Daisy joins her, sitting close, grounding her with presence alone.
"Hey," she says softly. "Calm down. How's Uncle? And the boys?"
Lara wipes her cheeks, voice trembling.
"Dad's stable. Rain just came out of surgery—he'll be under observation tonight, but they say he can be discharged tomorrow. Zain's out of danger too… but he still hasn't opened his eyes."
Daisy exhales, relief finally cracking through her composure.
"Good. If not for Zain, City C would've been wiped out. He took down Nick's men in time and stopped the main blast that was targeted for main parts of city C. He couldn't prevent the military base explosion—but we're investigating that. My team's already digging into political involvement."
She pauses, then adds quietly,
"And Nick is dead."
Lara freezes.
"What?" Her eyes widen, disbelief crashing into grief. "How could Nick—" Her voice breaks. "He was my childhood friend. He was family. And he tried to kill my dad… Now he is dead and he had plans to destroy innocent… I—"
The reality finally lands, heavy and cruel.
Daisy pats her back gently.
Zain watches from his bed, unable to move, unable to speak. His eyes soften as he listens, pain settling somewhere deeper than his injuries.
"You were right, Lisa," he murmurs inside his head. She's too pure for this world.
A doctor approaches Lara, speaking gently.
"We'd like Mr. Ben to go home tonight. Being with family will help him recover from the trauma."
Lara nods, steadying herself.
Daisy takes charge without hesitation.
"I'll stay here with the boys. You take him home."
At the house, Lara guides her father inside.
"Mom," she calls softly, "Dad's here. He's okay."
She turns to Ben, smiling through exhaustion.
"And look—Uncle Adam and Aunt are here to cheer you up dad."
Ben pulls Adam into a hug, leaning on him as he walks, already looking lighter.
Later, Lara explains everything to Adam—the attack, Nick, the explosion, Zain and Rain's condition. She assures him they're safe, that she's staying with them.
Adam places a hand on her head, eyes full of trust.
"Please take care of them," he says gently. "I'm leaving my sons in your hands, dear."
Lara nods, offering a quiet, unwavering smile.
"I will."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Back in hospital,
Daisy checks on Rain first.
Their eyes meet, and they both smile—relief, warmth, something unspoken passing between them. She leans in and hugs him lightly.
"I'll protect you," she says softly.
Rain chuckles. "Sure. You'll be the master—and the breadwinner—of our family."
She raises an eyebrow. "Is that a proposal?"
He turns serious, voice low but steady.
"I never intended to play with you. I want you—forever, kitten."
"Hm," she hums, teasing. "I'll think about it."
Rain frowns playfully. "What, you've got other men in mind? I'll be the best version you'll ever find. Drop the other thoughts."
Daisy laughs, then leans in and kisses his cheek."I'm in. I own you from now on. You better behave."
Rain smiles, finally relaxing back against the pillow.
"I'll check on Zain and be back," she says, heading out.