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Red’s grip on the phone tightened. Her voice came steady, though her heart beat unevenly.

“Yes. I’m Mrs. Bellamy. Is there… any issue?”

The voice on the other end was calm but carried a strange edge.
“Yes, Mrs. Bellamy. If you don’t mind, could you come to Raven’s Cross Industrial Yard? Your attention is needed.”

Her brows furrowed instantly. She’d never heard of such a place. The name itself sent a chill across her skin.

“Raven’s Cross…?” she echoed softly, almost to herself.

“Yes. It’s urgent. Please come alone,” the voice pressed, then the line went dead.

Red lowered the phone slowly, her pulse racing. She had never been there, never even heard Nico or anyone in their circles mention it.

Red descended the stairs with her phone clutched tightly, her mind replaying the voice over and over.

Her heels snapped against the floor, but she slowed when she saw Granny seated in the lounge, knitting with calm eyes that caught everything.

“Child,” Granny said gently, peering over her glasses. “Where are you going in such a hurry? You’ve hardly touched a thing today.”

Red’s throat tightened. She forced a small smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I… I just need to step out for a bit. Something came up.”

Granny’s brows lifted. “Where to? Should I have the maid prepare something for the road?”

Red’s heart raced. She shook her head quickly. “No, it’s fine. Just… errands. I’ll take one of the drivers.”

Granny studied her for a beat longer, suspicion glimmering in her wise eyes, but she didn’t press. She only sighed, setting her knitting aside. “Be careful, dear.”

“I will,” Red murmured, her smile tight before she turned away, summoning a driver with a wave of her hand.

Inside, though, her nerves screamed louder than her calm façade.

The car slowed to a crawl, gravel crunching under the tires as they pulled into Raven’s Cross Industrial Yard.

The place was eerily quiet.

Red stepped out, clutching her bag tightly. The air smelled of rust and dust, and her heart thudded faster with every breath.

Almost immediately, two tall men in dark coats emerged from behind a rusted container. Their eyes locked on her, their steps heavy.

“Are you Mrs. Bellamy?” one of them asked, his voice low, rough.

Her lips trembled, but she managed to steady them. “Y-yes… I am.”

The second man extended a box toward her. “Then take this.”

Red hesitated before reaching out, her fingers brushing the rough cardboard.

She opened it just enough to glimpse inside. A black silk blindfold sat neatly folded, beside it a note written in bold, jagged handwriting.

Her eyes scanned the words:

“Come in, Queen, and see the greatest shock of your life…”

Her breath caught. “Huh…?” she muttered, clutching the note.

The men exchanged glances before the first one gestured. “Go ahead, Mrs. Bellamy. Put it on.”

The blindfold suddenly felt heavier in her hand. She looked from their blank stares to the note again, unease twisting hard in her chest.

Red’s chest rose and fell as she held the blindfold in her hand.

Her instincts screamed to run, but the men’s calm and respectful composure —unnerved her even more.

“Please, Mrs. Bellamy,” one of them said smoothly. “It’s necessary. No harm will come to you.”

The other added, his tone gentle, “Trust us. It’s only part of the process.”

Red’s eyes darted between them. Their politeness only made the situation more surreal, more frightening.

Her fingers shook as she finally lifted the silk to her face, tying it tightly around her eyes. Darkness swallowed her whole.

“Good,” one of them murmured. She felt a large hand, steady but not rough, rest on her arm.

“This way, Mrs. Bellamy.”

Her heels clicked against the uneven ground as they guided her forward.

Every step echoed inside her chest, her senses sharpening in the absence of sight—

Her throat tightened. She whispered under her breath, “What the hell is happening?”

But they kept leading her deeper inside.

Her steps faltered when they finally stopped. One of the men’s hands lifted the blindfold away, and Red blinked against the light.

The two men gave curt bows, before stepping back. Without a word, they left, the place.

Red’s heart pounded. She turned slowly—and froze.

At her feet lay a folded slip of paper. She bent down, fingers trembling as she picked it up.

The handwriting made her chest catch—bold, slanted and familiar.

Her lips parted as she read aloud in a whisper:
“Follow the trail, my Queen. Each step takes you closer to me.”

A gasp caught in her throat. Her eyes darted ahead, spotting another note a few feet away. She moved quickly, heels snapping, her pulse quickening.

The second note:
“Do you know how hard it was not to kiss you this morning? Keep walking, Red…”

Heat rushed to her cheeks, her lips trembling into a smile despite her confusion. She clutched the notes like they were treasures, moving faster now.

Another note waited near a half-open door. She picked it up.
“Every time you tease me, I want to pin you against the wall. Maybe tonight… I will.”

Her knees weakened. A shiver shot through her spine.

Red pressed the note to her chest, her breath unsteady. “Nico…” she whispered, her heart racing and burning desire.

She pushed the door open slowly, eyes wide, searching for the next message—or him.

The door creaked as Red stepped inside, clutching the notes to her chest.

The room was dimly lit, the glow of scattered candles against the concrete walls.

And there—at the center—stood Nico. His back was to her, shoulders tense, his hands rubbing together nervously as though rehearsing a thousand times.

Her lips parted, emotion swelling. Slowly, she crossed the distance and tapped his shoulder.

Nico turned instantly. For a heartbeat, he froze, eyes glassy. Then he laughed—half-choked, half-tearful—before cupping her cheek with trembling hands.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his thumb brushing her skin. “I just… I just wanted to do this right.”

Before she could reply, he dropped to one knee, pulling open an elegant velvet box.

Inside, an exquisite ring came into view—far more breathtaking than the first.

His voice broke slightly as he looked up at her.
“Red… will you marry me again?”

Her breath stopped, her heart slamming against her ribs, tears burning her lashes as the world seemed to pause around them.

Red’s lips trembled, her vision blurring as Nico held the ring up to her.

Her chest rose and fell, a thousand emotions pressing against her ribs.

Before she could speak, a small giggle echoed through the room.

Both of them turned, startled—only to see Noah standing in the doorway, his little hands clapping, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Say yes, Mommy!” he squealed, bouncing on his toes. “Say yes!”

Red let out a shaky laugh through her tears, her hand flying to her mouth. She turned back to Nico, who was already grinning, his eyes wet as he shook his head at their son’s perfect timing.

“You know…” she whispered, lowering her hand and smiling down at him, “…you don’t have to ask that.”

Nico’s brows lifted, his heart pounding as her voice softened into a vow.

“I’m always yours.”

Noah squealed louder, rushing forward to hug them both, his little arms tugging at their sides.

Nico slipped the ring onto Red’s finger with hands that still trembled, then rose to pull her and their son into his arms.