"Do you think hiding the fact that she’s dating soone is protecting her?" Regina asked the mont her eyes landed on Eryx as he stepped into her study.
Eryx didn’t flinch. He calmly pulled out the chair in front of her desk and sat down.
"You knew too, Mom," he said. "You knew Naomi was seeing Ryan. You didn’t stop her either, I’m sure you even knew where Ryan lived."
Regina’s fingers paused on the crystal pen she had been holding, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"I was watching," she said at last, voice clipped. "And I trusted you were doing the sa."
Eryx exhaled. "I only knew his na and a bit of his background, just enough to make sure he wasn’t playing with her. But you? I’m sure you even knew his grandfather’s na." His tone carried a thread of sarcasm. "I’m not here to play the bla ga. She’s old enough to decide what’s best for her. And Mom, since Grandma won’t be interfering anymore, maybe it’s ti you stopped playing the control ga. You’ll wear yourself out."
He stood, pressing his lips into a thin line. "I’ll head out first."
He had only taken a few steps before Regina’s voice followed him, firm but low.
"I’m not trying to control everything, Eryx."
He paused but didn’t turn around.
"I’m trying to give you two the best of life I never had," she said, more quietly now. "Is it so wrong to want to protect what’s left of this family? To stop you both from making mistakes that could ruin your futures?"
Eryx turned slightly, just enough to et her gaze.
"Maybe what you call protection feels a lot like fear to us," he said. "And fear never raised a child right, Mom."
Then he left, leaving Regina standing in the echo of her own silence.
Eryx walked down the stairs slowly, his hand trailing lightly along the railing. He could already hear the soft murmur of Lunara’s voice before he reached the bottom step.
In the living room, Naomi sat curled up on the couch, a pillow clutched to her chest. Her shoulders trembled slightly, though she was no longer crying. Lunara sat beside her, legs folded neatly under her, speaking in that calm, steady tone she always used when soone was barely holding it together.
"No, Naomi, I’m sure Mom didn’t an it like that," Lunara said softly.
Naomi let out a shaky breath. "I know... she didn’t yell. She didn’t even sound angry. That’s the problem." Her fingers twisted into the fabric of the pillow. "She always talks like she’s planning sothing for my sake. Like I’m fragile. Like I don’t get a say in my own life."
Lunara hesitated, then nodded slowly. "She loves you. She really does. But you’re right... sotis love feels like a cage when you’re never asked what you want."
Naomi looked down, her voice almost a whisper. "I really wish she would ask sotis."
Footsteps approached, and Eryx ca into view at the base of the stairs. He didn’t speak right away, just looked at the two of them, then at Naomi.
"She’s not forcing anything," Eryx finally said. "But she’s scared. You’re still her little girl in her head."
Naomi’s head snapped up, "Did you talk to her? What did she say?"
Eryx gave a slow nod and sat down on the armrest of the couch, his hands clasped loosely in front of him.
"I’m sure she’s just worried. Just go with her to the hospital today. She only wants to make sure you and of course, the baby... are okay."
He reached out and placed a gentle hand on Naomi’s head, caressing her hair lightly.
"I think, in her mind, it still feels like just yesterday you were small enough to hold in her arms."
Then he stood, brushing his hands together as if ready to move on from the emotional weight of the morning.
"I have to head to the office," he said, checking his watch briefly. His gaze shifted to Lunara. "Are you staying ho or going with Naomi?"
Lunara perked up instantly, her eyes widening. "Go with her, of course! I want to see the tiny thing in her tummy!"
Eryx couldn’t help a small smile tugging at his lips. "Right. Just don’t make too much noise in the room, alright?"
Lunara gave him a side eye glare, "What am I, a kid?"
"A baby." He said, pinching her cheek lightly. He nodded once more, glancing at Naomi. "Text after the appointnt."
Eryx stepped out of the house and headed straight to the waiting car. As he opened the door, he found Callum already inside in the front passenger seat, tablet in hand and phone tucked between his shoulder and ear.
Callum ended the call quickly and glanced up. "I’m sorry, sir. I thought you’d take longer before coming out."
"Why did you co here? I told you to et there," Eryx said, raising his eyebrows, clearly curious.
Callum stayed silent for a few seconds before finally speaking. "There’s sothing suspicious about the n who attacked you that night, sir."
"What is it?" Eryx leaned back in his seat, staring straight ahead.
Callum turned slightly to face him. "It didn’t feel like personal revenge. The way he moved, the timing, the setup, it felt like he was following orders. Soone was behind him."
Eryx nodded slowly, processing his words. "He didn’t open his mouth?"
Callum shook his head. "It was quite surprising. Even though we beat him and the others hard, he kept his mouth sealed. It was as if he was more afraid of revealing the secret than of dying."
Eryx frowned, his gaze sharpening. "Drive there."
Callum did not hesitate. "Yes, sir."
The car began to move, the quiet hum of the engine filling the air as they pulled out through the estate gates. Both n sat in silence, lost in thought, as the city streets passed by in a blur beyond the windows.
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