

Rob Bob and Mob paused their game in the distance exchanging curious glances but staying out of it for now to let things unfold naturally.

Fay and Ray peeked from the cooking area whispering softly to each other as they observed the new arrival with quiet interest from afar.

Ileana gestured toward the small healing hut at the edge of the central area which was a quiet private space with soft glowing lanterns padded benches and a faint herbal scent in the air.

"This way we can talk privately without any interruptions so we can get everything out in the open between us right now."

The two women disappeared inside as the door clicked shut behind them with a soft finality that left Neil standing alone with his racing thoughts.

Neil remained outside pacing slowly back and forth across the stone path with arms crossed tight over his chest while his mind raced faster than any 5th Origin assassin could move.

’What the hell is happening right now when I still feel something for her and that ache never fully left after the breakup even with all the time that passed.’

The recording proved she was forced but Ileana does not deserve to feel second place or insecure after everything she has done for him and the domain.

❖❖❖

Thanks for reading...