Seven and Sana returned to The Cliffs at around 12:30 p.m. After settling Sana into the wheelchair, he pushed her toward the outdoor fire pit. The air carried the faint scent of wood smoke, and the crackling fire spread warmth through the cozy seating area. The sun hung high, casting a soft glow over everything.

  As they dug into the freshly prepared lunch, Sana broke the silence. “How does it feel to work at Data Dynamics?”

  Seven smirked, taking a small bite of his food before responding. “It’s been an eye-opener. I’m getting the hang of it. It’s a good experience as I transition out of military service and into corporate life.”

  Her expression tensed. Hearing him mention leaving the military reminded her of the delicate line he was walking. “Have you… heard from your superiors yet?” she asked, her voice faltering.

  “No, not yet,” Seven replied with a shrug, though something in his tone suggested he wasn’t as unconcerned as he appeared.

  The guilt in her heart gnawed at her. “Sweets, I’m worried about you... about getting in trouble with the military. It’s all because of me,” she mused, a faint frown creasing her forehead.

  Seven leaned forward, meeting her eyes with quiet reassurance. “Don’t worry about that. I would’ve done the same thing for anyone. And honestly... I couldn’t be happier because it led me back to you.”

  Her heart fluttered, the weight on her shoulders lifting just a little. “I’m so glad we found each other, too.”

  They shared this special moment, the crackling fire punctuating the peaceful silence. Then, recalling the recent cyberattack, Sana’s thoughts shifted. “Sweets... you’re still the buzz on every group chat, y’know?”

  Seven raised an eyebrow. “What did I do this time?”

  A mischievous smile curved the corners of her mouth. “News got out from the security ops center. You saved our hide just minutes from disaster! You’re a hero.”

  A laugh escaped him. “Luckily, it’s not about my looks or whatnot!”

  Finishing their meal, a satisfied sigh escaped her as she placed her fork down. She yawned with her hand over her mouth. “Sweets, I got up too early this morning. I want to shower, then nap until it’s time for my aqua therapy. Nap with me?”

  Seven hesitated as conflicting emotions flashed across his features. “I’m not used to it, Sana. How about I help you shower, and you can rest while I get some work done?”

  Sana pursed her lips into a mock pout. “Come on, Sweets! Are you turning down snuggling with your girlfriend for work? That’s so unromantic!”

  Seven shook his head helplessly, her playful taunt tugging at him. “Alright, alright. I’ll be your human pillow, okay?”

  “That’s more like it!” Sana huffed, pleased with her little victory.

  After turning the heat on in the indoor pool, Seven helped Sana shower and tucked her into bed. When he returned after freshening up, he climbed in beside her. Sana, half-asleep, instinctively gravitated toward him, the warmth and slight weight of her body offering him comfort despite his unease.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  He let out a slow breath, watching the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest before saying, “Sana, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  She mumbled drowsily, “What is it, Sweets?”

  “On the day of the cyberattack,” Seven started, “your mom rushed here looking for me. Before she came in, she heard some noises... and thought...” He trailed off.

  “Thought what? Why were there noises while we were sleeping?” Sana stirred, now more awake, her curiosity piqued.

  Seven paused, shifting uncomfortably. “She thought we were... having sex,” he finally said. “You were sleeping; I was doing a workout.”

  Sana blinked, then a giggle bubbled up from her chest. “Oh, Mom! She does have quite the imagination! She’s hankering for grandkids so badly, she’s hallucinating!”

  At Seven’s silence, Sana grew curious. “Then what happened?”

  “Well, she apologized for assuming I was... taking advantage of you while you’re injured,” he explained.

  Sana’s lips parted in disbelief. “And then?”

  “I asked her if I should move out of your room,” he murmured.

  Sana’s eyes widened. “What did she say?”

  “She said that wasn’t what she meant. She just thought I should wait until you’re fully recovered before...” he stopped himself, the weight of Ami’s words lingering in his mind.

  After some contemplation, Sana mused, “Is that why you’re hesitant to nap with me?”

  Seven’s stoic mask cracked a little. “It’s not about that, exactly. But... I’m not sure how to handle it. I want to be with you, but cohabiting with you, especially under your parents’ roof, is tricky. I don’t want to do anything that disrespects them.”

  Sana’s brow furrowed in thought. “Well, let’s cross that bridge when we get there. You haven’t done anything wrong. If my parents give you trouble, I’ll speak up.”

  “Yeah,” Seven exhaled, a little relieved. “Now, get some sleep. We’ll wake up in two hours.”

  Just as he set the alarm, his phone rang, cutting through the peaceful lull. “Let me take this call. BRB,” he murmured before slipping out of the bed, picking up the call as he walked to the study.

  “Hello, is this Colonel Seven? I’m Garrett Randall. I got your number from Dr. Nathan Gill.”

  Seven immediately connected the dots. “Hello, Mr. Randall. Are you calling about your family member’s case?”

  “Yes, that’s right. We hope you could review his medical files and maybe see him in person?”

  Seven didn’t hesitate. “If this weekend works for you, text me the details.”

  “Yes, thank you, Colonel. I’ll do that right away.”

  “Alright, see you this weekend.”

  ……

  The alarm woke them at exactly 4:30 p.m. Sana stretched, a contented sigh escaping her as she turned to Seven, blinking the sleep from her eyes. “Thanks for being my human pillow. I didn’t drool on you, did I?”

  Seven chuckled. “You can drool on me anytime, Sana. Feeling rested?”

  “Absolutely!” she chirped, her mood upbeat. “I’m stoked for my first session.”

  “That’s the spirit!” Seven grinned, eager to help her continue her recovery. “Let’s get you into your swimsuit.”

  They headed for the dressing room, but her face fell as she rummaged through her drawers. “I can’t find any swimsuits. Maybe they’re upstairs.”

  “Upstairs?”

  “Yeah, you know the door in my bedroom? That leads to the main closet. I totally forgot about that.”

  Amusement flickered across his features. “Upstairs it is, then.”

  “But you’ll need to carry me; there isn’t lift access to it. My room was formerly a car garage, and above it was the manager’s quarters.”

  Without another word, he scooped her up, carried her upstairs, and walked past racks of clothes and accessories. After a brief search, Sana found several swimsuits tucked away in a drawer.

  “Okay, I found one!” She gave him a mischievous look. “Help me put it on, but no peeking!”

  Seven smirked, “Without your express permission, I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  He carefully helped her into the swimsuit, his hands gentle and respectful. When she was ready, he carried her back downstairs. He slipped on a pair of compression tights, grabbed two full-sized towels, and wheeled her toward the pool.

  In the lower basement, the pool’s calming atmosphere surrounded them. Seven positioned Sana on the pool lift and ensured she was secured before lowering the harness into the warm water. Her face lit up with a mixture of excitement and determination.

  With Seven’s guidance, she began her therapy session, her movements fluid and graceful despite the constraints of her injuries. Each stretch and extension spoke volumes of her resolve. Amidst the gentle splashes and shared glances, the bond between them deepened.

  Hope you’re all doing well!

  Friday, Jan 9, at 8 PM SGT (GMT+8).

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