Mike nodded silently. Reaching the door, however, he paused and turned back to her.

"What?"

He hesitated. Finally, he said, "I know it's your body, so you should know best, but I've seen firsthand how risky childbirth can be. Nick's birth nearly cost his mother's life, and afterward, she spiraled. I couldn't ignore that."

"You're six months pregnant and living in a tense environment. You shouldn't be so stubborn, trying to do everything yourself."

Lily disliked the word "stubborn," feeling it implied excessive effort, but she understood his concern. She simply nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Mike."

She found it difficult to thank him. Since his confession, their relationship had irrevocably changed. Despite their shared struggles and dangers, they weren't friends. Her thanks, however, indicated she didn't harbor significant resentment.

Mike's lips twitched. As he was about to leave, Lily called him back. "There must be a way to solve Nicky's problem. He's a good boy and will come home safely."

Mike suspected it was a comfort for him, perhaps a belief she held herself. Regardless, he was grateful, and a smile touched his lips. "I think so too."

As he reached the elevator and was about to press the button, he noticed it stopping at his floor. Frowning, he instinctively stepped back, glancing toward Lily's apartment.

Her door remained open, offering him a view inside. Their eyes met as the elevator arrived with a sharp ding.

The elevator doors slid open, and the occupant looked up. Recognizing Mike, their expression remained calm; only their eyebrows rose slightly. "What a coincidence, Mr. Corden."

"Yeah, what a coincidence!" Mike replied with his usual smile. He gestured towards the end of the hall. "Are you here to see Ms. Christian, too?"

Rick stepped out. "Why, is anyone else living on this floor?"

"Then I won't bother you two." Mike shrugged, starting toward the elevator. Rick, however, grasped his shoulders, pulling him back with a show of strength. "Don't rush off. It's quite a coincidence, isn't it?"

Mike appeared to be walking with Rick's arm around his shoulder, though only he knew he was unable to resist. Rick's touch was light, yet Mike felt the weight of an immense boulder on his shoulders, inescapable.

He could only follow.

Mike said, with a practiced smile, "That's true. I was discussing the experiment's progress with Ms. Christian. Now that we're finished, I must return to the lab immediately. We can't delay any further!"

Rick tightened his grip, guiding him into Lily's apartment. He said coldly, "No rush."

A gust of wind rushed past Mike's ears as Rick's foot closed the door with a sharp thud.