The rain had been falling for hours.
It poured heavily over the city, turning the roads into shining rivers beneath the gray sky. Thunder occasionally rumbled in the distance while the cold wind pushed against the windows of the enormous Devereaux estate.
Lilith came home alone.
She stepped through the entrance slowly, her clothes slightly damp from the rain. Her breathing was heavier than usual, and her face looked pale.
Nobody was home.
The silence immediately felt strange.
Usually there were maids moving around the estate, guards stationed throughout the property, and someone always seemed to be nearby. But today, the house felt almost completely empty.
Lilith placed one hand against the wall.
She had been feeling sick since earlier, but now the sickness had become considerably worse.
Her throat hurt.
Her head was burning.
Her body felt weak.
And the enormous bump beneath her clothes felt heavier than ever.
Lilith slowly lowered herself onto the sofa.
She placed both hands around her stomach and breathed heavily.
"Ah…"
She closed her eyes.
The babies moved.
Her face tightened as another wave of discomfort passed through her body.
"Easy… easy…"
She rubbed her bump gently.
Her cold had become much worse.
She tried to reach for her phone.
Nothing.
She searched beside her.
Nothing.
She checked her bag.
Nothing.
Her phone was nowhere to be found.
Lilith swallowed hard.
"Nikolai…"
She whispered his name.
She tried to stand.
Her knees nearly gave way.
She grabbed the sofa.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She was alone.
And she felt terribly sick.
Meanwhile, in Nikolai's office, four men had arrived.
Mila was sitting comfortably inside her father's office, her tiny legs dangling from the chair.
The office doors opened.
Four men entered.
Mila immediately looked up.
She smiled.
"Hello, I Mil," she said proudly, tapping herself on the chest.
One of the older, heavily built men smiled.
"Why, hello, Mila. How are you?"
"I otay. An you, big Unca?" Mila asked.
"We are fine."
The man smiled at her.
"Tell me, where is your papa?"
"Papa come now," Mila answered.
She pointed toward the chairs.
"Sit."
The four men exchanged amused looks.
Then they sat.
One of them looked at Mila curiously.
"Who is your mama?"
Mila's eyes immediately brightened.
"Mama?"
She smiled.
"Mama very very very very very pwetty!"
The third man, who had been smoking, smirked.
"Oh, really?"
Mila nodded enthusiastically.
"And I gonna be a big sissy soon, Unca!"
The room became quiet.
One of the men raised an eyebrow.
"Nick is having a second child, huh?"
Mila looked around.
Then she leaned forward conspiratorially.
"Wellllll…"
She lowered her voice.
"Dada no know."
The men stared at her.
"Mama has seven sissy in her tummy and dada has no idea."
The second man immediately choked on his drink.
"Seven!?"
The others stared at Mila.
"Seven!?" they repeated.
Mila nodded.
"Uh huh."
She looked extremely serious.
Then she placed one tiny finger against her lips.
"But shhhhhhhhh."
She looked around the room.
"No tell dada."
The men stared at each other.
Before anyone could say another word, the office door opened.
Nikolai entered.
"Mil? Mama hasn't picked my call and I'm worried."
He stopped.
He looked up.
Four familiar men were sitting inside his office.
They looked at him.
"Hello, Nick."
Nikolai's eyes narrowed slightly.
The men smirked.
Meanwhile, Mila sat innocently in her chair as if she hadn't just revealed one of the biggest secrets in the entire family.
Back at the estate, Lilith's condition continued to deteriorate.
She desperately searched for her phone.
Her hands trembled.
She couldn't find it.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Then her stomach suddenly tightened.
Lilith gasped.
Her enormous bump moved.
Pain flashed across her face.
"My babies…"
She held her stomach.
"Please…"
Outside, several cars suddenly pulled up.
The doors opened.
The Godfather stepped out.
He looked toward the enormous estate.
Then he raised an eyebrow.
"Wow."
He looked around.
"Nikolai really outdid himself."
His daughter stepped out behind him.
"Wowwww."
They entered the house.
The Godfather walked through the entrance, looking around as they made their way toward the living room.
Then he stopped.
His expression changed.
There was Lilith.
She was sitting on the sofa, holding her enormous bump with both hands.
Her breathing was heavy.
Her face was pale.
"Oh dear."
He immediately moved toward her.
"Are you okay?"
Lilith shook her head.
She couldn't properly answer.
Her body was burning with fever.
The Godfather's daughter looked terrified.
Jaxon entered behind them.
"Lily, what's wrong?"
Lilith looked toward him.
"M… M… M… My babies…"
She struggled to breathe.
"I… I…"
Her eyes closed.
Her body went limp.
She passed out.
The Godfather caught her before she could fall to the floor.
"She's burning up."
His daughter stared at Lilith's stomach.
"Papa…"
She pointed.
"Her tummy is huge."
The Godfather looked at her.
"Who is she?"
Jaxon answered immediately.
"Boss's wife. Mrs. Lilith Nikolai Devereaux."
The Godfather looked at Lilith.
"Oh."
He stared at her for a moment.
"So this beauty is Nick's wife?"
Everyone nodded.
His expression hardened.
"Where the heck is he that he leaves his wife in this state?"
The people around him immediately flinched.
"W… We will call Boss," David said.
The Godfather carefully lifted Lilith.
He carried her gently and placed her on the soft cotton bed.
His daughter immediately took a cold towel and placed it over Lilith's forehead.
Nikolai's phone rang.
He looked down.
His expression changed.
"I am coming."
He immediately stood.
The men in his office looked at him.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
The rain continued to pour outside.
Meanwhile, Ayla entered a club holding a file.
She looked around.
"Why would he call me here?"
The music was extremely loud.
She spotted Xeno sitting across the room.
He was drinking while several women surrounded him.
Ayla approached him.
She dropped the file in front of him.
Xeno looked at her.
Ayla turned around and walked away.
Her phone suddenly rang.
"Hello?"
She answered.
Before she could say anything else, several male prostitutes approached her.
They surrounded her.
Ayla immediately became uncomfortable.
They began touching her inappropriately they kissed her neck grab her ass the other rubbing her boobs.
She tried to push them away.
"Stop!"
She struggled to break free.
Xeno watched.
At first, he simply smirked.
But then Ayla's eyes met his.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
She pushed the men away with all her strength.
Then she ran.
Something inside Xeno tightened.
He stood.
Ayla ran out of the club.
She ran as far as she could.
The rain fell heavily around her.
She eventually reached a bus stand.
She stopped.
Her body shook.
She began crying loudly.
Rain poured over her face.
Then she saw a pair of boots.
Ayla slowly looked up.
It was Xeno.
He stood in front of her.
Ayla immediately stood.
Xeno smirked.
"The fun was just—"
"What is your fucking problem!?"
Ayla screamed.
Xeno blinked.
She was shaking with anger and pain.
"Years ago, you and your stupid family caused me deep pain!"
Her voice cracked.
"Because of you, my family kicked me out!"
Xeno stared at her.
"Because of you, I slept on the streets!"
Ayla's tears mixed with the rain.
"Because of you, I almost lost my baby!"
Her voice became louder.
"For years I have been suffering!"
She pointed at him.
"All because of you and your mother! Your whole family!"
Xeno's expression changed.
"Baby?"
"YES!"
Ayla screamed.
"My baby! My child!"
Xeno stared at her.
"You left me at my lowest for money, Ayla."
"What money?"
Ayla's voice shook.
"How much money did I leave you for?"
She wiped her tears angrily.
"I will never forgive you for this act."
She stepped backward.
"I will never, ever forgive you, Xeno."
She pointed at him.
"Why don't you ask that snake you call a mother?"
Xeno remained silent.
"Ask her who gave you a kidney."
His expression changed.
"Who saved you."
Ayla's voice trembled.
"Who took you to the hospital that night after your accident."
She cried harder.
"Who knows?"
She shook her head.
"Maybe she will feed your cheap and disgusting mind with more lies!"
Ayla turned around.
She walked away.
Xeno stood frozen.
"Ayla!"
She didn't turn around.
She kept running.
Hours later, Nikolai and everyone finally returned home after being stuck in the rain and heavy traffic.
Nikolai rushed inside.
He stopped immediately.
The Godfather was sitting nearby reading a book.
Lilith was lying on the bed with a towel over her forehead.
"Bambi?"
Nikolai took a step forward.
The Godfather slowly lowered his book.
"Stand there, boy."
Nikolai froze.
"Krestnyy otets(Godfather)."
He bowed his head respectfully.
The Godfather looked at him.
"What are you doing in the office while your pregnant wife's condition is critical?"
Nikolai remained silent.
"She passed out."
The Godfather's voice was firm.
"And nobody was home."
He stared at Nikolai.
"Is there no maid? No nanny here?"
The people around Nikolai became nervous.
"N… N… No, sir."
Nikolai kept his head lowered.
The Godfather looked at the others.
"Who is he?"
Ethan answered quietly.
"Brother Godfather."
He swallowed.
"He's the ex-leader of the Bratva."
Arina whispered the rest.
"He's retired after his wife's death."
The Godfather remained silent.
Then tiny footsteps approached.
Mila waddled into the room.
"Mama!"
Everyone looked toward her.
"I back!"
She held a bunch of beautiful flowers.
"I bring pwetty flowers for you and sissy!"
Mila approached Lilith.
Then she looked at the Godfather.
"Uh oh."
She tilted her head.
"Mama?"
The Godfather looked at the little girl.
"Hi."
Mila stared at him.
"I Mil."
She smiled.
"Mama otay?"
The Godfather smiled.
"Hello, Mila. Come here, love."
Mila waddled toward him.
He carefully welcomed her.
"This is Rurik Antonovich Kazarov."
The room became quiet.
"The ex-leader of the Bratva."
Rurik had once been one of the most feared men in the criminal underworld.
But he had retired after the death of his beloved wife.
His wife had been killed during a gunfight between rival groups.
She had given birth to their daughter shortly before her death.
Their daughter was Vlada.
Vlada was now seventeen years old.
She had inherited her mother's gentle nature and was known for being one of the sweetest girls anyone could meet.
Just like her late mother.
Vlada stepped forward.
"Hi, Uncle Nick."
Nikolai looked at her.
"Hey, Vlada."
Rurik's expression hardened.
"Nikolai."
Nikolai lowered his head even further.
Rurik spoke firmly.
"From now on, until your wife gives birth, you will not step into the office."
Nikolai looked up slightly.
"All meetings are cancelled or moved here."
Rurik's eyes narrowed.
"Understood, boy?"
"Y… Yes, Krestnyy otets!(Godfather!)
"
Nikolai bowed his head.
Lilith was examined immediately.
The doctors carefully checked her condition.
Leonid looked at Nikolai.
"She's not fit for travel."
Nikolai nodded.
Leonid continued.
"We can have the home birth here."
Nikolai looked toward Lilith.
He gently held her hand.
Then he kissed it.
"Bambi…"
He stayed beside her.
The four men who had arrived earlier remained nearby.
They were former members of the Bratva.
Chester was half Russian and half Algerian.
Alfred was half American and half Latin.
Benedict was half New Zealand and half Colombian.
Alonzo was half Russian and half British.
Zavian was half Bangladeshi and half Russian.
Two other members had died during their last mission.
The atmosphere inside the estate was heavy.
Everyone was watching Lilith.
Everyone was worried.
Outside, Xeno sat drinking.
Nikolai eventually joined him.
He poured himself a glass.
"What did you do now?"
Xeno looked down.
"I… I don't know what."
He swallowed.
"But some male prostitutes harassed Ayla in the club."
Nikolai stared at him.
"I told her to come."
Xeno's voice became quieter.
"She snapped at me."
He looked down at his drink.
"She said a lot of things."
Nikolai waited.
"And she said something about her child."
Nikolai's expression changed.
"You didn't help her?"
"No."
Nikolai stared at him.
"Are you fucking nuts?"
Xeno sighed.
"But she said something."
"What?"
"She said her family kicked her out."
He paused.
"She also said something about my mother."
Nikolai listened carefully.
"She said she didn't take any money."
Xeno looked confused.
"She even asked about the amount."
He rubbed his forehead.
"She yelled at me with so much anger."
Nikolai looked at him.
"She got hurt by those actions of yours."
Xeno became silent.
"My mother has done something."
He slowly raised his head.
"I need to find out about the child."
He clenched his jaw.
"And what happened years ago."
Nikolai snapped his fingers.
One of the guards immediately stepped forward.
"You know his family, right?"
"Yes, Boss."
"Now you will be a spy in there."
Xeno looked at him.
"Find out everything."
The guard nodded.
"Understood."
Xeno handed him a picture.
"And find out about this woman."
He pointed at the picture.
"Give me every detail."
He looked at the guard.
"One week."
"Yes, Boss."
The guard turned and left.
Xeno's face became cold.
"If my mother did something wrong…"
His hands tightened.
"I will not spare anyone in that bloody-ass family."
Nikolai and Xeno continued drinking.
Lilith's condition was not good at all.
Her birthday was only two weeks away.
Yet despite everything, Nikolai still made arrangements for her birthday.
He refused to let her illness stop him from preparing something special.
"Bambi?"
Lilith's weak voice filled the room.
Nikolai immediately turned toward her.
"Yes, Bambi?"
She looked at him.
"I am so hungry."
Nikolai smiled gently.
"I will make food for you, my love."
Lilith held his hand.
"Bengali food, please."
Nikolai kissed her forehead.
"Of course."
He immediately called Riyana.
"Hello, Nick."
"How is Lily's condition?"
"Worse, Mother."
Riyana's voice became concerned.
"She barely eats anything."
He looked toward Lilith.
"And now she wants Bengali food."
He paused.
"Can you help me with some recipes for her?"
"Of course."
Riyana immediately began telling him what to prepare.
Nikolai grabbed a notebook.
He wrote everything down.
Then he went into the kitchen.
He began cooking for his wife.
Dr. Maira injected Lilith while the doctors continued examining her.
Knox carefully covered Lilith with a warm blanket.
She eventually fell asleep gently.
Anthony had flown over to be there.
Kieran was there too.
The Ebon Widows were also present.
The late Don Joseph's daughter, Larisa, had arrived as well.
Everyone had gathered because Lilith's condition had become too serious to ignore.
Red Dark Viper, however, was away on a mission.
Six days passed.
Xeno still hadn't seen Ayla since that night.
He sat inside his office.
A guard approached.
"Boss."
Xeno looked up.
"Here is her location."
Xeno took the information.
Before he could say anything, the doors opened.
An older woman entered.
She was Mrs. Tabitha Ravenhart.
Xeno's mother.
"My dearest son."
Xeno looked at her.
Behind her stood another woman.
She wore dark red lipstick.
Her blonde hair fell over her shoulders.
Her name was Azrissa Blackthorn.
"Hi, Xeno."
Xeno looked at both women.
He read the message containing Ayla's address.
Then he made a list.
"Mother, welcome."
Tabitha smiled.
"Well, I brought her to you since you decided not to come."
Xeno looked at her.
"I am very busy."
He picked up the file.
"I have been leaving the office sometimes because I have heavy work."
Tabitha smiled.
"Oh, come on, son."
She looked at him.
"Not even some family time?"
Xeno slowly raised his eyes.
"There is something you hid away from me for six years."
Tabitha's smile faded slightly.
"If I find out what happened, Mother…"
His voice became colder.
"I will not spare anyone."
He said nothing else aloud.
But inside his thoughts, one sentence remained.
There is something my mother has hidden from me.
Tabitha quickly changed the subject.
"I want you and Azrissa to spend some time together."
She smiled.
"She even has a partnership with your company. How exciting is that?"
Xeno looked at her.
"I got a deal with ND Industry, Mother."
Azrissa smiled.
"I can help."
"No thanks."
Xeno stood.
"Excuse me. I need to run."
He quickly walked out.
He entered his car.
Inside the room, Tabitha looked at Azrissa.
"Just get closer."
She smiled.
"And he will be yours."
Azrissa smiled back.
"Of course."
Xeno reached the fifth floor of an apartment building.
The building was modern and quiet.
He walked down the hallway.
He stopped in front of an apartment.
He knocked.
Nothing.
He knocked again.
Still nothing.
He placed his hands inside his pockets.
He was smoking.
Then he knocked for the third time.
The door finally opened.
Xeno looked down.
A little girl stood there.
She was holding a teddy bear.
Her hair was a striking mahogany brown.
Xeno stared at her.
The little girl stared back.
Neither of them understood the hidden connection between them.
Xeno slowly smiled.
"Why, hello, dear."
The little girl remained silent.
They continued staring at each other.
Neither knew the truth.
Neither knew the relationship that connected them.
Meanwhile, Danta had moved in with Nikolai because of Wazir.
The two had become extremely close.
They were dating.
Danta helped take care of the twins.
The twins had grown attached to her.
They even called her Mama.
Inside the kitchen, Nikolai was preparing food for Lilith.
He made carrot juice.
He prepared coconut laddu.
He cooked chicken kebab.
He made fish ball curry.
He also prepared lentil rice.
He carefully fed Lilith.
She ate slowly.
Nikolai smiled every time she managed to finish another bite.
Yulian brought him the furry socks.
Nikolai carefully placed them near Lilith.
Then Mila waddled into the room.
She looked angry.
"Dumb bunny."
Nikolai looked at her.
"What?"
Mila pouted.
"That a bad word, Mil."
Mila looked embarrassed.
"I sorry, Mama."
She pointed toward herself.
"Bunny meanie to me."
Lilith smiled weakly.
She reached toward her daughter.
Mila gently patted her mother's enormous bump.
Back at Ayla's apartment, the door opened.
Ayla stepped inside carrying a small bag.
"Baby, I'm home."
She smiled.
"I got ice cream for you."
She closed the door.
"Mama back!"
A little girl ran toward her.
Her name was Riley.
"Riley."
Ayla smiled.
Then Riley grabbed her hand.
"Mama, your friend is waiting for you."
Ayla froze.
"Friend?"
She looked confused.
"I don't have any friends, baby."
Riley pointed toward the living room.
Ayla slowly looked up.
Her expression immediately changed.
Xeno was sitting there.
His hands were folded together.
His elbows rested on his knees.
He was staring directly at her.
Ayla immediately moved Riley behind her.
"S… Sir?"
Xeno slowly stood.
The room became completely silent.
"You have a lot to explain right now, Ayla."
Ayla's eyes filled with tears.
She was emotional.
She was scared.
Riley held onto her mother's clothing.
The rain continued falling outside.
Inside the apartment, silence wrapped around all three of them.
And for the first time, Xeno was standing face-to-face with the child whose existence had been hidden from him for years.
Neither Ayla nor Xeno knew what the next few minutes would reveal.
But the truth was finally standing directly between them.
And there would be no hiding from it anymore.