Halting in front of the door, Ethan turned to Lillie. He tilted his head to the side like a curious puppy, his eyebrow arching in puzzlement. "I might know him?" He reiterated.

Lillie twisted the door open, humming in confirmation as she did. "Say, what else do you know about your master?"

​​

Her peculiarly out-of-the-blue question had Ethan thinking it's somehow connected to the person they're here for.

The person his wife ran over...she's not suggesting that it's his master, right? It's not that he's questioning Lillie's speculation, it's just that...it seems too far-fetched.

His master, who he regards as a dangerous man, someone you must've trifle with or take lightly at all costs, the man he respects—but only to a certain degree—ran over by a car? By accident, at that?

"Not much," His ears flushed red in embarrassment. Ethan and the original Vermillion Dragon Commanders had been training under their glutinous master for three years, and he was ashamed to inform his wife that he knew nothing significant about him.

He doubts that Mochi was even his real name.

"Was he wearing a mask or a disguise? Had he shown his face to you?" Lillie asked as they stepped in the room.

"He did. But I'm not certain if that's even his real one."

Lillie hummed thoughtfully. "Then, we'll see if this person I want you to meet is who you and I think it is."

Walking further into the room, the two came out of the corner to expectedly see the person lying on the hospital bed that may or may not be the answer to their assumption.

Only to discover that their main subject was gone, leaving only an empty, disarrayed bed, and an open window with its curtains dancing along with the cold, yet gentle wind of the night.

Striding towards the open window, Lillie roughly drew the curtains open and inclined her body forward to look outside the building. Left, right, up, and down; there's no sign of him.

This room is at the 24th floor. But assuming his capability as a Demon, he could've easily jumped across the protruded walls, and landed over the fire escape stairs. Unless you don't have a fear of heights, such feat is not hard to accomplish.

The sound of the curtains fluttering is equivalent to mocking whispers. The sight of the room itself is loathsome!

It really managed to test Lillie's patience. That shameless, insufferable man...pray to whatever god he believes in that he will not cross paths with her again. And count himself lucky 'if' Lillie doesn't outrightly kills him.

Lillie Bai does not take kindly to those who exploits her.

Sighing, she muttered under her breath, "I should've expected something like this to happen."

And as if to make matters worst, a knock resounded behind them, and the door creaked open; entering was the nurse assigned to Amai Mochi, her pretend brother.

"Ah, Miss Amai," The nurse approaches her with a welcoming smile, still unaware that they have a runaway patient.

"I'm here for a follow-up on your brother's temperature and—oh, where is he?"

"In here." Lillie made a gesture towards the restroom. To prove her statement, there was a muffled sound of running water inside, and the light seeping out below the door.

"I see, should I give him a moment then?"

"He would appreciate it."

"Is he alright? He's not feeling any discomfort?" The nurse asked.

"So far, he looks good to me. He's pretty energetic."

The nurse smiled in relief. "That's good to hear. Thank you for your input, Miss Amai. Well then, I'll be back in a few minutes." Bidding her with a short bow, the nurse promptly left the room.

At the same time, as the room's door let out a soft click, indicating the nurse's exit, the restroom's door opened to reveal Ethan hiding inside.

A quick witted mind and fast reflexes are essential factors in a situation like this. Luckily, Ethan has both.

"Let's get out of here." Lillie said, and Ethan nodded in compliance.

They didn't jumped out of the window, just so you know. Ethan resolutely made his objection to that course of action loud and clear.

He absolutely will not allow his pregnant wife go through such risky measures when they both could easily slip pass everyone in the hospital without being noticed.

The only thing that deters their inconspicuous exit, however, were the surveillance cameras.

That's why even before they become a nuisance, Ethan had already taken an advance step and secretly planted a bug inside the hospital's security room while he was there, searching for Lillie.

To say the least, Lillie was immensely impressed and proud of Ethan's craftiness despite being under pressure from anxiety. She will make sure to give him a generous reward when they got home.

Going down at the underground parking lot, the two went approached the same direction as Ethan parked his car just beside his wife's.

Narrowed, cerulean eyes darkened at the sight that greeted her upon drawing close to her car, yet her face remained blank and unfeeling.

There was some slight disfiguration on her car. Scratches on the door handle, and cracks on the armored glass window. It was obviously caused by an attempt break-in.

The attempt wasn't only done at the driver's side door. It happened on all four doors and the windshields.

Lillie had a pretty good idea on who dared attempt such deplorable act.

"Lillie," Ethan hooked his hand on her upper arm, pulling her towards his chest.

"I'm not angry." Lillie sighed. "Annoyed, yes. Regardless, I'll eventually find out whoever did this."

Lillie pulled her car door opened. Immediately, Ai flashed on the infotainment and bombarded her with what happened.

"Mommy, mommy! I'm glad you and my baby sibling are safe! Daddy was so worried! Also, also! There was this strange man trying to force his way in your car!" She hurriedly informed with eagerness.

"Ai, thank you for looking after mommy. Have you caught the bad guy in video?" Lillie sat down and smiled warmly at her little girl. She left the door open so Ethan could peer in.

"Hm, hm! Clear as day." She nodded happily.

"That's good. Send the video on my phone."

"Already did." Ai beamed.

"Is that so? Such a thoughtful girl you are. Mommy is so proud of you, Ai." If only she could, Lillie would've patted Ai's head affectionally.

"Daddy too." Ethan chuckled beside Lillie. "It was because of Ai that daddy found mommy and baby."

Ai giggled bashfully at the compliment. "Hehe..."

"Ai, sweetheart? Would you like to drive mommy's car back home? I'll go ride with daddy."

"Gladly!" Ai excitedly said. Her mommy's car has a self-driving system in it. When she was installed in, her mommy disconnected the car's old software and allowed Ai to take over.

Her mommy trusts her much that it swells her engineered heart.

"This day was rather exciting. Wouldn't you say so?" Leaning against the passenger seat's window, Lillie prompted a conversation.

Behind them was Ai driving her car.

"If you consider me having a panic attack while nearly turning everything upside down to search for you as exciting, I would like to disagree with your definition of excitement." Ethan grimaced. "I'd say this day is eventfully taxing."

"I'm sorry for worrying you." Lillie sincerely said.

"No, it's not your fault." Ethan intertwined his free hand with hers and kissed it. "I know very well how capable you are in protecting yourself. I just can't help myself from panicking. I keep thinking about what might happen, that there are things that are out of our control."

"I understand why you're worried, Ethan." Lillie empathized.

"I know," He smiled at her. "You're just as worried as I. That's why I trust you that you wouldn't voluntarily place yourself in danger."

"I'll be more careful." She promised.

"Please." He said earnestly. "I don't know what to do if I lose you."