Morning came softly—but it carried the weight of something far greater.
It was their day.
Their wedding day.
Nikolai lay beside Lilith, his fingers intertwined with hers as they both slept peacefully. Downstairs, the entire mansion was already alive—voices, footsteps, preparations moving in perfect coordination.
The wedding was set for 10:00 AM.
It was now 8:37 AM.
The door suddenly opened.
"We need to get the bride ready—come on, brother!" Arina called out.
"Go away. I will bring her," Nikolai replied calmly.
"Fine, be quick!" Daria added as they both giggled and left.
Lilith stirred, her lashes fluttering open as she yawned softly.
"Good morning, my sweet baby," Nikolai said, his voice deep and husky.
"M…Morning N…Nikki…" she murmured.
"Come on, let's get you cleaned up and have breakfast, okay?"
She nodded.
He lifted her gently and carried her to the bathroom. Carefully, he bathed her, his touch patient and warm.
"All clean, Bambi," he said, kissing her forehead.
He handed her the toothbrush.
"Lilly help…"
He smiled.
She took his black toothbrush and gently helped him brush—just like he always did for her.
Afterward, he dried her hair, and they stepped out together.
"Lily w…w…wedding?" she asked, tapping his face.
"Yes, baby. It's our wedding day, love."
She giggled happily.
"MIHU!!!!!!"
Sohan's voice echoed.
"Go, Bambi," Nikolai said.
She leaned forward, kissed his nose, and ran off, clutching her teddy bear, her laughter filling the halls.
By 9:10 AM, breakfast was done.
Nikolai sat as his hairstylist worked—giving him a clean, sharp wedding look, his beard perfectly trimmed.
"Thanks, man," Nikolai said, transferring ₽40 million.
"Oh wowww… Capo looks so good. Lily's gonna blush a lot," Brandon teased.
"Absolutely—but he's gonna cry. I just saw her," Hassan added.
"Nikolai Devereaux does not cry," he said flatly.
"Oh shut up, you will," Taran (Massimo) smirked.
"You will!" the others echoed.
"Whatever. Let's go."
Meanwhile, Lilith's makeup was finally done after endless effort to keep her still.
The grand living room filled with power.
Mafias from New York, global business elites, celebrities, governors, the President of Russia, the Mayor of New York, and even the American President—all seated.
They were about to witness a union unlike any other.
The Mafia King.
And the Gem of the Obsidian Trail.
The future Queen of the Mafia world empire.
Xeno sat quietly in the second row.
"Baba… Mihu is ready!" Anika called.
Sohan and his sons inhaled deeply before entering the bridal suite.
"Mumma… look… a C…Crown…" Lilith said softly, dressed in her wedding attire.
"Lilith?" Sohan called.
She turned, smiling brightly. "Hi!"
His chest tightened.
Karim covered his mouth.
Reyan froze.
Nihal held Zafraan's shoulder.
Ariz's tears fell silently.
Aarav covered his face.
Farhan began crying.
"Oh my goodness…" Rafsan whispered.
"B…Baba?" Lilith asked softly.
Sohan broke.
He covered his face and cried.
Lilith stood in a dramatic black ball gown—gothic royalty embodied. The gown featured an intricately embellished bodice, mesh detailing, and long sleeves adorned with ornate black beadwork. The voluminous skirt carried rich, tortured patterns with shimmering accents, giving her an almost armor-like, majestic presence.
A towering black crown rested on her head.
She was power.
She was elegance.
She was his daughter.
"My baby…" Sohan whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace as he cried.
"W…what happened?" she asked, gently patting his back.
"I can't take this…" he choked before walking out.
The men outside saw him crying.
Riyana followed. "It's okay…"
Soon, the brothers came out—wiping tears.
"God have mercy…" Nihal muttered.
"Y'all okay?" Jaxon asked.
"She's too…" Karim couldn't finish.
"Brother, your turn," Zhanna said.
"All of you, leave the room," Nikolai ordered.
"Why? You don't want to cry in front of us?" Daria teased.
"Out."
They laughed and left.
He took a deep breath.
Then opened the door.
And saw her.
His tiny bride.
Standing in the most breathtaking black wedding dress.
"N…N…Nikki!" she called, arms wide open.
He walked toward her slowly.
His eyes filled.
"Hey, Bambi… you look absolutely beautiful, my love," he said, kissing the back of her hands.
She giggled. "Look… L-Lily is a princess!"
She spun, the gown flowing like dark waves.
"My pretty tiny queen," he whispered, pulling her into a hug.
Tears fell.
"Woah… Capo actually cried," Marco whispered.
"Yep," Emil nodded.
"Let's go!" Nolan called.
They all rushed out.
The wedding hall was magnificent—covered with an indestructible glass canopy as rain poured outside, turning the entire space into a shimmering dream.
"Ready, meri pyari beti?(My lovely daughter)" Sohan asked.
"Y-Yes…"
He kissed her forehead.
Arina handed her the black-and-white bouquet.
Riyana covered her with a black veil.
"May no evil eyes fall on you," she whispered, placing kohl behind her ear—a sacred Indian tradition.
"Let's go."
"Boss, some enemies tried to shoot—but they're down," Hammad informed Nikolai quietly.
"Hm."
The doors opened.
The boys entered first, lining both sides.
Then the women followed, holding small flowers.
Everyone stood.
And bowed.
Deeply.
Nikolai's gaze lifted—
And found her.
His bride.
Walking toward him, her arm wrapped around her father's.
Sohan's eyes were red as he guided her forward.
At the altar, he placed her hand in Nikolai's.
"She's yours. Hurt her—and I will torture your soul."
Nikolai nodded once.
The pastor began.
Words passed.
Then—
"The vows. Ms. Lilith, you first."
She looked at Nikolai.
Soft. Innocent.
"Nikki… I don't remember everything… sometimes the world feels too big… too loud… too confusing… But when I see you… it becomes quiet…
You make me feel safe… like nothing bad can reach me… when you're holding my hand… like I'm not lost anymore…
I may not understand love the way I used to… but I know this feeling… in my heart… when you're close…
It's warm… soft… like home…
You don't get tired of me… even when I forget… even when Lily is scared… you stay… you always stay…
So Lily pinky promise you… I promise to hold your hand as tight as I can… to trust you… even when I don't understand the world… to smile when you smile… and try not to be afraid when you're near…
You are my safe place… my person… my forever…
Lily love you… in the only way I know how…
And I think… it's enough… f-forever…"
Silence.
Then tears.
"So beautiful…" Mrs. Francesca whispered.
"Mr. Nikolai, your vows."
He stepped forward.
"Lilith… I have loved you in every version of you…
The fierce woman who could break the world… and now… the fragile soul who needs protection from it…
I swear to you… I will love you in every lifetime… every state… every broken and healed piece of you…
You may not remember everything we were… but I remember enough for both of us…
I remember your strength… your laughter… your fire…
And I will carry it… until the day you find your way back… or even if you never do…
You are not a burden.
You are not broken.
You are mine… and I am yours.
I vow to protect you from everything that ever tried to hurt you… even if that means protecting you from the world itself…
I will be your memory when yours fades… your strength when you feel small… your voice when you are silent…
And if you never become who you once were again… then I will fall in love with who you are now… over and over… for the rest of my life…
You are my heart, Lilith…
And I will never let it go."
Tears streamed down his face.
"You may kiss your bride."
He lifted her veil.
And kissed her.
She smiled against his lips.
Applause erupted. Whistles followed.
But—
Something was wrong.
Zhanna's eyes narrowed.
Four women.
In the crowd.
She recognized them.
The same ones Xeno warned about.
She signaled Nikolai.
He followed her gaze.
They smiled at him.
He looked at them with disgust.
The guards moved immediately.
"Boss… they left this for you," Alexxio said, handing him a paper.
He read it.
Now you're married… baby… in two months she will be gone… and you will be ours… one of us will have you… love you.
His jaw tightened.
He crushed the paper.
"Lily! Throw the flowers!" Anika called.
Lilith tossed the bouquet.
It split mid-air.
Four pieces.
Landing on Arina.
Farhan.
Ishaan.
Troy.
"You all are getting married!" Riyana laughed.
"Congratulations, bro," Sohan told Ishaan.
"I don't have anyone…" he muttered.
At the dinner party, music filled the air.
Lilith clung to Nikolai's hand.
"T-too loud…"
He immediately led her outside.
The night sky stretched above them.
Stars glittered endlessly.
"Nikki… look… it's r-really pretty…"
He looked at her instead.
"My star is right here… my Bambi."
She blushed, giggling as she hugged him tightly.
"Lily… here… forever…" she whispered.
"I know, sweetheart."
And for the first time that day—
Nikolai smiled without restraint.