For the next four days, life was both mundane and fulfilling.


    Evadne and Thaddeus visited his grandfather, staying over for a night, and even managed to video call Mr. and Mrs. Fairhaven, who were on a globe-trotting honeymoon, already in their third country and about to head off to another picturesque destination.


    "Thad, Evadne, Avery''s on the run, hiding out in Helgen, right?" Jareth Fairhaven seized a moment when Mari Abernathy was taken to take her medicine by Dean, eyeing the couple on screen, his expression fraught with concern. "Knowing you two, you''re definitely going to head to Helgen to catch that scumbag yourselves. I''m worried; I want to join you in this fight!"


    "If you really want to help us, just do one thing: stay by Mari''s side and don''t leave her," Evadne said earnestly, cuddling closer to Thaddeus. "Jareth, remember this, no matter what happens, you must stay by Mari''s side without fail. Don''t forget how hard you worked to marry her. No one is more important than Mari."


    To stress her point, she added, "Not even Thaddeus is as important as Mari!"


    Jareth nced at his friend, hastily distancing himself from the statement: "Thad, I didn''t say that, man!"


    "It''s alright; my wife is right," Thaddeus chuckled softly, nipping at Evadne''s cute earlobe. "Between you and my wife, she''s definitely the priority."


    Evadne squirmed, feeling ticklish.


    Jareth clutched his chest in the video, feigning hurt, "That''s cold, buddy."


    "My sister and Darcy are over in Helgen. They''ll deploy enough security to keep us safe. You don''t need to worry," Evadne assured with a bright smile, not showing a hint of fear or nervousness. "You and Mari have been to so many ces; don''t forget to bring back gifts for me and Thad."


    "Of course," Jareth paused, then said solemnly, "Mari and I, we''re waiting for your safe return."


    Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy: "Don''t worry, we will."


    After ending the call, Evadne felt an inexplicable emptiness, her mind wandering.


    "Evadne, it''s about time," Thaddeus said, wrapping his arm around her, his kiss warm on her forehead, his voice deep andforting. "We need to get going."


    "Okay," she whispered back, their foreheads touching.


    "When we get there, I have just one request: just do as you''re told," Thaddeus''s strong arms tightened around her waist, protective and firm. "Elsie''s wedding could be unpredictable, and Avery might just decide to take us all down with him. We''ve got dozens of ns to catch him, and though they seem foolproof for now... I''m still worried. So, even if I''m not by your side, don''t stray from the security perimeter. Just wait for me toe back."


    "No mutual destruction," Evadne tightened her grip on his shirt. "Not as long as I''m there."


    Thaddeus felt a pang in his heart, his hand cradling her neck, their noses brushing, his breath heavy with desire: "He cares about you, loves you."


    "I know, but what of it?" Evadne kissed him softly, her eyes deep and unyielding. "To undo the knot, the one who tied it must be present. I''m going to settle things with him, to extinguish this sinful me masquerading as love."


    *


    In the wee hours, the KS Group''s private jet touched down at the Helgen Capital Airport.


    That night, Cassius and Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy didn''t go to a hotel but were instead escorted directly to the President''s Mansion by the president''s private security detail.


    "Sis! Darcy!" Evadne, long ustomed to a life of drift, felt immediately at home in the grand and solemn President''s Mansion, joyfully embracing Debby.


    "Evadne, you''ve had me worried sick!" Debby pressed her cheek against her sister''s, her eyes brimming with reproach. "When will you ever stop making us worry by getting into such dangerous situations?"


    "This is thest time, I promise!" Evadne cheekily stuck out her tongue, the picture of mischief.


    "Your sister insisted we couldn''t stay at a hotel, had us bring you here instead. Besides the Royal Pce, the President''s Mansion has the highest security in all


    of Helgen," Darcy said with a warm smile, every bit the dignified and noble presence he always was.