THE WEDDING, THE HIDDEN PAST, AND SEVEN LITTLE KICKS
Mila was taking a nap after school.
Nikolai carefully covered her up with a blanket as Lilith looked down at her sleeping daughter. Mila's examination results had finally been released.
"What did she get?" Nikolai asked.
"Four B's and one A. Also, six golden stars for kindness, volunteering, arriving early to school, being respectful, discipline, and obedience too," Lilith said.
Nikolai smirked proudly.
He held the results in his hands, looking through them with a proud father's smile. For a moment, both parents simply enjoyed their time together, watching their little girl sleep peacefully.
Meanwhile, in Xeno's room, he held a picture of himself and Ayla.
"I will make you break just the way you did years ago," he said, tears filling his eyes.
On the other side of the city, Ayla held a little girl in her arms, rocking her gently to sleep.
"Mama, when will Papa come?" the little girl whispered.
Ayla kissed her forehead.
"One day," she whispered.
She held her daughter throughout the night.
Three weeks later, it was July 2nd, and it was Damian's wedding day.
Nikolai held Lilith's hand as she sat beside him while Damian and Iniya took seven vows together.
Damian looked at Iniya and applied vermilion to her forehead before placing a pure gold wedding necklace around her neck.
His stepbrother wasn't there.
Mila happily swung her legs as she watched everything.
They were now husband and wife.
They took everyone's blessings, and when they reached Lilith, she smiled.
"Aww, she's so beautiful. Dammy," Lily said as they took her blessings.
"Bless you both," Lilith said.
Iniya hugged Mr. Eugene.
He wiped his tears.
"Your mother would have cried her eyes out if she were here today," he said, hugging her.
She looked at him.
He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Take good care of my daughter, Rathore," he said.
"Of course, Father-in-law," Damian said.
Iniya sobbed as she entered the Rolls-Royce.
Damian typed something on his phone as she waved at her papa.
He smiled sadly at her.
"She is in safe hands now," he whispered.
He smiled at her.
Inside the car, Iniya sat quietly.
There were no words between them.
Damian typed on his phone.
She sighed and placed her head on her knees. Her eyes closed, and she fell asleep.
The car eventually parked.
"Hey, we are here," Damian said.
There was no reply.
He got down and moved to the side of the car. He opened the door and saw her asleep.
"Iniya, wake up for the ritual," he whispered.
She opened her eyes and looked into his golden-amber eyes.
She yawned like a cute kitty and rubbed her eyes.
"Sorry, sir," she whispered sleepily.
She came down from the car and stared at the mansion.
"Oh Lord," she said.
"Boss and Amma's mansion. Listen carefully. Amma runs this house. She's the lady and Queen of the house. Her rules stand, and there are punishments too," he said.
He explained more while she listened carefully and nodded.
"I will be good," she said.
He patted her head.
They entered the mansion.
Lilith performed the welcoming ceremony for Iniya. Iniya kicked the rice pot and placed her feet into the red color before walking inside.
"Welcome to the family, dear," Lilith said.
Iniya folded her hands respectfully toward her.
"Ouch!" Damian suddenly said.
Lilith had grabbed his ear.
"Now listen to me. If you dare, even say a single word, or lay a finger on her, you will walk on burning coals and hot nails. Do you understand me, Prem?" Lily said.
"Yes, Amma," Damian said.
She smiled at Iniya.
"Here are wedding gifts for you as the newlywed," she said.
"It's too much," Iniya said.
Damian was still recovering from Lilith's grip.
"Take it, dear," Lilith said, placing the gifts in her arms.
Iniya was then taken to Damian's room.
It was morning.
Damian had slept on the couch.
He opened his eyes and saw Iniya cleaning her hair with a towel.
She wore her wedding chain and a yellow strap saree with a strap blouse.
Damian stared at her while putting one arm behind him.
He stared at his new wife.
Iniya turned around and saw him staring at her.
"Good morning, sir," she said.
"Morning, Iniya," he replied while stretching.
"We are going home. Ready?" he asked.
"Yes, sir. I kept hot water for you," she said.
"Thank you. And pick an outfit for me," he said.
She shook her head and said okay as he went to take a hot bath.
Meanwhile, Mila sat happily in her mama's restaurant, coloring her books and humming.
Lilith and the Nocturne Matriarch were talking.
"Boss, we moved to third, and now the underworld is shaking with fear. They even reported us to the King of Kings," Amelia said.
Lilith broke into a smirk.
"King of Kings' rivals want to work with us to bring him down," Xander said.
Lilith wrapped the box.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes, Boss. They are offering billions," Daphne said.
"My husband's downfall? Huh?" Lilith said.
She burst into laughter.
She held her bump.
"Ouch," she whispered as she gently rubbed her bump.
By evening, there was a party at Damian's mansion.
Iniya spoke to the guests as they gave her gifts and congratulated her.
Damian sipped his drink while watching her.
Then a young man walked in with a girl holding his arm.
It was Nitan and his girlfriend, Lia, the one he had dumped Iniya for.
"Bro, isn't that Iniya?" his friend asked.
Nitan frowned.
"What is she doing here?" he mumbled.
Iniya smiled at the woman who gave her a gift.
More guests gave her gifts, and she held them carefully.
Nitan and his gang walked toward her.
"What are you doing here!?" Lia asked.
Iniya didn't reply.
"Please keep this in the car and send it home too," she said.
"Ji," the maid replied.
"Ah, Ina dear, congratulations, love," an older man and his wife said as they hugged her.
Nitan looked at Iniya.
"Thank you, sir," she said.
"Here you go, dear. This is the blessing of the Goddess Temple for you," the woman said, holding out a beautifully designed jewelry set.
Lia's eyes widened.
"I… I can't. It's too much," Iniya said.
"Oh, dearest, it is a blessing for us. Accept it, and have a long, happy married life, dear," the woman said.
Iniya took it.
"Married?" Nitan said.
As the woman hugged her, Iniya handed the jewelry to the maid again and sighed.
She adjusted her dupatta as she turned to leave.
Lia grabbed her hand.
"You slut! So you go marry without inviting him and us?" she said.
"Who did you seduce?" Nitan asked.
"I am not disgusting and arrogant like you," Iniya said, pushing Lia's hand away.
She adjusted her wedding necklace.
Nitan looked at her.
"Then what are you doing here?" he asked.
"Well, it's a party for the newlywed couple, and the bride is being congratulated for her wedding, right?" Iniya said.
Nitan's eyes grew wide.
"It is Damian's party?" he said.
She smiled.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist.
"Jaan?" Damian said.
They were very shocked.
"Brother, I believe you met my wife, Mrs. Iniya Damian Rathore," he said.
"WHAT!?" Nitan said.
Everyone looked at him.
"You married my brother!?" he exclaimed.
Iniya looked at Damian, who held her waist.
She looked at Nitan, who was boiling with anger.
"Come on. Let's get going," Damian said.
"Bye, brother-in-law," Iniya said with a smile.
Damian held back his laugh.
One week later, Lilith's birthday was around the corner.
Nikolai was planning her birthday back and forth.
He placed orders and also made more money than ever.
Meanwhile, Mila got a fever.
Lilith held her in her arms.
Nikolai walked into the restaurant and went straight to her mini office.
"How is she, Love?" he asked.
"It isn't coming down, Nick," she said.
He held Mila.
Her body was hot.
"Yum," Mila whispered.
"Hungry?" he asked.
She nodded.
Lily opened the lunchbox and held out the meat.
"Open up, baby," he said.
Mila opened her mouth and chewed slowly.
After four spoonfuls, she couldn't eat anymore.
"Boss, we served the last person," Amelia said while wiping her hand.
Lilith nodded.
Mila's shirt was off.
Nikolai placed a hot towel on her forehead.
Mila held his hand and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, with the Godfather, Jaxon blew his cigarette as his daughter entered.
"Papa, prom night was amazing, and I slapped her face so hard!" she said.
"Great job, sweetheart. I got a message from your new college," he said.
"You got accepted, and we are leaving in five days," he said.
She happily clapped.
"Are we going to Uncle Nick's?" she asked.
"Yes. Ms. Boss's place is tight and hidden too," David said.
"Yayyyy!" she said.
As the Godfather packed his bags, Gloria was eating and on a video call with Valen.
Valen was in the middle of an operation as he shot eight men dead.
"Tell me, love, how was your day?" he asked.
"Well, I sold out some books and made ₽900k. And oh, I got a gym membership paid, so tomorrow I'm restocking my fridge with healthy food," she said.
"Nooo. But will my thick girl still be thick?" he asked.
She blushed and looked away.
He muted the call and shot five men.
Aram threw the bombs.
BOOM!
The warehouse burned.
Yamini, now a taller girl, stabbed a goon by his tongue while Kazim poured acid into their eyes as they laughed.
"You still like me thick?" Gloria asked.
He nodded happily.
"Fine, I will," she said.
He blushed.
Aram opened his locket.
It contained his family picture, and on the other side was a picture of Zorina he had taken.
"My Rina," he said.
He closed it.
Meanwhile, in Xeno's office, Ayla worked hard.
It was payday.
He paid everybody, and Ayla began writing a full grocery list.
"Hello?" she said.
Xeno flipped through his file.
"No, baby. It's in the other room. Check carefully, and the doors are locked, right, sweetheart?" she said.
He gripped the papers, burning with anger and jealousy.
"But Momma, I locked it, and I found Teddy!" the little girl said.
"I love you," she said.
"Love you too, Momma," the girl said.
"I will be home soon, in twenty minutes, and we can spend time together," she said.
They spoke for a little while before ending the call.
Xeno smirked.
He took a large amount of files.
"Here, sir," Ayla said.
He took them and dropped the files into her arms.
"This needs to be put into the system. Get it done now," he said.
She looked at the time.
"Sir, it's closing hour. I need to take—" Ayla said.
"Complete it or you're fired," he said coldly.
She remembered her daughter's fees and treatments.
She knew he was making her suffer because of the past.
She sat in her office and sighed.
"I need to finish this fast. He's just pouring his hateful behavior towards me, even though he believes what he was told. He followed their words blindly. There was a time we both had that strong love, and now it all turned into pure hatred. My ex is now a bitter, cold-hearted man," Ayla whispered as she wiped her tears.
By 2:26 a.m., Xeno was still awake.
"Is she still there? No, maybe she left," he thought.
He sat up, took his keys, and drove off.
After three minutes, he entered his company and saw her under the lamp, asleep.
"Slacking off, huh?" he said.
He checked the monitors.
"Oh wow, she actually did it. I knew she would," he said.
"Baby… Mama's coming. Please wait a little bit," Ayla said in her sleep.
"Mama?" he said.
He shook her.
"Get the fuck up!" he said.
She flinched awake.
"Sir?" she said, rubbing her eyes.
"My office isn't your home. Get out," he said coldly.
"Your work is done."
"Goodnight," she said, taking her bag and rubbing her face.
Xeno gave her a cold stare.
She yawned and walked out of the building.
There was no taxi.
Nothing.
She began walking.
Xeno watched her from the glass window.
He gave his guard a nod, secretly ordering him to follow her for her safety.
He sat in his chair, lit his cigarette, blew the smoke out, and sighed.
Meanwhile, at Ayla's apartment, she saw her little girl asleep and covered her up.
"I am sorry, baby. Papa made it hell for me, but I got money for you, and we can get some food to eat," she said, rubbing her daughter's black curly hair, which she had gotten from her father.
Meanwhile, Mila's condition got a bit worse.
She vomited, cried, and eventually fell asleep.
Nikolai tugged at her gently.
He stood up and left for the office.
Lily wrote things down as the restaurant buzzed with customers.
Kesian, Gloria, Wiktoria, and Wiktor were there.
"This tastes divine. Your hands are a gift from God," Kesian said.
Lilith smiled.
"Girl, we got two years, and they also gave us internship programs to work in companies for five months in our first semester in third year," Gloria said.
"Oh Lord, you girls, please come out soon. Mama has a lot of work in school to do, please," Lilith said.
They laughed.
"Grace the influencer ordered usual?" Amelia asked.
Grace nodded.
Her friends ordered too.
Nikolai entered.
As they saw him, Grace's eyes widened.
"No way! It's Nikolai Devereaux!" she said.
Lilith laughed with her friends.
He gave Lilith a kiss.
"Is that… his wife!?" a boy said.
"Wowww," Grace said.
"No wonder this place is a hit," he said.
Amelia gave them their orders.
"FYI, Nikolai's wife built this place with her hard-earned money, from selling tea on the street to working in restaurants. He didn't even know that she built it all by herself, so please be careful with your words. She's much more dangerous than him," she said with a smile before walking away.
They looked at each other.
Meanwhile, Xeno was typing on his laptop.
His phone rang.
"Yes, Mother," he said.
He listened to her.
"Is that really necessary?" he asked.
He sighed.
"Fine," he said.
Ayla dropped the file and accidentally spilled coffee on Xeno.
"ARE YOU FUCKING BLIND!?" he shouted.
"Sorry, sir. I will c… clean it," she said.
She took tissues and began cleaning his shirt.
"You are ruining my expensive suit, just the way you ruined me," he said.
She stopped and pulled away.
"If that's what you think, sir, then stick to it," she whispered.
He looked at her.
She dropped the file.
"You will have to pay, Ayla," he said.
She opened her purse, counted her money, and dropped it in front of him.
"Here, sir," she said.
Xeno became furious.
He grabbed her hands.
She gasped.
He pulled her toward a secret room.
"Let me go," she said, struggling to free herself from his grip.
He pushed her against the wall.
She held back her tears.
"Take it off," he said.
She shook her head.
"Please, sir. I already paid for the stain," Ayla said.
"Take it off. Now," he said.
She took the suit off with trembling hands.
Xeno gripped her face.
Tears rolled down her beautiful face.
He smelled her hair and closed his eyes.
She hit his shoulders.
He pinned her against the wall.
"You damaged my laptop," he said. "It is ₽4 million, and your salary is ₽800k."
"I… I… I will look for a way to pay, sir," she said.
He smirked.
"Well then, if you want to pay," he said.
He leaned toward her ear.
"Be my mistress," he said.
She pushed him and slapped him.
"Mind your tongue, Mr. Xeno. Just because you're my boss doesn't give you the disgusting right," Ayla said with tears in her eyes.
"You slapped me?" he said.
She placed her hand on her chest.
"I… I am sorry, sir. Excuse me," she said.
She pushed him aside and ran out of the office.
He touched his face.
His anger boiled.
Meanwhile, Nikolai looked at Mila.
"All okay, baby?" he asked.
"Yes, Papa. Mil okay now. I go help Mama and play wif Jackie!" Mila said.
Jackie barked.
Argo barked too.
Mila waddled to the garden.
Nikolai held Lilith as they watched television together.
Meanwhile, Nora rubbed Kishore's hair.
He was asleep on her chest.
They had been dating for a year now.
He whined in his sleep.
She kissed his forehead.
"Nunu?" he murmured.
"Hmm?" Nora replied.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too, baby," she said.
They kissed slowly.
She smiled, holding him closer with so much love.
Meanwhile, Nikolai stood outside a warehouse.
"Are you sure this is it?" Nikolai asked as he blew his cigarette.
"Yes, Boss," Addison said as he walked in.
Olivia got on the roof.
Inside the warehouse, a man sat chained.
"Still don't want to leave him?" the lady asked.
The man was bleeding.
He had been chained, tortured, and locked up for eight years.
His eyes were closed.
"Baby," he whispered.
The lady bent down.
"Your wife is dead. Remember? I told you not to marry her, and you did!" she screamed.
Suddenly, the doors burst open.
"Hello," Nikolai said.
The man's eyes opened.
"Nick!?" he exclaimed.
Nikolai looked at him.
His cousin.
"Is she alive? Please tell me!" he begged.
Nikolai shook his head.
"She burned her to ashes," Nikolai said.
Those words echoed in his head.
"But she saved your baby. It's a boy. He is five. Grandma is taking care of him," Nikolai said.
The chained man became more and more angry.
The lady took out a gun.
The man broke the chains and burst out, his body dripping with blood.
She shot his arm.
He groaned.
Rima came up with her sniper rifle and shot the woman.
She dropped dead.
The man grabbed the leader and snapped his neck.
Nikolai gave him water.
"Sorry for your loss," he said.
The man burst into tears.
"How… long?" he asked.
"Five years," Nikolai said.
"My son?" he asked.
"Home," Nikolai replied.
"Godfather is on his way. Come, let's get you treated," Nikolai said.
The man sat in the car.
Nikolai blew his cigarette as they drove off.
And somewhere beyond the shadows, another chapter of their lives had already begun.