For once in his life, Miguel feels lighter than air. A voice calls out to him that he couldn't understand until she gets closer.

"Tio Mike!"

He blinks numerous times from seeing Clarice. She was not what he saw in his nightmares. No bullet wounds on her tiny body. She boops his nose like she always did. His dark chocolate eyes brighten up from seeing her again. He wraps his arms around her. Tears run down from taking her in.

"I'm so sorry!"

"What for?"

He boops her nose. "It-It's just been a while."

"Tia Elena misses you."

His eyes widen before forming a smile. "She's here?"

"Mama and Papa missed you too. Your daughter is also here. Come with me!"

She pulls him up like he was a feather.

"Daughter?"

The pleasant feeling of this place almost envelops him. His footsteps are actually gliding on air.

"She missed you for so long. You look tired. Rest, Tio Mike. We can play later."

His feet stop. Clarice looks back at him. His lips quiver. He wants to see his unborn child, but the woman with emerald eyes needs him. Soft arms wrap around Clarice's torso.

"Forgive me, sobrina (niece). I promise to stay next time. Bianca needs me. I can't let her down."

His fingers drift away. He squeezes his eyes to imagine Signora Orchidea. Her coldness and warmth. The soft touch of her fingers that he can feel on his right hand....

Miguel's eyes open for real. His eyelids heavier than anchors. The lights force him to blink numerous times. Colors and silhouettes are all around him. The sensation of soft fingers helps his vision settle in. His head is pounding akin to a jackhammer. A sharp breath makes him wince.

"Miguel?" Bianca's voice reaches him.

"Give him some time," the doctor tells her while dimming the lights. "El Segador, do you know how many fingers I'm holding up?"

He's seeing more than double of the doctor. "There's... too many."

The masked doctor sighs. "Do you remember what happened to you?"

His eyes look up and to the left. "I....was in a fight. I won on behalf of Orchidea. It...wasn't easy."

Bianca exhales with relief.

"You might have suffered a concussion. I'm giving you a liquid drip of ibuprofen to help with the pain. But you must not fall asleep for now. My staff and I will monitor you for 24 hours for any other symptoms. Then it's 3-6 weeks of a medicine regimen after that."

"Let me help," Bianca proposes.

"Signora, that isn't wise. Especially after what you told me."

"I..fuck. I will be okay," Miguel manages to get out.

Her emeralds stare at him. He can see her pupils wavering from the guilt eating away at her. That it's her fault that he's like this.

He grasps her fingers. "I came back....because of you."

Her heart almost skips a beat. An exhale breaks out of her lips. She wants to kiss his pain away, but she didn't want to break their promise. Her emeralds freeze over.

"Get well soon, El Segador. I will need you as soon as possible."

"Si (Yes)."

She turns to the doctor and demands to know any updates to his condition. No matter what time of day it is. Her heels click away with anger and guilt dragging her.

Miguel vows to himself to get better. He will be better than ever to bring that smile back to her face.

The thought of killing Xianmao entertains her. But she silences it. It would only start an unnecessary war when she has a rat problem to take care of first. She motions Luis to start the vehicle and they return home.

"Luis. Be honest. Was I wrong?"

Her driver looks back in the mirror. "Signora, I would have done the same thing like you. Insulting Isabella crossed the line."

She appreciates that with a small nod. He was helpful that night. After the doctors pumped her stomach of the illicit drug, he drove her to a rehab facility while Bianca stroked her hair. Her daughter was silent the entire drive.

"Still..."

He sighs. Seeing Miguel beaten up like that must have made her feel powerless. 

"He's strong for having survived that. He will do the same here."

A smile finally cracks her face. She clasps her hands in a prayer. That Miguel will be safe and returned to her home.

"Would you like me to spend the night again?" Luis offers.

"I can't get in the way of your love life."

He chuckles. "Good thing I'm single then."

A question is brought to the forefront of her mind. "Why did you continue to work for me? Even after my husband's death?"

"Although the pay is good, Signor Petali made me promise to keep working in case something happened to him. I would rather stick needles in both eyes than break that vow."

Her eyes almost well up from his sincerity. She's thankful to have him on her side.

Another question comes up. Something that brings her eyebrows down.

How did Xianmao know that Isabella o'd? Luis wouldn't tell anyone. 

She thinks back to who else was with her. Richie, Alejandro, and Tomasso were there at the hospital. Tomasso died during the Triad shooting...

Although Alejandro is a prime candidate, what about Richie? He also worked in the cocaine operations. He didn't express a complaint when she mentioned selling it all off for a cheap price. 

She wishes there was a way to get the truth out without wasting a bullet. Miguel, I need your strength right now.

---

Jia's fingers interlock with her partner's hands. She kisses the ravenette's cheek before laying her head on her shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't tell you. It's for your safety."

"Jia? I love you."

Her amber eyes sparkle from that declaration. "I love you too."

The women share a tender kiss before Jia's phone goes off. She checks it and lets out a long sigh.

"What is it?"

"My fiancé wants to meet with me. Something to talk about, but he didn't mention it."

"That sucks. I wish he mentioned a bit of it."

Jia kisses her cheek before leaving. She texts her guard who's in the lobby that she's on the way down....

She enters a tea garden and sits in front of a handsome Chinese man wearing Ray Ban glasses with a black-gold frame. She greets him and the sip of tea responds back.

Confusion makes her shift in her chair. He adjusts his curtain like bangs out of his eyesight. His milk chocolate eyes soften with a smile. He extends his hand which she takes for appearances.

"I will make this quick," he whispers. The grip begins to tighten. "I know about your partner."

Her eyes widen in fear. She knows her brother wouldn't have told anyone. Her eyes narrow, thinking her grandmother told him. "If you even-"

"Don't worry. I don't mind at all."

Her eyebrows raise up.

"I don't care if you love me or not. As long as I get two things. That it's kept private and....I get a child out of you."

The thought of having a child being groomed to be the future leader of the Triad sickens her. She fights to get her hand out of the bear trap. The pressure makes her stifle a wince of pain. The warm milk chocolates churn into poison.

"Jia, you know the best solution. Power is there for the taking. Let me know before the silent auction tomorrow."

He lets go of her hand which she quickly pulls to her side. Her fiancé places a $50 bill on the table.

"Regardless of your answer, I intend to make that second part true."

Jia shrinks down while grasping her hands. Upon no longer hearing his footsteps, heavy tears crawl down her face. Hopelessness constricts her body. A waitress checks on her, but she politely dismisses her with a wave.

She is left alone with her thoughts. The burden of the Huashan Mountains placed on her frame. They are only made lighter that her sibling is on her side. Yet it troubles her. She can't forget the incident of wrath he displayed at the rage room.

Would she feel more like their grandmother if she asked Jian for help? To not know what he would do to him?

 I'm not like her. I'm not like her!

Through the clenching and unclenching of hands, she gathers herself. Shoulders move down and back. Her chin lifts up.

She takes out her phone and texts her sibling.....

---

Jian is in his apartment, contemplating his next move. El Segador is now hurt, but the rat refuses to take advantage.

Orchidea is still a threat, but he saw the distress in her eyes. Not of her favorite asset getting tarnished, but something more than that. He knocks it all back with a shot of whiskey. 

How can I use him to my advantage?

His phone lights up from a notification. 

{Brown hare can't sleep}

His eyes almost resemble that of the dragon tattoo. The claw tightens around the glass before setting it down. He quells his huffs of fury to refocus.

{Tortoise will help with remedy}

Their secret language continues to exchange....

{Next moon, Viper will strike}

{Tortoise has friend. Brown hare will sleep}

A heart emoji flashes on his phone.

He sends a message to the rat to fulfill his part of the bargain. With one less piece on the chessboard, he could now focus on Xianmao.

The freedom of his sister mattering more than the leadership of the Triad. None of it is worth it if she's not free to live her life.