A/N: Hello everyone! To all those who read my first installment of this fanfiction that I posted on Jumin's birthday, here is the next chapter! Thank you so much to all who read/favorited/left a review for this story so far, it makes every minute writing even more fulfilling! I hope you all enjoy the newest part, and thank you again for being patient with me and my slow week-long updates!

Also, since most of the days after Day Seven on Jumin's Route are saturated with events and interactions, I think I'm going to release a sizeable portion of each day as a single chapter from now on to make it more manageable, easy to follow, and maintain my original level of depth.

Note: As always, MC will be referred to as MC in this story in the third person instead of blanks or Y/N. In addition, this story contains minor spoilers for Jumin's route.

Onward to the fluff!

MC tended to leave her phone on vibrate throughout the day to make sure she was always present in the messenger to acknowledge and approve guest suggestions. She also did it to keep up with each of the member's lives, considering they were all like one large, albeit strange, family. She wanted what was best for each of them, regardless of her predilection for Jumin, and she knew that the messenger was a place where they sought solace and a relaxing reprieve from the day's events.

Until she remembered Yoosung's and Seven's tendency to text the chat in the wee hours of the morning. After a series of jarring vibrations next to her pillow, MC woke with a quiet groan, opening her eyes blearily to see a winking emerald light on her phone. Against her better judgement, this had to be bad for her health, she opened the messenger to encounter an ecstatic Yoosung, raving about Honey Buddha Chips at two in the morning. Despite his excitement, he further relayed a concern for her safety that Zen had already made abundantly clear. It warmed her heart that they worried about her so much, but she responded with her honest feelings as she did every time they asked her how she felt about staying with Jumin. She was happiest knowing he was happy and well, and if that meant being beside him when he needed her then this was where she wanted to be. She knew they were only concerned because they felt his mental status made him unpredictable, but she was a little disturbed by the way they always assumed the worst of his intentions. She couldn't think of a single moment since she arrived that validated those assumptions. He had been nothing less than rational and fair, always taking her feelings and comfort zone into consideration, acknowledging and apologizing if he was made aware that he stepped over a proverbial line.

Yoosung then gushed on and on about his favorite snack, grateful to Seven for letting him use his superior gaming computer and equipment to play LOLOL. Though MC was concerned as she always was that Yoosung wasn't focusing on his school work and depriving himself of sleep, she was even more disconcerted that Seven was being so unreservedly magnanimous. It wasn't like Seven to drop everything and invite an RFA member over to his house. She didn't think he had malicious intentions, but she couldn't help her suspicion that he was doing it all for a reason he wasn't disclosing, especially if he was working himself ragged while Yoosung indulged. She would have thought they'd play LOLOL together or hang out, lazing about and eating chips. If they were barely interacting and Yoosung seemed to be the only one having fun, then why did Seven invite him over?

She was sure the key to understanding was in what Seven was working on, which Yoosung described as him staring at a video of a building in the mountains. As Yoosung deliberated, she rubbed her forehead with the tips of her fingers as she tried to figure out why the phrase sounded so familiar. No matter how hard she tried she was unable to recall why the detail seemed important, filing the tidbit away for further thought when her head ached less and instead encouraging Yoosung to help Seven. He effectively evaded her request by claiming Seven preferred it when he played LOLOL in silence and extending a quick farewell before logging out.

Before she could think on their bizarre little sleep(game?)over further, she wasn't sure what to call it at this point, Jaehee appeared in the messenger less than ten minutes later. Concerned for her health, MC opened the chat immediately to find Jaehee trashing Yoosung's gaming habits. Stifling a giggle at the good-natured burn, she eased the woman's subsequent worries about her safety and well-being, a reflection of Zen's. Promising that she was comfortable and not at all under duress regarding her decision to stay until morning, well later in the morning, MC asked Jaehee why she was up so late. Jaehee explained the recent findings she had substituted for sleep that evening regarding Sarah and her apparently nonexistent company, detailing the young woman's penchant for luxury items that she hadn't been able to afford as her primary motive for using the business as a front. Of course the petty woman had shouted at innocent workers for her own inability to regulate her expenses. MC's revulsion grew upon hearing it was only Sarah's sole selfishness that had jeopardized Jumin's happiness and his vital relationship with his father; she wanted to marry him for the sake of some stupid overpriced shoes and purses.

Sighing at her inability to stop those conniving women, MC reassured herself with the knowledge that supporting Jumin was much more important and efficacious than retaliating. If she could engender a tiny smile when he couldn't remember how to smile or help him heal while he felt like he was falling apart inside, then that was enough. As they continued to discuss, she agreed with Jaehee that Director Han was the root of the problem for enabling Sarah's underhanded tactics, though Jaehee was more concerned with preserving the sincerity of the Hans' business efforts than the fact that Jumin was being exploited for his wealth.

They were only a few minutes into the discussion when Zen spontaneously entered the chat, demanding to know if MC was content and unafraid with Jumin once again. She was touched by how worried he was, serving as an even better older brother than her real ones, but she made sure to underscore Jumin's perfectly cordial regard. Jaehee brought Zen up to speed as he reacted with comical astonishment, the group's original musings regarding Jumin's predicament quickly distilled to two simple points essential to assessing possible solutions. One, that Mr. Han's advocation of the engagement was devastating to his relationship with Jumin; and two, further investigation into the relationship between Glam Choi and Sarah might yield important information about their motives. Either Jumin and his father would have to compromise, or they needed to find a weak link in their demand for marriage.

Zen also had a fair point that it may be more conducive to their research if Jumin was actively helping, since it was for his sake. But Jumin wouldn't deny his responsibilities unless he felt incapable of addressing them, and it was clear the damage his father had done by choosing a random woman over his own son was irrevocable. Anybody would have difficulty coping with that kind of a betrayal, and it was only further exacerbated for Jumin because he never learned how to express his feelings properly or seek healthy support systems. After having control over his own life ripped away from him and watching the one person he trusted to treat him with respect sell him out in a matter of seconds, MC couldn't blame him for not wanting to think about what happened. There were a few things in her own life that she never wanted to think about, she was sure the same held true for everybody to some degree. So she insisted that Jumin simply needed more time to reconcile his tumultuous thoughts and emotions. Just because his hardships were psychological ones that weren't easily discerned, it didn't make them any less valid or difficult to contend with.

After continued pleas to head back to Rika's apartment from Zen, honestly you'd think Jumin was a fire breathing dragon not a human being, the conversation shifted to his acting career with a tasteful selfie. As Jaehee went on about its radiance and its potential as a family heirloom, her eyes drifted to the darkened hall outlined by the dim glow of the fish tanks, wondering whether or not Jumin had been able to fall asleep. She rubbed at her aching eyes as she contributed absently to the conversation, distracted. Acute shock and exasperation followed most of her unintentionally Jumin-centric replies, along with their doubts regarding his inherent kindness. But she was certain he wasn't a malicious person, just a pragmatic one. Eventually, he could come to learn how to express the proper level of appreciation and gratitude that they insisted he didn't feel with a little guidance.

Poor Zen also felt accountable for burdening Jaehee with extra work, but MC reassured him it wasn't his fault for sharing his dream and what he believed to be a legitimate threat to Elizabeth the Third. There was no way he could have anticipated Director Han's detrimental actions hours later and the magnitude of Jumin's reaction to the combined stimuli. As her eyes kept falling shut, she bid them good night with a final assurance that she would be careful and persuade Jumin to return to work, falling back asleep minutes after she placed her phone back on the coffee table.

The next morning MC awoke to the sound of somebody cooking in the kitchen, the distant scrape and slap of food being flipped faintly audible.

Buzz. She turned to see her phone blinking violet. Jumin…? She opened the messenger.

"It hasn't been scientifically proven that beautiful women sleep more."

Buzz.

"But it's been said that women tend to sleep longer than men on average."

MC couldn't help the giggle that bubbled past her lips, color rising to her cheeks. She didn't know he could be so charming so early in the morning.

"Do you think I am beautiful?" She asked, unable to help her teasing. He was absolutely endearing.

She leaned back against the headboard, pulling the obsidian blanket around her and balancing her phone on her bents knees as she looked around. Sunlight streamed from the windows beyond the kitchen, golden rays filling the tidy abode as she waited for a reply. She wondered if the sounds she was hearing in the kitchen were coming from his chef, whom he had instructed to make her breakfast. He was probably texting her on his way to work as he often did throughout the week on the messenger. She thought it was touching that the compliment was meaningful and sincere enough for him to express comfortably, despite a bit of nervous hesitance. His demeanor imbued so much gravity into every word he chose to use, and for the first time she believed another person when they had used the word beautiful to describe her.

"Was I too direct?"

"Good morning."

"I was just about to make pancakes for a beautiful lady." He said, the words conveyed in a blue heart adorned with roses.

Her heart melted and her lingering blush intensified, unable to believe how sweet and affectionate he could be despite everything he had been through. It made her want to burst into the kitchen, hug him tight, and protect him from the entire world. But she didn't want to startle him or make him uncomfortable with unwarranted physical affection.

After a moment of distracted adoration, the first part of the sentence hit her like a freight train. When had he woken up? He was the one in the kitchen? Could he really make pancakes? That was to say, edible ones?

"Isn't it quite funny," He continued, "that we're both logged in the messenger while we're at the same place?"

(Smiling emoji)

Oh my God this nerd. Perhaps Zen was right about her needing saving, because if she remained here with him she was sure she would die, overcome by this man and his cute antics. She covered her face with her hands in an attempt to regain her composure, shaking with laughter and grinning. But before she could reply, Jaehee entered the chat begging an imperturbable Jumin to return to work, claiming that he had many documents to sign and meetings to attend. Despite Jumin's reluctance, Jaehee added that rumors were spreading that he wasn't coming to work because he was preparing for the wedding he had never agreed to. MC was appalled that, even when it was clear that it was his father's demands (courtesy of Glam and Sarah), that had pushed him beyond his comfort zone, they still had the gall to promote their forced wedding at the expense of his health.

Fully aware that Jaehee genuinely needed his help and that the continuation of those rumors would make the dissolution of their entire scheme all that much harder, MC encouraged him to return to work, promising to take care of Elizabeth the Third in his stead. As much as she'd miss his pleasant company in the penthouse, she was touched by the ease with which he trusted her to take care of things while he was gone. Jumin agreed to think about Jaehee's request before coming to a decision, claiming that the pancakes were ready.

Rising from the bed, MC left her phone behind and used the restroom for a moment, washing her face carefully to be somewhat presentable before she headed to the kitchen. Tentatively, she peeked her head over the threshold to find Jumin removing an apron over his head, looking conflicted. She was so distracted by his woeful expression that she didn't notice the cute little cat ears poking out at the top, the face of a very contented kitty decorating the front with a speech bubble that read "Check Meowt!". She opened the door fully and his head turned to her form, her clothes wrinkled but her complexion fresh and well-rested. Mild surprise registered and a small smile followed before he folded the apron and placed it on the counter, gesturing towards the two plates in the adjacent dining room.

"Good morning, MC. Shall we?"

She nodded, delighted that she could put him at ease, even though she wished she had woken early enough to help him as she followed. "Good morning, Jumin. Of course. You didn't have to go to all the trouble, but thank you."

When they entered she observed the fluffy stacks with hints of pink discoloration, a perfect golden brown and intermediate thickness, topped with sliced strawberries and a moderate coating of syrup. The sweet aroma of fresh fruit and cinnamon saturated the air, a lovely prelude to what was sure to be a long day. He pulled back a chair and gestured for her to sit, patient and gentlemanly as ever, before moving to the other end and taking his own seat. An amicable silence fell as they retrieved their silverware and began to eat, though MC was aware of his eyes lingering on her here and there, eager to gauge her reaction. She carefully cut through a portion of the firm yet yielding bread, pressed it into a lingering trail of syrup, and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes closed as flavor burst along her tongue, the warm pancakes a perfect balance of sweet and savory as the strawberries melted in her mouth. It was rapturous. How on Earth had he learned to make pancakes this amazing? Hell, she had been making them for years and she had never been this good!

Her eyes were starstruck when she finally opened them again, only to find curious mercury eyes taking her in, puzzlement clear in the slight raise of his brow. She grinned and plucked a slice of strawberry from the top with her fingers, ecstatic. This man was full of so many surprises, and each one was more thrilling and captivating than the last.

"These are amazing, Jumin! You have to teach me how to make them sometime!"

His eyes widened and the faintest hint of a blush colored his ears as he looked down at his own pancakes, an involuntary, pleased smile curving his lips at such rare praise. She wondered how many times he had earned an earnest compliment from somebody that mattered to him other than his father.

"I'm glad you like them, MC." He said when he was able to meet her eyes again. "Perhaps you could join me next time." He invited cautiously.

"I'd like that." She murmured back, and watched as his expression eased with the promise that she felt the same way.

The comfortable silence returned as they continued to eat, surrounded by sunlight. But it wasn't long until they had finished and the sun rose higher in the sky, forcing Jumin to make a decision regarding work. When they both rose to leave the dining room, she knew what his choice had been when he returned to his room for a short while after asking her if she needed anything. She only asked to borrow a phone charger if he had a spare or wasn't using his own as she sat on the bed and relaxed. She knew that seeing her confident in her ability to entertain herself and care for the house while he was gone would make him more willing to leave, and she was naturally happy to stay. She had always been a bit of a homebody, even before she had met the RFA. She liked the quiet and ease of her own home, she didn't enjoy an abundance of social stimuli and interpersonal interaction.

When he emerged from the hallway he was dressed in his signature three-piece suit and striped dress shirt, fiddling with his cuff links as he carried a charger in hand. After a few more seconds of readjusting he walked over and handed it to her with a shrug.

"You can use mine for the time being. I'll ask Assitant Kang to order another one for your use at work."

"Thank you." Their hands brushed as she retrieved it from him, his skin smooth and warm. She banished thoughts of holding his hand and tracing his palms, wondering if his hands were rougher on the inside.

As he had leaned down, she noticed his tie was askew. "May I…?" She asked as she stood, gesturing to his tie.

He blinked a few times, as if it took him a moment to fully register her request before he nodded, too shocked to think of anything to say. With deft fingers, she rose on her tiptoes to straighten the orientation of his umber tie, smoothing out the knot at the top with gentle maneuvers. When she was satisfied she took a step back and nodded with an approving smile, taking him all in, stunning and polished as ever

"Perfect." She said, subsequently stifling an unexpected yawn with her hand, her eyelids drooping as a wave of fatigue hit her. When she managed to pry them open again, his watchful mercury eyes shimmered with tenderness.

"MC…" His voice was lower than she had ever heard it, so quiet that the words seemed to be compelled from him rather than spoken. "Your sleepy eyes look very cute." He granted her a tiny smile as his hand started to move up before it halted in its tracks after a few inches, as if he thought better of reaching out and stroking her face affectionately.

Fiddling with his cuff links again, perhaps to keep his hands otherwise occupied, he cleared his throat. "I have something I want to say to you. Do you have a moment?"

"Yes, go ahead." MC encouraged, marginally amused by his formal request. She came here to tend to him and spend time with him, of course she had as many moments as he needed. And it wasn't like she had much else to do than write emails and check on a few things for the party.

"You read what Assistant Kang said earlier, right? I...I think I have to go to the office today." He admitted, his downcast expression so reluctant and forlorn that she fought to retain her composure. No, he needed to get his work done and disprove Glam and Sarah's rumors. Maybe she could send him little encouragements throughout the day to motivate him...

But his determination was quick to return, as if he had new impetus to retaliate against the people trying to take control over his own life away from him. "I can't just sit and let strange rumors get around in my office. Of course, I will tell the bodyguards everything, and I'll come back as soon as I can. If you take care of Elizabeth the Third, I'll feel safe while I'm gone...Will you be okay?" Concern flashed across his face as the hands that he had crossed over his chest as he contemplated fell, his attention lasering in on her. As obsessed as he was with his cat, and she had a feeling there was more to that than first appeared, it was clear that she was becoming important to him too. And that was enough.

"I'll take good care of her, I promise. Don't worry, you can go ahead." She reassured with earnest conviction, knowing that leaving the peace of his home was hard enough on him right now.

His expression eased again, all the stress and anxiety ebbing from his tense form with a long exhale. "You have a beautiful heart." His smile returned, even if it was ephemeral, as color rose and heated her cheeks unbidden. She knew he didn't mean much by it, that it was just an earnest reflection of his gratitude for the simple comfort she was extending. But she couldn't remember the last time she had heard such a heartfelt and profound compliment directed at her, even as she was willing away her blush and forcing herself to focus on his explanation.

"Elizabeth the Third is important to me. But that's how much I trust you...So I won't have to be anxious while taking care of work. I hope you both stay safe until I come back. If everything goes well in the morning, why don't we go shopping in the afternoon? There's an outfit I'd like to buy for you. A princess should have clothes fit for a princess. This is what my father taught me since I was a little boy." Well, that explained a number of things about his father's love life. She was just glad that Jumin was more wary about women who were solely interested in expensive things rather than a fulfilling relationship.

As much as she appreciated the sentiment, she still felt it was more important that he maintain his position and help Jaehee, as well as ward off Glam Choi and Sarah's rumors. If he was going to insist on such superfluous things, they could always have fun shopping and indulging some other time. "Thank you for saying so, but don't worry about me and do what you have to do...!" Her delighted smile was followed by a firm nod of solidarity, reassuring him that her lack of a dress at this very moment was not a form of neglect on his part.

His prior seriousness eased at her clearly unperturbed expression, relieved that she was content as could be while he was preoccupied. "Yes, thank you for understanding. I'll make sure to make it up to you." He promised before his sobriety returned. "If anything happens, you know to call me, right?" She nodded again, but it was clear little would relieve his worry in this state. "You have to let me know if anyone tries to do anything to you. Of course, nothing like that will happen I'm sure..." He seemed to be reassuring himself more than her. The possibility of Sarah invading again weighed ostensibly in his conflicted expression as he tried to determine if the risk was substantial enough to warrant action. Apparently, it was. "Just wait a minute. I'll introduce you to the chief of security."

He stepped out of the room for a moment and conversed with one of the guards closest to the front door, his flat voice audible. "...Yes, it's me. Please come to my room. I'd like you to meet someone." When he returned to where she stood, he appeared more mollified than before.

"He'll be here soon. I haven't introduced you to any of the bodyguards here. They'll have to know your face to give you complete protection, so you should meet him."

She was surprised by his lack of detail regarding why she was staying here another day, and took it upon herself to mention it so that she could make sure to do as he would in his absence. "How should I take care of Elizabeth?"

He didn't appear all that troubled regarding Elizabeth's care, which she took to mean that he either trusted her so implicitly that he chose not to waste emotional energy on it or he was more concerned about MC's safety in the penthouse. Either way, his growing, healthy calm warmed her heart. It was clear he was slowly coming back to himself. "She's inside the cage, so there won't be much for you to do. I'll give her food before I go, so if I don't return until the afternoon, you can just give her more. I'll show you how to give her food. First you open the cage like this..." He began to demonstrate in clear chronological steps while Elizabeth let out intermittent, despondent meows. "Take out the food bowl...and give her the food. The food is under the bar table in the kitchen."

Absorbed in the task, he began to explain to Elizabeth what was happening as well. "Elizabeth the Third, today's food is for your weight loss. You haven't been moving much in the cage. You'll spend the morning with MC. She's a nice person so I hope you get to know her better." The cat let out a couple of heartier meows at the end of his explanation, almost as if she was agreeing with him as she looked to MC and then began to eat.

"The cage...it's pretty." She said absentmindedly as she noticed there was a small cyan bow in the corner the same shade as Elizabeth's eyes, unintentionally reassuring Jumin as she had the first time.

"Pretty?" Needless to say, Jumin was as baffled as before as he turned to look at MC. "Don't look as if you're jealous. I might misunderstand you…" The statement wasn't dark or suggestive so much as it was full of yearning, as if he wished there was a way to keep her irrevocably tied to him as he could Elizabeth. Though she was certain that was more a product of the loss of his father and the unprecedented comfort he felt when he was with her than a complete lack of consideration for her feelings. If it had been the latter, he wouldn't have given her the option to leave if she so chose or asked her what she wanted throughout her stay, always striving to make sure she was content. Either way, she figured the best way she could reassure him was to remain steadfast regardless of the fluctuating circumstances. If she could show him that there was no reason to believe he would lose her, then he would override such extremes.

He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts of the temptation, rising from the floor in a fluid motion. "Anyways, please take care of Elizabeth the Third while I'm gone. You know how to give her food now, right?" She nodded again. "You won't have to do anything else other than that."

"Mr. Han, did you call for him?" Called a guard from the other side of the door.

"The chief of security is here…" Jumin sighed, walking over to meet him as she followed. "Come in." He called, "You can leave the door open."

"Alright." The man agreed as he opened the front door, his eyes widening a fraction at the sight of the liberated cat eating behind them as he entered.

"Oh...you let the cat out." He commented, looking relieved. It didn't occur to her that his employees would be concerned about his mental health too, but she noted with interest that it was clear the chief had been as well.

"Once she finishes eating, I'll put her back in the cage." Jumin's retort was sharp as he scowled, silver eyes flashing at the man's lack of consideration for the danger Elizabeth was in. "But first...I'll be out for a while. While I'm gone, please make sure to give the proper protection to MC here. Please remember her face." He said as his voice returned to the glacial and dull tone she had heard him use earlier, explaining the circumstances of his request as emotionlessly as she was sure he did since before what happened with Director Han.

The genial guard turned to her, taking her in with a perceptive glance. "I did see her when she entered. It's nice to meet you, MC. If anything happens, you can call for me anytime."

She watched with alarm as the chief's eyes suddenly widened, leaning to one side as he tried to discern something behind her.

"Mr. Han..." He began, but Jumin was so focused on systematically covering every possible risk to MC that he paid the chief no mind.

"I'll take questions later. If my father, Sarah, Glam Choi, any one of these three visits me, call me first."

But the chief insisted. "Er, Mr. Han, I'm sorry to interrupt you but!"

Jumin sighed, pausing despite clear underlying exasperation. "What is it?"

"Something white just moved at a very fast speed just now."

"What…?" He asked as if the chief had lost his mind, mystified as turned around just as MC did to find a lonely food bowl sitting half full in front of an empty wire cage.

"No" She breathed, horrified. This couldn't be happening, not now. Not when he was just starting to feel better. "...Elizabeth?" The word was little more than a hesitant whisper as she was rendered breathless with disbelief and foreboding.

"Elizabeth the Third… She was there just now...where did she go?" Jumin demanded as he did a double take, his fragile composure declining with every second. It was as if he was wracking his brain for a rational explanation, unable to believe Elizabeth the Third could be gone due to his own inattention for mere seconds.

"A white fur ball just disappeared towards that direction…" The chief gestured towards the left. "I couldn't see properly because I was looking at MC. I think it was your cat, Mr. Han..."

Jumin was still thunderstruck, blind-sided by a possibility he had never considered. Elizabeth running away of her own volition. "Eliz...abeth...the Third…"

"I'll lock all the building gates right now. She couldn't have gone far." The chief responded with absolute fortitude, waiting for his somewhat incapacitated employer's complete instructions as he considered their subsequent plan of action.

Jumin's hand rose to span his forehead before he ran it forcefully through his already messy hair, at a loss. "God..." The word was ripped from his lungs, as if the single syllable was the only thing he could possibly articulate as he remained victim to his own tumultuous thoughts and their rapid descent into regret and fear and confusion.

"Mr. Han?" The chief prompted.

Jumin huffed out a breath, shoving aside his turmoil for the sake of completing the task at hand. His expression turned stony, his steely eyes locking his emotions down tight like impenetrable shutters. "Tell all the security guards. Right now!" Unlike the men she had known in her life, MC marveled at how his voice didn't rise under such duress so much as intensified, his implacable command weighing more heavily in the room than any shout.

"Yes, sir." The chief took his sudden vehemence in stride. "And will you go out as planned?" He asked for clarification, unsure if he would want to leave the task to security.

"Lead me to the security room where I can see all CCTV screens of the hallway and lobby. Finding my cat is the first priority." Jumin replied without missing a beat.

"Yes, sir!" The chief agreed, dashing out of the room and mobilizing immediately.

As Jumin stalked to the door MC hastily grabbed her phone and moved to follow, calling out to him as she did. "Jumin, I'll help you find her!"

He spun around and backtracked so abruptly to where she stood she could only blink. "No. You stay here, MC." Before she could protest, his expression crumpled under the force of everything he was feeling, revealing it to her alone in this transient moment as he struggled to remain impassive. "This might sound funny, but if even you won't stay here, then I will feel very troubled. Please don't leave this place." I can't lose you too, his desperate eyes seemed to scream, I'm not strong enough yet. Despite his struggle and eventual success in regaining his previously flat expression, every single movement he made was stiff and forced, as if he was fighting to maintain some level of control. "Alright? Don't leave."

"God...keep calm." He pinched the bridge of his nose before he stepped out the door. "I'll come back with Elizabeth the Third. Just wait for me here…!" He assured as his footsteps grew fainter with every minute and the voices on the other side of the closed door ebbed.

MC walked over to the bed, feeling numb as she collapsed on the end of it, her head in her hands as her heart broke for him. She had known it was going to be a long day, but this? How could they ever have prepared for this?