Midnight had already settled over the quiet house when Troy slowly pushed open the door to Vanya's room.
The soft yellow desk lamp was the only light in the room. Books, notes, and a laptop were spread across the table. Vanya sat there in her hoodie, her hair tied loosely, her eyes heavy with exhaustion as she studied.
It was her final year at New York University, and she was studying software engineering. Tomorrow was her final exam.
Troy leaned against the doorframe for a moment just watching her.
A small smile touched his lips.
"Hey love," he said softly as he walked toward her and kissed her forehead.
Vanya looked up, surprised but happy.
"Hi Roy," she said tiredly.
He wrapped his arms around her gently and pulled her into his chest.
"My baby is smart," he murmured proudly. "So of course she will pass."
She looked up at him with soft eyes.
"I love you so very much," she whispered.
Troy smiled warmly.
"I love you more," he whispered back before leaning down and kissing her.
At that exact moment—
The door suddenly opened.
Ishaan, Riyana, Trinetra, and Rezaul walked in.
And froze.
Troy and Vanya jumped apart in shock.
"I love you," Troy had just said again moments before.
"Oh my God!" Riyana gasped loudly.
Both Troy and Vanya looked like they had been struck by lightning.
"Dad!" Vanya cried, tears immediately filling her eyes as she stepped back.
"You both were kissing!?" Riyana exclaimed in disbelief.
"He is uncle!" she added again in shock.
"I—"
"Troy," Ishaan said calmly.
But his tone was different. Very different.
"Come with me. Now."
"D… Dad…" Vanya whispered fearfully.
Ishaan looked at her for a long moment.
"You have exams tomorrow," he said quietly. "So study."
Then he turned and walked out of the room.
Tears immediately streamed down Vanya's cheeks.
Troy leaned close to her.
"I'll text you later," he whispered softly before following Ishaan.
The door closed behind them.
Riyana turned slowly to Vanya, who was trembling.
"When did all this start, Anaya?" she asked quietly.
Vanya wiped her tears, unable to speak.
"We'll talk in the morning," Trinetra said calmly, trying very hard to hide the small smile tugging at her lips.
"But for now, just study. Tomorrow is your final exam."
Everyone began leaving the room.
The door shut.
Vanya collapsed onto her bed.
"Oh… no," she whispered as tears soaked her pillow.
Downstairs, Troy stood nervously while Ishaan sat in a chair drinking water.
"Hey listen," Troy began quickly. "I can explain—"
"Explain?" Rezaul interrupted.
"We just caught you both eating each other by midnight. Really bro? She's nineteen!"
Ishaan raised a hand slightly, silencing everyone.
Then he looked directly at Troy.
"I already knew," Ishaan said calmly.
Troy blinked.
"I knew you loved her for years now."
The room went silent.
"But you should have told me," Ishaan continued.
"She is like—"
He stopped himself.
"No," he corrected quietly.
"She is my daughter after all."
Troy rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"I… I just couldn't see her with any man," he admitted honestly.
"So I told her the truth."
His voice softened.
"I truly love her very much. I can't stand to see any bastard close to her."
He lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
Ishaan studied him carefully for a moment.
Then he stood.
"We will talk after her exams."
And with that, he left the room.
Morning arrived.
Vanya had barely slept.
She grabbed her bag and ran downstairs.
"Good luck love!" Ishaan said warmly.
Vanya bent down and touched his feet respectfully.
"Bless you," he said, placing his hand on her head.
She touched the feet of all the elders, receiving blessings from each of them.
As she stepped outside—
A hand suddenly pulled her aside.
She gasped.
Troy stood there.
"Morning love," he whispered.
She immediately hugged him tightly.
"Just concentrate on the exam, my love," he said softly.
"Okay?"
She nodded.
He kissed her forehead.
"Good luck baby."
"Bye bye Anya!" Lilith called happily from the doorway.
Nikolai stood beside her holding her hand.
"Bye Mihu!" Vanya called back as she got into her car and drove away.
Upstairs, Riyana was folding clothes when her phone buzzed.
She opened the message.
There is a box for you my love.
I want you to wear it when I come.
— Your husband.
Her eyes widened.
Slowly she turned.
A box sat on the bed.
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
Inside was a dark red bridal lehenga.
The same one she wore on her wedding day.
"Sohan…" she whispered.
Tears rolled down her face.
But she smiled as she hugged the dress tightly.
"I will dress so beautiful for you… my love."
She carefully placed it back inside the box.
"We will be back soon," Nikolai said.
"Upies!" Lilith chirped.
He lifted her into his arms.
She waved happily.
"Bye bye Mumma! I love you!" Lilith called.
"Bye Neva! Bye Mihu!" both the Indian and Bengali families said together.
Nikolai carried her outside as they left.
Six hours later
They landed in Russia.
Lilith was asleep in Nikolai's arms.
He gently kissed her forehead.
They weren't going home.
They were heading to the Devereaux Family Estate.
Before entering, Nikolai carefully changed her into a soft cinnamon oversized jumpsuit.
Lilith usually wore dresses.
But she loved oversized clothes.
They looked huge on her tiny frame.
She looked small and delicate inside them.
The car stopped.
Before them stood the Devereaux Mansion.
The mansion looked like a royal palace.
Several elegant buildings were connected together with large halls and courtyards. A massive grand entrance towered above them.
Beautiful gardens surrounded the estate. Fountains shimmered under golden lights that made the entire place glow at night.
The design was perfectly symmetrical with long stone paths and neatly trimmed trees.
"Bambi," Nikolai whispered gently.
"We're here love."
Lilith rubbed her sleepy eyes and hugged her teddy bear tightly.
"Don't be scared love," Yulian said while hugging her.
"We hate everybody inside this mansion."
"N… Nikki," Lilith whispered softly.
"Lily forgot to tell you s… something yesterday."
"What happened yesterday Bambi?" Nikolai asked.
"Lily got a box… it had all Lily favorite c-c-candy. Lily thought Nikki or Mumma or bhais but they s-s-said they didn't get it."
She handed him a small paper.
"But look."
On the paper was her necklace symbol.
And beneath it was a label.
OTG – Obsidian Trial Gem
Nikolai opened the note.
His jaw tightened.
He read aloud slowly.
"Baba loves you. See you soon… my Little Gem."
Silence filled the air.
"Sohan…" Ethan said quietly.
"…is coming."
"He will take Lily away," Zhanna whispered.
"Nobody will take her away."
Nikolai's voice was cold.
"No one."
"Even if it is her father."
Inside, fear twisted in his chest.
"I can't lose her," he murmured.
They entered the mansion.
"They're here!" Mrs. Francesca announced.
Everyone turned.
"Dobro pozhalovat moi dorogiye vnuki," an elderly woman said warmly.
(Welcome my dear grandchildren.)
It was their grandmother.
Viktoria Devereaux.
Lilith immediately hid behind Nikolai.
"Hello Grandma," Meghna greeted politely.
"Hello children. It's great to see you all again," Viktoria said.
"I was very happy when you decided to come home and fix things."
"Where is Lily?" Mr. William asked.
Nikolai gently pulled Lilith from behind him and held her hand.
Viktoria's eyes widened.
The tiny girl stood there shyly.
Small.
Beautiful.
"Oh my goodness," another lady whispered.
"So gorgeous."
"Hi… am Lily," the tiny girl said softly.
"Well hello Lily," Viktoria smiled.
"Come here."
Nikolai nodded.
Slowly Lilith walked toward her.
Viktoria noticed the wedding necklace, the vermilion, and the henna designs on her hands.
"You look beautiful," she said warmly.
"Y… you're very pretty Granny," Lilith said shyly.
"Sit," Viktoria said.
Lilith sat obediently.
"Who is her father?" Viktoria asked Nikolai.
"Sohan Murad," Nikolai replied calmly.
The room exploded.
"WHAT!?"
Lilith immediately covered her ears.
She hated loud noises.
"Please!" Ethan said quickly.
"Are you crazy Nick?" one uncle shouted.
"Do you know how extremely dangerous that man is?" Viktoria asked sharply.
"He took her away," Damian explained.
"We've been telling him."
"Oh my goodness…" Viktoria whispered.
One aunt frowned.
"She is behaving like a child. Isn't she a grown woman?"
Zhanna spoke firmly.
"She is mentally unstable."
"She is in a childlike state."
"There is no recovery."
"She is stuck like this."
"There is no cure."
Daria added coldly.
"So please be mindful of your dirty words. Got it?"
Viktoria looked back at Lilith.
The tiny girl smiled sweetly at her.
"Come here love," Viktoria said gently, pulling her into a hug.
Nikolai exhaled heavily.
Viktoria had given birth to six children.
Her late husband had been an Indian mafia boss.
Their children were:
William
Meera
Karolina
The twins Albert and Albina
Nazar And the youngest, Timur.
William, Meera, and Albina had children.
Karolina, Timur, and Albert were still unmarried.
Lilith leaned her head on Nikolai's shoulder.
He held her hand, gently rubbing her knuckles.
"Nikki… my tummy hurts," she whispered.
He softly tapped her stomach while whispering comfort to her.
Viktoria watched closely.
She noticed how gentle he was.
How calm he became around her.
"Well Nick," Karolina said.
"Mom thought you didn't have a wife."
"So we arranged someone for you."
"Actually your childhood friends are here."
"I don't care," Nikolai replied flatly.
His phone rang.
"Hold on Bambi," he whispered.
"I need to take this okay?"
"Mkay," she whispered.
He walked to the window.
Behind him, six people whispered excitedly.
"Oh my God look at him… Nikolai!"
"Mine mine he is so hot!"
"Let's go inside."
They entered the room.
"Lilith… that is a beautiful name," Meera said kindly as she sat beside her.
"Y-y-you're beautiful," Lilith stuttered.
"Aww!" Meera laughed happily and hugged her.
Across the room, six people stood before a mirror adjusting their clothes.
Three women.
Three men.
Rowena — half Russian, half Italian. Daughter of Mr. Frostvale, owner of a famous diamond empire.
Yelena — heiress to Bloodstorm Wealth Companies worth ₽8 billion.
Paige — half British, half German. Daughter of Mrs. Giuliana Morcroft, heir to gold mining and a massive tech company.
The men were:
Ryder — heir to the Dreadmoor Half Empire.
Logan — CEO of LB Weapons and Resorts across several countries.
Eduard — owner of Vexley Oil Empires and major real estate holdings.
They all stared at Nikolai by the window.
"Bitches," Arina muttered.
Ethan leaned close to her ear.
"You look hot when you're bratty."
Arina blushed slightly and smirked.
Lilith quietly tapped her teddy bear.
"Who is she?" Rowena asked rudely.
"Mrs. Lilith Nikolai Devereaux," Rima said coldly.
"Show respect."
"He is married!?" they exclaimed.
"Yes he is," Zhanna replied calmly.
Lilith yawned cutely as she began dozing off again.
"When she isn't fit to be a wife… she looks pretty cheap," Rowena sneered.
"You look like the devil rejected you himself," Ethan replied smoothly.
Everyone tried not to laugh.
Nikolai returned and sat beside his wife.
His face was sharp and striking.
Strong jawline.
High cheekbones.
Amber-golden eyes.
Dark hair swept neatly back.
His expression serious and brooding.
"Wow… so handsome," Paige whispered.
"Agree," Eduard nodded.
"Please show us our rooms," Nikolai said.
"Ah yes. This way," Meera replied.
Nikolai lifted his sleeping wife into his arms and followed her.
"I'm going to get him," Rowena whispered.
"You have a lot of men," Paige said.
"So I'm going to have him."
"You all know he's married right?" Logan said.
"So?" Paige shrugged.
"Every man has a pleasure point."
"You just need to get close."
Viktoria's voice cut through the room.
"Listen carefully."
"Be careful."
"Nikolai does not play with his wife."
"She is mentally unstable."
"She is the Gem of the Obsidian Trial."
"And she is Sohan Murad's daughter."
"Do not do anything stupid."
The group exchanged glances.
"I'm still getting him," Paige said confidently.
Logan rolled his eyes.
"I'm out."
He walked away.
"Here," Meera said, opening a bedroom door.
Nikolai nodded.
"Thank you."
"If you need anything, ask."
She left.
Nikolai placed Lilith gently on the bed.
He kissed her forehead.
Then her lips.
"Sweet dreams, Bambi."
He took a quick shower.
Then returned to bed.
And wrapped his arms around his tiny wife as they both fell asleep.