The room was quiet except for the soft breathing of the tiny girl sleeping peacefully on the bed. Nikolai gently pulled the blanket higher, covering his tiny wife so the cold air would not touch her skin. For a moment he simply stood there, staring at her fragile form, his jaw tightening with silent fury. Then he stepped away from the bed.
Without making a sound, he left the room and closed the door softly behind him.
Outside, the atmosphere was far from peaceful.
Arnav was lying on the ground unconscious, his hands tied tightly behind his back.
"Wake him," Nikolai said coldly.
Damian did not hesitate. He grabbed a bucket and poured water directly onto Arnav's face.
The man gasped violently as the cold water hit him, choking as he tried to breathe.
"Tumne uske saath balatkār karne ki himmat kaise ki kamine!"
(How dare you try to rape her, you bastard!)
Ethan's voice exploded through the room.
Arnav was hanging upside down from a metal chain attached to the ceiling. Blood rushed to his head as he struggled weakly.
The room they were in was dark, cold, and silent.
It was the room where Nikolai did his work.
Nikolai stepped forward slowly.
His eyes were dark.
"You lay your dirty hands on my wife," Nikolai said quietly.
Arnav swallowed hard.
"You know she isn't in her senses. You destroy her mind by giving her dog pills… and you have the audacity to step your filthy legs into MY HOUSE… TOUCH MY WIFE… AND YOU THINK I WILL LET YOU LIVE!?"
Before anyone could react—
CRACK!
Nikolai grabbed Arnav by the head and slammed his fist brutally into his forehead.
Arnav screamed.
Another punch followed.
Then another.
And another.
The sound of bones hitting flesh echoed through the room.
Blood splattered across the concrete floor.
Arnav's face quickly became unrecognizable.
Everyone in the room froze.
Nobody dared speak.
"Capo… calm down," Emil said carefully.
But Nikolai had already lost control.
"Boss," David tried.
Nikolai stopped suddenly.
His chest rose and fell heavily as he breathed.
Blood covered his fists.
"Now speak," he said coldly.
Arnav's body trembled.
He was half dead.
"T… the pills," Arnav stuttered weakly. "I gave them to destroy her mind…"
Everyone leaned forward.
"But… there is a woman… who vowed revenge on Sohan… for abandoning her on their wedding day."
Silence fell across the room.
"She was the one who told Tamanna about the Gem… she's the mastermind behind everything."
Nikolai's eyes narrowed.
"She was a doctor before… she knew about the pills… she…"
Arnav started laughing weakly.
"…she is going to kill her soon. If I can't kill her… then she will."
His laugh became darker.
"She's gonna die."
"You all will mourn the death of Gem!"
"WHO IS SHE?" Ethan shouted.
Nikolai grabbed Arnav by the collar violently.
"WHO IS SHE!?"
Arnav's bloody lips curled into a wicked smile.
"Her name is… Chhaya Ravencrest."
The room fell silent.
"Lilith doesn't have much time," Arnav continued weakly.
"Before Sohan gets released… she will die."
That was enough.
Nikolai snapped.
With a brutal twist—
CRACK.
Arnav's neck broke instantly.
His body went limp.
That was how Arnav died.
Nikolai's hands were completely stained with blood.
Without a word, he grabbed the body and dragged it outside.
Fuel was poured over the corpse.
Nikolai stared at the body for a moment.
"Rot in hell," he said coldly.
He lit the match.
The flames quickly consumed the body.
Everyone watched silently as Arnav burned.
Far away…
In another place…
"Ma… Arnav is dead," a lady said nervously.
"Ugh!"
The woman slammed a glass cup against the mirror, shattering it into pieces.
"I will kill her myself!" she screamed.
Back at the mansion…
Nikolai sat beside the bed as morning light entered the room.
His fingers gently ran through his tiny wife's long chestnut hair.
It was 7:00 AM.
"Baby… wake up," he whispered softly.
"It's time for breakfast now… okay Bambi?"
"Lily more sleepy," she murmured in a soft sleepy voice.
He kissed her cheeks.
"Come on Bambi… wake up now or everyone will be sad again like yesterday. They were really sad sweetheart."
Her eyes slowly opened.
"E… everybody sad?" she asked, sitting up.
"Yes Bambi. Now come on, let's go eat."
He lifted her gently and carried her to the bathroom.
While bathing her, he washed her hair carefully.
Lilith let out a small moan when he washed her scalp.
Nikolai stiffened.
He forced himself to look away.
He quickly finished bathing her.
He dried her hair and dressed her in a violet jumpsuit.
She loved jumpsuits.
So Nikolai bought every single one in the store.
In fact—
He bought the entire store.
He dressed himself as well.
This time he was not leaving her alone again.
He grabbed her hand.
But tiny Lily suddenly ran out of the room holding her teddy bear.
Downstairs everyone was quiet.
Too quiet.
"Uh oh…" a tiny voice said.
Everyone turned.
Their tiny happy girl stood there.
"Teddy? Teddy? Teddy?"
"H… has anyone seen Lily teddy!?" she asked.
"Ummm… no Lily," Urlima said.
"Hmmm… where Teddy go?" Lily said while making gestures with her hands.
Ethan still looked angry from last night.
Lilith suddenly sat on the floor.
"Oh no… Teddy gone," she said sadly.
"Hmmm… what will Lily do now hm?"
She pouted adorably.
"Aww look at her cute face," Adrian said.
"Yeah," Nolan agreed.
"Bambi… here is your Teddy."
Nikolai handed it to her.
She burst into loud giggles.
Everyone smiled instantly.
At that moment Nikolai's phone rang.
It was Riyana.
"One minute," he said as he stepped outside.
Inside the room Ethan rubbed his forehead tiredly.
Suddenly something poked his nose.
Boop.
Boop.
Boop.
Boop.
Boop.
He opened his eyes.
Lilith was poking his nose with her teddy bear.
"Boop boop boop boop."
Ethan burst into laughter.
She hugged him tightly.
"Batlily got j… j… justice for Nani!" she said proudly.
"Nani will now be at peace," Ethan said softly.
"She is resting in heaven… she is proud of you. Meri Baccha (my child)."
"Uh huh," Lily whispered.
Outside…
"Morning Madam," Nikolai said.
"Hello Nikolai," Riyana replied.
"I want you to bring Lily home please. There is a little problem."
"What happened?" he asked.
"Well… her grandparents are coming. Mine and Sohan's. They want to see her. So please bring her today."
"If she is not here we are doomed."
"We will be waiting."
"Okay, we will come."
"And please get her shoes. I bought dresses for the festivals."
"Yes mother-in-law," Nikolai said.
The call ended.
Nikolai returned inside.
"Lilith come on. I'm taking you home. Your mother wants you home now."
"Why?" Hassan asked.
"Lily's grandparents are coming. They think she's with them."
"Looks important though… her mother sounded scared."
Meanwhile Nikolai texted the Greyson twins.
Get packing. Come to the airport immediately.
"It's Bengal festival season," Rima said sadly.
"That's why families come together to celebrate."
"Aren't you going home?" Olivia asked.
Rima laughed bitterly.
"What home? I don't have a fucking home."
Lilith noticed her sad face.
The tiny girl waddled over.
She climbed onto Rima's lap.
"Need something love?" Rima asked.
Suddenly Lilith began tickling her.
"Hey! Stop!" Rima laughed.
But Lily kept tickling her.
Her loud giggles filled the room.
Everyone laughed.
Nikolai smiled proudly.
His tiny wife had the power to make everyone happy.
Twenty minutes later…
They arrived at the airport.
Lilith had a lollipop in her mouth.
They boarded the biggest private jet Nikolai had ever bought.
It cost ₽70 billion rupees.
"Woahhhh Capo… it's fucking huge!" Jaxon said.
"Shhh! Don't curse around Lily," Hassan warned.
The tiny girl jumped excitedly.
Meanwhile Rima's phone rang.
She answered without looking.
"Hello?"
"H-Hi baby… it's me… your mother."
Rima froze.
Her blood boiled.
"What do you want?" she said coldly.
"We… we wanted to see you again… actually we are in New York now. We moved there. And we wanted to spend the festivals with you."
"Can we meet please love?"
"Yeah no," Rima replied.
"I'm celebrating with the Murads this year."
"So please… your happy family doesn't need the black sheep. Remember your words."
"Well… we actually got invited there too," her mother said.
"I hope we meet there."
"I hope we don't."
"Get the hell off my phone!"
Rima ended the call angrily.
"What is she angry about?" Hammed asked.
"Her parents abandoned her in Russia nineteen years ago," Sabrina explained.
"They thought she was worthless because she had depression after her sister died."
"She started taking drugs in school."
"Now she's successful… and they want her back."
"That's messed up," David said.
"Ria C… c… come on! The big air thingy will fly away!" Lily said.
Her tiny voice instantly calmed Rima.
She looked at her and smiled softly.
"Ashchi bhalobasha! (Coming love!)"
Four hours later…
The plane landed.
Ethan sighed as Lilith slept on his back.
Nikolai's men bowed as they carried several boxes.
"They are ready boss," one said.
Six boxes opened.
Inside were designer shoes worth millions.
"Good. You will all be rewarded."
"Thank you boss!"
Inside the car Nikolai braided Lilith's hair.
He used to braid his sisters' hair when they were young.
"All done my princess."
He kissed her forehead.
She smiled.
"Lily scared Nikki," she whispered.
"Why is my Bambi scared?"
"W… w… what if nobody likes me… Nikki?"
Nikolai cupped her face gently.
"My Bambi is too cute. Everyone will love you sweetheart."
"I promise."
"And if nobody does… that's their banana problem right?"
She smiled and nodded.
He kissed her lips.
Soon they arrived at the mansion.
The mansion was enormous.
A grand multi-story palace with classical architecture and light colored walls.
The gardens were perfectly landscaped.
Reflecting pools shimmered under the lights.
A large fountain stood at the center.
Everything was decorated for the festival.
But Lilith still looked nervous.
"Lily!" Anika shouted happily as she hugged her.
"My baby! How are you love?"
"F… f… fine," Lily whispered.
"Namaste Mumma," Ethan said, touching Anika's feet.
"Hey!" she laughed, pulling him into a hug.
"I'm very proud of you."
"Thank you. I kept her safe. And I always will."
Riyana walked in.
"Lily meri chhoti jaan (my little love)."
She hugged her daughter tightly.
"Come sweetie. Everyone is waiting."
"They arrived ten minutes ago," Karim said.
"Guns are loaded Capo," Nolan added.
"Good," Nikolai replied.
Riyana held Lilith's hand.
"Mihu is here," Zafraan announced.
Everyone turned.
The tiny girl stood there nervously.
Behind her stood her 7'2 tall husband.
"Neva?" an old woman called softly.
Lilith quickly hid behind Nikolai.
"Who are you?" the old man asked.
The first grandparents were Sohan's father Mr Kadeon Murad and his second wife Rashi.
Sohan's mother had died after giving birth to his little sister Elena.
Rashi raised them.
She had four children: Tamanna, Meher, Anwesha and Laksh.
Meanwhile Riyana's parents were Mr Noman, the Prime Minister of Dhaka, and Mrs Asma.
They had six children: Jalal, Habib, Mahmud, and the twins Saad and Sadia, and Riyana.
"Come here Mihu," Mr Kadeon said.
"Bambi your grandfather is calling you," Nikolai whispered.
"Go."
Karim held her hand.
"Don't be scared baby."
She slowly walked forward.
"Touch grandpa's feet for his blessing," Karim whispered.
Holding her teddy tightly, she bent down.
She touched his feet.
"Bless you dear," Mr Kadeon said.
She did the same to Rashi.
"Bless you dear."
Then to Riyana's parents.
"Bless you baby," Mr Noman said.
"Stay happy dear," Mrs Asma said as she adjusted her veil.
"Lilith Mahira Baneva… The Gem of the Obsidian Trail… The Gem of both families," Mr Noman declared.
Then his tone hardened.
"The Gem… your daughter destroyed her brain."
"We are angry too Mr Noman," Mr Kadeon said.
Both families were furious.
Riyana sighed sadly.
"Why e… everyone mad?" Lilith asked softly.
"Nothing baby," Ariz said quickly.
"Tamanna was misled. We are investigating," Rashi added.
"No one is at fault yet," Rafsan said.
"We must find who did this."
"Actually… I already did," Nikolai said calmly.
Everyone turned to him.
"Who are you?" Mr Noman asked.
"I am Nikolai Devereaux."
"I am Lilith's husband."
"WHAT!?"
Everyone shouted.
Lilith covered her ears in fear.
"She doesn't like loud noises," Nikolai warned.
Then they noticed it.
The wedding necklace.
The vermillion in her hair.
"I also found out who is responsible for Lily's condition."
"Who?" Riyana asked nervously.
"Who is Chhaya Ravencrest?" Nikolai said.
Riyana's eyes widened in horror.
"That BITCH!" she hissed.
"Lily is here mumma," Farhan warned.
"Mr Noman… she is the one who lied to Tamanna. She sent Arnav to rape and kill Lily."
"I want to kill her myself," Nikolai said coldly.
"She was supposed to marry Sohan once," Troy explained.
"But he chose Riyana."
"She tried to kill Riyana using her medical knowledge."
"Sohan got her license revoked."
"She gave the dog pills to Lilith," Nikolai continued.
"Now she's trapped in a childlike state."
"No cure yet."
"Her brain is damaged because of that woman," Zhanna said.
"I will kill her myself," Mr Kadeon growled.
"I will kill her myself," Mr Noman said at the same time.
"Lily?" Reyan whispered.
The tiny girl had fallen asleep.
"Looks like she's tired," Mrs Asma said.
"Yes," Rashi nodded.
Nikolai walked over and lifted her into his arms.
"Anika… check her temperature," he said.
Anika touched her forehead.
"She's a bit hot. Looks like she's getting a fever."
"I'll take care of her."
Nikolai nodded.
He carried Lilith upstairs.
He placed her gently on the bed and covered her.
"Sleep well my sweet angel," he whispered.
He kissed her cheeks softly.
Then he closed the door.
Downstairs the room was tense.
"What now?" Rafsan asked.
Nikolai sat slowly.
His eyes were darker than before.
"Revenge."
Everyone murmured the same word.
Revenge.
And Nikolai's eyes filled with cold, terrifying anger.