Inside the quiet room, the world seemed to slow.
Nikolai held Lilith gently in his arms, both of them wrapped securely in soft blankets. His gaze never left her face. There was something fragile about her in this moment—something that made his chest tighten with a strange mixture of love, fear, and devotion. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before carefully shifting.
He rose slowly, making sure not to disturb her too much, and carried her to the bathroom. With patience and tenderness, he bathed her, his movements careful, almost reverent. Afterward, he dressed her in fresh clothes, then quickly took his own bath and got dressed.
Once done, he carried her back into the other room.
Dr. Maria was already there, preparing the equipment. She gently took Lilith's hand and reinserted the drip. Lilith was now dressed in a white baby zip-up jumpsuit, a small beanie resting on her head. Nikolai adjusted her soft bunny socks and tucked her securely under the blankets.
"Let her sleep for the whole day," Leonid said calmly. "We gave her an injection. She'll be asleep all day."
Nikolai nodded. "Hmm."
He gently patted her head, leaned down, and kissed her soft lips before finally stepping away. With one last glance, he turned and left with The Dominion Apex for the company.
At the office, the atmosphere was cold and efficient.
Nikolai sat behind his desk, typing on his latest MacBook Air. The glow of the screen reflected in his sharp eyes. His wallpaper—Lilith's birthday pictures—softened his otherwise intimidating presence.
"Boss…" Damian said quietly.
Nikolai paused and looked up. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you okay? And don't you dare lie to me."
Damian let out a small chuckle, though his eyes were red. "Yeah… actually, I got sick… and I lost my grandma four days ago."
"Old nanny?" Nikolai asked, surprised.
Damian nodded. "Yeah. She passed away in her sleep… on the rocking chair."
There was a brief silence.
"Take some days off," Nikolai said firmly. "You actually need it. During the wedding, come back."
"But who will help—"
"Damian. Go."
"…Thank you, Boss." He sneezed lightly and left.
Alexxio stepped forward. "Is he okay?"
"He's sick," Nikolai replied.
"Well… I got information from your old enemy. Your ex-best friend. He wants to meet you right now at the warehouse."
Nikolai's jaw tightened. He exhaled slowly. "Let's go."
The preparation was immediate.
Guns were loaded. Men and women—nearly a hundred thousand guards—assembled. Cars filled the compound. Nikolai put on his glasses, his expression unreadable.
Within minutes, they were on the move.
Fourteen minutes later, they arrived.
The warehouse reeked of old blood, drugs, and decay. The doors opened slowly. Guards lined the sides and bowed as Nikolai and his group entered.
Then another presence emerged.
A tall figure in sunglasses, wearing a coat, walked in with authority. The air shifted.
He sat across from Nikolai.
Xeno Ravenhart.
Half Russian. Half American.
Former best friend.
Now, enemy.
Silence filled the space. Guns were raised on both sides. No one moved.
Then—
"Nick," Xeno said.
"It's Nikolai to you," he replied coldly.
"Nikolai… we meet again."
"Unfortunately. What do you want? Why did you call me?"
"I need weapons for a mission. And I heard about the poison—"
"The poison doesn't concern you," Nikolai cut in. "Weapons? Huh. I wonder… don't you steal before?"
Xeno sighed. "Look… I just want to fix things. I—"
"Fix what?" Nikolai snapped. "There is nothing to fix. Nothing. I don't work with betrayals and backstabbers. It runs in your bloodline."
Silence again.
Heavy. Tense.
Then—
The doors opened.
Everyone turned.
A tiny figure walked in, clutching a teddy bear. Her eyes were red from crying, a lollipop in her hand. Ariz and Aarav followed behind her.
"Lilly… Nikki!" Lilith called out happily.
The guards immediately bowed.
She looked at them and bowed back. "H…Hello!"
"Lily?" Nathan said, shocked.
"Why did you bring her here? It's dangerous!" Nima added.
Xeno watched her carefully. She was beautiful—undeniably so—but her behavior confused him. Around the room, some men stared with confusion… others with something darker.
"Lower your gaze," Nikolai said coldly. "Or I'll shoot your eyes out."
They obeyed instantly.
Nikolai opened his arms. "Bambi… what are you doing here?"
"N..Nikki… Lily tummy h-h-hurts… and L-Lily didn't see her Nikki… so I… I…"
"You came here to see me, love?" he asked softly.
She nodded.
"Dammy is s-s-sicky… so Lily gave him a huggie!"
"Good girl," he praised.
Then she turned to Xeno.
"H-Hi… I'm L-Lily!" she said, swinging her teddy bear.
"Hello, Lily," Xeno said. "Are you his sister or—"
"She is his wife," Rima said.
"…I beg your expensive pardon?" Xeno froze.
Nikolai raised an eyebrow.
"W-what's your name?" Lilith asked.
"…Xeno."
"A-are you N-Nikki's friend t-too?"
"No, Bambi," Nikolai said. "He isn't anymore."
"Why d-d-did you fight… like me and Teddy?"
Neither man answered.
"Idea!" she suddenly said, jumping down.
She dragged a table across the room, her tongue sticking out in concentration.
"What is she doing?" Xeno muttered.
"Mihu, what are you doing, baby?" Ariz asked.
No response.
The table was heavy.
"Your arms are tiny, let me help—" Hassan began.
"NO!" she shouted, making them flinch.
"…Tf?" Hassan blinked.
"Sorry… Big Lily strong. B-big Lily is…" she mumbled.
Then—
"SUPER LILY!"
She lifted the table above her head.
Jaws dropped.
Aarav quickly recorded.
"I did it! I did it!" she cheered. "N-Nikki, did you see? Lily is now Super Lily!"
Both Nikolai and Xeno were stunned.
She dropped the table and mumbled, "W…water…"
Enzo handed her water. She sat on the table and drank—four bottles.
"All done, Bambi?" Nikolai asked.
"Uh huh… n-now… Nikki friend… w-why did you and N-Nikki fight?"
Xeno sighed. "It's complicated. But your Nikki… I want us to be friends again. Don't you and your teddy make up after fighting?"
"Y-yes! Lily tell Teddy sowry… and Teddy give big hug!"
Nikolai stared at her, completely in love.
"But… why did you hurt N-Nikki here?" she asked, pointing to his chest.
Xeno's voice softened. "I had no intention of hurting him… I was manipulated. Used. I lost my family because of it."
"Nikki… what about you?"
"We were best friends," Nikolai said. "You stabbed me in the back. You tried to kill me. If your family was in trouble, you should've told me. We would've fixed it. But you didn't trust me. You took everything. You hurt me more than I can imagine. I wouldn't even be talking to you now… if not for Lilith."
Lilith blinked.
"N-Nikki… Baba used to say… t-two wrongs c-can't…"
"Two wrongs can't make a right," Aarav finished. "If one breaks trust and the other breaks the bond… there's nothing left. Healing begins when someone chooses to be better, not bitter."
"Y-yeah!" she clapped. "Now say sorry! And hug like me and Teddy!"
Nikolai looked at her.
"Pretty pwes?" she said with puppy eyes.
He sighed.
Both men stood.
They shook hands.
"Huggies!" she demanded.
They hugged.
"Come on, Bambi," Leonid said. "Let's get you back. How did you even wake up? That injection should've kept you asleep all day."
"She was hungry," Ariz said. "She ate eight times, slept, woke up, looked for you… then destroyed your living room. Nihal's arm is broken. Zafraan's head is bleeding."
"…Her fingers need to be cut," he added dryly.
"Bambi was naughty today, hm?" Nikolai said.
"I sowry… L-Lily look for you…"
Xeno watched everything, stunned.
"Damian will send you a wedding invitation," Nikolai said.
"You're getting married?" Xeno asked.
"Yes. To Lily."
"Bro… those girls from before? They're still after you. They'll kill her if they find out."
"We'll kill them first," Aarav said coldly. "She's the gem of our group. The Obsidian Trail. No one touches her."
"…She's Sohan Murad's daughter?" Xeno asked.
"Yes," Nathan confirmed.
"Bye bye!" Lilith waved.
They left.
Back home, Nikolai placed her gently on the bed. The oxygen mask was fitted again. She held his hand as she drifted off to sleep.
He smiled softly and kissed her forehead.
One week later.
The wedding was tomorrow.
Nikolai spent his time writing and practicing his vows. Lilith underwent examinations and continued shopping.
That night, they lay together.
They kissed.
And slowly… they fell asleep.