King
It had been eight long, agonizing hours. Nikolai and the family waited, tense and silent, outside the operating room. Every second felt like an eternity, each tick of the clock hammering the fear deeper into their hearts.
Finally, the lights went off. A nurse wheeled Lilith out, her tiny frame still unconscious. A hospital cap covered her hair, and she was dressed in patient clothes. Nikolai immediately held her hand—it was cold, fragile in his grip.
Leonid emerged, exhaustion and relief etched on his face.
"We almost lost her… but she's fine now," he said.
Nikolai's eyes didn't leave her. She was far too young for this, far too small to face such cruelty.
"The poison… it's dangerous," Vishal said softly.
"Ethylene glycol," Dr. Raphael explained. "It attacks the kidneys. If you hadn't rushed her in, both would have failed."
"But… only one kidney is damaged," Nikolai whispered.
"She's going to need a new one," Leonid added gravely.
"W…what did you just say?" Nikolai's voice cracked as he stared at him.
"Lilith's body has been extremely weak. Her organs aren't stable enough. That's why the poison attacked her kidney. She will need to stay in the hospital for some time," Dr. María explained.
Dr. Leonid turned to Dr. Anika. "We need you on this."
"Anything for my Lily," Anika said softly, her eyes shimmering with determination.
Riyana's head spun. She couldn't breathe.
"Love?" Sohan whispered, holding her as she passed out in his arms.
"Ria!" he cried, clutching her tightly.
Anika examined her. "She passed out from stress," she explained calmly.
The nurses wheeled Lilith into the VIP room while Riyana was laid gently on the couch. Aarav fanned her, and after three minutes, Karim sprinkled water on her face.
"Baneva!" Riyana gasped, breathing heavily.
"She's fine, Ria. Look," Sohan said, guiding her gaze toward Lilith, still unconscious. Tears streamed down Riyana's face.
"Boss, we found him," Marco reported urgently.
"Get me a SIG Sauer P226," Nikolai said coldly, eyes hard, voice sharp.
Both groups stared in shock.
"Are you fucking crazy, bro?" Taran (Massimo) asked.
"Capo, that shit is dangerous!" Urlima warned.
"Get me SIG Sauer P226. Now," Nikolai repeated.
"Y…Yes, boss," David stammered.
"You have that… bad shit?" Ishaan asked.
"Yes nikolai said I want one," Sohan said.
Sohan placed a hand on his shoulder. Nikolai nodded, then leaned down to kiss Lilith's forehead.
"I will be back," he whispered.
"We're coming—" Yulian started.
"No. I'm going alone. Stay here," Nikolai said, walking out.
Taran followed closely.
"Nick… let's go together. Don't be stubborn," Taran urged.
Hm… Nikolai didn't respond.
They drove in tense silence.
Ahead, the target's house glimmered with party lights.
"They're having a party," Taran noted.
Nikolai checked the fully loaded gun, ready.
"Nick… wait!" Taran shouted, but Nikolai ran ahead.
Guards rushed at him. He fired. They dropped instantly.
He stormed inside, fury fueling his every step.
"Nikolai is now dead," Grigory sneered, surrounded by women.
"GRIGORY! YOU BLOODY BASTARD!" Nikolai roared, eyes blazing.
He began firing again.
"NICK!" Taran shouted.
"AHHHHHH!" Nikolai screamed.
When the gun emptied, he saw a room full of alcohol. Without hesitation, he poured it across the floor and ignited it.
The mansion went up in flames.
"FUCK YOU!" Nikolai shouted as Taran dragged him out.
"Do you want to go to the hospital or home to change?" Taran asked.
Nikolai, still furious, shook his head. "Change. Let's go."
—
Back at the hospital, Darya leaned against the wall, exhausted. All had changed, but Lilith's condition demanded constant attention.
Dr. María bumped into her.
"Shit," Darya muttered.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
"No problem, princess," María replied calmly.
Riyana and Sohan returned, carrying trays filled with Lilith's favorite foods: butter chicken, biryani, roti, samosas, kheer, mango lassi.
"Why is all this happening to Lily?" Rafsan's voice trembled with anger.
"She's too little," Ariz said softly.
"I feel so hurt seeing her like this…" Reyan added.
After ten minutes of silence, Lilith slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze immediately found him.
"Nikki!" she cried, sitting up abruptly.
Mihu? Ethan asked.
"W…W…W…where N…N…Nikki?" Lilith asked, panicked.
"He's coming, love. Just lie—" Sohan began.
N…N…No! She interrupted, ripping off the oxygen mask.
"Lily, stop!" Karim called, but she didn't listen.
"I…I…I want Nikki!" she insisted, removing her IV and trying to stand.
Sohan and Farhan caught her, holding her steady.
The doors opened, revealing Nikolai and Taran. Lilith's eyes widened as she saw him.
Sohan stepped back. She tried to walk, nearly falling, but Nikolai caught her just in time.
"N…n…N…Nikki… o…o…okay?" she asked.
"I am sorry, Bambi," Nikolai whispered.
"Lily… s…save N…N…Nikki… now. Nikki okay?" she said.
"You should throw the drink away, not drink it, Bambi," Nikolai scolded gently.
"L…L…Lily… sowwy," she whispered, hugging him tightly.
Leonid and his team checked everyone, but no one—not even Nikolai—matched her kidney.
Lilith sat by the window, eating small bites. Riyana fed her, offering her favorite dishes. Lilith picked up a samosa and shared it with Zafraan, Aarav, Ariz, Farhan, Karim, Nihal, Reyan, and Rafsan.
She held the kheer carefully and fed Nikolai, who gently booped her nose.
"N…Nikki… can Lily have a tea b…b…birthday party?" she asked.
"Of course, love," Nikolai said, hugging her tightly.
—
That night, Nikolai held her in his arms, rocking her gently. Lilith drifted off to sleep, her small body nestled against him.
"Good night, my sweet girl," he whispered, kissing her forehead and nose.
Outside the room, family and allies watched silently. Nikolai carefully covered them both with a blanket on the big couch. She lay atop him, breathing peacefully.
"Capo is such a big softie," Sergei commented.
"No kidding," Sabrina agreed.
"The engagement was cut off," Sohan noted quietly.
"Maybe during Lily's tea party?" Riyana suggested.
"What about the wedding dress?" Anika asked.
Anika walked in, white coat on, pen and clipboard in hand.
"Oh my goodness… thank you so much for reminding me, love," Riyana said.
"You're welcome, Mumma," Anika smiled.
Nikolai stared at the ceiling, fingers threading through Lilith's soft hair.
Dr. Leonid entered. "She asleep now?"
Nikolai nodded.
"Her birthday is in two days. I want to shift her from the hospital back home. Is that medically possible?" he asked.
"Hospital-at-home care. Yes, it is," Leonid confirmed.
"Start," Nikolai said immediately.
"Yes, boss," Leonid replied.
"Do I scare you?" Nikolai asked with a smirk.
"Fuck yeah… you literally scare people—except your tiny wife. She loves you a lot too," Leonid admitted.
"Just like Daria loves you," Nikolai added with a chuckle.
Leonid looked shocked.
"Really? She does?" he asked.
"Yes. She never stops blabbering about you," Nikolai said, grinning.
"Can I take her on a date, please?" Leonid asked.
"Yeah… just don't hurt her, or you'll be in your own hospital bed," Nikolai laughed.
—
Three hours later, everything had been moved to Nikolai's mansion. Sohan and Riyana's mansion stood nearby.
The rooms were ready. Nikolai laid Lilith down on a white bed, gently covering her as nurses and doctors attended to her.
Anika administered an injection, her hands steady. Karim admired his wife's dedication, her passion for saving lives, and her effort to save Lilith.
Nikolai opened his laptop, beginning his search for wedding suits.
The wedding between the Mafia King and his tiny gem was imminent.
She was going to be the Queen of the Mafia King.
Daria smiled at Leonid, who watched the family with careful, protective eyes. The delicate balance of life, love, and loyalty held them together… for now.
Nikolai, exhausted but alert, sat beside his tiny wife, fingers gently running through her soft hair. The weight of the world rested on him, but nothing mattered more than the safety and happiness of his Lilith—the fragile heart that ruled his empire and his life.
And somewhere in the mansion—
Daria stood quietly.
Leonid approached her.
"Hey… princess," he said softly.
She rolled her eyes slightly but smiled.
"What do you want, doctor?"
"I was thinking…" he scratched his neck. "Maybe… dinner?"
She raised a brow.
"A date?"
"…Yeah."
She looked at him for a moment.
Then smirked.
"Fine. But if you mess up… I'll personally admit you into your own hospital."
Leonid laughed.
"Deal."
And for a moment—
In the middle of chaos, pain, and fear—
Something soft began to bloom.