Ivelle cried silently in the car.
Alexio watched her.
He gave her his handkerchief.
She wiped her face.
They arrived at a narrow neighborhood.
She got down.
"Thank you, sir," she said, giving him his cloth back.
"No need. Keep it. How many months are you?" he asked.
"It's my last month. I'm due soon," she said.
"Do you have your baby things?" he asked.
She lowered her head and shook it.
"I gave him all the money," she said.
He sighed.
"See you tomorrow," he said.
She went back inside.
"You," he said to the guard in the car.
"Yes, Boss."
"Keep an eye on her. Give me feedback. Understood?"
"Yes, Boss," the guard said, stepping down as the car left.
Nikolai came back home with anger.
It was 2:34 a.m.
He walked into his room and saw Mila awake.
"Hi, Baby. What's wrong? Why aren't you sleeping?" he asked.
She yawned.
"I go pee pee, Dada. I yum," she said, tapping her belly.
"Hungry?" he asked.
She nodded.
He went and changed his clothes before carrying her downstairs.
He placed Mila on the kitchen counter.
"Dada win," she said with a giggle.
He finally smiled.
"Baby, you need to see that big meanie's face. He wanted to cry," Nikolai said.
Both father and daughter laughed together.
Just then, Alexio walked in.
"I need advice, Boss," he said.
"Yeah. Tell me," Nikolai replied.
"Today a pregnant girl was embarrassed by her ex-boyfriend and his mistress. He took all her savings to become a designer. It was her mother's last wish for them to get married, but he destroyed that wish, stole her designs, and even got a deal with our company."
Nikolai listened while feeding Mila her milk.
She slowly began falling asleep.
"And when I dropped her at her home… it wasn't even a home, Boss. She's due soon. She doesn't even have baby things. All the money is gone."
Nikolai picked another bottle of milk and continued feeding Mila.
"He stole everything. Betrayal hurt her and the unborn child."
He looked at Alexio.
"Sounds familiar. You… I assume?" Nikolai asked.
"My mom and I," Alexio answered quietly.
"I only have my little sister. Mom died after childbirth. I took care of her. She's now an engineer. I remember Dad humiliating Mom for another woman. It just… hurts a lot."
"She's very young, Boss. I don't know… I'm thinking of getting her a job, but I feel attracted to her… and the baby is drawing me close."
"Observe her for some weeks. You're doing your research on her, right?" Nikolai asked.
Alexio nodded.
"Good. Keep an eye on her. If she's clean, take her. If she's not… you know what to do."
"Thank you, Boss. You're the best," Alexio said, hugging Nikolai.
He kissed Mila's cheeks.
"Nighty night, Princess."
He left.
Morning came.
Nikolai was still asleep.
Lily had just finished drying her hair.
She wore a saree and sat beside him.
She gently brushed his face with her hair.
He turned in his sleep with a wide smile, breathing in her scent.
She rubbed her nose against his.
Her hair carried the fragrance of hibiscus water and sesame oil.
"Suprabhāt mere Rūsī gadhe. (Good morning, my Russian donkey)," Lily said with a gorgeous smile.
"Good morning, my sweetheart," he answered.
"Congratulations on the award. I am very, very proud of you."
He rubbed his eyes.
"Thank you, Bambi… but something happened after the award."
He explained everything.
"She slapped my husband!?" Lilith exclaimed, standing up.
Nikolai sat upright.
"Yeah. If she wasn't a woman, I would've slapped her right there in front of everyone."
"I would like to return the favor."
He looked at her.
He hugged her.
She gently rubbed his hair.
"Oh… sorry about the ice cream. Sorry, Nikki," she said with a giggle.
He smiled.
Their foreheads touched.
She softly stroked his hair while humming.
He rested peacefully on her chest.
Urlima had finished arranging Austin's new room.
She placed new clothes inside the wardrobe.
Juan finished fixing the lights.
"Big Bubba, come?" Roshini called.
"Yes, Baby," Urlima smiled.
She clapped happily.
Dr. Leonid handed them a diet chart and medication.
"Dr. Liv will be his doctor. She's also a psychiatrist."
Dr. Liv stood behind him.
Everyone nodded.
Breakfast was underway.
Nikolai was eating when a tall man walked inside carrying a teddy bear tightly with his backpack on.
It was Austin.
He had finally left rehab.
"Ozzy!" everyone called.
He immediately covered his ears because of the loud voices.
"Sorry," everyone apologized.
He nodded.
"G… G… G… G… Good morning, everyone."
"Morning, Ozzy," Nikolai smiled.
Lily smiled warmly.
"Sit and eat."
His hands trembled as he accepted the plate.
"T… T… Thank you, Mihu."
Juan walked in.
"Hey, Austin."
Austin respectfully took his blessing.
"Bless you."
Austin slowly ate breakfast.
His hands continued trembling.
Everyone watched him sadly.
After finishing everything, he cleaned his mouth.
"T… Thank you."
"You're welcome," Lilith smiled.
Urlima entered.
She hugged him.
"Hey, my baby."
"Mama," he whispered, hugging her tightly.
"Come. I made your room."
She held his hand.
They walked upstairs.
Austin opened the bedroom door.
His eyes widened.
The bedroom was spacious, elegant, and designed to create a peaceful atmosphere with a beautiful blend of milky white and dark brown throughout the room. The smooth milky white walls were complemented by rich dark brown wooden accents, creating a warm, luxurious, and inviting space. At the center stood a grand cotton-upholstered bed with a sturdy dark brown wooden frame dressed in crisp milky white cotton sheets. Several oversized cloud-soft pillows rested neatly against the headboard while large fluffy blankets added warmth, comfort, and elegance. Beside the bed was a beautiful rocking chair placed near a large window, making it the perfect spot to relax or read. Across from the bed, a large flat-screen television was mounted above a sleek dark brown entertainment console. One side of the room featured a spacious study table neatly arranged with textbooks, notebooks, reference books, folders, stationery, and a laptop with a comfortable chair. The bedroom also included a large walk-in closet with floor-to-ceiling shelves, hanging spaces, drawers, shoe racks, compartments for bags, accessories, and clothing, together with a full-length mirror and elegant lighting. Connected to the bedroom was a luxurious bathroom finished with milky white marble and dark brown cabinets, featuring a large glass-enclosed rainfall shower, a deep soaking bathtub, a double vanity with wide mirrors, soft towels, premium fixtures, and ample storage, making it feel like a private spa.
Every part of the bedroom blended comfort, luxury, warmth, and functionality, creating the perfect place to rest, study, and relax.
Austin slowly walked around, touching everything.
"M… M… My s… sleeping place?"
"Yes, Baby. It's your bedroom."
He toured every corner.
"Thank you, Mama."
She hugged him.
"Mumma!" a tiny toddler called while waddling inside.
"I'm here," Urlima answered.
Juan carried her.
"Hiii!"
She waved excitedly at Austin.
"H… Hi."
"You Big Bubba?" Roshini asked.
"Austin, this is our daughter, Roshini," Urlima introduced.
Austin looked at her.
"Y… you gave birth again?"
"No. Roshini is my daughter. Her mother left us when she was born. Umma gave her milk and she's the one who named her," Juan explained.
Austin nodded.
"Sorry, sir."
"Roshini… that's a beautiful name."
"Like Mama!" she proudly answered.
"Here, hold her," Urlima encouraged.
Austin nervously held Roshini.
She tapped his face.
He became frightened.
"Hi."
"Hey."
She hugged him.
He blinked before slowly hugging her back.
Dr. Liv entered.
"Hi. I'm Dr. Liv. I'll be your doctor from today and also your therapist."
"H… H… Hi."
Austin noticed how beautiful she was.
He nodded quietly as Urlima continued showing him everything she had prepared for him.
Lilith was at school preparing for the upcoming basketball game.
She made a call.
"Mihu!"
"Sohan."
"Hi, Baba."
"How are you, my child?"
"I'm fine, Baba. Actually, Farhan told me about your basketball game, and I have a match on Monday with our rival school. Will you be there?"
"Of course, my child. We'll be there. Make sure you train well, especially at night when there's no noise. Also drink about four energy drinks."
"Sure, Baba. Thank you. See you soon!"
The call ended.
"Rafsan! Ariz!" Sohan called.
"Yes, Baba!"
"We've got a match. Lily's first basketball match."
"She's tiny to reach the goal?" Karim joked.
"Are you doubting your sister?" Anika pouted.
"Na, Baby. Just thinking."
"I think Lily can… maybe even more than Sohan," Tory said.
"I bet on Lily!" Reuzal smiled.
"Oh, me too!" Tamman agreed.
"Me too!" Amala laughed.
"Mother's health is fine, Father. She's better now. She just needs rest and sleep," Anika reported.
Riyana had fallen asleep against Sohan.
"Nishi gave her an injection. This will help her recover soon."
Riyana had been sick for six days.
Sohan became even more worried.
He kissed her forehead.
Alexio arrived at Ivelle's small house carrying bags.
He knocked on the door.
"Excuse me… she's not home. She went to look for a job at the mall," the neighbor said.
"Thank you."
Suddenly, the front door fell off its hinges.
Alexio stepped back.
"What the hell?"
The elderly woman sighed.
"The door has been like that since her mother died. That bastard hurt her and the baby. He came here early today and warned her not to go with another man, or he'll kill her and take the baby."
Alexio's anger intensified.
"Boss! We got her location. Her ex is humiliating her in public with his mistress," one of the guards reported.
"Let's go."
The car sped away.
Meanwhile…
Ivelle held her bump.
"Don't hire her! Nobody should!" Jocasta shouted.
Beside her stood Vance.
"I told you not to go out."
"This is so cruel," a woman murmured.
"Don't you have any shame? You cheated on her and you're still after her!" another man shouted.
"Oh, shut up!" Jocasta snapped.
Ivelle clutched her stomach.
She was in pain.
She tried standing.
"Ah!"
Vance blinked and stepped toward her.
The women blocked him.
"Go away!"
"Ivelle!" Alexio shouted, running toward her.
"Sir?" she whispered weakly.
"Are you okay? What happened?"
"You're that man from yesterday?" Vance asked.
"They kicked her out of the store. She was looking for a job. He told all the managers not to hire her!" an elderly woman explained.
Ivelle cried out in pain.
Without hesitation, Alexio lifted her into his arms.
"I'm taking you to the hospital."
He hurried toward the waiting car.
She was in unbearable pain.
"Drive! If you don't reach the hospital in two minutes, I will kill you both!"
The driver immediately sped away.