It was exactly 4:00 PM.
Adrian stood in front of the mirror, fully dressed for the biggest day of his life.
He wore a distinguished Odia groom's ensemble featuring an ivory silk sherwani with intricate gold embroidery, paired with a matching embroidered stole draped elegantly over his shoulder. His royal look was completed with traditional gold accents, polished footwear, and a refined timeless style that reflected elegance, heritage, and sophistication.
He smiled proudly at his reflection.
"My bride awaits," he said softly.
He adjusted his sherwani one final time before walking out of the room.
"You look nice, bro," Jaxon said with a smile.
Adrian smiled back.
"Thanks, man."
Suddenly—
"ADRIAN!"
Lilith's voice echoed through the hallway.
Everyone immediately froze.
"Boss, calm down," Amelia pleaded.
Lilith folded her arms.
"The guests are waiting and you're here gossiping like a woman!"
Adrian immediately hid behind David.
"I… I just got dressed," he said nervously.
"Then move it!"
"Yes, Ma!"
He ran.
The others burst into laughter.
"What is funny?"
"Nothing, Ma!"
They scattered in every direction before Lilith could say another word.
Elsewhere…
Nikolai stood adjusting his suit.
He looked incredibly handsome.
Lilith stopped walking as she admired him.
He noticed her staring.
A smile spread across his face.
He gently bumped her nose with his.
She smiled.
They shared a long, loving kiss.
Tonight was also Nikolai's award ceremony.
The award show would begin at 8:00 PM.
Nikolai gently cupped her face.
"Lily… you're tired."
She pouted.
"After this, make sure you sleep."
"But I want to watch you tonight," she whined softly.
"And I want to hear your speech."
Nikolai smiled lovingly.
"Lily… I promise I'll show you everything in the morning, baby."
She slowly crossed her fingers.
"Okay."
"I promise to sleep."
Nikolai noticed her other hand secretly hidden behind her back with crossed fingers hidden in the grass.
He chuckled.
"My little liar."
He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
Adrian was already sitting at the altar.
"Take care, Bhai (Brother)," Farhan said quietly.
Zafraan nodded while carrying Sana carefully in his arms.
He had already left Russia.
Diya finished getting ready.
The women carefully covered her face with a beautiful bridal veil.
Lilith looked at her.
Her eyes immediately filled with tears.
Diya respectfully took the blessings of her elders.
Lilith hugged her tightly.
"My dear child."
Diya wiped away her tears.
"It is time," Nihal said gently.
They slowly escorted Diya downstairs.
Adrian's family was already waiting.
The moment Adrian looked up…
His heart completely stopped.
Diya looked breathtaking.
She wore a breathtaking Odia bridal ensemble featuring a deep crimson Khandua silk saree woven with intricate gold zari motifs, paired with a richly embroidered blouse.
Her royal bridal appearance was completed with layered gold jewelry, a delicate matha patti, pearl accents, a jasmine-adorned bridal bun, and a graceful red veil, creating an elegant blend of tradition, luxury, and timeless beauty.
She slowly sat beside Adrian.
The wedding procession officially began.
Adrian and Diya exchanged their first look.
Both smiled.
Both nodded respectfully in greeting.
Neither could stop smiling.
Nearby…
Nikolai gently held Lilith's hand.
Little Mila proudly stood near the front as the ceremony began.
The sacred wedding rituals continued.
Adrian carefully applied the vermilion to Diya's hairline.
He lovingly placed her wedding necklace around her neck.
Hand in hand…
They took the seven sacred rounds together.
Afterward…
They respectfully received the blessings of every elder.
"Congratulations!"
The family applauded happily.
Nikolai looked toward Lilith.
"I have to go."
He gently held both of her hands.
"Make sure you sleep."
He looked at Mila.
"Mila… make Mama sleep, okay, baby?"
"Otay, Dada! Ba ba!"
Nikolai laughed before kissing Lilith softly.
"Goodnight, love."
"Night, my Russia donkey," Lilith teased.
He burst into laughter.
As the celebration continued…
Nikolai quietly departed for the award ceremony.
Elsewhere…
The welcoming ritual had already been completed.
"Umma… Ozzy will be out tomorrow," Juan said.
"They've taken him to the rehabilitation center."
"Austin himself agreed to it."
Ulrima nodded.
"I have to get new things for him."
She leaned forward unexpectedly.
She kissed Juan.
Juan's eyes widened in surprise.
Then he slowly melted into the kiss.
"I love you," she whispered.
Juan smiled warmly.
"I love you too, Umma."
He wrapped his arms around her lovingly.
Meanwhile…
Nikolai arrived at the award venue.
The red carpet stretched before him.
Camera flashes exploded nonstop.
Reporters shouted his name.
Lights sparkled everywhere.
As photographers captured every step…
Nikolai quietly opened the CCTV feed connected to the mansion.
His wireless earbud remained hidden.
He immediately heard laughter.
"Baby… please…"
Lilith's voice sounded playful.
"I promise I'll sleep."
"Let's watch Dada's award show first, baby."
Mila folded her tiny arms.
"Hmmmm."
"I no tell Dada you give me teddy… otay?"
Nikolai slowly raised one eyebrow.
Lilith leaned closer.
"Deal."
"And ice cream."
"Dada lock in the fridge."
Nikolai frowned dramatically.
"Oh really?"
Mila gasped loudly.
"OTAY!"
She jumped happily.
Mother and daughter burst into laughter together.
Nikolai shook his head helplessly.
"My two troublemakers."
"Sir."
A hostess politely approached him.
"Your seat."
Nikolai smiled politely.
"Thank you."
He walked inside.
The award show performances officially began.
Meanwhile…
Morning sunlight covered France.
Clara slowly walked downstairs inside the royal castle.
"Lara," Queen Véronique called.
Clara ignored her completely.
"I am talking to you."
Clara finally stopped walking.
"Are you ready to give me the cure?"
"My daughter is dying."
"If anything happens to my Sana…"
Clara slowly turned around.
"I will burn this kingdom alive."
Queen Véronique remained calm.
"This is Duke James."
"You will—"
"Not marry him."
Clara interrupted coldly.
The elderly duke frowned.
"Oh, come on, dear."
"Don't be like that."
Clara looked him directly in the eyes.
"How old are you?"
"Well… I'm fifty-nine."
"Still young."
Silently…
Clara's hand moved behind her back.
She gripped her gun.
"I was originally meant to marry your sister… but when they showed me your—"
BANG!
BANG!
Two gunshots echoed throughout the royal hall.
Duke James collapsed instantly.
Everyone screamed in horror.
"CLARA!"
Queen Véronique shouted.
Without hesitation…
Clara turned the gun toward Anaïs.
"Give me the cure."
"Now."
"Wait… calm down, Lara," Océane pleaded desperately.
Suddenly—
"Lara…"
King Sylvain stepped forward.
"Here is the cure for your daughter."
"I took it from her."
He held out the antidote.
"What?!"
Queen Véronique shouted in shock.
Clara immediately grabbed the cure.
"Mama's coming," she whispered softly.
Clara tightly held the cure in her hand.
Her heart raced.
"Mama's coming," she whispered as tears filled her eyes.
Before she could take another step—
Anaïs suddenly grabbed Clara's wrist tightly.
"No!"
"You will not go anywhere!"
Anaïs shouted angrily.
Clara immediately tried to pull her hand free.
"Let go."
Anaïs tightened her grip.
"I said no!"
The royal hall became tense.
Everyone watched the two women.
Clara's patience disappeared.
"Get your hands off me."
Anaïs refused.
"You belong here!"
"You're not leaving!"
Clara's eyes became cold.
"I have a daughter waiting for me."
"She needs this cure."
"She is dying."
"I don't care!" Anaïs shouted.
"You're staying!"
Just as Clara was about to react—
A powerful voice exploded through the massive castle doors.
"GET YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF MY LARA!"
The enormous wooden doors burst open.
BOOM!
Everyone turned.
Hundreds of heavily armed men stormed inside the royal castle, surrounding every entrance and hallway within seconds.
Their weapons were raised.
Not a single royal guard dared move.
Behind them…
Zafraan slowly walked into the hall.
His expression was cold.
His eyes never left Clara.
Clara froze.
Her breathing stopped.
"Z…?"
She whispered.
Behind him…
A tiny little girl slowly waddled inside.
"Mama!"
Sana called happily.
Clara's eyes widened with disbelief.
"My baby!"
Without caring about anyone else in the room, Clara ran toward Sana.
She immediately dropped to her knees.
She wrapped both arms around her daughter as tightly as she could.
"My baby…"
"My princess…"
"My Sana…"
She kissed Sana's cheeks over and over again.
Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
"I missed you."
"I missed you so much."
Sana gently touched Clara's face with her tiny hands.
"Mama…"
"Where you go?"
Clara smiled through her tears.
"I had to bring medicine for my brave girl."
Sana hugged her mother's neck tightly.
"I miss Mama."
"I missed you too, baby."
Clara kissed her forehead.
"My brave little girl."
"You're safe now."
"You're with Mama."
Sana nodded happily.
Then Clara slowly looked up.
Her eyes met Zafraan's.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence between them felt heavier than words.
Clara's heart tightened painfully.
She knew.
She had left him in the middle of the night.
She hadn't trusted him enough to tell him.
She had disappeared without letting him say goodbye.
She lowered her eyes.
"I'm sorry…"
Her voice barely came out.
"I…"
"I am so sorry, Z."
"I know."
"I know I hurt you."
"I know I scared you."
"I know I should have told you."
She couldn't stop crying.
"But I couldn't let anything happen to you."
"I couldn't let anything happen to Sana."
"I thought…"
"I thought this was the only way."
"I never wanted to leave you."
"I never stopped loving you."
"I was trying to save our family."
She looked down again.
"If you hate me…"
"I understand."
"If you never forgive me…"
"I understand that too."
"But please…"
"Please don't take Sana away from me."
"She is my whole world."
"She is the reason I kept breathing."
"I only wanted to save our daughter."
The entire royal family watched silently.
Even Queen Véronique said nothing.
King Sylvain quietly lowered his head.
Océane wiped away tears.
Ernest looked toward the floor.
No one interrupted.
Zafraan slowly walked toward Clara.
Every step echoed throughout the hall.
Clara closed her eyes.
She expected anger.
She expected shouting.
She expected him to walk past her.
Instead—
Zafraan stopped directly in front of her.
He gently lifted her chin.
"Look at me."
Slowly…
Clara looked into his eyes.
They were filled with exhaustion.
Fear.
Pain.
Love.
"You idiot," Zafraan whispered.
Fresh tears rolled down Clara's cheeks.
"You left without waking me."
"You carried this burden all by yourself."
"You thought I wouldn't fight beside you?"
His voice shook.
"You're my wife."
"You're the mother of my daughter."
"You're my home."
Clara completely broke down.
"I'm sorry…"
She cried harder.
"I was scared."
"I know."
Zafraan gently wiped away her tears.
"But don't ever do that again."
"Never leave alone."
"Whatever happens…"
"We face it together."
"As husband and wife."
"As parents."
"As a family."
Clara nodded repeatedly.
"I promise."
"I promise."
Zafraan smiled faintly.
He pulled both Clara and Sana into his arms.
The three of them embraced tightly.
Sana giggled happily between them.
"Mama."
"Papa."
"Family."
The armed men quietly lowered their weapons.
The tension inside the castle disappeared.
For the first time since Clara had returned…
She finally felt safe.
Not because she was inside a castle.
Not because she now had the cure.
But because she was back where she belonged.
With her husband.
With her daughter.
With her family.