The entire mansion was silent.
Everyone was asleep.
The halls were dark.
The celebrations had ended.
Only a few security guards remained awake outside.
Inside their room, Nikolai sat beside the bed.
Lilith was sleeping peacefully against him.
The clock had already passed midnight.
Nikolai's eyes refused to close.
His laptop rested on his lap.
His fingers moved across the keyboard continuously.
Research.
Planning.
Preparation.
Protection.
He purchased more houses across different countries.
He contacted agents.
Installed security systems.
Ordered cameras for every property.
Prepared emergency accommodations.
Created backup plans.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Eventually he paused.
His gaze shifted toward Lily.
She looked peaceful.
Safe.
Beautiful.
He gently rubbed her cheeks.
She immediately snuggled closer to him.
Nikolai smiled softly.
Hours passed.
The mansion remained asleep.
Finally, after three in the morning, exhaustion caught him.
His laptop slipped aside.
Nikolai wrapped his arm around Lily and eventually fell asleep.
The next morning breakfast was already being served.
The dining hall buzzed with conversation.
"Where is Kaal?" Falak asked.
"Asleep with his wife."
Taran smiled while feeding Dylan.
"Brother works at night sometimes and sleeps late."
At that moment Zhanna entered.
"Good morning."
She kissed her father's cheek.
"Morning Papa."
She sat beside Yulian and Salvatore.
Zhanna leaned over and kissed Salvatore.
"Morning baby."
"Good morning sweetheart."
She touched his neck.
"Your fever is getting better?"
"A little."
Salvatore sighed.
"My head still hurts though."
Zhanna rubbed his hand gently.
Everyone continued eating.
The family tree was large.
Gurleen had four children.
Three sons:
Hardeep.
Rehmat.
Tejinder.
And one daughter:
Avleen.
Sanjot had three daughters.
She had lost her husband years ago.
Their names were:
Pritam.
Jarnail.
Virsa.
Afsana had two children.
A son named Lakha.
And a daughter named Seerat.
Japleen had four children.
Two boys:
Arshnoor.
Rabia.
And two girls:
Mehtab.
Gurshaan.
Falak had seven children.
Six sons:
Sucha.
Bishan.
Desraj.
Jagtar.
Karnailjit.
And another son named Harpal.
One daughter:
Wazir.
Diler remained unmarried.
Pratap had twin sons.
His wife died during childbirth.
Their names were:
Ekam.
Onkar.
Balraj also remained unmarried.
But among all of them one story remained hidden.
Jagtar.
His wife was named Amanat.
She was young.
Pregnant.
Trapped.
Broken.
Their marriage had been arranged.
Jagtar physically abused her.
Mentally abused her.
Cheated on her with maids.
Slept with different women.
Humiliated her daily.
One day he burned her throat with hot coals.
After that she lost her voice.
She became mute.
Unable to speak.
Yet Jagtar lied.
He told everyone she accidentally drank something harmful.
Amanat had nobody.
No family.
No home.
No one to protect her.
She was completely alone.
Two days later.
After breakfast.
Kehar searched everywhere for Nikolai.
The family sat chatting.
Then Nikolai finally appeared downstairs.
Lilith walked beside him rubbing her eyes sleepily.
Kehar's heart nearly stopped.
He looked unfairly handsome.
Nikolai sat beside Lily.
"Ready my love?"
Lily nodded.
The doctors gathered.
Everyone left for the hospital.
Meanwhile inside the mansion.
Sergei walked through a hallway.
Suddenly—
Sobbing.
He stopped.
The sound came from a room nearby.
Sergei approached a large window.
Then his expression darkened.
Jagtar was inside.
Holding a belt.
Striking Amanat repeatedly.
Sergei's AI glasses immediately began recording.
Amanat fell to her knees.
Holding Jagtar's feet.
Begging silently.
Trying desperately to speak.
Jagtar kicked her away.
Sergei clenched his fists.
Amanat instinctively covered her bump.
At that moment Meghan appeared.
She noticed Sergei.
Then she looked through the window.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh my goodness."
Inside the room Jagtar continued screaming.
"I told you to wash her clothes but you didn't you brat!"
The belt struck again.
Again.
Again.
"Looks like burning your throat with hot coals didn't teach you a lesson!"
Amanat trembled violently.
Bruises covered her body.
Tears soaked her face.
Then Jagtar grabbed a container.
Boiling water.
"If you give birth to a girl I will kill you and that bastard!"
Amanat froze.
"If it's a boy you have my love!"
He laughed.
"I have so many women dying to be with me."
"Nobody will know how you die with the baby."
Amanat shielded her bump.
The boiling water splashed across her arms.
She screamed.
Not words.
Only painful sounds.
Meghan snapped.
"Fuck this."
She kicked the doors open.
Jagtar jumped in shock.
Meghan grabbed his hair.
Dragged him across the floor.
Meanwhile Sergei entered the room.
He approached Amanat carefully.
When his hand reached toward her she flinched violently.
Trembling.
Terrified.
Sergei sighed.
"Hey."
No response.
Only fear.
Downstairs Meghan dragged Jagtar into the living room.
The entire family gathered.
"HOW DARE YOU HIT A GIRL YOU BLOODY MONSTER!"
She kicked him hard.
"What happened?" Mr William shouted.
"This bastard hurt his wife!"
Meghan screamed.
"He poured boiling water on her!"
"He kicked her bump!"
"She is in terrible condition because of him!"
Meghan pulled out her gun.
Bang.
Bang.
She shot him in the leg.
Then the arm.
"My child!" Falak screamed.
"MOVE!"
Meghan roared.
Falak stepped back.
"You didn't teach your sons manners!"
Meghan pointed directly at Falak.
"You didn't teach them not to hit women!"
"YOUR SON USED HOT COALS TO BURN HIS WIFE'S THROAT!"
"LOOK AT HER CONDITION!"
"HOW CAN HE DO THIS TO HER!"
She kicked him again.
And again.
And again.
Yulian finally grabbed Meghan.
Others joined.
She continued kicking the air.
"Animal!"
"Calm down."
"Calm down."
Arina held her tightly.
Falak rushed toward her son.
"What happened my dear? See how she thrashed you."
"Call the doctor!"
Falak shouted.
Pratap glared.
"William don't you know how to teach your daughters manners?"
The room became silent.
Mr William slowly turned toward him.
His voice was calm.
Deadly calm.
"Don't ever raise your voice at me if you want to live."
Pratap immediately closed his mouth.
"Wow."
Seerat blinked.
"This family has a powerful aura."
"No kidding."
Avleen nodded.
Surinder finally spoke.
"Where is Amanat?"
"Well."
Meghan folded her arms.
"She is bleeding."
The room froze.
"And guess what?"
She pointed toward Jagtar.
"He sleeps around with different women while having a wife."
"Is this what all of you teach your sons?"
Silence.
"Everyone in this family proud of that?"
"Hey bitch look at me."
She pointed at Falak.
"Your son is an animal."
"No."
She shook her head.
"I am a beast."
"He is a woman beater."
"That's what he is."
Mrs Francesca hugged Meghan.
"Calm down Meg."
Meghan breathed heavily.
Then Sergei entered.
"Call the ambulance."
Everyone looked toward him.
"She is in a lot of pain."
"She passed out."
Bishan immediately grabbed his phone.
"Oh my gosh."
Hana covered her mouth.
Sergei ran outside.
Started a vehicle.
And drove straight toward the hospital.
At the hospital.
"Welcome Mrs Lily."
A female doctor smiled.
"Hi."
Lily smiled back.
She lay on the examination bed.
"Alright. How are you feeling?"
"Hmm."
"Lily Mkay."
The doctor looked confused.
Nikolai spoke.
"She is in a childlike state."
"Oh."
The doctor smiled apologetically.
"My apologies."
She placed gel across Lily's bump.
The monitor came alive.
Nikolai held Lily's hand.
"How many months now?" the doctor asked.
"Four months," Dr Clara answered.
The doctor nodded.
Then—
Sound filled the room.
Dub dub dub dub dub dub dub dub.
Nikolai froze.
His eyes locked onto the screen.
There.
His baby.
His Beanie.
Alive.
Growing.
Beautiful.
"T…Can I hear it again please?"
The doctor smiled.
She adjusted the scanner.
Again.
Dub dub dub dub dub dub dub dub.
Nikolai covered his mouth.
A small laugh escaped.
Tears formed.
"Alright Mom and Dad."
The doctor grinned.
"Looks like we have a little baby…"
Everyone waited.
Nikolai squeezed Lily's hand.
"…Baby Girl."
Silence.
Then—
"Congratulations."
"YES!"
Nikolai shouted.
The doctors erupted.
Cheering.
Laughing.
Hugging.
"Awwww."
Leonid sighed dramatically.
"No boy."
Nikolai chuckled through tears.
"Beanie Girl?" Lily asked.
"Yes Bambi."
Nikolai kissed her hand.
"Beanie Girl."
"Our girl."
Lily clapped excitedly.
"Yayyyyyyy!"
More tests followed.
Everything looked perfect.
Mother healthy.
Baby healthy.
Both were thriving.
When they exited the room they noticed Sergei standing outside the ICU.
Lost in thought.
"Sergei?"
No response.
"Sergei!"
He flinched.
"Yes Boss. Sorry."
"What are you doing here?"
Before Sergei could answer Meghan arrived.
"Is she okay now?"
"Who?" Nikolai asked.
Meghan explained everything.
The room fell silent.
"What the hell…"
Dr Rafael stared in disbelief.
"Hot coals into her throat?"
Nikolai looked stunned.
"He ruined her ability to speak?"
Lily looked toward the ICU window.
Sergei clenched his fists.
He rarely smiled.
Rarely laughed.
Only coldness existed around him.
Finally he spoke.
"Boss…"
Nervous.
Uncertain.
"Can I take her from here?"
Nikolai looked at him.
Amanat was young.
Pregnant.
Broken.
Unsafe.
Yet she remained legally married.
"I give you four days."
Sergei looked up.
"She is still married."
"You can't simply take her."
"But Boss—"
"I have an idea."
Meghan interrupted.
She whispered her plan.
Sergei listened.
Then nodded.
Everyone left.
Except Sergei.
Back at the mansion.
Kehar wore an elegant saree.
She wanted Nikolai's attention.
Instead she found him holding Lily's bump.
"Sooooooo!?"
Capsian shouted.
Lily handed everyone cupcakes.
They took a bite.
Pink icing.
"GIRL!"
Kalma screamed.
Some people groaned.
Others cheered.
"More doll houses!" Crya yelled.
"Yesssss!"
Capsian celebrated.
The Punjabi family watched.
Stunned.
They were celebrating.
A girl.
A baby girl.
Japleen smiled softly.
"At least they appreciate our gender."
Gurleen nodded sadly.
"While we get insulted if our first child is a girl."
Balraj sighed.
"I feel bad for Amanat."
He looked at Falak.
"Your son burned her throat."
"What kind of cruelty is that?"
Falak looked furious.
Just then Meghan entered chewing gum.
Lilith danced with the Red Order.
Nikolai smiled watching her.
"Hey Girl!"
Falak stormed toward Meghan.
"How dare you hit my son!"
Meghan burst out laughing.
"HEY!"
Falak shouted.
"HEY WHAT!?"
Meghan's voice exploded.
Falak flinched.
"Look at me."
Meghan stepped closer.
"I am fire."
"A burning one."
"Wherever I go people tremble."
"Not because of my brother."
"Because I am Meghan."
"I make people burn."
Falak stared.
"Now you're going to do something for your stupid son."
"And what is that?"
"Sign this."
Meghan handed over papers.
"These are divorce papers."
"I got Amanat's signature."
"What!?"
"You want the baby right?"
"Then sign."
Falak reluctantly agreed.
Later Meghan entered Jagtar's room.
"Hellooooooo."
Jagtar instantly became nervous.
"Sign here."
"What is this?"
"Sign first."
Her smile vanished.
Jagtar signed.
"Good boy."
She took back the papers.
"Now these are divorce papers."
"What!?"
"Yes."
Meghan grinned.
"She isn't staying here anymore."
"Her and her baby."
"I am sending her to Russia."
"She will continue her studies."
"You can't do that!"
"She's my wife!"
Meghan exploded.
"IF SHE WAS YOUR WIFE YOU WOULD NOT TREAT HER THIS WAY!"
The room fell silent.
"Bye bye."
She walked away.
Leaving Jagtar speechless.
Later Kehar watched Nikolai again.
Lilith slept on his lap.
His hand rubbed her bump while speaking on the phone.
"Yes."
"Get all the baby things prepared."
Kehar bit her lip.
Obsessed.
Then her gaze shifted toward Lily.
Hatred filled her eyes.
Suddenly an idea formed.
She went directly to Surinder.
"Dadi."
"Yes dear."
"I was wondering if we could host a party for Kaal and his family."
"We haven't welcomed them properly."
Surinder considered it.
"Hmmm."
"I think we should."
"The day after tomorrow?"
Kehar suggested.
"Okay."
"We will prepare."
Kehar smiled.
Then left.
Moments later she made a phone call.
"Yes."
"I need those pills immediately."
"Get them here within twenty minutes."
She ended the call.
A sinister smile appeared.
"I will make him mine."
"She is mad."
"She doesn't understand."
"All of Kaal's wealth."
"His property."
"And Kaal himself."
"They belong to me."
She laughed quietly.
Amanat was eventually sent to Russia for recovery.
Yet Sergei couldn't stop thinking about her.
Her tears.
Her fear.
Her pain.
No matter how hard he tried.
She remained in his mind.
The following morning.
Breakfast was served.
"We are going to have a party tomorrow."
Surinder announced.
Everyone murmured.
Lily watched the window quietly.
Rubbing her bump.
Nikolai worked on a new project.
Then Kehar approached.
"Hi Kaal. How are you?"
"Okay."
He looked up.
"And you are?"
Her smile faltered.
"I am Kehar."
"Your family gave a marriage proposal to me."
"I accepted."
Nikolai scoffed.
"Then go home."
Her smile disappeared.
"Excuse me?"
"I am married."
He pointed toward Lily.
"You can see that."
"I am going to be a father."
"So pack your bags and leave."
"If you want to live."
Kehar stared.
"What do you mean?"
Nikolai's voice became cold.
"My wife."
He pointed at Lily.
"Can kill."
"I don't want anything ruining my marriage."
"So leave peacefully."
"Or your body will be returned to your family."
"Get lost."
Kehar's jaw tightened.
"You think it's that easy?"
She stepped closer.
"I am staying."
"And I will have you."
Nikolai stood.
His eyes darkened.
Something inside Kehar trembled.
Yet she continued.
"I'm sure she bores you."
"She's a child."
"I'm a real woman."
She touched his arm seductively.
Wrong move.
Nikolai grabbed her wrist.
Twisted.
She screamed.
"Stay away from me."
His voice was terrifying.
"And stay away from Lily."
He pushed her away.
Then walked out.
Kehar smiled.
"It is only the beginning Kaal."
That evening at dinner.
"Great Grandma."
Nikolai continued eating.
"Yes child?"
"If a proposal gets rejected."
Everyone looked up.
"And the man is clearly married."
He took another bite.
"Why is that person still here?"
Silence.
Surinder immediately understood.
"Uhmmm…"
"Nothing."
"Then send her home."
Nikolai smiled.
"Right now."
"What?" Sanjot objected.
"Kehar isn't an outsider."
"She is family."
Yulian laughed.
"Then she must have married you."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Lily cleared her throat.
Immediately—
"Sorry Lily."
Everyone returned to eating.
Japleen blinked.
"They listened to her without her speaking."
Nikolai smiled.
"So please send your guest home."
"She has overstayed her welcome."
Afsana tried to protest.
But Surinder raised her hand.
"Kehar."
"My apologies."
"You will have to leave."
"But Grandma—"
"I will send my apologies to your father."
Kehar slammed the table.
Then stormed away.
A few minutes later.
"Nick."
Farhan's voice was serious.
"Yes?"
"Nihal got shot."
The room froze.
"And Reyan was in an accident."
Lily looked up instantly.
"Don't worry Baby."
Farhan quickly spoke.
"They are fine."
"Nihu…"
"Rey…"
Her voice became clearer.
But broke with emotion.
"They are okay."
"I promise."
Lily shook her head.
"Nunu c…c…c…call now."
"L…Lily talk now."
Panic spread through her.
Nikolai immediately stood.
"Come here love."
He carried her toward their room.
"Calm down."
He handed her water.
She drank shakily.
Meanwhile Farhan explained.
"Nihal was at a party."
"A group attacked him."
"He shot them."
"But he got shot in the back."
"And Rey's brakes failed."
"The car crashed."
Nikolai's thoughts immediately returned to Sohan's dreams.
The warnings.
The preparations.
The fear.
Lily cried quietly.
Nikolai rubbed her hand.
"Shhhhh."
"It is okay."
He pulled her into his arms.
Holding her tightly.
Protectively.
Possessively.
He kissed her forehead.
And whispered so softly that only she could hear.
"I don't want to lose you."
Lily sniffled.
Then buried her face against his chest as Nikolai held her through the night.