Henrik let out a shallow breath as he ate the fruits the twins had gathered for him.
"I see," he nodded. "So that’s what happened."
When he lifted his eyes and met the twins — who had already lowered their masks and hoods — he couldn’t help but smile subtly.
"So the two of you saved me... huh?" Another deep exhale escaped him. "Thank you, and sorry to disappoint you that I’m still alive."
"It’s okay!" the twins chimed in unison, and Chacha added, "There are still chances when I become an embalmer."
Henrik let out a weak laugh, but even that hurt his wound. From what he heard, the twins had already cleaned his injuries to prevent infection.
Surely, his children are amazing, he thought.
"Anyway, where are we?" he asked. "I didn’t know where I was swept off to. All I knew was to hide."
Actually, before Henrik fell unconscious, he had thought this was Atlas’s plan. This was the Order’s territory, after all. And if Atlas wanted to take him out, he could—no one would know. But after listening to the children, he concluded that this wasn’t Atlas’s doing.
Even so, he clearly saw that his attackers were from the Order.
"You’re still in the territory, Uncle Ricky," Second answered. "But no one lives on this small island because of the animals here."
Henrik knitted his brows. "I see. How about your father? Have you called someone? I need to have a word with him."
Instead of answering, the twins simply looked at him and blinked innocently. Then, together, they slowly turned their heads toward the cave entrance.
Their little mouths fell open as shock and panic appeared on their faces.
"Oh no!" the twins gasped, turning back to Henrik. He furrowed his brows. "No, no, no! We’re in trouble! I didn’t notice the time—Second, let’s go home!"
Henrik watched as the twins hurriedly grabbed their things and small bags. Before leaving, they looked back at him.
"Uncle, we can’t tell Daddy you’re here because he doesn’t know we’re here!" Chacha exclaimed. Then Second added, "Just stay here! We’ll come back for you!"
And just like that, Henrik watched his little saviors run off, only for Second to suddenly come back.
"Also, Uncle, that bottle over there is repellent. There are a lot of snakes here, so make sure to rub yourself with it!"
Then, Second ran away again with his sister and their feline friends.
"..." Henrik could only stare at the children, confused. After a moment, he glanced at the bottle Second had pointed to, which was within his reach. Then he looked around the small cave, noticing the remaining fruits, wood, and makeshift utensils.
As he took in the little home those two had created, a shallow chuckle escaped him.
"They are... just as weird as their father," he muttered. "But just as capable as him."
Henrik leaned back against the cave wall with a groan. "I should... recover first."
*****
[Order]
As the chopper landed and Lola jumped out with Florida’s help, she lifted her eyes and saw Atlas standing at a distance. She pressed her lips together as he approached, meeting him halfway.
Watching her go, Florida glanced at Slater, who stood beside him.
"Sir Slater," he called. "Is Madam alright?"
After Lola’s meeting with Iris, she had been quiet. Knowing her, Florida understood she wasn’t always the silent type. She wasn’t loud either, but he was starting to notice her different kinds of silence.
Slater didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he kept his gaze on Lola. He understood why she was quiet. What Iris had said touched on something Lola had been reluctant to confront. He had warned her before to tell Atlas about the sterilization, but he also knew she needed time.
Even though Slater believed Atlas wouldn’t mind and that this wasn’t a deal breaker, he was aware that Lola didn’t just need time. What she needed was acceptance, because until now, it was she who couldn’t accept it.
"I guess," he murmured, unsure if Florida even heard him. "It’s about time."
*****
"You didn’t have to wait for me," Lola hummed as she walked beside Atlas, smiling. "I told you I’d be careful."
"You went to meet Henrik’s wife," he pointed out. "In their territory."
She pressed her lips together and hooked her arm around his. "I know, but you also know they wouldn’t be reckless."
"..." Atlas stared ahead as they walked back toward the manor. After a second, a shallow sigh escaped him. "How was your meeting with her?"
"Well," Lola hummed, eyes snapping forward as she pondered. "She said something... some things."
The slight smile on her face faded as she recalled Iris’s words.
"According to her, her marriage is just a pile of dung they were forced to live in. Her husband is insufferable, and she simply wants her husband’s son to return and take Henrik’s seat."
"After all, they don’t have children..." she trailed off, her steps slowing to a stop. "...because Henrik killed her child the moment he found out she was pregnant, and made sure she’d never bear his heir."
Atlas stopped as well, facing her squarely. "Do you believe her?"
"Hm?" Lola looked up, brows raised. Then a weak chuckle escaped her as she shook her head. "Not for a second. She’s full of shit, and thank God I managed to control myself before I flushed her down the toilet."
Sure, Iris was convincing, but she lied to someone who had lived her whole life surrounded by deception. Ironic, but thanks to the Young family, especially Loren, Lola had developed a sharp sense for lies.
Atlas knitted his brows at her answer. "Then why does it look like it affected you?"
"Because..." Lola reached for his hand and squeezed it. She bit her lip and looked into his eyes, her heart thudding nervously in her chest. Even so, she knew she had to tell him.
If not now, this would continue to weigh on her.
"Atlas, I have a confession to make," she whispered. "I... I can’t have children anymore."
As soon as the words left her mouth, everything else followed naturally.
"When I had the accident and thought the twins had died, Lawrence Young had me sterilized while I was unconscious," she explained, lowering her head. "I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t. I kept telling myself I was just waiting for the perfect time, and whenever something came up, I’d say I’d tell you next time."
"But the truth is... I was scared," she continued. "Not because I thought you’d get angry, but because... I didn’t want to face this reality."
Silence fell between them as the wind brushed softly past them. Her grip on his hand tightened until it trembled.
When he answered, her eyes widened.
"I know."
"Huh?" She looked up, confused.
Atlas met her gaze and repeated, "I know."