Corvin, Edric, and Marcus stood frozen, hearts hammering as the doctor stepped away from the bedside. Corvin's voice cracked. "How is she, Dr. Fowler?" Jamal hesitated before lowering his gaze. "I've done everything I can. Her condition keeps worsening. If we can't find another way soon… she might only have a few weeks left." Corvin's throat tightened. "No. You're wrong." He pressed his palms over his face, his voice breaking. "Emma's not going anywhere." Rage flared through the grief, raw and unrestrained, as he shoved Jamal toward the door. "You call yourself a doctor? Get out—now!" Edric moved closer to the bed, gripping Emma's cold hand. "Emma, I swear, I won't let this happen. I'll find a cure, whatever it takes." Marcus straightened beside him. "Count me in. I'll start looking too." They didn't wait for a response. Both of them rushed out, their footsteps fading down the hall. The room fell quiet.Only Emma and the small pink rabbit remained. She slowly turned her head, her gaze meeting the creature's trembling form. This was her moment. With effort, she lifted a hand and brushed her fingers over its soft fur. "Cotton Candy…" "Squeak!" The rabbit chirped, its tiny paws pressing anxiously against her arm, as if saying, "Don't worry. I'll protect you." Watching the color fade from Emma's face, Malrik thought, I can't wait any longer.I need the Beast God's fruit before it's too late. Emma studied the creature's panic with a faint smile. "You're not just a rabbit, are you?" Her voice came soft but certain. "You're a therian, right?" The rabbit froze mid-motion, its pupils wide. She knows? How? Her tone stayed calm, even as her breath weakened. "I've known for some time now. And I know why you've been staying so close." The little creature's fur trembled. He had been so sure his disguise was flawless, his secret buried deep. "You don't need to be afraid," Emma murmured. "I'm not angry. I actually wanted to wait until you were ready to tell me yourself. But given… how I am right now—" She coughed, voice fading. "Time isn't exactly on my side." Her following words came in a whisper. "Let me see you. Just once. Call it a dying wish." She forced a thin smile. "You're not my mate or follower, Cotton Candy. That's a relief. At least if I'm gone, you'll still be free." The rabbit suddenly lifted its head, a faint tremor in its voice as it spoke, "I'm sorry, Ms. Tibarn." Emma's eyes widened. That voice wasn't imagined; it was deep, human, full of remorse. "You…" Her mind spun. Ms. Tibarn? Did he just… call me Ms. Tibarn? No way. Could he be my match? Who could it be? Kael? No. Too simple-minded.Damian? Unlikely. Ever since our dissolution, he hasn't had the courage even to look me in the eye. Drake? Still at the front with Lucien. Her thoughts clicked into place. Only one name made sense. Emma looked straight at the trembling rabbit. "You're… Malrik Ashen, aren't you?" A soft glow rippled through the air. In the blink of an eye, the rabbit's shape stretched and shifted—fur fading into skin, light bursting like dust. When the glow cleared, a male knelt before her. His hair fell like black silk down his back, catching the light with every subtle movement. The face—familiar yet foreign—was identical to Merlin, but without the coldness, without the cruelty. This version radiated warmth and danger all at once. His beauty was almost unreal—magnetic in a way that pulled the breath right out of her lungs. "Ms. Tibarn," he spoke quietly, head bowed. "I'm sorry. I deceived you."The sound of his voice hit her like a pulse. He looked up, dark eyes shimmering with guilt and unspoken longing. Where Merlin's stare had been sharp and calculating, his was deep and open—like galaxies swallowed in shadow. Emma couldn't look away. The difference between them was stark—same face, entirely different presence. He chose to hide as a tiny pink rabbit. It was almost laughable. Nothing about that disguise suited him. "Why hide behind a rabbit?" she asked softly. "Why go through all that trouble?" She studied the sadness and panic on Malrik's face, piecing together her own conclusions. It must be because of Merlin, she thought. Still, even if she already had a feeling, she wanted to hear the truth from him. Malrik's lips parted, a pained smile flickering. "Because of Merlin," he admitted. "I learned what he did to you. I carry his face. I didn't want you to fear me the moment you saw it."