INT. DINING ROOM – MCQUAIDE'S RESIDENCE
The table was long, but not even half of it was occupied. The empty chairs seemed to echo her unease.
It was Evah's first dinner with the family since breakfast on her first day here. Sitting at the center was Mr. McQuaide, with his elegant wife at his right. Nova had explained earlier that both of them were busy helping the town recover from the heavy rains, the crops were ruined, and aid was needed everywhere.
Erion sat to Mr. McQuaide's left. Evah was seated beside him.
As anxious as ever, she knew she'd never get used to this setup. Nova and Luna grounded her with their warmth, treating her like a close friend, though Evah could still feel the underlying respect in every word and gesture.
And yet, guilt gnawed at her.
"You're going to break their hearts."
That line from her first breakfast here echoed in her head—spoken to Erion when he confessed the lie. When he said she'd pretend to be the future Lady of the House.
"Ma, we're going back to Y'Ruen tomorrow," Erion announced casually, slicing into a piece of meat on his plate.
Both his parents froze, visibly shocked. But before they could respond, Evah's surprise slipped out.
"We are?"
She immediately covered her mouth, realizing too late that she might have made things worse. Erion turned his head slowly, eyes locking on hers as if to say: You're supposed to be on my side.
"I thought you'd stay longer," his father said, recovering his composure.
"I thought you'd stay forever!" his mother added with a betrayed whine.
"I told you," Erion said, setting his utensils down and staring at his plate. "She's only here for protection."
He glanced sideways. "It's safe now. We can go back."
Evah's heart twisted. Relief... and something else she couldn't name. Which emotion should she feel?
Relief—because she was safe now.
Because maybe the nightmare was over.
Because the corporation might be gone.
Because she could go back to her normal life.
But still... the breeze, the mountains, the moonlight, the warmth of Nova and Luna—she couldn't deny how much she'd miss it.
"I thought you were just in denial," Erion's mother muttered, sighing. "Look at her—she likes it here. She looks heartbroken."
She gave Evah a look so pleading and gentle that it squeezed her heart.
This family had treated her like one of their own.
Erion glanced her way. She quickly straightened her expression, realizing it must have looked too honest.
"Ma, please don't make this harder," he said.
Evah looked down, unsure what to say, her fingers fidgeting in her lap.
"How can you say the relationship is fake?" his mother pressed. "Everyone here believes it and—"
"Ma," Erion snapped, his tone edged with warning.
He reached out and gently grasped Evah's arm.
"Let's go," he said—like the savior he always was.
"It doesn't even sound like you consulted her," his father added, voice suddenly firm. "That's no way to treat the woman you—"
"Pa," Erion cut him off, standing now. "I told you—we're not. I'm just protecting her."
He looked at Evah again. His eyes weren't cold this time.
"Bunny. Let's go."
Evah nodded. She didn't have a choice. After all, Erion was the one keeping her alive.
INT. HALLWAY – NIGHT
The walk down the hallway had never felt this tense.
Erion walked ahead, fast and focused, his left hand still wrapped gently around her right forearm. She struggled to keep pace, trying not to trip on her thoughts.
Why now?
Why so suddenly?
Is he mad?
Because of what I did? What I saw?
A dozen thoughts raced and tangled in her mind.
Before she realized it, they had reached his room.
"We need privacy. Sorry for dragging you here."
INT. ERION'S ROOM
The same room that held so many haunting memories... and yet it looked different now.
Lit brightly from above, every corner was visible. No shadows. No foggy mysteries. The light softened the edges of those memories—almost.
He finally let go of her hand, guiding her to sit near the desk while he walked toward the window.
"We can go back tomorrow," he repeated.
Evah opened her mouth—then closed it. Nothing came out.
"It's safe," he said again.
Silence.
Evah dropped her gaze to her lap again, falling back to her usual habit. She didn't know what to ask. Or how to ask it.
Erion watched her quietly.
"Did—" she began.
Her voice was soft. Her words careful.
"Did they take down Newfangled?"
Her heart pounded.
Erion shook his head.
"What?!" Her voice spiked in disbelief.
"It's not that easy."
"Then how can you say it's safe?" Her voice trembled.
"We have people on the inside. They all confirmed—no one knows what you did," Erion said, stepping closer. "The ones chasing you... were likely after me."
"That doesn't make any sense!"
"The investigation concluded. There's nothing linking you. By CGO protocol, you're officially marked safe."
"But Newfangled still exists?" Her voice rose again, harsher than she meant.
All the memories she had buried—the pain, the guilt—came clawing back like demons in the dark. The people, the victims.
Erion nodded again.
Her heartbeat quickened. It felt like the walls were closing in, the corners of the room sinking and pressing down on her chest. The faces of the victims from the video flashed in her mind—their screams, their cries for help. She felt like she had betrayed them.
"Nothing happened to them?" she asked, her voice cold. Gripping her own first for support.
He didn't flinch. He only nodded once more.
"That's impossible! You should've shut them down!"
"We need evidence," he replied simply.
Evah froze.
She already knew what she had to ask next. And it terrified her.
"Where's the flash drive?"