The morning light crept through the curtains as they packed up for their next destination—Australia.
Nora, exhausted and sore from the night before, could barely walk. Zayan scooped her into his arms gently, carrying her toward the airport.
"Z?" Nora murmured weakly.
"Yes, darling?" Zayan replied, adjusting his hold on her.
"What happened… last night?" she asked softly, blinking up at him with innocent curiosity.
Zayan paused, a flood of images flashing through his mind—her breathless moans, soft whispers, the warmth of their night together.
He smirked slightly. "I put a baby in you," he said.
Nora blinked. "Huh?"
"Remember when you said, 'Nora wants a baby?'" Zayan asked. She nodded slowly, still trying to recall.
"Well," he said, smiling down at her, "I put a cute little baby in your tummy."
Her eyes widened in awe. "Nora… Nora will be a mommy?"
"Yes, darling," Zayan whispered, brushing her hair back. "You're going to be a mommy. So you need to be careful now, okay baby?"
She nodded, holding onto him tightly as they boarded the plane.
Everyone settled into their seats—Nora, of course, right beside Zayan. Six hours into the flight, Nora, Kiernan, Rex, and Aaila were fast asleep. The rest of the group chatted quietly. Miska and Frya bonded, while Sora and Lisa whispered about everything and nothing.
When they landed in Australia, Zayan gathered all the girls—Sora, Frya, Lisa, Aaila, Kyomi, and Imara.
"Nora is pregnant," he announced.
Sora and Lisa screamed in joy. Frya gasped. "What?!"
Aaila, Imara, and Kyomi looked at each other, shocked and smiling, before turning toward Nora—who was tugging on Maverick and Kiernan's ears while giggling.
Zayan pulled her close as they exited the airport.
"Z?" Nora called out softly.
"Yes, my love?"
"My head feels spinny… and my tummy hurts," she whispered.
"Alright, let's get you something to eat, okay?" Zayan said gently, brushing his lips across her forehead. She nodded.
Black cars arrived to escort them. Upon arrival at the mansion, familiar faces greeted them.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kai! Good to see you again," said Mr. Oliver, one of the company's key representatives.
"Hello, Mr. Ollie!" Nora waved cheerfully. He smiled back warmly.
Later, they sat down for dinner. Nora was enjoying her meal until suddenly she stopped, stood up, and rushed to the bathroom.
Sounds of violent vomiting echoed through the hall.
Everyone looked concerned. Asher's face was unreadable. He already knew—he just didn't expect it to hit so soon.
Aaila and Imara rushed to Nora with a pregnancy test.
"Nora dear, you need to pee, okay?" Imara said softly.
"But Nora can't pee-pee," she pouted.
"Drink some water, sweetheart," Aaila handed her a bottle.
After a while, Nora tapped Aaila and whispered, "Pee-pee time."
Aaila and Kyomi accompanied her. They collected her sample and dipped the test in.
Meanwhile, Zayan was in a business meeting with Mr. Oliver. Across the table sat a young woman—Charlotte. She kept throwing glances at Zayan, brushing her fingers through her hair, attempting to get his attention.
Zayan didn't look her way—not once. His eyes were fixed on his phone's lock screen—Nora's smiling face.
After the meeting ended successfully, Charlotte approached him.
"How about a drink?" she purred, touching his arm.
Zayan shrugged her hand off without hesitation.
"Who is she?" he asked Oliver.
"Charlotte, daughter of Mr. Miro, the second CEO."
Zayan's eyes darkened. He stormed into Mr. Miro's office.
"Mr. Zayan Kai!" Miro stood, startled.
Zayan didn't sit. "Warn your daughter. If she ever tries to seduce a married man again, I'll make sure she regrets it. My wife—my pregnant wife—is in no condition to deal with this kind of disrespect. And I don't tolerate it."
Mr. Miro gulped and nodded.
Later that night, they all returned to the mansion. Nora sat on the floor, crying, trembling from the vomiting and nausea. Zayan entered and removed his coat.
"Z!" she cried, arms open. He ran to her and wrapped her up.
"My tummy hurts! And I keep puking!" she wailed.
Zayan held her, stroking her back. Aaila handed him the test—two strong lines.
"Congratulations," she whispered. "She's pregnant."
Nora wiped her tears, confused. "Huh?"
Zayan chuckled softly. "Nora, love… You have a tiny baby in your tummy now."
She gasped.
"You need to rest, eat, and no more jumping, running, or too much playing. Just paint and relax, alright?"
"Okay," she nodded.
The boys—Kiernan, Rex, Maverick, Damian, and Asher—cheered.
"Nora is going to be a mommy!" they shouted.
Nora gasped with joy. "NORA IS A MOMMY NOW!!"
Zayan laughed and kissed her forehead.
"Congratulations, Mr. Kai," Mr. Oliver said, standing nearby. Charlotte and Miro silently observed.
"That's his wife?" Charlotte asked her father.
"Yes," he replied. "She had an accident. She's been this way for years."
"And don't try anything like that again," Miro warned her.
10:46 p.m.
The girls surrounded Nora, excitedly explaining mommy duties.
Nora nodded, smiling. "Nora will be a good mommy."
Meanwhile, with the guys…
"How the hell did you even do it in her condition?" Rex asked.
Shaw and Maverick blinked.
"Really, mate?" Damian muttered.
Asher had enough. He slammed his hand into the wall.
"SHUT THE BLOODY HELL UP! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL?!"
Blood trickled from his hand.
Inside, Nora flinched and ran to him.
"Ash?" she whispered. "Ash… blood…"
"I'm fine, Nunu. Just a small wound," he tried to smile.
"No!" she insisted. "Gimme the plus box, please."
Someone handed her the first aid kit, and she gently dressed his wound.
"Why are you all so mean to each other?" she asked in her soft, childlike voice. "Always yelling and shouting… there's no peace."
She stood up on the table, holding an umbrella.
"No fighting, no arguments, no insults, no punches, no guns—"
"Get down from—" Rex began, but she spun and smacked him with the umbrella across the neck.
"Nora doesn't like being inter… inter…"
"Interrupted," Kiernan corrected.
"Yes! That! Don't do it, okie?" she said sternly.
Rex nodded, terrified.
1:30 a.m.
Zayan carried a sleeping Nora back to their room, tucked her under the covers, and kissed her forehead.
"Nora will be a good mommy," he whispered with a proud smile.