Lilith (Baneva) had already drifted into deep sleep before the mansion gates even came into view. The long ride, the emotional exhaustion of the wedding events, and the heaviness of the night pulled her under like a tide. Her breathing was soft, steady, untouched by the world outside.
Nikolai arrived at his vast mansion with his newly claimed bride still asleep in the back seat. Without hesitation, he parked, stepped out, and walked to her side. The moment he opened the door, he didn't wake her—not even a whisper of disturbance.
He simply lifted her.
Carefully. Completely.
Lilith did not stir. Her small frame melted instinctively into his arms, her head resting against his chest as if she belonged there. He held her like something fragile yet infinitely precious, like she was both his weakness and his possession.
Inside the mansion, Viktoria, Meera, Karolina, and Albina were already waiting. Each held a ceremonial prayer tray, their expressions composed but reverent.
Nikolai stopped at the entrance.
The ritual began without words.
Meera took dry chill ingredients and circled them around the couple in a slow, deliberate motion. The air smelled faintly of herbs and fire intention. Karolina followed, stepping forward to drop the pot outside where it shattered and burned as tradition required.
Not once did Lilith wake.
Nikolai adjusted her in his arms, securing her like a child. His grip never faltered.
Adnan stood in the background watching silently.
Carlotta smiled faintly. "Awww… she looks so adorable."
"Not a sound," Yulian ordered immediately, voice firm.
Obedience followed instantly.
Everyone removed their shoes and stood still as Nikolai carried her through the hall like a king bearing his most sacred possession.
A sudden accident broke the silence.
Logan, holding Addison's waist, lost balance as she tripped. A vase crashed violently to the floor—glass scattering with a sharp echo.
Everyone froze.
All eyes turned to Nikolai.
He stood at the top of the stairs.
Still.
Then he turned slightly, his expression unreadable, eyes darkened in warning.
"Sorry boss," Addison whispered immediately.
He said nothing.
Only carried Lilith upstairs.
In his room, he laid her down gently on the bed, as though even gravity might hurt her. He leaned down and kissed her forehead slowly.
"My sweet baby girl… my obsession… my heart… my little tiny gorgeous wife."
His voice lowered.
"Lily baby… you are mine. Only mine. If anyone comes between us, they will pay with their life. I promise you."
He paused, eyes fixed on her sleeping face.
"Do you know why, my love? Because you are bound to me. Only me. I love you so much."
He kissed her lips briefly, then removed her jewelry and scarf with careful hands. He lay beside her, holding her hand tightly until sleep eventually pulled him in as well.
By sunrise, the mansion was already alive.
The Bou Bhat (Walima) preparations had begun. Flowers, decorations, golden accents—all arranged with precision. The groom's introduction ceremony and reception were set.
Meanwhile, in Nikolai's room—
Lilith woke first.
She yawned softly, disoriented, then slowly walked to the bathroom. She relieved herself, then stepped into a bath. The warm water calmed her, and she rested there quietly.
Moments later, Nikolai entered.
He was already taller than before—now towering at 7'3", a presence that filled the room instantly.
"Morning, Bambi," he said, yawning.
"G…good morning Nikki," she replied softly.
He kissed her forehead, then without hesitation lifted her out of the bath. She was still unclothed, but he carried her with complete ease and no hesitation.
He moved her to the shower and began washing her hair gently.
"Lily… help w…w…wash Nikki pretty please?" she asked shyly.
"Here, love," he said, handing her a sponge.
She giggled and began washing him. Her tiny hands moved carefully across his back as she hugged him from behind. He closed his eyes, holding her hands wrapped around him.
Water poured over them both, silent and intimate.
Afterward, he dressed her in his oversized hoodie and shorts.
"I… I… tiny in N…Nikki c…c…" she mumbled.
"Clothes, love," he finished for her.
She nodded.
"Go downstairs and have breakfast," he said gently.
She kissed his nose, making him freeze slightly—his cheeks turning faintly red.
She skipped out.
He chuckled softly.
Then his phone buzzed.
A message:
I have a surprise for your tiny wife. I hope she likes it.
—Abellona
His expression changed instantly.
He rushed downstairs.
At breakfast, Lilith sat with Viktoria and others.
"Granny, henna is very very b…b…beautiful!" she said brightly.
"Thank you, Lily baby," Viktoria replied, feeding her gently.
Yulian spoke up. "Have you seen Lilith's teddy? The one Rhea gave her?"
"No," Nikolai said sharply. "Why?"
"We've been looking for it. No one has seen it. Even at home it's gone," Zhanna explained.
"It was packed by Mrs Riyana but it's not in luggage either," someone added.
"We'll look later," Nikolai said calmly, though something inside him tightened.
By evening, guests arrived.
Adnan scanned the crowd, searching desperately.
Then he saw her.
Trinetra.
She wore a black salwar kameez matching the event's tone. Her eyes met his briefly—filled with anger, pain, and unresolved heartbreak. She immediately looked away.
His gaze dropped.
Nikolai appeared shortly after.
He wore a commanding black sherwani, velvet with deep gold embroidery, structured shawl, brooch detailing, polished shoes—royal, dark, intimidating.
He descended like authority itself.
He greeted his in-laws respectfully.
"Welcome, father-in-law," he said, bending to touch their feet.
Blessings were given.
"Where is Baneva?" Riyana asked.
"She is coming," Nikolai replied.
Moments later, Lilith was brought down by Arina, Daria, Meghan, Zhanna, Olivia, Addison, Darya, Sabrina, Nimra, and others.
She appeared in a breathtaking black gown-lehenga fusion, velvet and silk layered with gold embroidery, shimmering like night sky. Diamonds and black stones adorned her like a queen. A sheer veil framed her face.
She looked delicate… yet powerful.
Nikolai smiled as he took her hand.
She giggled shyly.
They greeted her parents respectfully.
Nearby, Trinetra asked for directions.
"Excuse me… where is the bathroom?"
"It's over there," Vespera replied.
"Thank you," she said, walking away.
Vespera whispered through her earbud: "She's coming, boss."
Inside the bathroom, Trinetra finished and stepped out—only partially dressed, unaware.
A voice stopped her.
"What a lovely view, my darling."
Adnan.
She froze.
"Don't you have any shame?" she snapped, covering herself with a towel.
"Oh baby girl… I'm very shameless," he said, stepping closer.
He grabbed the towel suddenly.
Then her neck.
"Tinu…" he whispered.
That old nickname shattered her.
"You lost the right to call me that," she said, tears forming. "You kissed another girl… stole my designs… humiliated me… destroyed my dream to make my mother proud. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you!"
Her voice broke.
He couldn't hold back.
He kissed her.
She hit his chest, but he lifted her, pressing her against him. She eventually melted into the kiss despite herself.
When he pulled away:
"I will never let you go again."
Back in the main hall, Nikolai held Lilith's hand.
"Please introduce your wife," Viktoria requested.
He stood.
"My wife… Mrs Lilith Mahira Baneva Nikolai William Devereaux."
Applause filled the hall.
Suddenly—
A guard rushed in.
"Sir! Something is burning outside!"
Everyone ran out.
Smoke filled the garden.
Lilith stepped forward.
Her eyes widened.
The teddy bear.
Her teddy.
Burning.
"Lily teddy!" someone shouted.
Lilith's heart shattered instantly.
She ran.
"NO!" she screamed as she reached the flames.
Bare hands.
She grabbed it.
Fire burned her skin instantly.
"Nani teddy! Nani teddy!" she cried repeatedly.
"Lily!" Sohan shouted.
But she pushed everyone away.
She managed to extinguish the flames.
Silence followed.
Then—
Her cry broke the air.
The teddy was gone.
She collapsed emotionally.
Nikolai knelt immediately, pulling her into his arms.
But chaos erupted.
Some men emerged from the bushes, throwing stones. Riyana responded instantly, firing shots and eliminating the attackers.
Inside again, panic spread.
A message arrived on Nikolai's phone.
1 month to go, my love. I hope your tiny wife liked her gift. I love you.
—Abellona
Nikolai's expression darkened completely.
"Track this number," he ordered.
Nimra immediately began hacking.
Doctors rushed in.
"Her brain is under severe stress… she may fall into coma or suffer permanent damage," Dr. Liv warned.
She can't fall into a coma "4% survival without immediate intervention," Dr. María added.
Silence fell.
Nikolai's voice cracked.
"Prepare the jets."
"We are going to the UK."
Lilith lay unconscious in his arms as he held her tightly.
And in his mind, one promise burned darker than everything else:
Whoever did this… will not survive.