The ride continued in silence.
Nihal took a turn and drove into the compound. He stepped down and pulled the doors open for Everly and Leia.
They proceeded into the mansion with Levian, who was following behind them. In the living room, they met Valerio, seated with his legs crossed and his head thrown back as though he were in thought.
Someone else was with him.
"Nix…" Everly was surprised. She hadn't seen him in a while.
Nix half-smiled at her. "It's good to see you again, Everly."
Valerio raised his head and stood up from the couch. He moved towards her and gently pulled her into a warm hug. "I was waiting for you."
"How are you? Are you okay now?" Everly asked. She had been worried.
Valerio nodded at her and pulled back from the hug to look at her face. He moved over to Leia and ruffled her head.
"I'm fine now, so don't worry anymore, okay?" he said to her.
