Lilith was asleep.
Her small fingers were wrapped tightly around Nikolai's arm as though letting go would make him disappear. The road stretched endlessly ahead while mist rolled across the mountain paths.
Nikolai drove with one hand.
His other hand gently rubbed hers.
Every few seconds he glanced at her sleeping face.
She looked peaceful.
For the first time in days.
For the first time since the nightmare.
Forty minutes later, the black vehicle turned onto a hidden road.
A road almost nobody knew existed.
The cabin finally appeared through the fog.
Nikolai smiled softly.
"Bambi… wakey wakey, love."
He kissed both her cheeks.
The tiny girl yawned.
"Mmm…"
Her eyes slowly opened.
She rubbed them lazily.
Nikolai carried her out of the car.
Lilith looked up.
Her mouth fell open.
"W…wowwwww…"
Beyond the far side of a towering mountain, hidden from the world and wrapped in silence, stood a secluded wooden cabin nestled among ancient pine trees. Mist drifted endlessly through the forest while a magnificent waterfall cascaded down dark cliffs, filling the air with a soft enchanting roar.
The entire valley was cloaked in cool silver fog, creating a dreamy smoky atmosphere where every breath felt crisp and refreshing and every moment felt untouched by time.
The cabin itself glowed warmly against the cold wilderness.
Golden lights shone through rustic windows like a beacon of comfort within the mist.
Outside, a steaming hot tub rested upon a wooden deck overlooking the waterfall.
Warm water waited beneath the cold mountain air.
Nearby, a hammock swayed gently between two enormous trees.
The waterfall's song echoed throughout the valley.
Clouds drifted between the mountains.
The fog curled around everything like magic.
Inside the cabin, the bedroom looked like something from a fairytale.
The bed stood proudly at the center of the room.
A flowing canopy of sheer silk draped over it from above.
Thousands of tiny fairy lights sparkled through the fabric.
It looked like a sky filled with stars.
Cream, ivory and white bedding covered the mattress.
Soft pillows.
Velvety blankets.
Beautiful textured fabrics.
Everything looked warm.
Everything looked safe.
A bedside table stood nearby with a glowing lamp.
Golden light danced against the wooden walls.
The scent of cedarwood, vanilla and fresh mountain air lingered throughout the room.
The entire space radiated comfort.
Peace.
Romance.
Quiet luxury.
Outside, the waterfall continued its endless melody.
The fog wrapped around the cabin like a protective embrace.
The cold smoky air.
The warm candlelight.
The steaming hot tub.
The swaying hammock.
The magical bedroom.
Together they created a place suspended between reality and fantasy.
A place where love felt deeper.
A place where the world felt quieter.
A place where every moment became unforgettable.
They entered the cabin.
Nikolai immediately locked the doors.
Then he wrapped both arms around her from behind.
His chin rested on her shoulder.
"Only Lily and Nikki time. Right, Bambi?"
Lilith smiled brightly.
"Y…Y…Y…Yeah!"
He kissed her cheek.
The two headed upstairs.
Later, they shared a bath together.
Warm water surrounded them.
Nikolai gently washed her hair.
His fingers carefully traced every mark on her body.
Every bruise.
Every scar.
Every wound.
His heart hurt seeing them.
But he remained gentle.
Patient.
Afterward, they changed clothes and walked into the kitchen.
"N…Nikki c…c…cook?"
Nikolai smiled.
"Yes, darling. I cook. Wanna help, love?"
She nodded excitedly.
Together they began preparing food.
Lilith handed him ingredients.
Nikolai cooked.
The cabin slowly filled with delicious smells.
For the first time since returning from the forest, they laughed together.
Just husband and wife.
No danger.
No enemies.
No mafia.
Only peace.
Back At The Mansion
"Where did Boss and Lily go, Dammy?" Nathan asked.
Damian shrugged.
"He didn't tell me actually. He left with her. According to him, no disturbance till after some days. He wishes to contact me himself."
Ethan grinned.
"I think they honeymooning."
"Exactly the same thing I'm thinking!" Yulian agreed.
Hammed scoffed.
"Well I better start shopping for baby stuff."
Everyone stared at him.
"What?"
Nobody spoke.
"What? Like we all don't know she gonna be pregnant when they return."
"True," Nimra agreed.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Arina yawned.
She rested her head against Ethan's shoulder.
He intertwined their fingers together.
Soon everyone drifted back into their rooms.
Xeno and Salvatore had officially moved into the mansion.
Zhanna lay comfortably against Salvatore while he smoked.
His fingers gently rubbed her hair.
Just like old times.
Taran (Massimo) was on a long phone call.
"Elena… I miss you."
Elena giggled through the speaker.
"Is Danny asleep?"
"Yes."
"He ate."
"He danced around the house."
"He finally got tired."
Taran smiled.
Recently he had received Sohan's permission to marry Elena.
Now he was simply waiting for the perfect moment to propose.
Rima slept peacefully.
The twins were curled up beside her.
Asif lay on a couch nearby.
His eyes remained open.
He stared at the ceiling.
Thinking.
Wondering how to apologize to her.
Eventually sleep claimed him.
Leonid lay comfortably with his head on Daria's stomach.
His fingers traced her thighs lovingly.
She rubbed his neck sweetly.
Both laughed together.
Naomi and Valerio slept soundly.
Palmo and Emil relaxed together while watching television.
Inside another room, Urlima gently placed baby Roshni into her crib.
The baby had grown bigger.
Her beautiful brown skin glowed softly.
Tiny black curls rested upon her head.
Juan entered carrying Roshni's blanket.
Urlima smiled.
He handed it to her.
She tucked the blanket around their daughter.
Together they leaned down.
Both kissed Roshni at the exact same moment.
Before either could pull away—
Tiny hands grabbed them.
One hand caught Urlima's hair.
The other caught Juan's.
Their foreheads bumped.
"Ouch!"
Juan groaned.
Roshni giggled.
Both parents laughed.
Then Urlima's phone rang.
She answered.
"What?"
"Umma… it's me."
Janvi.
Ever since Urlima learned the truth, she no longer called her Mama.
Only Umma.
"Umma… I want to speak to you please, dear."
"I'm listening."
Irritation filled Urlima's voice.
Janvi hesitated.
"Actually… you got everything wrong."
Urlima frowned.
"What?"
"Your father and I were never married."
Silence.
"What?"
Urlima froze.
She covered her mouth immediately, remembering the sleeping baby nearby.
"I actually married your uncle."
"We kept it secret."
"Your grandmother lied to your mother."
"She only confessed the truth before she died."
Urlima stood speechless.
Everything she knew was suddenly changing.
"Your father is sick."
"He hasn't eaten for days."
"Please come home."
"Please."
Long silence.
Finally—
"Fine. I will."
Janvi released a shaky breath.
"Thank you, love."
The call ended.
Urlima looked toward Juan.
"Can I take Roshni home with me?"
Juan smiled.
"She yours too, you know."
Baby Roshni giggled in her sleep.
Both parents smiled.
Back At The Mountain Cabin
Lilith and Nikolai sat together eating dinner.
A movie played on television.
Suddenly Lilith grabbed a face mask.
Without warning she applied it to Nikolai's face.
Then she giggled.
"Now Nikki p…p…pretty!"
Nikolai gasped dramatically.
"Oh no."
"I'm not pretty, Bambi."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"Hmm?"
Lilith shook her head.
"Nope."
"Nikki handsome!"
Nikolai laughed loudly.
He pulled her into his arms.
Together they continued watching television.
New York
Tamman had refused to do a gender reveal.
She wanted the babies to remain a surprise.
Her stomach had grown much larger.
Ishaan remained by her side through the entire pregnancy.
He was currently packing baby bags.
"Here, Dad."
Vanya handed him a bottle.
"You look like shit, bro," Tory laughed.
"When Anya gets pregnant you'll understand."
Vanya gasped.
"Papa!"
Her face turned bright red.
Tory grinned.
"You know what?"
"I will."
"Thanks for the idea."
Everyone laughed.
During breakfast, Zafraan smiled down at his phone.
He was texting Clara.
He had returned home.
And he missed her terribly.
Tamman continued eating her burger.
"Happy?"
Sohan asked.
She nodded.
Riyana chuckled.
"Nikolai and Lily didn't come home."
"They left for a private place."
"No mafia."
"No business."
"Just them."
Farhan nodded.
"I'll whoop his ass if he does anything sneaky."
Sohan snorted.
"Ha."
"When Mumma told him to give her a baby," Ariz said.
Everyone laughed.
"What!?"
Sohan protested.
"What!?" Riyana repeated.
He immediately flinched.
"Tf, Ria. She's seventeen."
Riyana folded her arms.
"Says the man who got me pregnant at sixteen."
"Shame, Baba."
Rafsan gasped dramatically.
Anika burst out laughing.
Suddenly Tamman froze.
"Uhmm… Ishaan…"
"I think I just peed on myself."
Everyone looked at her.
Anika checked.
Her eyes widened.
"Uh oh."
"Your water broke early."
"You are having your babies right now."
The room exploded into motion.
Ishaan rubbed his face.
"Come on!"
He immediately carried Tamanna.
Everyone rushed after them.
Within minutes they were driving toward the hospital.
Ten Minutes Later
Labor had begun.
Sohan had already called his father.
Tamman's mother and siblings were rushing to the hospital.
Inside the VIP maternity ward, Trinetra, Vamika and Arhant organized baby clothes.
Meanwhile inside the delivery room—
"Okay Tammy!"
"Push!"
Anika instructed.
Tamman screamed.
She gripped the sheets.
She pushed.
Ishaan sat nearby.
Tears filled his eyes.
Sohan patted his shoulder.
"I see a head!"
Anika announced.
"Come on Tammy!"
Nishi encouraged.
Tamman screamed again.
Moments later—
A baby girl entered the world.
Crying loudly.
Ishaan heard his daughter for the very first time.
Tears spilled down his face.
Tamman breathed heavily.
"Good job."
"One minute more."
"Push!"
Nishi encouraged.
Tamman shook her head.
"I… I can't."
"I'm not strong enough."
Anika leaned closer.
"Listen to me."
"You push."
"Or your daughter loses her twin."
"Now PUSH!"
Tamman screamed.
She gripped the bed.
Her entire body strained.
Ishaan looked ready to lose his mind.
Tory held him back.
"Calm down."
Another scream.
Then—
A baby boy cried.
The second twin had arrived.
Tamman collapsed unconscious.
Anika exhaled deeply.
The nurses began cleaning both babies.
A few minutes later Anika and Nishi walked outside.
Ishaan immediately stood.
"Congratulations, Uncle!"
Nishi smiled.
"A girl and a boy."
Ishaan cried openly.
"Lilith won the bet."
"Me too," Karim declared proudly.
He looked at Nihal.
Riyana smacked his head.
"Ouch!"
"I was gonna send the money!"
"Give it now."
Rafsan stretched out his hand.
Everyone laughed.
"Tammy?"
Ishaan asked anxiously.
"She passed out after the final push."
"But she's stable."
"Don't worry."
Relief flooded his face.
Then a nurse ran toward them.
"Doctor!"
"There's an emergency!"
"The patient is losing a lot of blood!"
Karim immediately looked toward Anika proudly.
Anika nodded.
"Get them to the operating room."
"I'll be there."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
The nurse hurried away.
Anika turned toward her husband.
"Are you okay, baby?"
Karim smiled.
Then kissed her forehead.
"I am proud of you, love."
"Go."
"It's an emergency."
Anika smiled.
She kissed him quickly.
Then she ran toward the operating room.
As the hospital doors closed behind her, another life waited to be saved.