Bella was confused by Leo’s behavior.

He was being... very affectionate.

Not that he wasn’t usually affectionate—he was, in his own quiet, intense way. But today, there was something different. Like he was trying to pour all his love into every single touch.

They were lying on the bed. Bella was curled against his side, her head resting on his chest, her ear pressed against the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

His hand moved gently through her hair, his fingers threading through the soft strands, caressing her scalp with a tenderness that made her eyes flutter closed. She could feel the love in every touch.

His other hand rested on her waist, his palm warm and firm against her hip. He traced slow, soothing circles through the fabric of her shirt, his thumb brushing against her skin every time the fabric shifted.

She sighed, melting into him.

She felt lucky. So incredibly lucky.

Bella murmured, her voice sleepy and content. "What’s gotten into you today?"

Leo didn’t answer right away. He just pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his lips lingering there for a moment, warm and soft. His fingers continued their gentle path through her hair.

Leo said quietly. "Nothing."

Bella tilted her head up to look at him. "Liar."

He smiled against her hair. "I’m just happy you’re here."

She searched his face, her brown eyes soft. "I’m always here."

"I know."

"Then why are you acting like I might disappear?"

Leo was silent for a moment. He didn’t know how to explain it. He didn’t know how to tell her that every time she woke up screaming, a piece of him broke. He didn’t know how to tell her that he was terrified of losing her, not to death, but to the darkness inside her own mind.

Bella whispered. "Leo."

"Hmm?"

"Leo, you’re so good."

His hand stilled for just a moment. Then he pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her like he was afraid she might disappear.

The fourth day came and went without a nightmare.

Bella slept peacefully through the night, her breathing slow and even, her body relaxed against Leo’s. He stayed awake for a while, watching her, listening to the soft rhythm of her breath. When the morning light began to filter through the curtains, he finally let his guard down.

She was okay.

He closed his eyes and allowed himself to rest.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

A week later, Dominique was finally being discharged from the hospital.

The morning was bright and clear, the sun streaming through the windows of his private room. He sat on the edge of the bed, his neck still bandaged but healing, his movements careful. His bags were packed, his discharge papers signed.

He was ready to leave.

But there was one problem.

His mother was standing in the corner of the room, her arms crossed, her expression cold and unhappy. She was dressed impeccably, as always—a tailored black coat, her dark hair swept back, her blue eyes sharp and piercing.

Dominique looked at her, his jaw set. "Mom, I don’t want to go back."

Kaelani’s expression didn’t change. "You don’t have a choice."

Dominique said firmly. "I do have a choice. I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions."

Kaelani said coldly. "You were nearly killed. You were stabbed in the neck, almost thrown off a balcony and almost died. And you expect me to just let you stay here? With no protection? No security?"

Dominique said, his voice rising. "I have protection. I have Leo. I have Hazel. I have Jason, Zeke, Bella—"

Kaelani cut him off sharply. "They are not your family."

Dominique’s voice rose in defiance. "They are my family. They’re the family I chose. And I’m not leaving them."

Kaelani’s jaw tightened. Her eyes narrowed. "You are a prince of Umbra. You have responsibilities and duties. You cannot just abandon your birthright for—"

Dominique interrupted. "For what? For a life that actually makes me happy? For people who actually care about me?"

His mother’s eyes flickered. "This is about Hazel." She noticed her son behaving a bit differently around her.

Dominique said, his voice calmer but still firm. "This is about everything. I spent my whole life being told who to be, what to do, who to marry. I’m done. I’m not going back."

Kaelani stared at him for a long moment. Her expression was unreadable, her blue eyes searching his face.

Kaelani said finally, her voice flat. "You’re being foolish."

Dominique said softly. "Maybe. But at least I’m being honest."

Kaelani’s lips pressed into a thin line. Then she turned and walked toward the door.

"We’ll talk about this later," she said.

She left.

Dominique exhaled, his shoulders sagging. The tension drained out of his body, leaving him feeling tired and hollow.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

"Bella Belllllllll, please help me!" Jay’s voice was a desperate wail as he wrapped his arms around Bella, squeezing her tightly like she was his last hope. His face was buried in her shoulder, his body trembling with barely contained distress. "Brother is not talking to me, and you know... you know!"

Bella stood frozen, her arms hovering awkwardly at her sides. She patted his back gently, her expression caught between sympathy and helplessness.

Bella said softly. "Jay, I can’t do anything. I told you. I told both of you. You should have told him earlier. Leo doesn’t like liars. He doesn’t like secrets. And if you’re in trouble or hiding something, you always, always tell him."

Jay pulled back, his eyes red and glassy. "But I didn’t mean to hurt him! I thought I was protecting him!"

Bella’s voice was gentle. "I know you did. But that’s not how Leo sees it. To him, it feels like a betrayal. Like you didn’t trust him enough to tell him the truth."

Jay’s shoulders sagged. "So... what do I do?"

Bella sighed. She reached up and placed her hands on his shoulders, squeezing gently.

"You talk to him," she said. "You apologize again and again until he melts."

Jay stared at her, his face pale. "What if he never forgives me?"

Bella’s heart ached for him. She knew how much Jay loved his brother, how much he needed his approval.

Bella said softly. "He will. Eventually. He loves you, Jay. He’s just hurt right now. And he needs to see that you understand why."

Jay nodded slowly, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Okay," he said quietly. "Okay. I’ll try."

Bella smiled and pulled him into a hug.

"That’s all you can do," she said. "Try."