"If I hade back when I first sensed something was wrong, maybe Grandma wouldn''t have passed away, and I could have seen her onest time."


    Mirabe buried her head in James''s neck, her voice hoarse with grief she no longer tried to hide.


    James tightened his arms around her, his chin resting on top of Mirabe''s head, slowly saying, "This isn''t your fault. Everyone has their time, and Catherine passed away peacefully."


    "No, you don''t understand. I could have... If I had just been a little earlier, maybe I could have seen her one more time. It''s all my fault." Mirabe murmured lowly.


    James felt a lump in his throat and simply said, "Let it all out. It''s going to hurt less once you do."


    Mirabe tightened her grip, leaning fully into his chest, no more wordsing


    out.


    James just stood there, silently holding Mirabe at the doorway, seemingly tireless.


    After a while, Mirabe suddenly lifted her head, reinserting the key card, and instantly, the room was bathed in light, dispelling the earlier darkness.


    "I''m a bit tired," Mirabe said, looking at James, her eyes dim and lifeless, her face so pale it was almost translucent.


    James''s heart clenched, and he replied softly, "Okay," before carrying her to the bedroom.


    Afterying her on the bed, James pulled the covers over Mirabe, preparing to stand up when his clothes were tugged at.


    He turned back to see the girl looking at him, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness, making James''s heart feel as if it had been pricked.


    He sat back down by the bed, his fingers gently brushing away the stray hairs on her cheek, "Sleep now, I''ll stay right here with you."


    Mirabe''s fingers slowly rxed, and soon she closed her eyes.


    James waited until Mirabe''s breathing was even before tucking the covers


    around her again and standing up to leave the room.


    His phone was on silent, someone had been trying to reach him.


    Stepping into the living area, James took out his phone; it was a call from Wyatt.


    His gaze hardened as he hit the callback button.


    The call connected quickly.


    "Did you find anything so soon?" James asked, his voice neutral.


    "No, we just managed to get Catherine''s medical records from the hospital," Wyatt replied, shaking his head before continuing, "It''s about Ms. Mirabe missing her flight today."


    James walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the city enveloped in night, "What happened?"


    "Apparently, Ms. Mirabe was kidnapped right before boarding the ne, which dyed her return," Wyatt quickly said.


    James narrowed his eyes, "Kidnapped? Who would do such a thing?"


    He had known it was unlikely for Mirabe to be out of touch without reason.


    "I''m not entirely sure," Wyatt


    admitted, having received this news


    the As, who also imed the details were murky.


    "Have someone look into it," James''s voice was low.


    "It''s already been arranged," Wyatt hurriedly replied, pausing before carefully


    asking, "James, is Ms. Mirabe alright?"


    "She''s a bit shaken. Take care of Catherine''s funeral arrangements," James instructed.


    Wyatt nodded, "Will do."


    Soon after, they ended the call, and James returned to the bedroom.


    The bedsidemp was still on. He nced at Mirabe before picking up theptop from the nightstand, pulling a chair closer to sit by her side.


    He worked while keeping Mirabepany.


    *


    Time flew, and three days passed. Today was the day of Catherine''s funeral.