Lilith quietly checked the room. The clock read 11:59 p.m.
She smiled softly before bending down and taking Mila's tiny hands into hers.
"Come, come, baby," she whispered.
Mila giggled happily as they hurried down the hallway together. Their laughter echoed through the mansion, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. The family members exchanged knowing smiles as they watched the mother and daughter run together.
Finally, they stopped in front of Nikolai's bedroom.
Lilith slowly opened the door.
Mila waddled inside first while Lilith carefully followed behind, carrying a breathtaking luxury black celebration cake designed with timeless elegance and refined sophistication.
The masterpiece featured a flawless smooth black vanilla buttercream finish with a soft velvety matte appearance. Delicate handcrafted black decorations adorned every side, creating a bold yet graceful statement. Hidden beneath the luxurious exterior were indulgent layers of rich moist red velvet and light fluffy vanilla sponge, perfectly paired with silky smooth vanilla buttercream, creating a decadent balance of flavor in every bite. The striking monochrome design radiated luxury while maintaining effortless elegance.
Gracefully written across the top in exquisite flowing handwritten calligraphy were the words:
𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓑𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓟𝓪𝓹𝓪
𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓝𝓲𝓴𝓴𝓲
𝓦𝓮 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓨𝓸𝓾
Nikolai was fast asleep.
Mila climbed onto the bed beside him.
"Dada! Dada! Dada! Dada!" she called, repeatedly tapping his face with her tiny hands.
"Hmmmmm… Mimi…" Nikolai mumbled sleepily.
The clock struck 12:00 a.m.
He slowly opened his eyes.
"What's wrong—"
His words stopped as he saw Lilith and Mila standing before him with the magnificent birthday cake.
He simply stared.
Lilith smiled lovingly.
"Mila, come on. Sing, love."
Mila immediately clapped her tiny hands and began singing in her adorable toddler voice.
"Happy birfday to Dada.
Happy birfday to Dada.
Happy birfday my Dada.
Happy birfday to you!"
She cheered loudly afterward.
"Yay! I wuv you Dada! Yay Dada! I wuv you! Big hug! Big kiss! You big stwong pwetty Dada! Hip hip hooray! Blow candles! Yayyy! Tank oo Dada! Wuv you!"
She continued clapping excitedly.
Tears instantly filled Nikolai's eyes before slowly rolling down his cheeks.
"I… I thought you forgot," he whispered.
Lilith gently shook her head.
"Never, baby. I could never forget, my darling."
Mila giggled.
Lilith carefully lit the candles before looking back at him.
"Make a wish, love."
Nikolai wiped away his tears.
Mila sat beside him wearing her adorable red pajamas and matching socks while everyone quietly watched from outside the bedroom, smiling at the beautiful family moment.
Nikolai closed his eyes.
Inside his heart, he silently prayed.
I wish my family stays stronger and that we remain together forever. I wish my love and Lily's love grows into the strongest love, filled with endless trust and unwavering loyalty.
He opened his eyes.
Then he blew out the candles.
"Yayyyyy!" Mila squealed while clapping.
Nikolai cut the cake.
He took the very first bite himself before feeding another piece to Mila.
"Wawww…"
Her little eyes widened with amazement.
Lilith laughed.
"It's her first time eating cake."
"Really?" Nikolai asked in complete shock.
Lilith nodded.
"Yeah. She hasn't tasted ice cream or sweets yet."
Nikolai smiled warmly.
"Dada will get all the chocolates for you, my sweet angel."
Mila leaned forward and kissed his nose.
He hugged her tightly.
Lilith carefully covered the remaining cake before lying beside them.
Holding each other close, Lilith and Mila slowly drifted to sleep.
At 2:45 a.m., Nikolai quietly woke up.
He looked at his sleeping wife and daughter.
A peaceful smile spread across his face.
His heart felt completely full.
He gently kissed both of their foreheads before closing his eyes once more and falling asleep again.
•••
The following morning—
"Happy Birthday, Boss!"
Both groups shouted together.
Nikolai smiled.
"Thank you."
"Happy Birfday Uncle!"
All the toddlers and children cheered.
"Aww. Thank you, little ones."
He bent down and hugged every one of them.
Today…
Nikolai officially turned 30 years old.
"Happy Birthday, Nick!"
Xeno, Leon, German, Naomi and Galina greeted him together.
"Thank you," he replied gratefully.
Meanwhile, Mila had already gotten dressed.
She wore an adorable handmade knit strawberry outfit lovingly knitted by Nikolai himself.
The main piece was a cozy flared red cardigan covered with tiny cream-colored knitted seeds that made it resemble a real strawberry. The sleeves ballooned gently before narrowing at the wrists, while a wide leafy green collar surrounded her neck and was decorated with a tiny white blossom.
Matching the cardigan was a cute strawberry beanie topped with knitted green leaves, along with soft chunky knitted booties, each finished with a delicate little white flower.
She looked absolutely adorable.
Lilith finished getting ready for school.
She walked over to Nikolai.
"Now be home by four o'clock, okay?"
He nodded.
She crouched before Mila.
"Be a good baby girl for Dada, okay?"
Mila nodded obediently.
"Mil! I got more blocks! Let's go!"
Caspian laughed as he picked her up and tossed her gently into the air.
Mila burst into uncontrollable giggles.
Soon everyone left for work.
Lilith headed to school.
•••
After classes ended…
Lilith sat peacefully in the school garden drawing with her friends while everyone else studied.
"Here, Willy. The diagram is done."
Wiktor accepted the paper.
"Oh girl… you're honestly a lifesaver."
He hugged her gratefully.
Lilith smiled.
"So… how's settling in with your dad?"
Wiktor's smile softened.
"A bit emotional… Dad bought Wiktoria a new laptop after his other daughter broke hers. Surprisingly, he doesn't listen whenever his wife and daughter try talking badly about us anymore. Last week… he actually threw them out."
He smiled gratefully.
"Thanks to your plan."
Wiktoria suddenly hugged Lilith tightly.
"Thank you, Lily. We finally got the love we've wanted from Dad all these years. Thank you so much."
Lilith kissed her forehead.
"You're welcome, love."
She wrapped both twins in another comforting hug while gently rubbing their backs.
A familiar voice interrupted them.
"Hello, Lilith."
Valen approached with his hands tucked inside his pockets while his teammates followed behind him.
Lilith ignored him completely.
She simply continued comforting the twins.
Valen looked at her.
"How is Mila?"
Everyone instantly froze.
Gloria narrowed her eyes.
"How do you know Mila?"
Valen smirked.
"Let's just say the little girl bumped into me."
The group exchanged suspicious glances.
Kazim folded his arms.
"Her little sister, right?"
Before anyone could answer, Lilith's phone chimed.
She unlocked it.
A video from Nikolai appeared.
On the screen, Mila happily stacked colorful building blocks.
"Here, Dada!"
Little Mila proudly showed her creation.
Behind the camera Nikolai laughed.
"Thank you, baby."
Lilith couldn't help smiling at her phone.
Just then—
Aram entered the garden alongside the Phoenix Circle.
The Phoenix Circle and the Venom Syndicate silently stared at each other.
Neither side moved.
At the same time, Lilith continued watching the video.
Mila was pouting while Nolan fixed her messy little hair.
"How are you this tiny little girl and still this strong?" Nolan laughed.
Everyone in the video laughed with him.
Without looking up, Lilith quickly sent a message.
She finally spoke.
"Are you all done having a staring competition?"
Both groups immediately looked toward her.
She calmly slipped her phone back into her bag.
With a tired sigh, she rubbed her face.
Just then…
Several luxurious Venom Syndicate vehicles pulled into the school grounds.
Everyone turned.
A young woman stepped out wearing stylish glasses.
"Oh… she's back," Aram muttered.
Valen smirked.
"Now the fun begins."
"Ms. Lilith, one minute dear," the coach called.
"Yes, ma'am," Lilith answered before walking away.
Meanwhile—
"V, darling."
The beautiful girl walked confidently toward Valen.
She looked every bit like a professional supermodel.
Her name was Maeve Donovan.
She was half Russian and half American Latina.
Although Valen didn't like her, she constantly attached herself to him.
He was, after all, the captain of the football team.
Gloria quietly scrolled through her iPad while waiting for Lilith to return.
When Lilith came back, Gloria leaned closer.
"Maeve rules this school. She's the biggest brat here. She ruins people's lives. She's the second heiress of Dons Diamond Industries. She's also a famous model, won Best Model, and she's one of the cheerleaders."
Nearby—
"Welcome back!"
Alara hugged Maeve warmly before they exchanged air kisses.
Lilith simply sat down and continued typing on her phone, completely uninterested.
Maeve removed her sunglasses and looked directly at Lilith.
"Who is that?"
"Kesian, let's go," someone called.
As everyone began leaving—
Valen answered calmly.
"That's Lilith… the Topper."
He paused before adding,
"…and my target."
Maeve smiled with interest.
"Interesting."
She slowly removed her glasses completely.
A dangerous smirk spread across her face.
"Let's see how long she lasts."
The others exchanged silent glances.
Without anyone saying another word…
Everyone understood.
The war had finally arrived.