On the other side—

After Nigel returned, it didn’t take him long to piece everything together.

He didn’t even bother checking the details.

He already knew.

This had to be Dylan’s doing.

After all—

Playing foul like that wasn’t anything new. As long as it concerned Adelyn, Dylan had never hesitated to cross lines others wouldn’t even dare to approach.

And no one understood that better than Nigel himself.

His fingers curled into tight fists, the veins on the back of his hand faintly protruding as his brows drew together.

His gaze darkened as he stared into the distance.

"Dylan Malestorm."

The name rolled off his tongue through clenched teeth, heavy with restrained fury.

"You’d better not harm her this time ..."

His voice dropped, cold and resolute.

"... or I will make sure you disappear from this world completely —once and for all."

————————————————

The next day—

Morning arrived softly, wrapped in golden sunlight that filtered through the curtains and bathed the room in warmth.

But for Adelyn—

It felt even softer.

A gentle sensation brushed against her skin —light, feathery, almost ticklish.

Her lips curved into a smile almost instantly, as if her body recognized the touch before her mind fully woke.

Still unwilling to open her eyes, she reached out instinctively, letting her arm wrap around the small figure and pulling her closer almost onto her.

"You little pretty girl ...," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep yet full of affection. "How do you always make my mornings so warm and beautiful? Hmm??"

Eira giggled, her laughter always soft and sweet to Adelyn’s ears.

Nestled comfortably in Adelyn’s arms, she didn’t struggle or pull away. Instead, she snuggled closer, happily settling into her role as her mother’s little cuddlebug.

"Tell me quickly," Adelyn added, nudging her nose gently against Eira’s, "or ... or else, I’m not letting you go anywhere." She tickled her making her laugh more.

"Hehe ... Eira didn’t do anything special," the little girl said, her voice bubbling with joy. "Eira just gave Mama a morning kiss on her cheeks."

"Really?" Adelyn asked, finally opening her eyes halfway to look at her. "That’s all you did?"

Eira nodded earnestly.

"Then that means .... Eira’s morning kisses are truly special," Adelyn said, her lips curling in a soft smile.

Leaning in, she kissed her cheek in return.

"Here —Mama will kiss you back too."

Eira smiled, but then her expression shifted slightly as she looked at Adelyn more seriously.

"But Mama ... Eira’s kiss wasn’t a favor."

Adelyn paused.

"Favor?"

The word felt oddly out of place.

She blinked, then looked at the little girl with gentle curiosity.

"Mama knows that, sweetheart," she said patiently. "Why did you think Mama thought it was a favor?"

Eira blinked back at her.

"Because Mama returned it."

Adelyn’s confusion deepened.

Eira quickly explained, her tiny hands fidgeting slightly.

"Dada says favors should always be returned. So Eira thought ... if Mama returned it, did she think it was a favor?"

And suddenly—

Last night’s conversation flashed through Adelyn’s mind.

That exchange ... that logic ... that stubborn idea of returning favors.

Her lips pressed together before slowly curling into a smile.

She reached out and cupped Eira’s cheek gently.

"Baby ...," she said softly, "it’s not just the favors that are returned. Love and affection could also be returned."

"Love and affection?" Eira repeated, tilting her head.

Adelyn nodded.

"Mama just returned the love Eira gave her. That’s called reciprocating love —not repaying a favor. They’re different things."

She leaned forward and kissed her again, softer this time.

"Did you feel Mama’s affection in that?"

Eira touched her cheek thoughtfully before nodding.

"Eira felt it."

"See? That’s the difference," Adelyn said with a satisfied smile. Then, pouting slightly, she added in a whisper, "And also ... don’t learn this ’favor theory’ from your Dada."

Eira looked at her, puzzled.

Adelyn sighed dramatically before explaining,

"Your Dada’s theory of returning favors will only confuse you. And we should stay far —very far —away from confusion. Do you understand?"

Though she clearly didn’t, Eira nodded anyway.

Just then—

A voice came from the doorway.

"Do you have any complaints regarding me, Ms. Grace?"

Adelyn froze.

Her entire body stiffened.

Blinking slowly, she turned to Eira and whispered, "Baby ... aren’t we alone in the room? Why am I hearing your Dada’s voice?"

Eira turned her head toward the door.

Then she looked back at Adelyn.

Adelyn immediately shook her head, as if refusing reality itself.

"... Is he here?" she asked cautiously.

Eira nodded.

Adelyn pressed her lips together and closed her eyes briefly.

"Ms. Grace, if you have any complaints regarding me, you can always bring them to me. I—"

Before he could finish—

Adelyn shot upright in bed.

Shaking her head vigorously, she waved her hands as if dismissing the very idea.

"How could that be?" she said quickly. "How could I possibly have any complaints about you?"

She straightened her posture, her expression turning serious —almost convincing.

"You are the most refined man I have ever come across. Complaints? Flaws? Those things simply cannot exist around you. They cannot touch you at all ... haha."

Dylan raised a brow at her.

Adelyn met his gaze confidently, as though she completely believed every word she had just said.

"Rest assured, Mr. Warren, I could never have complaints about you," she continued smoothly. "If anything, I’m more worried that someday, you’ll grow dissatisfied with me."

She sniffled lightly, her tone turning dramatic.

"And when that day comes ... you’ll leave me. And I won’t be able to stop you."

Eira immediately turned to her, concern filling her little face.

But before she could react further—

Adelyn dropped the act.

Her expression cleared instantly as she looked back at Dylan.

"But it’s fine," she added, patting her chest. "When that happens, I’ll understand you, Mr. Warren. I won’t hold you back."

She smiled lightly.

"I’ll leave first and set you free."

The words were light.

Almost joking.

But beneath them—

They carried intention.

Adelyn was laying the groundwork.

A reminder.

That everything between them ... was temporary.

That when the time came—

It would end.

Cleanly.

Or so she hoped.

But—

Just when she thought she had said everything perfectly—

Dylan spoke.

"I won’t leave you."

Adelyn blinked.

Her mind paused.

"... Huh?"

She stared at him, completely caught off guard.

"What did you say?"

Did he just—

Refuse to let her go?