Noor sat in her new room on the floor, her knees together and her arms wrapped around herself as she trembled quietly. Nimra walked in carrying some clothes. She paused when she saw Noor asleep in the same position. Gently, she lifted Noor into her arms, carried her to the bed, covered her with a blanket, and quietly left the room.
Meanwhile, Nikolai held Lily's hand throughout the entire day. His phone suddenly rang.
"Hello M…M…Mom," he answered.
"Nick, I heard what happened to Lily. Is she awake now?" Mrs. Francesca asked.
"No. She is still asleep," he replied, wiping away tears.
"You're crying, aren't you?" she asked softly.
"I…I…don't know what to do, Mom. She's trying her best to be okay. I don't want to lose her again. She's carrying my baby, Mom. I have never been this scared since that operation. She…and my baby, Mom…" Nikolai said as tears rolled down his face.
"Oh my child, don't cry please, Nick. Lilith will be fine. She and the baby survived the first time, right? She is very, very strong, Nick," Mrs. Francesca reassured him.
He sniffed and wiped his tears.
"I called to tell you something. They are waiting for you. They found a lady from another family. I overheard them talking last night about how to trap Lily and you. Nick, that girl is very, very evil. I don't think either of you, or anyone else, should come anymore. Please."
Nikolai chuckled.
"They call me Lucifer for a reason. If anyone comes between me and Lilith, they will burn in the fire around us."
His voice had changed completely.
"D…D…Don't worry. Everything will be fine," she said.
"Thank you, Mom."
They continued talking for a few more minutes.
By noon, it was time for the Mayun (Mayoon – the bride is prepared for the wedding with turmeric and beauty rituals) and the Dholki (family gatherings with singing traditional songs and playing the dhol drum).
Hassan sat beside Noor and brought out a Pavé diamond ring. He slipped it onto her finger.
She looked at him.
"I got your scholarship application filled out for you. You resume in August. My assistant already has your things prepared for Russia. Everything you need for your studies is ready. If you need anything else, tell me."
Noor's tears began falling.
Hassan wiped them away and kissed her ring finger.
"Thank you, sir," Noor whispered.
"Stop calling me sir. Just Hassan, Jaan (love)," he replied.
They stared at each other quietly.
"Go now. The ladies are waiting for you."
He stood up and left.
Noor sat wearing a golden yellow Mayun outfit decorated with delicate mirror work and floral jewelry. A soft dupatta rested gracefully around her shoulders. She glowed with traditional Pakistani elegance and beauty.
Nimra and the women began applying turmeric to her skin.
In another room, Lily slowly woke up.
Nikolai was eating lunch when she yawned and waddled outside while holding her bump.
She saw the women gathered together and walked toward them without even putting on her shoes.
Everyone was laughing.
"Hey! Lily is up!" Sabrina shouted.
"Lily!" everyone called.
Lilith yawned again.
Nimra took her hand and carefully guided her closer.
"Lily up," the tiny pregnant woman announced.
Noor looked confused.
"Lily, Hassan is getting married and this is Noor, Hassan's bride," Nimra explained.
Lilith gasped.
"Really? Yayyyyyy!"
She clapped excitedly.
"Is she okay?" Noor asked.
"Nope," Sabrina replied.
"Lily is mentally unstable. She is our Boss Wife, the Queen of the Underworld. Our Queen," Nimra whispered.
"Hi!" Lily said cheerfully.
"Hello, love. What's your name?" Noor asked.
"I…L…L…Lilith. And Lily has a baby in her tummy."
Noor touched her bump.
"Aww. So, so cute."
Lilith smiled.
She picked up a bowl of turmeric and gently applied some to Noor's face.
"She pretty," Lily giggled.
Everyone laughed.
"Come on, Lilith. You must be hungry," Darya said.
"Uh huh."
"Let's feed you before the henna ceremony," Rima added.
"Mkay. Bye bye pretty lady."
Noor waved.
Inside the house, Lily hurried in.
"Nikki! Lily hungry!"
"Hi Nikki!"
Nikolai immediately hugged her.
"Hi Bambi."
Everyone was eating together.
"Nikki, Lily had a good dream. Lily two second Lily day I be ok s…s…s…soon and baby be like you but Lily no be with Nikki cause Nikki made Lily sad and Lily go away and no come back with baby."
Tiny tears formed in her eyes as she held onto his shirt.
"Oh baby. But did Lily and baby come back home to her Nikki?" Elena asked.
"Yes! Lily did! Baby hug Nikki and Lily go to school!"
She clapped happily.
"The best school ever," Nikolai said.
She nodded enthusiastically.
"And baby said she loved her papa."
Everyone immediately froze.
"That means it's a girl!" Hana exclaimed.
"Not so fast. We haven't done a scan yet. Wait first," Enzo said.
Nikolai chuckled and fed Lily.
At that moment Damian entered.
"The weapons are here, Boss," he whispered.
Nikolai nodded.
Lilith continued eating.
"I accept bank transfer if Beanie is a girl," Emil announced.
Brandon laughed.
"$200 million."
"Deal."
"600," Kalma added.
Lily giggled at all of them.
By nightfall, Tarry patted Dylan back to sleep. He kissed his forehead and carefully laid him down.
Elena was already asleep.
Tarry stepped outside and walked toward the hall.
Nikolai, Yulian, Meghan, Daria, Zhanna, Arina, and Taran (Massimo) sat around a large table.
"We have a problem. They have dragged our wives and your husbands into this. According to Mom, we are married, except Lian and Meghan. They think because it isn't them, they can replace our family with theirs."
Nikolai leaned back.
"Brother, can't they just meet us? Must we go?" Daria asked.
"No. Only if we want to invite them."
"I heard what they did to Grandma. They made her suffer because she wasn't blood and wanted her to have a son. They are obsessed with sons. Sons are their pride," Taran said.
"Yulian, look at me."
Yulian raised his eyes.
Nikolai held his younger brother's face.
"Don't let them get to you. They are green snakes in green grass. Stay away from them and stay close to Meg. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Brother."
"They are planning something, right? Then let's show them what we are capable of," Arina said.
"Zee," Taran muttered.
"Everyone keep your weapons close at all times."
Arina nodded.
"Brother, Lily is carrying your child and they are preparing something big and trying to hurt her and the baby?" Yulian asked.
"I have different emergency plans ready just in case."
"I hope everything goes well," Zhanna said.
"It will. Also, the money I sent all of you was for shopping. I believe you all know that. Wear whatever the fuck you want. Shorts, long clothes, traditional clothes. But if they strike first, we will burn them down."
"This is going to be so, so much fun," Yulian said drunkenly.
"Oh, it will be," Arina agreed.
"So what's the plan?" Zhanna asked.
Nikolai exhaled smoke.
The discussion continued late into the night as everyone shared ideas and listened to Nikolai's strategy.
The next morning, Dr. Maira checked Lilith.
"You are going to stay quiet all day, sweetie, okay?"
"Shhhhh today?" the tiny pregnant woman asked.
"Yes baby. Shhhhh day."
Darya winked at her.
Maira blushed.
Today was the wedding day.
The Nikah (the Islamic marriage ceremony where the marriage contract is signed).
And the Walima (the wedding reception hosted by the groom's family after the marriage).
Najma opened a door.
"Hassan?" she called.
"Yeah?"
Hassan stood before everyone wearing a luxurious midnight blue sherwani adorned with intricate silver embroidery, tailored trousers, and regal loafers, exuding timeless elegance.
Najma smiled proudly.
"Brother looks very handsome!" Mirza said.
Zarmina leaned against the wall while smoking.
Hassan looked at Nimra.
Both siblings nodded at the same time.
Then they rushed forward and hugged Najma tightly.
After years of longing to hold her children, they were finally in her arms.
"Thank you, Ammi (mother)."
"We don't hate you."
"We love you."
"And we missed you so much."
Najma burst into tears and kissed their faces repeatedly.
This was all she had ever wished for.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
All three cried together.
Meanwhile Noor sat quietly while the women finished putting on her jewelry.
"Noor, we'll get the rest now," Rima said.
"Wawwwwww."
Lilith stared at Noor.
"B…B…B…Be…e…eautiful."
"Thank you, Lily."
Lilith kissed Noor's forehead.
Suddenly Noor noticed the necklace around Lilith's neck.
"The second one… OTG. Gem of the Obsidian Trail…"
Her eyes widened.
"Y…Y…You… Sohan Muard's daughter?"
Lilith nodded.
"What?!" Najma exclaimed.
"Lily Finch? She is Sohan Muard's daughter? Why didn't you tell us? Do you want us killed? Do you know one of our family members died because of him?"
Najma looked at Nimra.
"Wait. You don't know Farhan is also his son and Lilith's sibling?" Nimra asked.
"Seriously? Nia, Sohan was a very dangerous man. Back in university, whenever he walked through the halls, teachers and students trembled."
"No way. You went to the same university?" Hassan asked.
"Yep."
"So she is Riyana's daughter, right?"
"Yep. Sohan has eight sons and one gorgeous daughter," Nikolai said as he kissed Lily's cheeks.
She giggled.
"Let's go!" Nimra announced.
Everyone got into the cars and left.
At the mosque, Noor sat praying.
"Thank you Ya Allah for answering my prayers. Please bless this marriage and guide me."
She stood and walked into the hall.
Guests congratulated her as she passed.
She saw her family.
Her stepmother burned with anger.
Mr. Ghulman stared at his daughter wearing a dark midnight blue bridal lehenga embellished with shimmering silver handwork, a flowing dupatta, and dazzling jewelry.
She looked majestic and graceful.
"Mother, look at her. She's wearing expensive royal jewelry worth a fortune," Aleena whispered.
"We need to take her back," Hira hissed.
"No. She is getting married. Noor will leave both you and us."
Mr. Ghulman walked toward Noor.
She trembled.
"Noor."
"Yes sir."
He bent down.
Noor squeezed her eyes shut, expecting a slap.
Instead, he kissed her forehead.
She opened her eyes in shock.
"Congratulations, my child. May your marriage be blessed. Make your mother and me proud. She will always be proud of you."
Tears rolled down Noor's face.
She hugged him.
He hugged her back.
"Take care of yourself."
She nodded.
The women gently led her away.
Hassan entered the mosque.
Everyone greeted him.
The ceremony began.
Proposal of Marriage (The marriage contract is presented to the bride and groom)
Hassan signed first.
The papers were then given to Noor.
She signed as well.
Everyone applauded.
"Mother, come on. Are they here yet?" Eshal asked.
"Almost," Hira replied.
Then came the Consent (Qubool Hai).
"Do you, Noor Ghulman Murtaza, accept Hassan Yusupov as your lawful husband?" the Imam asked.
"I do… I… do. I do."
Everyone clapped.
"Hassan, do you accept Noor Ghulman as your lawful wife?"
"I do. I do. I do."
"Yayyyyyy!" Lily shouted.
Then came the Mahr Agreement.
Hassan typed on his phone.
"She gets seventy million dollars and admission to a private university in Russia."
Silence.
"Ya Allah…" Hira whispered.
Aleena stared.
Mr. Ghulman blinked repeatedly.
Noor glared at Hassan.
Her expression clearly asked:
Are you crazy?
Hassan winked.
"So you accept, Noor?" the Imam asked.
"Say yes," Nimra whispered.
"Yes."
"Congratulations."
The ceremony continued with the Duas (prayers for a happy and blessed marriage).
Everyone prayed together.
The mosque soon filled with congratulations.
Lily stood beside Nikolai with her head covered by a veil while he rested a hand on her bump.
Hira and her daughters approached Noor.
"Congratulations, my dear."
"T…Thank you."
Hira smiled bitterly.
Nimra stepped forward.
"We are leaving tomorrow. Noor will travel with us and then return to Russia to study. You will never see her again."
"You mean we can't call or visit?" Eshal asked.
"No. We live in a hidden mansion in Russia. Nobody knows about it except us. As for calls, I don't think Noor will want that."
Hira looked furious.
"This should have been one of you," she whispered to her daughters.
"Especially me," Eshal muttered.
"I want him."
She walked away.
Nearby, Hassan handed Mr. Ghulman a card.
"This is my private number. Only you get to call me once a month."
"Thank you."
Then Eshal walked over.
"Just so you know, if Noor ever bores you, I can be your second wife."
Hassan looked disgusted.
"Eshal!"
Mr. Ghulman shouted.
"What a cheap offer. No. Noor is my wife. I don't do second wives or other women. I stay loyal forever. Besides, Noor will always be with me. Got it? Now get lost."
Eshal stormed away angrily.
"Handle your daughters and your wife."
Mr. Ghulman nodded silently.
By evening, the Walima (reception hosted by the groom's family) was complete.
Noor sat by a window.
Hassan entered.
"Noor, we have to pack."
She looked at him.
Then she climbed down from the window seat and took his hand.
"Thank you, sir. Thank you."
She placed his hand against her forehead.
Hassan chuckled.
"We are married now, Noor. Just call me Hassan."
He hugged her.
She hugged him back.
"Hassan," she whispered.
"When you are ready, we will continue our married life properly. But tonight we sleep."
Noor blushed and nodded.
They took their baths, lay down together, and soon fell asleep.
The next morning after breakfast:
"Bye Mom," Hassan and Nimra said.
Najma kissed their foreheads.
"Goodbye."
"Bye Grandma."
Rashida kissed their cheeks.
The siblings hugged their sisters whose bags were already packed.
"Did you all get the tickets?" Hassan asked.
"Yes, Brother."
Zarmina checked her phone.
"Good. Our assistant will be waiting for you. Take care of yourselves. Get to the university on time and complete your applications."
"Okay."
Najma suddenly took Zarmina's hand and kissed it.
"You are my daughter too. And I love you so much."
Zarmina froze.
Then tears filled her eyes.
"Thank you."
Rashida approached Noor.
"This is for you."
She handed Noor a golden bangle.
"It is for all the daughters-in-law."
Noor hugged her.
Then Najma approached Lilith.
"This is for your baby and for you."
She handed over a jewelry set, a smaller jewelry set for the baby, and several baby items.
"Thank you Aunties!" Lily said happily.
She hugged them tightly.
Everyone climbed into the cars and headed for the airport.
At the airport, the girls waved goodbye to Hassan and Nimra before boarding their plane.
Nikolai walked behind them.
"Teg is waiting for you at home."
"Thank you, Boss. We will always be loyal to you until our last breath."
"Come on. We are family now. Let's go."
Kalma grinned.
"I got dem dresses, ladies!"
"Yayyyyyyyy!" the women cheered.
"Now we know what to do, right?" Arina asked.
"Yes."
Nikolai covered Lily's ears while she happily watched a game nearby.
"Next up…"
He looked ahead.
"India."