James shrugged off the dagger-like res from behind and headed upstairs. He''d been at the hospital for days, and a mountain of tasks was screaming for his


    attention.


    When Mirabe stirred awake, the outside world was already cloaked in darkness, but the room was softly illuminated by wallmps, keeping the shadows at bay. The familiar woody scent filled her senses, gently shaking off the sleepiness.


    She slowly sat up, her eyesnding on a man seated at aputer desk nearby. The deskmp''s glow highlighted his deep-set features, giving him a serious yet calm demeanor. His light loungewear softened his otherwise aloof presence, and the room hummed with a quiet sense of peace.


    Mirabe''s gaze was a bit hazy. After a few minutes of stillness, she tossed off the covers, her bare feet sinking into the carpet as she made her way over to the desk.


    It was only then that James noticed she was up. He looked up and said, "You''re awake."


    Mirabe nodded, her eyes flicking over the blueprints scattered on the desk. "Still working on the tech institute project?"


    "Yeah, it''s a bit tricky." James set his pen down, got up, and walked over to her, touching her forehead. "Still cool to the touch."


    With a small frown, he went to the wardrobe, grabbed one of his jackets, and draped it over her shoulders.


    Mirabe tugged the jacket around her, its bulk making her face look even more petite. She replied, "I should be back to normal in a day or two."


    Compared to thest time she used that technique, her recovery was impressively swift this time.


    James didn''t pry into why she was feeling this way, simply asking, "Will this affect your health?"


    Mirabe''s eyes flickered, "Not if I get enough rest."


    James scrutinized her a bit more, not finding anything out of the ordinary, and said, "Then take a few more days off before heading back to school."


    Mirabe nodded, "Alright, you go on with your work."


    "It''s not urgent. Let''s grab some dinner first." James held her cool hand and


    suddenly remembered something. As they reached the door, he turned to her and


    said, "Could you lend me your jade pendant in a few days?"


    Mirabe made a small sound of


    vel


    agreement, not questioning his request, and nodded, saying


    casually, "Sure, I can give it to you


    now if you want."


    James chuckled, "A few days is fine."


    Mirabe: "Alright."


    They headed downstairs together.


    Emily was nowhere in sight, but arge, elegantly wrapped bouquet sat on the coffee table.


    Mirabe''s eyesnded on the flowers, her eyebrows arching as she clicked her tongue, "Looks like you''ve got a secret admirer?"


    James noticed the flowers too,


    guessing. Emily might have brought


    them over. He paused, then leaned a bit closer to Mirabe, teasing,


    "Jealous?"


    Mirabe pulled her hand away, yfully pushing his face aside,ughing, "Don''t


    get ahead of yourself."


    With that, she turned and made her way to the dining room.


    James watched her straight back, a smirk ying on his lips, knowing she was saying one thing but feeling another.


    He followed at an easy pace.


    Once and


    Settled at the dining table


    eating, James


    were from my mom. dropped them off this afternoon."


    up,


    Mirabe''s hand paused mid-air, but she kept her cool, nodding, "Oh."


    James raised an eyebrow and added, "For her future daughter-inw." Mirabe: "."


    Suddenly, the meal felt a bit hard to swallow.


    Mirabe pressed her fingers against her temple, trying topose herself.