Understanding N''s concerns, Damon reassured her, "Don''t worry. I won''t do anything."


    They had only three days left together. He wished time would slow down so he could savor every moment with her. He had no intention of wasting even a second.


    N shot him a skeptical look. "Really?"


    "Really. I swear," he replied with a serious expression.


    Reluctantly, she nodded. "Alright, but you have to keep your word."


    "Of course," Damon promised.


    Once upstairs, he handed her a towel. "You go ahead and shower first."


    "Okay," N replied.


    As the sound of running water filled the room, Damon walked to the window, pulled out his phone, and made a call.


    "Prepare for departure to Meristate tomorrow. The mission is to protect someone indefinitely," he instructed.


    The voice on the other end said something, and Damon replied, "It''s my wife, N Kinsey."


    After ending the call, Damon slipped his phone into his pocket and gazed at the night sky, his expression hardening. He vowed their separation would notst long.


    Half an hourter, N stepped out of the bathroom, her face slightly flushed from the warm steam.


    Seeing her wet hair dripping onto her towel, Damon frowned. He grabbed another towel and approached her, gently wrapping it around her head. "Why didn''t you dry your hair beforeing out?"


    "The steam made it feel stuffy, so I wanted some fresh air," she exined.


    Damon carefully dried her hair until it no longer dripped. "Get under the covers. I''ll grab the hair dryer."


    "Okay," N answered.


    Damon returned shortly with the hair dryer. Plugging it in, he nced at her. "Turn around so I can dry your hair."


    "I can do it myself—" N began.


    "There''s no need. Let me," he interrupted firmly.


    His tone left no room for argument. N could only turn her back to him.


    When he finished, Damon put the hair dryer away and headed to the bathroom to shower.


    By the time he returned, N was dressed in her pajamas, sitting on the bed with a book. Hearing his footsteps, she looked up. "Albdone?"


    "Yeah," he replied, climbing into bed beside her.


    She closed her book and ced it on the nightstand.


    Before she could say a word, Damon pulled her into his arms. His embrace was gentle, as though he were holding something fragile and irreceable.


    N wrapped her arms around him in return. For a moment, the room was silent,


    save for the sound of their soft breathing.


    "Damon,


    in Merion''t worry about me. Even I''ll find ways to stay? reassuringly. Content behet.


    touch with you and Buddy," she said


    Damon tightened his hold on her but said nothing for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely audible. "Mm."


    He knew N was trying tofort him, but he also knew Emerald wouldn''t allow her to contact them so easily.


    All he could do was strengthen Prospectus Technology-until it was powerful enough to stand against the Nixons.


    "Come on, it''s not like a life-and-death separation. Don''t look so grim," she teased.


    "Don''t say something so unlucky," Damon replied, his deep voice trembling slightly.