(Nikolai washed his hands before taking a glass of water. After drinking it, he sat down in the living room.)
"You all leave," he ordered both groups.
"Yes, Boss," they replied together before leaving the room.
(The older lady sat beside Surinder.)
"How are you, Kaal?" she asked.
Nikolai looked at her.
"Who is she?"
Viktoria answered,
"She is your great-grand aunt, Virsa Kaur."
Everyone nodded.
"Hello, Kaal," Virsa greeted.
"Greetings," Nikolai replied politely.
"It is good to finally see you in person, and… I am sorry about your ex-wife."
The atmosphere immediately became cold.
"You mean my wife… not ex-wife… my wife."
Nikolai's voice carried obvious anger.
Silence filled the room.
Surinder gently changed the subject.
"How is Mila?"
"She is fine. In fact, I was planning to bring her to Grandma while Lily is in school."
"That's great. Bring her soon," Surinder smiled.
"So, make yourselves comfortable. I will be leaving now."
Nikolai helped Viktoria stand.
"Grandma."
(The two walked into the garden.)
Inside the sitting room…
"Such disrespect. Nobody has ever spoken to me like that," Virsa complained.
"That Russian man…" Sanjot muttered.
"Don't worry, dear. We will make him your husband," Falak confidently said.
"That's not possible. Brother will never accept this drama. Good luck," Daria answered before walking away.
(The young woman they had brought with them was Chand Harnam Singh, the daughter of the former Minister of Health.)
Outside in the garden…
"That was a great idea, Grandma," Nikolai said.
"Of course it was. But you must wait longer. I already told your sisters. They are going to help too."
"I will, Grandma."
He hugged her.
"Just don't worry. You saw the girl, didn't you? Don't get angry. Stay calm. Everything will be fine."
Nikolai nodded.
(A few minutes later…)
He was fast asleep inside his bedroom.
The room was locked.
A sign hung from the door handle.
Do Not Disturb.
••••••
(Meanwhile…)
Sergei was changing his five-month-old daughter's diaper.
Her name was Raisa.
Two-year-old Samarth sat on the bed, gently holding his baby sister's tiny hand.
"Ready, buddy?" Sergei asked.
"Ywes!" Samarth answered happily.
Sergei carefully strapped Raisa against his chest before holding Samarth's hand.
The three walked out together.
(Amanat was still asleep.)
Sergei quietly returned to the bedroom, kissed Amanat on the forehead, then went back outside.
The toddlers were playing in the mini playground Nikolai had built for them and Mila.
Samarth happily ran toward the swings.
Sergei stood nearby holding Raisa.
Samarth leaned over and kissed his baby sister's cheek.
She giggled.
Falak quietly watched her grandson playing before looking toward Sergei holding his daughter.
"Hmmm…" she murmured thoughtfully.
••••••
(Meanwhile, inside Lilith's apartment…)
Lilith had finished cooking.
She ate while feeding Mila.
Suddenly…
Ding Dong.
She opened the door.
"Lily!" The Red Order shouted together.
Everyone jumped on her.
Lilith screamed.
The sudden noise startled Mila.
She immediately burst into tears.
"Uh oh…" Kadia muttered.
"Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!" Tsillah apologized repeatedly.
Kalma walked inside.
"Shhh… it's okay, baby," Lilith whispered while gently rocking Mila.
After a few moments, Mila stopped crying and snuggled closer to her mother.
"Aww… she's so cute," Astrea smiled.
Kalma looked at Lilith.
"Kammy?" Lilith called softly.
"Hi, baby."
The two hugged warmly.
"We missed you. Don't leave again," The Red Order said together.
"I wouldn't," Lilith smiled.
Kalma looked at the little girl.
"Hello, sweetheart. You're Mila, aren't you?"
Mila blinked while rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Come here, sweetheart."
Kalma lifted her into her arms.
Mila leaned forward and hugged her.
Kalma gently patted her back.
••••••
(Two hours later…)
"So, which school did you get into?" Crya asked.
"Helixor Prime Academy," Lilith answered.
"Oh, that school," Vandicata smiled.
"Yeah… I'm looking for a job now."
Nerezza suddenly spoke.
"There is a café close to the school. My brother used to work there before someone bought it. They pay ₽600,000 every month."
"Really?" Lilith asked.
"Yes. We just left there. They are looking for new employees, and the owner is a gay man who is a friend of mine," Kalma explained.
"How can I apply?"
"I'll send you the application."
Kalma typed on her phone.
Lilith gave her number.
Within seconds…
The application arrived.
The friends continued chatting.
Lilith told them everything about living in India with Mila.
••••••
(By sunrise…)
(Today was February 3.)
It was the day students would submit their admission forms and attend orientation.
Lilith wore a walnut brown Anarkali suit.
As always…
Her hair was neatly braided.
Nikolai gently tickled Mila.
The little girl laughed happily.
"Bye-bye, Mil, love," Lilith smiled.
"Ba… Ba…" Mila answered.
Lilith kissed her nose.
The front door opened.
Nikolai drove away with Mila.
Another vehicle drove Lilith toward the academy center.
••••••
(Back at the mansion…)
The car slowly entered the driveway.
Mila quietly sucked on her yellow pacifier.
Nikolai walked inside.
Viktoria was sitting with the others.
"Grandma."
She looked up.
"Oh my…"
Nikolai smiled.
"Mimi… look. It's Great-Grandma."
Mila slowly opened her eyes.
Her dark-blue eyes met Viktoria's.
"She looks so much like you, Nick…" Viktoria whispered.
Nikolai carefully placed Mila into her arms.
"She is adorable."
Mila continued sucking her pacifier before hugging Viktoria.
"Awwwwwww…" Meghan smiled.
Viktoria gently rubbed Mila's back.
••••••
(At the academy…)
Lilith submitted her forms.
She received her student ID card and the rule book.
She quietly waited inside the orientation hall.
There were still ten minutes before it began.
She searched her phone for study apps.
Using the academy Wi-Fi…
She downloaded several applications.
She even paid for premium versions.
A voice interrupted her.
"Hey… is this seat taken?"
Lilith shyly shook her head.
"Thank you."
The girl smiled.
"Hi. I'm Ksenia. I'm Russian."
She offered her hand.
"I'm Lilith. I'm half Indian and half Bengali."
"Wow. That's cool. I know India, but Bengali is…?"
"Bangladesh."
"That's nice. So you passed too?"
Lilith nodded.
The two began chatting.
"I ranked fourth," Ksenia smiled.
"What about you?"
Lilith looked down shyly while holding the edge of her veil.
"I ranked first."
Ksenia's eyes widened.
"Wow! Honestly, it's nice talking to you. Can we be friends?"
"S… Sure."
"Where are you from?" Lilith asked.
"I'm from the countryside. I lost my mom because of heart failure. My father works for a company here, so we moved. I got this scholarship so my dad wouldn't have to worry about school fees."
Lilith smiled.
"Well… I applied for a café job. They pay employees ₽600,000 every month. Are you interested?"
"Oh my God! Yes!"
Ksenia hugged her.
"Thank you so much!"
She smiled before asking,
"So… tell me about yourself."
Lilith hesitated.
"Well… I have a two-year-old daughter…"
"You're married?"
"We had a misunderstanding. I left for two years while I was pregnant."
"I'm sorry. Are you both still talking?"
Lilith nodded.
"He found me in India and brought us back here. I told him… not for now. I don't know if I should go back… but he wants us home."
Ksenia gently held her hand.
"Take your time, love. If he keeps putting in the effort… go home with him."
Lilith nodded.
"Do you have anyone?" she asked.
Ksenia laughed.
"I'm actually gay. I like girls. So… no one for now."
Both girls giggled.
Soon…
The orientation officially began.
(Four hours later…)
They visited the café together.
They filled out their job application forms…
…and received their work uniforms.