Riyana gently kissed Sohan's forehead as he pulled on his gloves.
He smiled softly.
"Worried?" he asked.
She nodded while holding her veil tightly.
Sohan chuckled before kissing her lips.
"Don't worry, baby."
"I am scared for my children too."
"I will be okay."
"I promise, sweetheart."
He leaned closer and kissed her ear.
Riyana picked up his PKP Pecheneg machine gun and carefully handed it to him.
Sohan bent down and respectfully touched her feet.
"Bless you, my love," she whispered.
He kissed her lips one last time before stepping outside.
Outside, The Red Order stood fully prepared in their tactical gear.
Urlima wore a black harness top, gray cargo shorts fitted with holsters, a black asymmetrical jacket, and black combat boots.
Both The Red Order and The Dominant Apex were already assembled outside the house.
Lilith (Mhaira) zipped up her small backpack.
Nikolai wore a tactical vest, fitted combat pants, and combat boots.
Lilith secured the sacred dagger she had forged herself in a place where she could draw it instantly.
Everyone stepped outside.
Armed men surrounded the houses.
Back inside, Riyana quietly sat in a corner with her head covered by her veil.
She folded her hands and prayed silently.
At the temple, the entire Varijana family gathered.
Varijana's sons sat together with the rest of the family.
Every one of them prayed that the mission would end safely.
Moments later, Sohan and the others boarded separate boats.
The engines started.
Each boat headed straight toward the island while the teams finalized their plans.
Russia
Late that night, Sergei finally returned home.
He quietly checked on Samarth and Raisa.
Both children were sleeping peacefully.
He walked to Raisa's crib and gently kissed her forehead.
Then he kissed Samarth's forehead as well.
Softly closing the nursery door, he entered his bedroom.
His eyes widened.
His clothes…
In fact…
Almost everything from his wardrobe…
Was scattered across the room.
He looked toward the bed.
His wife was sleeping peacefully.
She hugged a large pillow wrapped in one of his shirts.
She wore his ash-colored hoodie, his white socks, and several more pieces of his clothing.
His heart ached.
Quietly, he took out his phone.
He captured a picture of her.
Immediately, he set it as his wallpaper.
He sat beside her.
Gently kissed her forehead.
Then her lips.
He had missed kissing her.
Carefully, he moved the pillow away.
She softly whined in her sleep.
Without waking her, he pulled her closer into his arms.
The two slept peacefully together.
Meanwhile…
Rohan entered his room.
He dropped onto his bed tiredly.
After years of carrying the pain, he had finally moved on from his childhood friend—the woman he had loved, who had chosen another man.
Earlier that day, he had gathered every photograph of her.
He threw them away.
Then burned them.
His phone suddenly rang.
"Hello?"
"Aree Ronny, meri baccha! (Hey Ronny, my child!)"
His mother's cheerful voice made him smile.
"Hi, Mumma."
"How are you doing?"
"You sound tired."
"Is everything okay, my love?"
"Yes, Mumma."
"It's just work…"
"And more work."
"Also underground work too, Mumma."
"Oh, my poor child."
"Get some rest."
"We'll talk in the morning."
"No, no, no, Mumma."
"Let's talk."
"I always have time for you."
She laughed.
"Well…"
"I want you to come home."
"Your Majesty…"
"Your father has arranged an alliance for you."
His eyes widened.
"Is he there?"
"Yes."
"And the phone is on speaker."
"Baba…"
"I will not marry anyone."
His father chuckled.
"I knew you would say that."
"That's why I'll call your boss."
"Boss is on a mission with his wife in India."
"Nobody should call him, please."
His father sighed.
"You refused the throne."
"And now you're refusing marriage?"
"Yes, Baba."
"I just want peace."
"Just the way I've had it for the past five years."
Another sigh escaped his father.
"Fine."
"At least come home."
"Hmm…"
"I'll think about it."
"I'll call tomorrow."
"I need sleep."
"Okay, son."
His mother smiled.
"Good night, everyone."
"I love you all."
"We love you too."
The call ended.
Rohan hugged a pillow.
Within minutes…
He drifted into a deep sleep.
The Next Morning
During breakfast, Mila sadly stared at her food.
"Come on, baby."
"Eat something."
Fariha encouraged gently.
Mila shook her head.
Rohan walked downstairs rubbing his sleepy eyes.
He yawned.
"What's wrong?"
"Mila doesn't want to eat."
"Boss forgot to call her yesterday like he promised."
Hammed explained.
Rohan sat beside Mila.
"Mimi…"
"Will you come to India with me?"
Her eyes immediately lit up.
"Mil go with Ronny to Inja!"
"I not talk to Dada and Mama."
"Great."
"Diya."
"Please pack her bag."
"We leave by ten."
"Ji. (Okay.)"
"Ouu…"
"Can I come?"
Sarah asked excitedly.
"Yeah."
"Sure."
Suddenly—
"Hi, guys!"
Damian stood at the doorway.
"Dammy!!"
Everyone shouted happily.
"Yayyyy!"
"Dammy!!"
Mila climbed down from her chair and hurried toward him.
Damian bent down.
She hugged him tightly.
"I miss you so much, Mimi."
"Mil miws you too!"
Mila replied.
"I brought chocolates."
"And…"
"I have a little announcement from Boss."
Everyone sat down.
"I wasn't actually on a mission in India."
"Boss assigned me to work with his great-grandmother."
"We've been making plans."
He smiled.
"So…"
"Boss is remarrying Lily."
The room erupted into cheers.
"We knew!"
Taran (Massimo) laughed.
Damian nodded.
"I've brought all the wedding colors."
"The samples."
"And everything the groom's family needs."
"Ouuuuuuu!!"
Daira squealed.
"But…"
"This must stay a secret."
"Boss wants it to be a surprise for Lilith."
Kishore adjusted his hearing aid.
"Amma mīṇḍum tirumaṇam seythu koḷgirār? (Mother is getting married again?)"
"Ha. (Yes.)"
Fariha smiled.
"Good."
Sarah grinned.
"Yayyy!"
Mila clapped happily.
Albert looked at Sarah with a teasing smirk.
Sarah noticed and quickly looked away, blushing as she remembered their affectionate time together the previous night.
"Mil go to Inja!"
Mila clapped excitedly.
Damian smiled at Rohan.
"Take care of her, Ronny."
"Yep."
"And the kids are coming with me too."
Rohan looked toward Lilith's adopted children.
"Oyiva."
"You too."
"Okay."
She answered softly while blowing her nose.
"Are you okay?"
Dr. Violet asked.
"Fever."
She replied.
Mila hugged her leg.
"I'm okay, baby."
Everyone began packing.
Emil, Sergei, and Marco stayed behind.
An hour later…
The others got into their vehicles.
They arrived at the airport.
Boarded the private jet.
And took off for India.
The Triarch Vault
On the boat…
Lilith held tightly onto Nikolai's arm.
"We're here."
Sohan pointed ahead.
The mysterious island stood before them.
The Triarch Vault.
Lilith tightened her grip on Nikolai's arm.
He checked his phone.
"Mila is on her way to India with Rohan."
"He's taking her to meet his family for the wedding."
He looked at Lilith.
"And…"
"She cried all night."
"We haven't spoken to her for a while."
"But they already explained our work."
Lilith smiled sadly.
"She's understanding."
"We love her."
The boat reached the shore.
Everyone except Lilith put on their masks.
They moved quietly.
Nimra launched a hidden drone.
"Boss."
"They're on the other side."
Everyone climbed into the trees.
Vishal.
Rima.
Sabrina.
Alexio.
All took positions high above.
Karim.
Nihal.
And Reyan split into separate directions.
Lilith stayed with Nikolai.
Kalma led her own squad forward.
The operation had begun.
Elsewhere on the island—
"Boss."
"A boat has been spotted at the far edge of the island."
A tall woman reported.
The leader smiled.
"She's here."
She glanced toward Austin, who sat beside her like a loyal pet.
"And I know…"
"You told them, Love."
She smiled coldly.
"Making her fall into the trap I prepared for Mihu."
Austin's eyes widened.
"No…"
He whispered.
Yet inside his mind…
We'll see about that.
The woman laughed.
"Welcome our guests."
"Bring her to me."
"Fail…"
"And I will end you."
"Yes, Boss!"
Every woman loaded her weapon.
The armed men followed behind them.
Nikolai and Sohan advanced until they spotted a gathering of guards.
Some sat talking.
Others stood watch.
Lilith quietly reached into Nikolai's bag.
She had her own plan.
"The dancer is on her way."
"We already called her."
One guard announced.
"Dancer?"
Alexio whispered.
Hidden behind a corner…
Lilith quickly changed clothes.
A woman stood beside her, covering her face.
"Sir?"
She asked.
Sohan immediately aimed his weapon.
"Who are you?"
"Where is Mhaira?"
"She told me to come and get her."
"The goons are waiting so you can do your work."
"My daughter?"
Sohan frowned.
"Yes."
"I did."
Lilith answered.
Everyone turned.
Nikolai's eyes widened.
His heartbeat quickened.
His anger rose as he saw her completed disguise.
Lilith (Mhaira) wore a striking deep ruby red Lehenga Choli featuring a flowing tiered georgette lehenga adorned with delicate silver mirror work and scattered sequin embroidery that caught the light with every movement. The skirt had a soft voluminous flare with embellished borders creating graceful motion while dancing. The choli was a fitted sleeveless blouse in a red and white gingham check pattern designed with a sweetheart neckline and structured cups for a contemporary look. A matching red dupatta was draped diagonally across the torso and tied loosely at the waist, adding an elegant yet playful touch. The waistline was highlighted with intricate silver mirror embellishments and beadwork accentuating the silhouette. The look was completed with stacked traditional gold bangles, creating a vibrant blend of modern fashion and classic Indian dance aesthetics, perfect for Bollywood performances, festive celebrations, or stage shows.
"What the fuck are you wearing!?"
Nikolai hissed.
"Shhhhh."
"While I distract them…"
"You all take them down."
"I paid the dancer to send my picture instead of hers."
"She didn't even want to come in the first place."
"This lady owns the bar."
"I paid her."
"And gave them gold."
Nikolai pinched the bridge of his nose.
"By becoming a fucking dancer for them?"
"I owe you."
"I promise."
She gently touched her throat.
"I'll make you pay for this."
He whispered.
From the trees—
"Go!"
"Go!"
"Go!"
"I heard some men."
Addison signaled.
Before leaving, Lilith stepped close to Nikolai and gave him a quick kiss.
Then the woman beside her took her hand.
Together…
They walked forward.
The act had begun.