Given the buzz online and her need to stay low, it made sense that Hera would keep her movements discreet.


    When she didn’te back to pick up the lunch they had prepared for Rafael, as requested, Hannah and Amy decided to pack up the food for everyone and head to the hospital to deliver it.


    Hera and the others stirred awake at the soft knock on the door. "Come in," Luke said hoarsely, propping himself up slightly in bed.


    The others, still half-asleep, remainednguidly stretched out, unwilling to leave the warmth of their covers.


    Reluctantly, Luke stood up and made his way to the door, where he could tell the visitors were a bit hesitant to enter.


    As soon as he slid the door open, Amy and Hannah stepped in, their eyes carefully avoiding the room as they headed straight for the built-in kitchen.


    Without a word, they began transferring the lunch to tes and setting the table.


    Meanwhile, Hera and the others slowly began to stir from the bed, and Leo, roused from his deep sleep, began to wake up as well.


    "Good morning, wifey..." His voice, husky andced with seduction, greeted Hera as she stirred in the bed. Her space was limited, with Leo clinging to her and refusing to let go, leaving her with little choice but to turn from side to side.


    "Good morning," she murmured, rubbing her eyes. "We should get up and eat lunch. Did you have breakfast earlier?"


    "No..." Leo replied, his voice soft as he snuggled closer to Hera’s shoulder, unwilling to trade her warmth for food.


    "I don’t want to let go." His words carried a childlike tone, as if he were seekingfort and affection.


    Hera couldn’t help but giggle, gently patting Leo’s chest a few times. The motion made Leo chuckle in response, the deep sound sending a ripple of warmth through his chest where Hera’s face was resting. His baritoneughter reverberated above her head, filling the air with a soothing, yful energy.


    <i>’Oh god, I could listen to thatugh all day,’</i> Hera thought, content to remain still in Leo’s warm embrace.


    Without another word, Leo gently propped himself up, lifting Hera effortlessly in his arms like a princess. He carried her straight to the dining table, his movements steady and purposeful.


    "Hey, that’s unfair," Dave chimed in, his voicenguid yet yful, with a hint of teasing as he pouted. He too propped himself up, stretching his limbs slowly, clearly enjoying thezy noon.


    "What, you want to be carried like a princess too?" Xavier asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Dave, clearly amused by his antics.


    Dave paused for a moment, his mind still foggy, the sleep lingering just a bit longer than usual.


    His brain took a moment to catch up, but when he finally understood what Xavier meant, he sprang out of bed, intent on kicking Xavier in the rear.


    But Xavier was quicker. With azy grin, he dodged Dave’s attempt and made his way to the dining table, leaving Dave standing there, momentarily stunned and alone.


    Earlier, it had been Zhane who fed Rafael, but now, Luke had taken on the role.


    No one wanted Hera to be the one to feed him, not because they didn’t want to help Rafael, but because they didn’t want him to receive special treatment from Hera.


    They all knew that if she did, they’d feel a surge of envy and would probably want to be hospitalized just to get the same kind of care. It was childish, but then again, men would always be men.


    Rafael, aware of their unspoken thoughts, could only re at Luke.


    However, he didn’t protest—he didn’t want to make Hera feel ufortable or distract her from eating.


    So, he merely shot Luke a menacing look while Luke continued to maintain his gentlemanlyposure, unbothered by the re.


    Amy and Hannah, standing quietly at the side, exchanged a nce as they observed the interactions unfolding around them.


    It was clear to them that there was an unspoken understanding among the group.


    Although they knew all six men were courting Hera and vying for her attention, they still managed to work things out without creating a hostile atmosphere.


    Instead, they maintained a united front, calmly behaving like friends.


    What struck Amy and Hannah as the strangest part was how natural everything felt—despite the underlying tension, it all seemed to flow effortlessly.


    <i>Ring...</i>


    <i>Ring...</i>


    Hera’s phone rang again.


    Determined not to make the same mistake as before, she rushed to grab it from her bag.


    No one tried to stop her or even reacted outwardly, but her hasty movements only served to confirm what everyone had already suspected—Hera was hiding something.


    The five men exchanged nces, their curiosity piqued. Though they kept theirposure, all of them couldn’t help but lean in slightly, ears straining as Hera answered the phone.


    "Hello?" Hera’s soft voice broke the silence, making the entire room feel as if it had frozen in time.


    "Hera, I have both good news and bad news for you." Betty’s voice came through, straight to the point without any small talk.


    The fact that it was Betty calling, and not Gerald or anyone from the Avery Consortium, immediately eased the tension in Hera’s shoulders.


    She let out a quiet sigh of relief, her body rxing slightly as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.


    "What’s the good news, then?" Hera asked, her tone curious but calm. It was as if she hadn’t even heard Betty mention the bad news.