It has been two weeks since what occurred at Glacierbrook. Rose had been crying since she learned what had happened when I returned safely. after my abduction, the Hipocralis and the kingdom's knights rallied in our support. 
 Blackwell assures me that Caden will face justice for what he has done, and I did not want to make matters worse for myself. I'll let Blackwell try his best. It is the conclusion of the semester, and the Academy has a tradition of recognizing students, particularly those who have completed clinical rotations.
“You're up next” 
I snapped back to reality when Callista gently bumped my arm, pulling me from my thoughts. I blinked, taking in the grand hall before me—the stage draped in pristine white and deep blue, the banners of different institutions swaying softly. The air was filled with hushed murmurs, the occasional applause, and the weight of something I never thought I would experience—recognition.
Seated at the front, my friends and I wore our department uniforms, each representing the path we had chosen. The weight of the moment settled in my chest, but it wasn’t suffocating. It was grounding. A reminder of how far I had come.
The Academy had given me endless support—doctors to help me heal, people who refused to let my past define me. But in the end, it was my choice. I refused to let fear dictate who I was meant to be.
“Despite her fears, she conquered them all. She has dedicated herself to helping others, proving that even in the darkest moments, there is light. As a student doctor, she has strived to save lives with every clinical rotation. This Certificate of Recognition is awarded to—Zaira Winter Coffey.”
The words echoed through the hall, but for a moment, I couldn’t move. My heart pounded, my vision blurred—not with fear, but with something deeper.
Pride.
I climbed onto the stage, accepting my certificate—framed in gold, signed with pride and honor. My professors greeted me, but he wasn’t there. The one who had taught me so much. It had been two weeks since I last saw him. I didn’t know where he had gone.
I had never tried going to his house either. I sighed, pushing away the feeling, the memory of him. Stepping off the stage, I joined my friends, who had already received their certificates.
As the program ended, we rose from our seats, eager to leave the stadium.
“Girls' night out?” Callista suggested, grinning.
“Yeah! We deserve it!” Ainsley chimed in. I smiled and nodded.
“Nice! We’ll have rum again—and yes, we’re not going to drink at school, guys, I promise,” Callista said, placing a hand over her chest.
“And no trouble this time,” Stella added, amused.
“Definitely,” I agreed. “Since we’re being so responsible… what’s the plan?”
I turned to Callista, already knowing she had something in mind. She always did.
“We'll talk about it later. Stella and I will get the rums,” Callista said hurriedly. I was suddenly confused by their change in demeanor.
“And I am going to look for snacks for later. Guys, wait for me!” Ainsley said, hurrying off. I watched them running away as if they were rushing toward something.
“Hey, what about me?” I yelled.
“I guess they want us to talk. That’s why they headed out.”
I was stunned, unable to speak, my heart thumping as I heard his voice again. I turned to see him, my knees wanting to give out, my heart fluttering from his presence—Thorne, standing there in a white button-up shirt, his hands tucked into his pockets, his hair slicked back neatly. He looked at me like he was luring me into a dangerous place.
A lump formed in my throat. “Thorne,” I called out.
“Hello, sweetheart. Congratulations on your recognition,” he said, stepping toward me, a smile forming on his lips.
“You're here,” I said, still surprised. “I thought you left. I've been expecting you for a while.” My gaze remained locked on him.
His hand slowly reached for my cheek, his thumb trailing gently across my skin. “Why would I do that? I was a little late, but I was on time to see you receive your certificate,” he said, smiling.
“I just thought you’d leave for good after what happened…” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
"I'm keeping my promise, Zaira," he said.
"Promise?" I asked.
"A promise. I made a promise, didn't I? After the semester ended, after I did what I needed to do, I'd quit being your teacher, stop being your professor, and pursue you," he said.
My eyes widened as a memory surfaced—him leaving, yelling that he regretted everything. I looked at him, hesitant to believe him.
"But you left, remember? You said you regretted having me, Thorne. Does this really matter?" I asked, yet my heart clenched in pain.
"That's why I'm here—to make this right. I'm sorry. I was too stupid. I was trying to leave you so they wouldn’t suspend you. We have goals, Zaira. Goals to uncover the truth. I was an idiot to blame you for Owain's sins," he said.
"Yet every time I distanced myself from you, it was torture, Zaira. I missed touching you, kissing you, holding you, yet I couldn't. I had to follow the plan—but that wasn’t an excuse to hurt you, sweetheart," he said, his eyes glistening as if he was about to cry.
"I understand if you don't forgive me now, but please, sweetheart, give me another chance to make it up to you. I'll do everything," he said, looking at me.
"Thorne, I'm tired already. I've missed you, but I'm afraid I'll end up in the same situation again," I said, my heart aching. His face softened.
"I was too stupid, Zaira. Forgive me, sweetheart. I'll do anything for you—if you want me on my knees, I'm willing to do it," he said.
Then, he knelt down. I froze, glancing around in shock. I moved to help him up
.
"Thorne…"
"I'm so sorry, flower. I will never forgive myself for hurting you. I've lost the ones I love, and I'll do anything—anything—to make you forgive me and set things right between us. You're my home, my world, Zaira, and I'll do everything to protect it," he said, looking up at me.
"Just give me another chance."
My chest ached as I stared at the man I love so much and hurt me kneeling, vulnerable pleading. Thorne Ackerman, the one who had shattered my heart, yet who also made me feel that I was the happiest woman alive. He asks forgiveness willing to do everything. The weight of his desperation clawed at me, stirring me inside. 
“You left me, Thorne. You made me believe that I was nothing to you* A tear dropped from my eyes. “And now you're here telling me that I was your world all along?” 
His jaw clenched “I was a fool. I was scared—scared that something might happen to you. But staying away? It's worse than death” He said as his hand curled into fists. “I’ll spend my whole life proving myself to you, if you let me”
I step forward squatting to match his level, my pulse hammering as I carefully caress his cheek, tilting it gently to look at me. My pulse quickened, my breath unsteady as I looked at him.
“Don't make me regret this, Thorne” I whispered. 
His hands clasped mine, firm yet gentle, as if she was something precious. "I won’t. I swear on it on my life."
And this time, as he pulled me into his arms, I believed him. I feel his warmth and comfort. I was longing for this. His scent lingers like notalgia. I didn't say anything, we didn't exchange words, our warmth and presence was already enough to assure us that we missed each other.
“I miss you so damn much, flower,” he whispered into my ear, kissing my forehead. 
I smiled as I buried myself into his shoulder, happy and content.
Thorne 
I received a call from Blackwell just before dinner. My footsteps echoed through the concrete room, its thick walls ensuring that only he and I could grant access. The scent of blood and iron lingered in the air, a constant reminder of what happened here. Faint screams still reverberated—a chorus of suffering I had long grown accustomed to.
Years of torturing enemies in the mortal world had hardened me. As a doctor for the Knights of the Palace, I had witnessed brutality beyond what innocence could comprehend. And now, with my patience worn thin and my preparations for tonight’s dinner with Zaira and her nanny interrupted, I had one more task to handle.
This bastard had to be dealt with—once and for all.
Caden was lying on a steel bed, on the bed side are one of my toys glunting silvers across. 
“Looks like the tables had turned, Caden” A smirked playing on my lips. Rolling down my sleeves as I looked at him. 
“Professor” he said, his breath ragged, looking at me noticing his bruises all over his face. I assume Blackwell really did his job well. 
“Now, now, don't call me that” I sighed. “Do you really think that you could've run away from me? after what you did to Zaira and all those olay games with you all along?” I asked, looking at him. 
“It was my father's idea, I was dragged into this, All my life, All my life I was a slave for him and I don't have the choice but to follow him!” he said, trying to act all innocent, I picked a scalpel glinting in the light. 
“You know what I hate, Caden?” I asked, looking at him. He looked at me curious until I stabbed him in the thigh as his screams echoed in the closed room, his cries were horrifying but enough to give me satisfaction. 
“Look at that, I think I stabbed too deep and his a sciatic nerve* I said, smirking. His cries were still louder and I lean in closer. 
“You know, your dad is a very lucky one. He was killed immediately from the falling rocks, Blackwell retrieved his body and I don't know what they'll do to that” I said and I looked at him. 
“Yet, you could be in the same fate as him, but you're too dumb and a coward to run away and here you are, stuck with me and I'll make sure that I'll cut every nerve into your body, bleed all over this steel bed” I gave him a sinister smile.
I let my scalpel run through his mid thigh ensuring that he is paralyzed and can't walk. His screams and cries echoed in the air. 
“You call yourself a doctor!” He yelled and cried. 
“You’re one messed up doctor, enjoying their patients' screams until they die. What a hypocrite!” he yelled, his teeth gritted as I changed to another instrument. 
I released a chuckle glancing at him. “You're not my patient, you're an enemy and I'm not trying to be a good doctor also” I said with a smile. 
“Now… Let's see” I said, stopping, remembering that he hurt Zyra. I looked at him, my jaw clenched. 
“I heard that you hurt, Zaira, harassing her” I said looking at him. 
He chuckled as if he was enjoying it. “Yeah I did, I want to bury myself to her and that bitch bit me—he lost I gave her the opportunity to run away” he said, enjoying telling me like a goddamn fairytale—disgusting bastard. 
I hummed. “And you hurt her?” I asked, looking at her. 
“She deserved it!” he hissed. 
“Which hand?” I asked. 
He looked at me confused “What the fuck? why do you care—ohh because you care about her” he laughs like a maniac. 
“Again, which hand?” I asked again. 
“I get it you're all worked up but come on, professor you're better than this—you’re worked up with a pussy—” 
Before she could finish his sentences, A scream and cries echoed louder as I cut his fingers. He cried as he looked at his fingers separated from his hand. 
“You fucking asshole!” He cried. 
“I asked you a question, answer it” I said flatly. “Which hand?” I said again. 
“Right!” he yelled crying, I smiled as I chopped off his hand and red crimson all over the floor—a loud scream echoed and replaced it with a silent scream.
“You deserved to get bitten, by the way but a bite wasn't enough. And you dare badmouth her?” I asked, and without hesitation I cut his tongue out as he cried to death. 
“You are a psychopath, living with your psychotic dad, you think that I didn't know? You're a psycho planning to do something with Zaira all this time—planning to keep her to you, you sick motherfucker!” My jaw clenched.
“You dared to touch her, attempt to steal her dignity?” I hissed. “Over my fucking dead body” 
One by one I chopped his fingers, the steel was slowly covered in crimson red, until—a beep from a device, a caller from Butler J. I paused for a moment as I approached the device. 
“Master, your visitors have arrived” He said formally. 
Shit. 
“I see, I'll be there shortly, please take care of them. I'll see you soon” I said. 
“Of course, Master” 
After ending the call I went to Caden smirking. “I'm surprised that you're still alive,” I said, sighing. 
“And I guess luck is still on your side too” I said. “I'll stop, I'm done with you” I said, he looked at me hopeful. 
“But I can't risk you alive” I said, before he could speak with an efficient move he froze as his body fell into the bed, dead. 
That's all I could give mercy to villains like Caden, an efficient death. 
Zaira
I was having fun with Rose and Butler J sharing the stories with a hint of competition between the two. Thorne invited us to dinner to celebrate my recognition and get the chance to make his family and my family come along. But Butler J and Rose are starting to get competitive at the moment 
Rose wiped her hands on her apron, shooting Butler J a smug look as she placed the last set of silverware on the table. “There. Perfectly aligned, polished, and arranged with elegance. You may begin your inspection, Butler J.”
Butler J adjusted his gloves, stepping forward with a scrutinizing gaze. “Hmm. Acceptable effort, Miss Rose. However—” He plucked a fork from its place, turning it slightly. 
“You seem to have overlooked the correct angle of the dessert fork. A tragic mistake.”
Rose gasped dramatically. “Oh, forgive me, Your Highness of Household Perfection. Perhaps you’d prefer I measure each piece with a ruler?”
Butler J gave a slow, deliberate nod. “That would be ideal.”
Rose scoffed, placing her hands on her hips. “You’re impossible. Besides, I finished setting the table before you even finished decanting the wine.”
Butler J straightened, adjusting his cuffs. “Ah, but excellence takes time, Miss Rose. Unlike your… speed-driven methods.”
Rose crossed her arms. “Well, at least I don’t take twenty minutes folding a napkin into a swan.”
“Presentation is an art.”
“It’s just going to unfolded anyway!”
The tension crackled, their eyes locked in a silent battle—until Thorne’s voice broke through.
“Should I be concerned that my dinner might turn into a duel?”
Both of them turned, startled, as Thorne leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching them with amusement.
"Thorne!" I called out, rushing toward him.
"Hello, Flower," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead, his smile warm and tender.
"Where have you been?" I asked, my eyes searching his face, laced with concern.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," he said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "There was something I needed to handle, but it's done now. You don’t have to worry."
His gaze softened as he brushed his thumb against my cheek. "Now, tell me—what happened here?"
Rose and Butler J immediately turned to Thorne, both ready to speak at the same time.
“He’s being ridiculous—”
“She refuses to uphold proper standards—”
They glared at each other before Thorne raised a hand, silencing them. “Let me guess. Another battle over who does things better?”
Rose huffed, crossing her arms. “He’s acting like setting a table is some sacred ritual.”
Butler J straightened. “And she’s treating it like a casual chore, completely disregarding precision.”
Thorne pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. “I can’t leave you two alone for an hour, can I?”
Zaira stifled a laugh beside him. “To be fair, it was entertaining.”
Thorne shook his head before turning to Butler J. “Did the dinner get ruined over this?”
“Of course not, sir.”
He then looked at Rose. “And is the table actually a disaster?”
Rose muttered, “No, but that’s not the point.”
Thorne smirked. “Then I’m going to assume everything is fine, and you two are just finding new ways to annoy each other.”
Rose and Butler J exchanged a look before muttering at the same time, “Possibly.”
Thorne sighed, wrapping an arm around me. “Come on, Flower, let’s eat before they start arguing over who serves the food better.”
I chuckled from my seat. “You should’ve seen them earlier. I thought they were about to start throwing plates.”
Butler J straightened his posture. “I would never disrespect fine china.”
Rose rolled her eyes. “But you would argue over napkin folding.”
Thorne sighed, shaking his head as he walked past them. “Remind me why I invited both of you again?”
Zaira grinned. “Because you secretly enjoy the chaos.”
Thorne paused, then smirked. “Fair point.”
I chuckled as I looked at them, Rose stealing frustrated glances at Butler J as he does the same. Yet I was having the best dinner that I have.