Six days later
The Nocturne Matriarch were in a warehouse hidden deep within the shadows.
"Move them!" the Don ordered.
Suddenly Amelia catwalked into the warehouse.
"Hiiiii," she said, waving at them.
"What are you doing here!" the Don demanded.
"Well Boss sent her greetings and also we are here to rest the Underworld so shall we dance?" Amelia said with a playful smile.
The Don smirked.
A woman immediately pulled her sword.
Amelia blew a whistle.
The girls opened fire.
"FUCK YEAH!!" Genevra shouted.
Madison raised her guns and fired, taking down the men with precise shots.
Meanwhile, the Queen of Nocturne was watching her girls in action through the cameras while rubbing her bump.
Her husband was at work.
Nora kicked and punched the Don while Amelia and the woman engaged in brutal combat.
Amelia kicked the woman hard in the stomach.
A little sharp blade flashed.
It sliced across her throat.
Amelia broke her neck.
Blood rushed down, dripping everywhere.
The Don began trembling.
"Kill him," Lilith ordered.
Amelia smiled.
She stabbed him in the nose, tearing his skin as she brutally finished him.
The girls began dragging the boxes out of the warehouse.
Meanwhile, in Nikolai's office, Rozalia had been dressing extremely provocatively for the office.
"Boss, we got the cars sent for Godfather and his plane too," David said.
"Scared?" Damian asked.
Nikolai shook his head.
"Just need a little effort. Who went to get Mil?" he asked.
"Uhmm, Cap did," Hammed answered.
Rozalia gave Nikolai the file he had requested.
Damian's phone rang.
"Yeah?" he answered.
His father spoke on the other end.
"Okay, bye," Damian said before ending the call.
He dialed Lily's number.
"Amma," he said.
He spoke to her for a moment.
"Yes Maa," he said before ending the call.
Two minutes later, Mila waddled into Nikolai's office.
"Hi Dada!" she said happily.
Nikolai looked up.
Then his eyes widened.
There was blood on Mila's nose.
She was wearing a karate uniform.
He immediately dropped his file.
"What the hell happened?"
"Hassan," Mila said.
"Mil win poor boy," she added innocently.
"Poor boy!?" Jaxon exclaimed.
Caspian entered the office laughing hard.
"Boss, y'all got to see this," he said as he played the video.
Everyone gathered around.
On the video, Mila was in her karate class.
A boy had apparently broken her nose.
Mila had gotten angry.
She kicked him in the face and proceeded to beat him up.
Nikolai suddenly broke into laughter.
Mila giggled.
"Oh, my poor baby," he said, laughing even harder.
Everyone laughed.
"Dada wook a shiny metal," Mila said.
Nikolai kissed her forehead and hugged her.
As he cleaned her nose, she lay comfortably on the couch in his office.
Lilith had organized new gifts for Nikolai on the bed.
He entered the room.
"Bambi?" he called.
She pointed toward the bed.
Nikolai looked.
There were new clothes, new shoes, watches and video games.
He grinned.
"Tomorrow is my big day!" Lilith said.
Nikolai hugged her.
"I owe you a lot, Baby," he said.
Lilith placed his hand on her bump.
He felt a kick.
He kissed her bump.
Then he felt multiple kicks.
His eyes widened.
"I just felt more than one kick," he said in shock.
"Maybe she kicks a lot after your kiss," Lilith replied.
He blinked at her.
"Maybe twins?" he whispered.
Then he opened his gifts.
Zorina entered a tattoo shop.
She sat down and opened her shirt for the tattoo artist.
"Name?" the woman asked.
Aram's face flashed through Zorina's mind.
"Aram," Zorina said.
She held herself steady through the pain as the artist wrote his name onto her skin.
Meanwhile, the Obsidian Circle had killed half of the gangs in Bulgaria.
Valen blew out smoke from his cigarette.
He had become taller, broader and more heavily built.
Gloria's name was tattooed across his chest.
Aram's veiny hands snapped the leader's neck.
Osyth and Baran shot the remaining men.
"All done, Boss," Alara said.
Aram broke the man's jaw.
They left.
Aram entered his room and locked the door.
He looked at a picture that always made his heart feel warm and sad.
It was a picture of Zorina.
A picture he had taken and drawn of her himself.
He touched it gently.
"Time, Rina. See, I am getting bigger now and then I will make sure you're all mine. You will pay for those words, but I will marry you. By any means necessary," he said.
He opened a book and began reading it.
The title was about how to become a man.
Meanwhile, in Valen's room, he smiled at the picture Gloria had sent him of her library.
She had published a book, and more than three million people had read it.
Valen had also bought her books.
He had even paid a spy to watch over her in the same building.
Valen's heart was with her.
And hers was with his.
Nikolai got dressed and put on a black Jacob & Co watch worth seventy million dollars.
Mila strapped on her boots.
Sarah, who was two months pregnant with Albert's child, wore her golden earrings.
Albert held Sarah's hand.
She was due tomorrow.
He had already prepared everything for the baby.
Amelia leaned toward Sarah and whispered into her ear.
"Boss, fifth," she said.
"We are moving," Lilith said.
Sarah nodded.
"Maddy!" Lilith called.
"Yes, Boss!" Maddison answered.
Lilith whispered something into her ear.
Maddison grinned.
"Of course, Boss. And oh, I got them too," she said.
Nikolai blew out smoke from his cigarette.
Mila was already in the car with Meghan.
Nikolai gently placed Mila inside the car.
Then they moved.
Nikolai chatted with Lilith.
"What's the surprise?" he asked.
"Ugh, you Russian donkey, for the twentieth time, waitttttttt!" Lilith said.
He pouted like a child.
Eventually, the cars stopped.
Everyone got out.
Nikolai looked at the small building standing before them.
"Ready?" Lilith asked.
"Bambi, what's this?" Nikolai asked.
"Well, it's my hardest work. I designed it in my first year and also got it done for ₽5 million with my money. I worked day and night and when I was pregnant for Mila, I saved my money back in India every single day from selling tea. Andddddd now I finally accomplished my dream and goal too."
She smiled.
"Sooooooo, Nikolai, come here."
He stepped forward with a smile.
Lilith held his hand.
Nora and Daphne shot the iron hooks.
The giant sheets covering the building came down.
Mila was in Nikolai's arms.
"Wawwwwww!" Mila exclaimed.
Lilith took the huge scissors.
Nikolai and Mila held them with her.
The three of them cut the ribbon together.
Everyone clapped.
Lilith smiled.
"You did all by yourself?" Nikolai asked.
"Uh huh," she replied.
"Wow. Mama so pwetty," Mila said.
The whole family entered.
Nikolai stared at his tiny pregnant wife and the incredible result of her hard work.
Lilith's restaurant and bakery was a beautiful medium-sized international haven designed to feel intimate rather than enormous, a place where food, creativity, comfort and quiet luxury existed together beneath one roof.
The entrance opened through tall, elegant glass doors into a warm, softly illuminated interior where the gentle aroma of freshly baked bread, pastries, coffee and carefully prepared meals filled the air.
The bakery sat near the front behind a wide glass display filled with golden croissants, delicate pastries, cakes, cheesecakes, macarons, artisan breads, cookies and beautiful desserts prepared throughout the day while guests could watch the bakers working behind the glass as fresh pastries emerged from the ovens.
Beyond the bakery was the main restaurant, a graceful collection of comfortable tables, booths and intimate seating areas designed for couples, families, friends and international visitors.
The menu brought together flavors from different parts of the world while still offering familiar comfort food so that every guest could find something they loved.
Along one side was a refined café with a beautiful coffee and tea counter serving espresso, specialty coffee, matcha, hot chocolate, teas, smoothies, fresh juices and carefully crafted cold drinks, making it one of the favorite places for people who simply wanted to sit with a drink and enjoy the atmosphere.
A quieter section of the restaurant became the study and work lounge designed especially for students and young professionals with individual desks, comfortable chairs, charging points, soft desk lighting, bookshelves, reliable internet and small group tables, creating a peaceful environment for studying, reading, writing or working while still allowing guests to order food, drinks and pastries whenever they wanted.
Behind elegant glass partitions was the creative heart of the establishment.
The art studio.
It was a beautiful open room filled with canvases, easels, paints, brushes and artistic supplies where guests could paint, draw, sketch, attend small art workshops or simply spend an afternoon creating something of their own.
Finished paintings from previous visitors decorated sections of the walls, turning the room into a constantly changing gallery.
On the opposite side was the hangout lounge.
It was a softer, more relaxed space filled with comfortable sofas, armchairs, low tables, plants, books and warm lighting where friends could gather for long conversations, students could relax after class and visitors could spend hours enjoying coffee, desserts and music without feeling rushed.
Large windows allowed natural light to spread throughout the building.
Greenery was placed around the interior to give the restaurant a peaceful garden-like feeling.
Polished wood, soft fabrics, glass, subtle stone details and delicate decorative lighting created an elegant but welcoming atmosphere.
At the back was a small private courtyard surrounded by greenery, flowers and climbing plants with a few outdoor tables and comfortable lounge seats.
A tiny water feature sat among the plants.
Warm lights glowed gently after sunset, making the courtyard feel like a hidden little garden inside the city.
The entire establishment was neither overwhelmingly luxurious nor ordinary.
It was sophisticated enough to attract international travelers yet comfortable enough for students to spend an entire afternoon there.
It was a restaurant, a bakery, a café, an art studio, a study lounge and a social retreat all woven together into one beautiful space.
People came for the food but stayed for the feeling.
Slowly, Lilith's little establishment became known as the place where people could eat, create, study, work, laugh, meet friends and simply breathe.
"This is absolutely beautiful," Matteo said.
Nikolai walked around as he saw the kitchen, the lounge and everything else.
He smiled at the place.
"Bambi, what about the workers?" he asked.
"Oh, I was busy with the designs. I forgot," Lilith said.
Her bump was moving.
"Uhmmm, Mihu, I know how bake," Seerat said.
Lilith gripped the table.
She breathed in.
Nikolai immediately held her hand.
"Bambi——?"
Lilith held her bump and groaned.
Leonid checked.
"They're moving," he whispered.
"Uhmmm, Nick, the baby is moving and stretching. That's why it hurts," he said.
Nikolai tapped his wife's belly.
"Hey, stop. You're hurting Mama," he said.
Lilith smiled at him.
She rubbed his hair.
Nikolai took his phone and made a call while the family looked around more.
By midnight, Nikolai and Lilith were asleep.
Sarah was asleep too.
Suddenly, she felt herself becoming wet.
She sat up.
"Honey?" she said, tapping Albert.
He was still asleep.
She hit him.
"What?" he asked.
Sarah held her bump.
Albert's eyes went down toward the bed.
The bed was wet.
"What the fuck?" he said.
"I think my water just broke," Sarah whispered.
"Oh shit. Hold on, Baby," he said as he ran out of the room.
He saw Zafraan.
"Hey, where is Clara? Sarah is in labor," he said.
"Oh shit!" Zafraan exclaimed.
He ran toward his room.
Clara came out.
"Boil hot water," she said as she entered the room.
Albert was nervous.
Dr. Violet entered too.
Sarah screamed.
Albert held her hand.
Lilith woke up.
She went downstairs.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Sarah is in labor," Dr. Violet said.
Lilith held Sarah's hand.
Sarah pushed hard.
"Come on, Honey," Albert encouraged.
Sarah screamed.
Then finally a cry filled the room.
"Baby boy," Dr. Clara announced.
Lilith wiped Sarah's face.
"Congratulations," she said.
Sarah smiled at her son.
Albert held her hand.
"Congratulations, Uncle," Nikolai said.
"Thank you, Nick," Albert replied while holding his son.
Galina and Enzo were in the hospital.
Nikolai left, but before he entered the office, he made sure to contact the best chefs he had.
Lilith was applying for a culinary school, but she could attend after her college for her master's degree.
Nikolai upgraded her laptop.
Meanwhile, the plane landed in a place called Varynskaya, Russia.
A man was working in a mechanic shop.
He sighed and cleaned his hands.
His daughter shyly tugged his shirt.
"Papa, I made dinner. Can yum?" she asked quietly.
He smiled and kissed her forehead.
He sat down, and both of them ate.
"Are your bags packed?" he asked.
She nodded.
"But Papa, it's prom night," she said.
"I got a pretty dress for you, my love," he replied.
He stood up and opened the wardrobe.
She saw a dark blue glowing dress.
Her eyes widened.
"Papa, this is beautiful! Where did you get it!?" she asked.
"I brought it for you, my dear. And I will make those fuckers eat their words. All of them," he said.
The doorbell rang.
"Our surprise is here," he said in his mixed accent.
He opened the doors.
Men were standing outside.
"Krestnyy otets! Godfather!" they said as they bowed.
He looked up.
He saw Jaxon smirking.
They entered.
"Papa?" his daughter said.
The men bowed to her.
She blinked.
"I was expecting Nick," he said.
"Boss's hands are tied up at work," Jaxon replied.
David blew out his tobacco smoke.
"Boys," he said.
The men placed their hands on their chests and bowed.
"The mansion is ready," David announced.
He nodded.
"Come on, Sweetie. Let's leave this place," he said, taking her hand.
"But Papa, it's our home. I grew up here," she said.
"To protect you and keep you hidden. And now, my baby, Papa will make them all pay," he said.
He lifted her into his arms.
"Bye-bye, home. I will m…miss you a lot!" she said.
They entered the luxurious cars.
People watched them and whispered in Russian as the men drove away.
Lilith was in her restaurant writing when Abellona entered.
"Hi, Lily!" she said.
"Hey," Lilith replied.
"Hello, bunnies," she said, tapping her bump.
"This place is amazing," Abellona said.
"Thank you," Lilith replied.
Abellona sat.
Seerat served her.
"Hey, Lily, we sent flyers to all the schools," Wazir said.
Abellona was live.
"Hi guys, I'm back, and today I'm in this really gorgeous restaurant and bakery. It's absolutely beautiful. Come with me as I give a tour!!" she said as she walked around.
Lilith's heart bloomed.
Meanwhile, the doors opened.
A girl walked in.
"Hi, I would like to place an order," she said.
"Sure, this way," Lilith replied.
The girl looked at Lilith's huge bump.
"Woah, your tummy is huge. Twins?" she asked.
"More than that. Seven girls," Lily said.
"Jesus Christ!" the girl exclaimed with a gasp.
Lilith chuckled.
She made her order.
The girl waited.
After thirty seconds, she received her order.
"Thank you. It's really affordable," she said.
Her order was ₽110.
She took a bite.
Her eyes widened.
"This is AMAZING!!!" she exclaimed, eating more.
Lily smiled.
"Thank you," she said.
The girl took pictures.
"Can I take a picture of you?" she asked.
"Boss is off limits. Please understand," Amelia said.
"Oh, okay. I understand, Ma'am," the girl replied.
"What's your name?" she asked again.
"Lilith, but you can call me Lily," Lilith said.
The girl smiled.
Her name was Grace.
She was half-American and half-Russian and also an influencer.
Grace posted the restaurant.
She also had a takeaway order.
Lilith wrote on her page while more flowers were delivered.
Meanwhile, in Nikolai's office, he sat talking to young chefs between eighteen and twenty-three years old.
"Workers, are we clear?" Nikolai asked.
"Yes, sir!" they answered.
"Good. I sent ₽3 billion into your accounts," he said.
Their eyes widened.
"Thank you, sir!" they said.
After ten minutes, they left.
Dr. Leonid called.
"Yes, tell me?" Nikolai answered.
"Lily is due for the ending of July or the 12th of August," Leonid said.
"Oh, okay. So I want to have a home delivery, but not in Russia. In Mexico. I already contacted Grandpa. I want it pure and natural," Nikolai said.
"Of course," Leonid replied.
The call ended.
Rozalia gave him coffee.
"Don't dress like that in my office. We have a dress code. Respect that. We are married. Half of us are married. Get it?" Nikolai said.
Rozalia nodded shakily.
Meanwhile, in Xeno's company, he sat scrolling through files.
"Sir, the person for the interview is here," the secretary said.
"Let them in," he replied.
A lady entered.
"Good morning, sir," she said.
Xeno's eyes widened as he looked up.
Their eyes met.
She became scared.
"Xeno…" she whispered.
His eyes darkened.
"Ayla," he said.
She held her file.
He broke into a cold smirk.
"I…I am here for the interview," she said.
"Hmmmm. File," he said.
She handed it to him.
She nervously held her scarf.
Xeno read it.
He flipped through the papers.
Ayla waited.
He looked at her.
She blinked at him.
"This position is no joke. Can you handle it as an assistant?" he asked coldly.
"Y…Yes, sir," Ayla answered.
He looked at the file.
"You're hired. Get this into your head. I don't accept lateness and also some usual nonsense behavior. Understood?" Xeno said.
"Yes, sir," Ayla replied.
Ayla was Indian Gujarati.
Both Xeno and Ayla had been friends in school.
Xeno had been in love with her.
Ayla had loved him too.
One night had destroyed their relationship.
Xeno still didn't know the little secret Ayla had that belonged to him.
Nikolai was eating as Xeno sat beside him with a sad face.
"What?" Nikolai asked.
"I saw Ayla in my office today," Xeno said.
Nikolai looked at him.
"Really?" he asked.
Xeno nodded.
"She came for an interview as my personal assistant," he said while rubbing his hands.
"Let me guess. Seeing her again made you have flashbacks?" Nikolai asked.
"You were also there, Nick," Xeno said.
"I was, yes. But did you ever stop to think about what really happened that night? Did she really play you for money? And did she take that $80 million from your mother?" Nikolai asked.
Xeno sat silently, thinking about what Nikolai had said.
The next morning, Lilith got more workers.
They were also young unemployed people.
She paid them ₽400k per month.
People began coming to her restaurant, especially students, after Grace posted it on her story.
Xeno sat in his office.
Ayla gave him a file.
"Here, sir. You have a meeting in two hours," she said while dropping the file.
He gave her a look.
It wasn't anger.
It wasn't the look of a boss.
It was filled with so much pain.
Heartbroken.
As she dropped the file, her scarf touched his face.
His eyes closed shut.
He breathed in her scent.
She picked up her phone.
It rang.
"Hello?" she answered with a smile.
Xeno looked at her.
"Why is she smiling like that?" he mumbled.
"Hey, Baby," she said.
His heart shattered.
"Baby…" he whispered.
"No, no, no," she said while still on the call.
"All right. Bye. I love you too," she said.
The call ended.
"Love you too…" Xeno whispered.
He gripped the pen tightly.
Ayla walked out.
"You will pay for the pain you caused me, and I will ruin that relationship and you," Xeno said.
His hands gripped the glass.
But that call had not been from a man.
Nor had it been from a boy.
It had been from a little girl.
Her little secret.
The secret from six years ago.
The secret that belonged to both of them.