Chapter 177

Dr. Smith’s hand hovered over the door before she dared push it open, slow, careful, inch by inch.

The faint sound of the hinges made her freeze, but when Nico didn’t stir, she slipped inside.

The sight nearly disarmed her: Nico’s arm draped protectively over Noah, both of them tangled in the blankets, faces peaceful.

For just a moment, Yvette’s throat tightened, her heart whispering, they look like everything I once dreamed of having.

But she shook the thought away. Focus.

She slid closer, her breath shallow.

Her eyes darted to Nico’s tousled hair, the dark strands falling across his forehead. That would be enough.

Kneeling, she reached into her medical bag, pulling out a small sterile envelope and tweezers. With trembling fingers, she leaned in, her face inches from his.

Dr. Smith’s fingers hovered just above Nico’s head, tweezers ready to pluck a strand of his hair. Her pulse thundered in her ears as she leaned in closer.

Then she heard the sounds of shoes snapping.

Her entire body froze. Someone was coming down the hallway.

Panic shot through her. If anyone found her hovering over Nico and Noah like this—

She stuffed the tweezers back into her bag, eyes darting wildly until she spotted the narrow closet tucked against the wall, just a few steps from Noah’s bed.

Silent as a shadow, she slipped inside, easing the door shut just before the footsteps stopped outside the room.

The door creaked softly, and Dr. Smith’s eyes snapped shut as if that alone could make her invisible. Her lungs burned with the effort of holding her breath.

Through the thin crack in the closet, she saw Red.

She moved silently into the room, her gaze falling first on Noah curled up against Nico’s chest, then on Nico himself—face softer in sleep, his usual guarded expression gone. For a long moment, she simply stood there, her lips parting slightly, eyes drinking them in.

She knelt close to Nico. Her fingers trembled as they brushed over his hair, ruffling it gently before she leaned down and pressed her lips to his cheek.

“I’m so sorry…” her whisper cracked.

But just as her hand lingered against his hair, a faint creak groaned from the closet door.

Red’s head jerked up.

Her eyes narrowed at the sound.

Inside, Dr. Smith squeezed her eyes tighter shut, praying the darkness would swallow her whole.

Red froze mid-step, her head tilting toward the closet. That noise hadn’t been her imagination. Her bare feet padded softly across the rug as she narrowed her eyes at the wardrobe.

Inside, Dr. Smith squeezed her eyes tighter shut, her palms clammy, praying don’t open it, don’t open it…

Red’s fingers curled around the handle—

But the faint rustle of sheets behind her made her spin.

Nico stirred, his brows twitching as he shifted, tightening his arm around Noah. His voice was low, rough, laced with sleep.

“Red…? What are you doing up, sweetheart?”

Her expression softened instantly. She turned back to him, heart thudding, that closet suddenly forgotten.

Nico blinked at her with heavy-lidded eyes, his lips curving lazily. “Mmm… come here,” he murmured, voice husky in a way that made heat crawl down her spine.

Red smiled, relief and longing mingling. She padded back to his side, brushing her hand through his messy hair, while in the closet Dr. Smith clamped her mouth shut, trembling at how close she’d come to being caught.

Nico shifted again, his arm tightening protectively around Noah even in sleep. His lips parted, a faint mumble slipping out, roughly

“I… really love you… mine…”

Red’s chest ached at the sound. He hadn’t changed—not really.He still talks in his sleep.

She sighed softly, her eyes warming as she lowered herself beside him. Carefully, she laid her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, the rise and fall of his breathing.

Her hand drifted down to Noah, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. Leaning in, she kissed their son gently, whispering against his temple, “Goodnight, baby.”

In the shadows of the closet, Dr. Smith’s nails dug into her palm, every second dragging out like torture.

The room had gone quiet—Nico’s low, steady breaths, Noah’s soft little snores, and Red’s faint sigh as she melted deeper against Nico’s chest.

They’re asleep… this is my chance.

Carefully, she slid the closet door open, every creak magnified in her head.

One step. Two. She crept toward Nico’s side of the bed, fingers poised to reach for a strand of his hair. Her heart hammered so loud she swore it might wake them.

But just as she leaned in, Red stirred faintly, her lashes fluttering as though she sensed something.

Dr. Smith’s breath stopped,her body jerking back in panic. No—Red’s too smart. If she opens her eyes now, I’m finished.

She stumbled backward, bumping lightly into the dresser. The faint thud echoed in her ears. Red sighed and shifted in Nico’s arms, but didn’t wake.

Dr. Smith’s pulse roared. She didn’t dare try again. Not tonight.

With shaky steps, she slipped out of the room like a shadow, closing the door as silently as she could behind her.

The latch clicked faintly as the door eased shut.

Red’s lashes fluttered. She squinted through the dim glow of Noah’s nightlight, her gaze darting toward the door.

Her heart thudded.

That wasn’t my imagination… someone was here.

She stayed still, her cheek pressed to Nico’s chest as though still asleep. His arm shifted unconsciously, pulling her tighter. Noah sighed in his sleep.

Red narrowed her eyes at the door, a quiet, suspicious hum in her throat.

“Hmmm…”

She closed her eyes again, though her thoughts were anything but peaceful.

Morning sunlight spilled in through the curtains. Red stirred, her lashes parting slowly.

Her hand stretched across the bed instinctively, searching for him—only to find cool sheets and emptiness where Nico should’ve been.

Her chest tightened. She turned her head and instead found Noah curled into her side, his tiny arms clutching her like a teddy bear. His soft hair tickled her chin, his breaths even and deep.

A faint smile tugged at her lips as she kissed the crown of his head, but her eyes slid back to Nico’s empty space.

“Where did you go so early…?” she murmured, her brows knitting faintly.