(Morning — Before Eva Left)
Eva stood by the dresser, her fingers trembling slightly as she closed the last latch of her suitcase.
"It's done," she whispered, the sound barely escaping her lips.
She glanced around the room. "Now… let's go," she murmured.
But the moment she turned toward the door, doubt rooted her to the spot. If I go through the main hall, someone will see me. Brother Luca, Aranel, Kids, the guards— they'll never let me leave.
She hesitated, biting her lip, until a flicker of memory lit her mind. "Right… there's that secret passage," she breathed.
A small, bittersweet smile crossed her lips. "Eyan once told me about it — the same one he used as Kyel, to slip away and meet me in secret."
Her chest ached at the memory, but she forced herself to move. "I should go from there."
She lifted the suitcase, but paused again halfway to the door. The thought of her children tugged at her heart. "If I leave without saying anything, Leo and the twins will worry…"
Her gaze drifted toward Leo's room. With a sigh, she took out a sheet of paper and began to write, her hand shaking with each word.
She folded the note neatly and placed it by his bedside, brushing her fingers over the corner as if sealing her love into the paper.
"Now I don't have to worry," she whispered, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
Pulling her hood over her head, she picked up the suitcase and took one last look at the room.
Then, with quiet steps and a heart heavy with longing, Eva slipped into the hidden passage — the same one that once carried love's secret meetings, now carrying her away from it.
----
(At the old house – morning)
Eva stood before the old wooden house, its walls weathered but familiar. A small smile curved her lips.
"It's been so long… I missed this place," she whispered, brushing her hand against the cracked doorframe.
It was the little home where she and Kyel—no, Eyan— had once lived.
When she pushed open the door, a cloud of dust rushed out. She coughed lightly, waving her hand before her face. "It's a mess," she muttered. "Guess I'll have to clean it first."
she muttered, rolling up her sleeves.
For hours she swept, wiped, and aired the rooms until the night wrapped the house in quiet again.
By the time she sank onto the old couch, her limbs ached, but her heart… her heart was heavier still.
"It took all day," she murmured, glancing around. "But it almost looks like it used to."
Her gaze drifted to the empty corner where a little table once stood—where Kyel used to wait for her with dinner. The memory flickered before her eyes like a ghost.
"He used to love me so much," she whispered, voice trembling. "Now… he's not the same man anymore."
She shook her head quickly. "Stop thinking about him, Eva. You came here for peace, remember?"
Pushing herself off the couch, she smiled faintly. "Let's make something to eat. Then a bath, and sleep."
–– Hours later ––
Steam still lingered on her skin as she stepped out of the bath, wrapped in a soft nightgown. Her hair, damp and loose, brushed against her bare shoulders.
"I'm tired," she sighed, crawling onto the bed.
The room was dim and calm. She smiled faintly. "Goodnight… kids," she whispered to the air.
She turned to her side and closed her eyes.
But then—
CLACK.
Eva's eyes snapped open. Her breath caught in her throat. What was that sound?
Then—another sound. The scrape of boots against the wall. Someone was climbing.
Her fingers tightened around the bedsheet. A thief?
The latch on the window clicked. A dull thud followed as someone landed inside the room.
Her heart began to pound violently in her chest. No… no… what do I do now?
The faint silhouette moved through the moonlight, slow, calculated—coming closer.
She forced herself to stay calm. You're not helpless, Eva. You know how to defend yourself.
The figure stopped beside the bed. The air between them grew heavy—thick with tension.
Then, a hand reached out—rough fingers brushing her shoulder.
Her body froze. For an instant, she couldn't breathe.
Then instinct exploded through her.
Eva grabbed the wrist, twisted it sharply, and slammed the intruder onto the bed in one swift motion. Her forearm pressed against their throat.
Moonlight spilled across the stranger's face—
Her words died in her throat.
"Eyan?"
He lay beneath her, eyes wide, chest rising fast—but there was a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Hi," he said softly.
Eva's eyes widened. She pulled back immediately, stepping away. "I—I'm sorry. I thought someone broke in." Her voice wavered. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
Eyan sat up, shaking his head. "No, I'm fine. And I'm sorry for scaring yo—."
"Why are you here, Eyan? Eva's tone turned sharp. And how did you even know I'd come here?"
He smiled faintly. "Where else would you go, if not here? It was our home."
Her heart twisted painfully.
He continued, "You suddenly left the palace without—"
"I left a note," she interrupted, her voice firm.
"I know. But Leo and the others were worried sick. I came to make sure you're safe."
"Well, now you've seen I'm fine,"she said, forcing a brittle smile. "You can leave."
He frowned. "What?"
"I said I'm fine. So go."
"Go?" His brow furrowed. "Eva, you're alone here. How could I possibly leave you—"
She laughed bitterly. "Now you're worried about me being alone?"
Her voice trembled, anger masking her pain. "Only now, you look at me. Only now, you remember you have a wife named Eva?"
Eyan's expression softened with confusion. "Eva, what are you trying to say?"
"Nothing." She turned her head away. "Forget it."
She exhaled shakily. "I want to sleep. Please, go."
"Eva, listen—"
"Did you not hear me?" Her voice rose slightly as she pointed to the door. "Leave. Now."
For a moment, he didn't move. The silence stretched between them — thick, painful, unspoken.
Eyan's jaw tightened. He stood slowly, and moved toward the door, his steps heavy and uncertain, then stopped.
"Why did you stop?" she said coldly. "Go."
Then she heard him exhale — a deep, uneven sound, almost like a confession.
"I can't do this anymore."
Eva's brows furrowed. "What did you just—"
Before she could finish, Eyan spun around, his eyes blazing with something raw and desperate. In one swift motion, he pulled her by the waist and crushed his lips against hers.
Eva's breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide with shock as his mouth claimed hers—hungry, trembling, full of longing he could no longer hide.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead pressed against hers, his breathing ragged.
"Damn it…" he whispered hoarsely. "I can't hold back anymore."
Eva's voice faltered. "Eyan, what—"
"I know you have questions," he cut in, his tone rough with restraint. "And I'll answer every single one of them."
He swallowed, his hand sliding up to cup her cheek as his thumb brushed the corner of her lips. "But not right now…"
He leaned closer, his words barely audible, trembling against her skin.
"Right now… Just let me love you."
Eva's lashes fluttered, her breath uneven as she looked into his eyes. Her heart pounded, and slowly—she nodded.
Eyan's lips met hers again, this time more desperate. Each kiss deepened, burning with everything he'd kept buried.
Eva's hands rose, clutching at his shoulders, her body trembling under the weight of his need.
----