The night outside the banquet hall had changed shape.
Not quieter.
Not calmer.
Just sharper—like everything had finally realized something was wrong.
Dante and the guard moved fast through the exit, carrying Izana between them.
Every step was controlled, but the urgency underneath it was impossible to hide now.
No one spoke loudly.
They didn't need to.
The atmosphere did it for them.
Whispers spread instantly through the crowd outside.
Something had happened.
Something important.
Something dangerous.
But no one stepped forward.
Not when Dante spoke.
Not when Elias moved ahead of them.
Not when the weight of authority alone made space open without resistance.
"…Move."
Dante's voice cut through the entrance.
Low.
Final.
The crowd parted immediately.
Elias walked slightly ahead, not rushing, but clearing the path like it belonged to him.
"…Open the front doors. Now."
A guard obeyed instantly.
The doors swung wide.
The car was already waiting.
Black.
Engine running.
Prepared.
Like it had been expecting this moment.
Dante and the guard lowered Izana carefully into the back seat.
Leah didn't wait for permission.
She climbed in immediately after him.
No hesitation.
No fear of consequence.
Just instinct.
Izana's head was gently guided onto her lap.
The moment it happened, Leah's hands were on him.
One in his hair.
One holding his hand.
Like she was anchoring him to her.
"…Iz…"
Her voice was soft.
Too soft for the situation.
Dante shut the door and moved to the driver's seat immediately.
Elias entered the front passenger seat without a word.
The doors closed.
And the world outside disappeared.
The engine started instantly.
The car pulled forward hard into the night.
Leah didn't look away from Izana.
Not even for a second.
His face was still calm.
Too calm.
That silence on his expression was starting to scare her more than anything else.
Her fingers tightened slightly in his hair.
"…Hey… you're still here, right?"
No answer.
She leaned closer immediately.
"…Iz, don't do this."
Still nothing.
Her grip on his hand tightened again.
"…Talk to me."
Dante glanced at the mirror.
His voice came out low.
"…Is he worse?"
Leah swallowed hard.
Her throat felt tight.
"…Yes."
That was all she could manage.
Elias had already taken out his phone.
His expression didn't change, but his voice was sharper than before.
"…Prepare the medical corridor. Clear everything."
A pause.
"…I don't care who is there. Remove them."
Another pause.
"…He arrives in minutes."
He ended the call and looked forward again.
Silent.
Focused.
But not calm.
Not anymore.
Inside the back seat, Leah shifted closer.
Izana's breathing was still there.
But it wasn't steady anymore.
That was what she noticed first.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…No…"
She leaned in immediately.
"…Iz—hey, stay with me."
Her hand cupped his cheek.
Warm.
But fading in strength.
"…Look at me."
No response.
Her voice sharpened slightly.
"…Don't you dare drift away right now."
A pause.
Then softer.
"…Please."
Dante pressed harder on the accelerator.
The car surged forward.
Elias spoke again, still looking ahead.
"…How long."
Dante answered instantly.
"…Less than ten minutes."
Leah wasn't listening anymore.
Her entire world had narrowed down to one thing.
Izana.
She squeezed his hand again.
"…I felt that earlier."
Her voice trembled.
"…You squeezed my hand. You're still here."
A pause.
She leaned closer.
"…You're still here, right?"
No answer.
But his fingers moved again.
Weak.
Barely noticeable.
But real.
Leah gasped softly.
"…There—there you are."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"…Don't stop now."
Her other hand moved to his chest.
Not rough.
Just searching.
Just needing confirmation.
"…Iz…"
Her breath hitched.
"…The baby…"
That word shifted something.
His fingers tightened again in hers.
A little stronger this time.
Leah immediately leaned in closer.
Relief and panic mixing together in her expression.
"…Yes… yes, that's it."
She swallowed hard.
"…You hear me, don't you?"
A pause.
Her voice dropped lower.
"…You can't leave before you meet them properly."
Silence filled the car again.
Only the engine.
Only speed.
Only urgency.
Dante's jaw tightened.
He didn't look away from the road.
But he drove faster.
Elias spoke again.
"…We're approaching."
Leah shook her head immediately.
Her voice rose slightly now.
Not loud.
But breaking.
"…No… not fast enough."
She leaned closer to Izana again.
Her hand still holding his.
"…Hey… you promised."
A pause.
Her eyes shimmered slightly.
"…You said you'd be there for everything."
Her voice cracked.
"…You don't get to break that."
No response.
But his hand stayed in hers.
Barely.
Still there.
That was enough for her to keep going.
Dante's voice came again, quieter now.
"…Talk to him."
Leah nodded quickly.
Like she was being given permission to breathe again.
"…Okay."
She leaned closer to Izana.
Her forehead almost touched his.
"…You always tell me not to worry."
A pause.
Her fingers tightened.
"…So don't you start now."
Silence.
She swallowed again.
"…The baby's been moving more today."
Her voice softened.
More intimate now.
"…I think they can feel you."
A pause.
She exhaled shakily.
"…So don't disappear on them."
Her thumb brushed over his hand gently.
"…They need you too."
Dante glanced back again.
This time his voice was lower.
Controlled.
But tight.
"…Hold him steady."
Leah nodded without looking up.
"…I am."
Even though her hands were shaking now.
Even though her breath wasn't steady anymore.
She refused to let go.
Izana shifted faintly.
Leah noticed instantly.
Her breath caught.
"…Iz?"
Her voice lifted slightly.
Hopeful.
Too hopeful.
She leaned closer.
"…Hey—stay with me."
His fingers tightened once more.
Weak.
But deliberate.
Leah's eyes widened.
"…I felt that again."
Her voice broke slightly.
"…You're still fighting."
A pause.
She shook her head quickly.
"…Don't stop fighting now."
Elias ended another call.
"…Gates are open."
The mansion was close now.
Visible through the windshield.
Leah turned her head slightly.
Her grip tightening again.
"…We're almost there."
Her voice cracked.
"…So don't close your eyes yet."
No response came.
But his hand was still in hers.
Still holding on.
Barely.
The mansion gates opened wide.
Waiting.
Like the entire place had been holding its breath for them.
Dante drove straight through without slowing.
Leah leaned closer immediately.
Her voice broke completely now.
"…We're here."
A pause.
"…So don't you dare leave me right now."
The car sped into the courtyard.
And the doors opened instantly as the medical team rushed forward.