Three days later…
Inside Nikolai's mansion, Nikolai folded the sleeves of his black shirt before walking into the security room.
Dozens of surveillance monitors displayed every camera throughout the apartment building where Lilith and Mila were staying.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
One monitor showed little Mila slowly crawling down the hallway before pushing open the bedroom door.
Inside…
Lilith was still lying on the bed.
"Hi, my baby girl."
She smiled warmly before kissing Mila's forehead.
Mila happily crawled onto the bed.
She rolled onto her back, grabbed both of her tiny feet with her hands, and rocked from side to side.
Nikolai couldn't help smirking.
Then he heard Lilith whisper.
"Mama has little money left…"
"I need to get a phone for school…"
"…but you need milk."
Lilith gently tickled Mila's tummy.
"My little cute sweet girl."
Mila burst into loud giggles.
Nikolai watched the monitor silently.
"How will I get her back home…?"
He rubbed his jaw.
"God…"
"Please show me a way."
A little later…
Lilith carried Mila downstairs.
She walked toward the receptionist.
"Excuse me…"
"Can I use your computer?"
"Sure, Mrs. Lily."
"Thank you."
Lilith sat down before opening an online electronics store.
She searched for mobile phones.
₽9,000…
₽12,500…
₽18,000…
₽35,000…
₽83,500…
Her eyes widened.
"Oh…"
Her shoulders slowly dropped.
"They're expensive."
She quietly closed the website.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Lilith carried Mila upstairs once again.
Inside the apartment…
Mila happily drank her bottle of milk.
Lilith slowly sat on the couch.
She leaned back.
She fought hard to keep her tears from falling.
Mila crawled over.
She climbed beside her mother.
Tiny fingers gently tapped Lilith's cheek.
Lilith smiled despite everything.
Today was the examination results day.
The academy was crowded with students.
Everyone hurried toward the notice boards.
Damian stood nearby with Mila sleeping peacefully in his arms.
When the crowd became smaller…
Lilith slowly walked forward.
She adjusted the edge of her veil.
She searched every list carefully.
One by one.
Her eyes scanned every single name.
She couldn't find hers.
She looked toward one of the staff members.
"Excuse me…"
"Is there another list?"
The woman smiled politely.
"No."
"But for the toppers…"
"They'll receive an email…"
"…and a special box from the school."
Lilith nodded.
"Thank you."
She quietly stepped away.
Damian immediately called Nikolai.
"Boss…"
"Her name isn't on the list."
At the same time…
Nikolai sat inside another meeting room.
"Lily?"
He answered immediately.
Damian looked toward Lilith.
"Boss…"
"She's holding back her tears."
Nikolai's face darkened.
He stood instantly.
"Round this shit up."
"I'll be there."
He ended the call.
"Boss?"
Nathan asked.
"Her name isn't on the list."
"She's trying not to cry."
"Oh no…"
Olivia whispered sadly.
One of the company managers suddenly spoke.
"Sir…"
"Was it the scholarship examination taken last week?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Well, sir…"
"If her name isn't on the list…"
"…then the school personally sends invitations to the Top Five students."
"They receive an email…"
"…and a special admission box."
"My brother studies there."
Valerio looked thoughtful.
"Could she be among the toppers?"
"I pray so."
Sabrina whispered.
Meanwhile…
Lilith walked home carrying her shopping bag while Mila rested against her shoulder.
As she entered the lobby—
"Mrs. Lilith."
"There is a package for you."
The receptionist smiled.
"My name is Ms. Alfiya."
"Thank you, Ma."
Lilith accepted it.
"You're welcome, love."
Alfiya smiled warmly before carrying Mila.
"Ba… Ba…"
Mila babbled.
"Awwww."
"Bye-bye, Mil."
Damian laughed.
"Oh, Mihu…"
"Come home soon."
"I miss your cooking."
"I also bought pretty toys…"
"…and dollhouses to build with Mil."
Lilith smiled.
"I'll try, Dammy."
"Bye."
Damian waved.
Mila waved back with tiny fingers.
Fourth Floor…
Lilith walked down the hallway.
She passed several residents.
When she reached her apartment…
She froze.
Two large boxes were waiting outside her door.
She unlocked the apartment.
Inside…
Nikolai sat with every member of the Dominion Apex.
"Hey, Lily."
Everyone smiled.
"Dada."
Mila squealed happily before crawling toward Nikolai.
"Hi, Mimi."
He lifted her into his arms.
Lilith carried both boxes inside.
Then—
"H… Hi…"
"Dada…"
Time stopped.
Nikolai froze.
Lilith froze.
"What?!"
Both parents shouted together.
Lilith immediately knelt.
"Oh my goodness!"
"Mil!"
"Say it again!"
"H… H… Hi…"
"D… Dada…"
Mila said proudly.
Everyone immediately clapped.
Mila clapped too.
Nikolai laughed with tears forming in his eyes.
"Are you okay?"
Darya asked gently.
Lilith nodded.
"I didn't see my name on any of the lists."
She slowly opened the first box.
"What's that, Bambi?"
Nikolai asked.
"It's a box."
"It was sent to me."
"I don't know what's inside."
Everyone looked at each other.
"Hold on."
"Let me scan it."
Nimra checked the package.
Suddenly—
Lilith coughed while clutching her chest.
"Here."
Kenan handed her a bottle of water.
She drank it.
"It's clear, Boss."
Nimra nodded.
Lilith carefully lifted the lid.
Inside were several neatly arranged items.
A school crest.
Gift cards.
Documents.
A letter.
Nikolai quietly stood behind her.
Lilith unfolded the letter.
She began reading aloud.
HELIXOR PRIME ACADEMY
Office of the President
Moscow, Russian Federation
Subject: Scholarship Award and Admission Offer
Dear Miss Lilith,
Congratulations.
It is with great pleasure that we inform you that you have been officially admitted to Helixor Prime Academy, Russia, for the upcoming academic session.
After an outstanding performance in the Academy Entrance Examination, you achieved Rank 1, making you the First Topper of this year's examination.
In recognition of your exceptional academic excellence, the Academy is proud to award you a Full Academic Scholarship.
You are required to report to the Academy on 10 February for registration and orientation.
Your lectures will officially commence on Monday.
Kindly ensure that your account details are submitted to the Academy for scholarship processing.
All required admission forms must be completed and submitted on 3 February.
We are honored to welcome you to Helixor Prime Academy and look forward to seeing the excellence you will bring to our institution.
We congratulate you once again and wish you every success in your academic journey.
Signed,
President
Helixor Prime Academy
Russian Federation
Lilith stared at the letter.
"I…"
"I passed."
She whispered again.
"I took the exam…"
Nikolai smiled proudly.
"Congratulations, Bambi."
She suddenly jumped into the air.
"I PASSED!"
"RANK ONE!"
"YES!"
"YES!"
"YES!"
Mila burst into adorable giggles.
"I can't wait to tell Baba—"
She suddenly stopped.
Silence filled the room.
"Baba…"
The word had escaped her mouth.
She slowly shook her head.
"Your—"
Nikolai began.
"He's not my father anymore."
Her soft voice became ice cold.
"I don't want to talk about it again."
Everyone looked at her quietly.
Nimra finally spoke.
"Sohan is sick, Lily."
"They've been treating him for over one and a half years."
"He doesn't take his medication."
"He barely eats."
"Your mother has fallen apart."
"Everyone misses you."
Lilith looked straight ahead.
"I don't care anymore."
"I never got an apology that day."
"Isn't that girl there to take care of him…"
"…since she got me out of the way?"
No one answered.
Nikolai quietly gestured for everyone to stop.
He would handle it later.
They nodded.
Lilith wiped away her tears.
She opened the second box.
Inside…
Her academy uniform.
She smiled.
She gently held it against herself.
There were also academy gifts…
Student cards…
School supplies…
And items carrying the Helixor Prime Academy logo.
Nikolai picked up another document.
"Which course do you want to study?"
Lilith smiled.
"I want something involving food…"
"…business…"
"…and art."
"I want to learn how to manage restaurants…"
"…and I also love dancing."
Addison smiled.
"That would be Hospitality Management under Business Administration."
"Fine Arts is in a different department…"
"…but you can participate through clubs."
Vishal nodded.
"Ouuu!"
"Yayyyyyyy!"
Lilith laughed happily.
"I'm proud of Lilith."
Rima hugged her tightly.
"Us too!"
Everyone joined the group hug.
Behind them…
Nikolai quietly texted Kalma.
He sent the academy name.
Then transferred the money needed for the next phase of his plan.
New York…
Karim sat inside his office.
His secretary, Leticia, walked inside.
For one year she had continuously tried to seduce him despite knowing he was happily married.
"Good morning, Sir."
Karim dropped a letter onto the desk.
"What's this?"
She asked.
"You're fired."
She blinked.
"Wait…"
"What?"
"I warned you."
"Stay away from me."
"But you still had the nerve to go to my wife…"
"…and tell her we were having an affair."
"How dare you?"
"B… B… But I didn't—"
"Get out."
"Go find another CEO to seduce."
"Not me."
"Nothing works on me, bitch."
"If you ever cross my wife again…"
"I'll send your head back to your family."
"I never entered your house."
"I never spent a night with you."
"Nothing ever happened."
"It's women like you…"
"…who destroy beautiful marriages…"
"…for selfish desires."
"I've seen it happen."
"That's why my little sister still hasn't returned to her husband's house."
"Because of disgusting people like you."
"Someone good is waiting for you out there…"
"…but your kind only chase money…"
"…and lust."
"Leave my office."
"I've already transferred your final salary."
"Build yourself a better life."
"Excuse me."
Karim walked out.
Behind him…
Leticia collapsed onto her knees…
Crying.
At the mansion…
Sohan had fallen asleep in Riyana's arms.
Nearby…
Nishi quietly sewed a missing button onto Aarav's shirt.
He lifted her chin.
Then kissed her deeply.
She smiled into the kiss.
Elsewhere…
Tory and Vanaya had welcomed a baby boy.
His name was Aniket.
Reuzal and Shirin were now happily married.
Nabil was nine years old.
They had also welcomed another baby boy named Rahat.
One hour later…
The entire family sat together eating lunch.
"Lily got into the university."
"She passed."
"She ranked first."
"She was also the Number One Topper."
Nihal smiled proudly.
"That's amazing."
Riyana's eyes became watery.
"We should send her a message."
Karim suggested.
"But she's still angry with us."
Nihal sighed.
"She was so excited…"
"She even said…"
'I can't wait to tell Baba.'
Everyone became quiet.
Sohan slowly stopped eating.
"She wanted to tell you first."
"But then she became extremely upset."
He quietly lowered his head.
"Nikolai will talk to her."
"He needs time."
Aarav spoke gently.
"She ranked first."
"I would've bought her so many things."
Sohan whispered.
He quietly stared at his phone.
Riyana gently rubbed his hand.
Back in Russia…
Mila slowly fell asleep in Nikolai's arms.
Lilith quietly looked inside her purse.
Only one coin remained.
₽1.
She whispered to herself.
Nikolai stood.
He carefully laid Mila onto the bed.
He kissed her tiny cheek.
Then quietly walked outside.
Closing the bedroom door…
He saw Lilith holding several gold chains.
"Thinking of selling them?"
She nodded.
His face immediately hardened.
"Bambi."
"Don't you dare."
"I don't have any money left."
She whispered.
Without another word…
He placed the Black Card into her hand.
"Here."
He sat beside her.
"No…"
Lilith whispered.
"Yes."
"You need study supplies."
"You need gadgets."
"Please, love."
He gently closed her fingers around the card.
"But…"
"I'll still work…"
He nodded.
She smiled weakly.
He gently kissed her cheek.
Then her other cheek.
Her ears immediately turned red.
Then her nose.
Nikolai chuckled.
"You'll make a cute tomato."
Lilith blushed harder.
She turned her face away.
"So…"
"My adorable tomato…"
"Go buy everything you need for school, Bambi."
He smiled warmly.
"And…"
"Can I take Mila to Grandma?"
"She's dying to meet her."
Lilith looked at him.
"Mila is your daughter too."
"So…"
"Why are you asking me?"
"I have to submit my admission forms."
"So spend some time with Mil, Nikki."
"T… Thank you, Bambi."
He smiled softly.
"Please come home soon."
"I miss you."
"Your cooking."
"Your dancing."
"Your singing."
"Everything."
"My love."
Lilith slowly looked into his eyes.
"I…"
"I will, Nikki."
Nikolai gently rested his forehead against hers.
For a few quiet moments…
Neither of them spoke.
They simply stayed there together, hoping that one day, all the broken pieces of their family would finally become whole again.