Hugo stepped into the living room with Lea in his arms like she was something fragile carved from moonlight. Lea wanted the floor to swallow her. She buried her burning face deeper into Hugo's chest, wishing she had the power to turn invisible.
But the universe was not that kind.
Because the first people they saw were Marina and Kael.
Marina was arranging fruit plates on the coffee table while Kael read something on his holopad. The moment Hugo entered the room, both of them looked up at the same time.
Marina froze mid-movement. Kael blinked once, twice.
And then—
"Oh," Marina breathed softly, eyes widening in surprise.
Kael lowered his holopad very slowly, expression unreadable.
Lea wanted to die.
This was it. Her social funeral. Her spirit was ascending.
"H-Hugo," she whispered through clenched teeth, "I swear, if you don't put me down right now—"
"No," he answered gently, not even hesitating.
