CHAPTER 449: LATE

The clock struck midnight, its chimes ringing the hour through the still night air and with a soft creak, the front door opened delicately before Coco tiptoed inside, her form barely visible in the shadows.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she glanced around the room, taking in the emptiness and silence.

The house was steeped in an eerie calmness, the only sound breaking the silence was the occasional creak of the floorboards as Coco shifted carefully.

Coco gently closed the door behind her, her hand turning the lock with a soft click.

The sound seemed unnaturally loud in the stillness of the night and she winced slightly as the noise broke the silent atmosphere.

With the door firmly shut and locked, she paused for a moment, her hand still resting on the handle.

Coco took a deep breath, steeling herself for the inevitable confrontation that was sure to come when she faced her husbands, but that would have to wait for later.

Then, she let out a sigh of relief, her footsteps careful and quiet as she moved through the darkened house.

However, as she crossed the living room doorway, the light suddenly flicked on, causing her to jump in surprise and freeze in place, her heart skipping a beat as her eyes widened.

The light’s sudden exposure cast stark shadows on the walls, illuminating the room and revealing the four mediators seated.

Their gazes were fixed on her, their expressions mixed with a combination of shock, worry, and relief.

Coco’s heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest as she took in the sight before her— the four mediators, who she had assumed would be asleep by now, were instead sitting wide awake in the living room.

"Why are you four still up? It’s late.." She instinctively inquired, her voice filled with a mixture of bewilderment and mild annoyance.

The four husbands in question simply stared at her, their faces betraying no hint of sleepiness.

Coco drew herself up to her fullest height upon realizing that they seemed upset so she attempted a feeble smile, her voice nervous yet resolute.

"Okay, okay, okay.." She began, the words coming out in a rush, "I’m really, really sorry for coming home so late.. But the work for today kept me detained back in the guild, I swear."

She fidgeted under the weight of their continued gaze, feeling the pressure build with each passing moment.

Zaque suddenly stood up, startling Coco and causing her to unconsciously flinch.

"I swear in my life that I was working, okay? I had a lot of missions to finish so I made sure to finish them, but I didn’t expect that it would take me this long—" Coco stammered, her words poured out, rushing to explain herself.

However, she was abruptly cut off as Zaque swiftly closed the distance between them and enveloped her in a tight, almost desperate hug.

Coco stiffened in surprise, her words abruptly silenced as Zaque’s arms coiled around her and she stood rooted in place, her heartbeat quickening at the closeness of their body and the suddenness of his actions.

Coco froze in his arms, her heart still pounding in her chest, as he held her close, but despite the surprise, a wave of relief washed over her, the warmth of his embrace easing some of the tension she had been carrying all night.

Zaque’s body trembled slightly as he hugged her tighter, his face burying itself into her hair with his voice coming out in a shaky whisper, thick with emotion. "I’m.. so glad you’re okay.."

His arms wrapped around her like a lifeline, holding her tightly against him as if afraid she might disappear.

His relief was obvious, the worry he had been carrying for hours finally giving way to the joy of having her back safely in his arms in the comfort of their small home.

Coco was puzzled by Zaque’s intense reaction, but her arms instinctively returned his embrace, holding him just as tightly.

A pang of guilt coursed through her as she spoke, her words both apologetic and reassuring, her face pressed on his chest which made her voice come out as slightly muffled. "I’m home..I’m so sorry for coming back so late.."

She could feel the tension in his body as he clung to her, his grip unyielding, but not painful.

The feeling of his heart beating against her, fast and strong, made her heart ache with remorse at making him worry, but Zaque didn’t loosen his grip at her words, his head shaking against her hair.

He held her closely, his embrace firm and protective.

As they stood there in the silence, Coco heard the soft sound of someone getting up from the couch, but her vision was obscured by Zaque’s body.

She could only cling to him, her face still buried against his chest, unable to see who had risen from the couch.

Both uncertainty and curiosity filled her mind, but she continued to cling to Zaque, accepting his way of seeking comfort and reassurance in this moment.

Then, Coco felt another presence at her back, a pair of arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her back against another body— the blue haired mediator’s familiar form pressed against her, his slender frame warm and solid against her body.

With him behind her and Zaque still holding her tightly in front, she was effectively trapped between the two of them.

Quizen’s voice, muffled against her shoulder and heavy with worry, broke the silence. "Where were you, wife..? I thought something had happened to you.."

Coco felt like they were on the verge of bursting, along with the realization of her growing feelings for them, combined with the intensity of their closeness, left her feeling overwhelmed.

"Coco?" Came a muffled call of her name.

The rush of emotions made her head spin and for a moment, her vision began to darken, then without warning, her knees gave out before her consciousness got consumed by darkness.