The gym echoed with the relentless sound of fists colliding against a heavy punching bag.
Thud
Thud
Thud
Nikolai's knuckles slammed into the bag over and over again. Sweat dripped down his face, soaked his shirt, and rolled down his muscular arms. His breathing was rough and uneven.
Everything is trying to fall apart
He thought bitterly.
He rubbed his face with both hands before moving toward the weight rack. Gripping the bar tightly, he began lifting faster and harder than usual.
Across the gym, Kehar watched him.
Her eyes lingered on him.
There was desire in them.
"Let make him yours," Falak said.
Kehar nodded slowly with a smile.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Lilith slept peacefully.
But inside her mind, memories were moving.
Fragments.
Pieces.
Broken moments.
Faces.
Voices.
They appeared and disappeared like shattered glass trying to reconnect.
After finishing his workout and taking a shower, Nikolai entered their room.
The moment he stepped inside, he noticed Lilith gripping the bedsheets tightly.
Her body shifted slightly.
Her brows were furrowed.
He immediately sat beside her.
Gently.
Carefully.
His fingers moved through her hair.
A few moments later, the doctors entered.
"Boss we have an idea," Dr Liv said.
"Hm?" Nikolai asked.
"We need to trigger her to be able get Lilith fully normal," Dr Rafael said.
Nikolai listened carefully.
"Like reconnecting with her past to boost her memory and being in familiar surroundings you used to be and also seeing the she loves in danger that can actually boost her memory again," Dr Leonid explained.
Nikolai looked down at Lilith.
Then he nodded.
"Then we will have to go to New York then," Nikolai said.
The doctors nodded.
Nikolai gently held Lilith's hand.
Then he kissed her forehead.
Three days later.
Lilith sat in the garden surrounded by the women.
She giggled.
She clapped happily.
Not far away, Kehar wore a net saree and applied makeup carefully.
After making herself look perfect, she walked toward Nikolai's room.
She entered.
Immediately she saw him packing luggage.
Lilith's luggage.
His luggage.
She frowned.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"None of your business," he said coldly while zipping Lilith's suitcase.
Kehar stepped closer.
"You can stay here—"
"I don't care," he interrupted.
"But you can't just leave Kaal it not even a week!" Kehar said.
"It more than a week Ms I strongly believe you."
His expression darkened.
"Mind your business and get out of my room."
He continued packing his clothes and zipped another bag.
Kehar reached forward and touched his shoulders.
"GET OUT!"
Nikolai roared.
Kehar flinched immediately.
She stepped backward.
Without another word, Nikolai slammed the door directly in her face.
Kehar walked away angrily.
Later that evening everyone gathered for dinner.
The atmosphere was calm.
Until Nikolai spoke.
"Am taking Lilith to New York tomorrow."
Everyone looked up.
"Your leaving Kaal?" Surinder asked.
"Yes."
"Lily and I are going to New York."
"But can't you stay a little longer you come after so many years Kaal," Sanjot said.
"My wife health is more important to me."
The table became quiet.
Then Nikolai spoke again.
"So how about this you can come to Russia and my men will pick you guys up Hm?"
The family exchanged looks.
"Okay we will visit you," Surinder said.
Nikolai nodded.
Then his gaze shifted.
"And don't bring her."
He pointed directly at Kehar.
"Why can't I come?" Kehar demanded.
"Your not invited nor are you family."
The room became silent.
"Your trying to destroy brother marriage that why you didn't leave when we told you to so why not?" Arina said.
"Enough!"
Kehar slammed her hand on the table.
"Who do you all think you are to insult me in such manner!"
Immediately Zhanna stood.
"Who the fuck are you yelling at Huh?"
Kehar glared.
"Because of this mad girl your insulting me—"
Smack!
A plate suddenly flew across the table.
It struck Kehar directly on the head.
Everyone froze.
Lilith stood there.
Angry.
Protective.
"Meanie no y…yell at Lily Nikki."
She wrapped her arms around Nikolai's arm.
Nikolai patted her head gently.
"You will pay for this!" Kehar shouted.
Yulian casually threw money at her.
"I hope it will cover up."
The family watched as Kehar stormed out of the house.
The moment she disappeared—
"Bye!!"
Everyone shouted together.
Laughter erupted throughout the dining room.
A while later Nikolai turned toward Surinder.
"So great grandma do come Okay?"
"Next month we will," Surinder promised.
The next morning at sunrise everyone gathered outside.
Nikolai and Lilith said their goodbyes.
Japleen stepped forward.
"This is for your baby."
She handed Lilith a beautiful golden Punjabi family bracelet.
Lilith smiled brightly.
"Thank you pretty auntie."
Everyone laughed.
She waved excitedly as she and Nikolai entered the car.
Soon the vehicle drove away.
Two hours later they were aboard the private plane.
Damian leaned closer and whispered something into Nikolai's ear.
Nikolai listened.
Then nodded.
The aircraft continued its journey across the skies.
Eventually they arrived at New York Airport.
The moment Lilith stepped outside she did a small happy dance.
Everyone smiled.
Soon they drove toward the family estate.
Inside the mansion, Sohan sat with his older cousin Mr Thaniel.
Beside him were his children.
Patrick.
Gerald.
Dagon.
And his daughters.
Alecto.
Corvina.
Suddenly a cheerful voice echoed through the room.
"Hi Baba!"
Lilith ran inside with her arms spread wide.
Sohan immediately stood.
"Oh my sweet baby how are you my child."
He hugged her tightly.
"How is Beanie?" he asked.
Lilith smiled proudly.
"Baba beanie girl!"
"Baby girl?"
"That wonderful love."
Mr Thaniel smiled.
"Hi Lily how are you?"
"Lily fine and you Uncle?"
"Am fine love."
He pointed toward the younger family members.
"Remember them?"
Lilith looked at them carefully.
Then shook her head.
At that moment Nikolai entered.
"Greetings Father."
He folded his hands respectfully.
As the family entered, Nikolai bent down and touched Sohan's feet.
Gerald stared.
"That Nikolai Devereaux?"
Corvina's eyes widened.
She could not stop staring at him.
He sat beside Sohan calmly.
"Congratulations on the baby girl," Sohan said.
"Thank you," Nikolai replied.
Moments later Riyana and Anika entered.
"Lily!" Anika shouted.
She hugged Lilith tightly.
"Annieee!"
Lilith hugged her back.
Anika gently tapped her bump.
"Beanie girl?"
Lilith nodded proudly.
"Really!?" Riyana exclaimed.
Lilith nodded again and hugged her.
By evening, Nikolai sat with Sohan discussing plans.
Documents.
Security systems.
Properties.
Future arrangements.
Everything.
Sohan examined every detail carefully.
Then nodded.
"Everything is ready."
Nikolai sat holding Lilith's teddy bear.
Both men carefully placed something inside it together.
When they finished, Sohan zipped the teddy bear closed.
Later, Nikolai checked cameras around the world.
Father and husband.
Working together.
Five days later.
Lilith sat peacefully drawing pictures.
Nearby, Corvina flipped her hair.
A smile spread across her face.
"Now to start."
She walked away.
Her plan was already moving.
Meanwhile Nikolai spoke with Karim.
"Uncle I can help you with these files," Corvina offered.
She opened the folders.
Sohan nodded approvingly.
She had been helping everyone.
Helping the boys.
Helping the family.
Getting closer.
Building trust.
It was all part of her plan.
Elsewhere, Adnana hugged Trinta.
She hugged him back.
He cupped her face.
Then kissed her lovingly.
Night eventually arrived.
Nikolai stood outside.
The doctors stood nearby.
They all nodded at the same time.
This was it.
Their final attempt.
Their final chance.
Then Lilith came outside.
"Nikki!"
Nikolai turned toward her.
Inside the house everyone watched through the windows.
Riyana clasped her hands together.
"Dear God this is our last chance to get our child back to normal."
She prayed quietly.
Lilith walked toward Nikolai.
"Beanie full now."
She clapped happily.
Nikolai kissed her forehead.
Then they started walking through the streets together.
"Nikki name Beanie?"
"Yes Bambi."
"Name?"
"It a secret."
Lilith giggled.
Nikolai leaned closer and whispered the baby's name into her ear.
Instantly she blushed.
Then giggled even more.
Behind them, the family followed quietly.
Watching.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Lilith happily swung their joined hands as they walked.
Suddenly Nikolai looked back.
Then nodded.
The signal had been given.
A loud truck horn suddenly echoed through the street.
HOOOOONK!
Lilith froze.
Her body stiffened.
Slowly she turned around.
A truck was speeding directly toward them.
Then she looked back at Nikolai.
He was looking down at his phone.
Everything stopped.
A flash.
Another flash.
Then another.
Memories exploded inside her mind.
Riyana.
Voices.
Faces.
Pain.
Love.
Fear.
"NIKKI!!"
She screamed.
Nikolai looked up.
Without hesitation Lilith lunged forward.
She grabbed him by the neck.
Then pulled him violently to the ground.
The truck rushed past.
Missing them.
Lilith remained standing.
Her entire body trembled.
More memories.
More flashes.
More voices.
Everything crashed together.
Past.
Present.
Pain.
Love.
Family.
Nikolai.
Baby.
Life.
She screamed.
A loud heartbreaking scream.
Then collapsed.
Unconscious.
Everyone rushed toward her.
Nikolai caught her before she hit the ground.
"Bambi?"
His voice shook.
"Bambi!?"
Dr Clara immediately rushed forward.
She injected the ultimate dose behind Lilith's head near her neck.
Everyone held their breath.
Nikolai carried Lilith back home.
Carefully.
Protectively.
Once inside, he laid her gently on the bed.
The doctors checked her.
The family waited.
No one spoke.
Now they wait.
Meanwhile.
Inside Lilith's mind.
The broken pathways of her brain were reconnecting.
Memories were returning.
Piece by piece.
Moment by moment.
Year by year.
Could it be?
What doctors had been trying to fix for years.
What everyone had been praying for.
What Nikolai had nearly destroyed himself trying to save.
Was finally coming back together?