It was 3rd May.
There was only one day left until Mila's birthday.
Lilith was busy making all the arrangements for her daughter's birthday celebration.
Meanwhile…
Nikolai took Mila to the store to buy her a birthday dress.
Armed men surrounded them everywhere they went.
Nolan.
Hammed.
Enzo.
Adrian.
Capsian.
Alexio.
Kenan.
Nathan.
Brandon.
They were all there.
Mila happily sucked on her pacifier as they entered the first boutique.
Her little eyes widened.
She giggled.
She clapped excitedly.
"M…Mr. Devereaux, welcome," the manager said nervously.
"My little girl's birthday is tomorrow."
"I want the best dress you have."
"All of them," Nikolai said.
"Y…Y…Yes, sir," the manager replied.
The staff immediately began bringing out one beautiful dress after another.
Mila looked carefully.
She didn't like any of them.
"Which one, love?" Alexio asked.
She slowly shook her head.
They left.
They tried six more stores.
Still…
None of the dresses caught her attention.
Mila sat quietly while Brandon helped put her little shoes back on.
"Tank uwnle," she said.
He smiled warmly and kissed her forehead.
"You're welcome, love," Brandon replied.
Then…
Mila suddenly turned toward another boutique.
She stared through the display window.
Her eyes sparkled.
There…
She saw a very short, beautiful dress.
"Dada?" she called.
"Yes, my baby?" Nikolai answered.
She pointed excitedly.
"Shwin," she said.
Everyone turned.
They saw the dress she was pointing at.
"Let's go," Nolan said.
Nathan lifted Mila onto his shoulders.
She laughed happily while playing with his hair.
People around them watched.
Many secretly took pictures.
The guards quickly formed a protective shield around them.
They entered the boutique.
Nathan carried Mila directly toward the dress.
"W-Welcome, sir."
"How may I help?" the manager asked.
"That dress."
"My little girl likes it."
"How much?" Nikolai asked.
"It costs ₽220,700, sir," the manager replied.
Mila frowned immediately.
"Dada…"
"Dis too 'spensive!"
"I wan smaw one!"
Mila protested.
Adrian bent down beside her.
"But your dad is getting it for you, sweetheart."
He smiled.
"Dis money big…"
"…and dada money all go."
"Smaw one pretty pwease?"
Mila pleaded.
Nikolai rubbed his face.
"Like mother…"
"Like daughter…"
"None of you want something grand," he mumbled.
"But baby…"
"It's the smallest one here."
"No big money," Enzo said.
"Weawwy?" Mila asked.
"Yes, love," Hammed answered.
"So Mimi take the dress?" Capsian asked.
"Uh huh," Mila nodded happily.
Nikolai paid for the dress.
He also bought the matching shoes.
Afterward…
Mila waddled outside.
Everyone followed behind her.
"Dada…"
"I get pwetty gif for Mama?"
Mila asked.
"Sure, love."
"Come."
"Let's go," Nikolai replied.
She preferred waddling instead of being carried.
Hammed stayed beside her to guide her.
"Unlce…"
"Get gif for DD?"
Mila whispered to Adrian.
He looked at her.
"Uhmmm…"
"Mil…"
"That was our shhh… secret."
Adrian smiled.
"Uh oh."
Mila quickly covered her mouth.
"Uncle…"
"Ywu too gif for Fa Fa?"
She asked Hammed.
"Milllll…" Hammed laughed.
She burst into giggles.
Back at the mansion…
Lilith sat wrapping decorations while the children helped her.
Ella handed her flowers.
"Thank you, baby," Lilith smiled before kissing her forehead.
Ella giggled.
"Aunt…"
"Almost done?" Yasmin asked while wrapping gifts.
"Yep," Lily answered.
Mattia waddled inside holding flowers.
"Awww…"
"For Mila?" Zhanna smiled.
"Yws."
"Mil."
"My Mil."
"My wittle sister."
"I wuv Mil!"
Mattia said proudly.
Salvatore smiled and took pictures of his son.
"Me too," Hania said.
Just then…
Nikolai walked inside.
Mila waddled beside him.
"Hi Mama!" Mila smiled.
"Hello, my sweet baby," Lily answered.
Mila held a small box.
"I get gif for Mama!"
She smiled proudly.
"Really?" Lily asked.
"Uh huh."
"Bambi," Nikolai said.
"Hmm?"
"Okay."
Lilith closed her eyes.
She suddenly felt something small resting against her neck.
"Here Mama," Mila whispered.
Lilith opened her eyes.
Around her neck…
Hung a beautiful lotus flower pendant.
She giggled softly.
"Mila…"
"Did you get this?"
Lily asked.
Mila shyly nodded.
Lilith kissed her forehead before hugging her tightly.
"No sell!"
Mila said while pointing at the pendant.
"I promise," Lily whispered.
Later…
Lilith took Mila to the park.
Nikolai carried the picnic basket.
He wore his mask.
Mila happily picked flowers while humming to herself.
After a few minutes…
She sat down on the grass.
She blew bubbles into the air.
"They're so beautiful."
"She looks so cute," Nikolai smiled.
"Like you," Lily replied.
They rested their foreheads against each other.
"I love you," Nikolai whispered.
"I love you too, Nikki."
"Now…"
"And forever," Lilith answered.
He pulled his mask down.
They kissed.
Their precious moment…
Was suddenly shattered.
A loud scream echoed through the park.
They instantly looked up.
Mila had fallen.
Blood streamed down the side of her head.
"MIL!!"
Nikolai shouted.
Lilith rushed over and picked up her daughter.
She looked ahead.
Several men stood there.
Each one held stones.
"Mama…"
Mila cried.
"Mhaira…"
"You have two choices."
"Come with us…"
"And both your husband and daughter will live."
One of the men threw another stone.
This time…
It struck Nikolai directly on the head.
"TF!?"
He growled.
"HEY!!!!!!"
Lilith screamed.
She immediately grabbed Nikolai's gun.
She began firing at them.
Then…
She grabbed a heavy stick.
"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH THEM!!!!"
The tiny Queen roared.
Nikolai quickly carried Mila.
He locked her safely inside the car.
"Shhhhhh…"
"It's okay, baby."
He comforted her.
Lilith pointed the gun directly at one surviving attacker.
"WHO SENT YOU!?"
She screamed.
"S…She wants you…"
"She will get you…"
"In two days…"
"Take you to India…"
"Your…"
"T…The key…"
He stammered.
Lilith let out a furious scream.
She pulled the trigger.
He died instantly.
She ran back to the car.
Mila was crying.
Nikolai carefully cleaned the blood from her little head.
"Mama…"
Mila whispered.
Seeing her daughter injured…
Filled Lilith with overwhelming rage.
Not just anger.
She was extremely furious.
They immediately took Mila back home.
At the mansion…
Nikolai held Mila in her lap.
Leonid gently cleaned the wound before applying antiseptic.
"Owie…"
Mila cried harder.
"Sowry Mil…"
Mattia whispered while holding her little hand.
Ella held Mila's other hand.
Lilith paced back and forth across the room.
The Red Order entered.
"Boss…"
"We got a deal on Lily from her…"
Kalma reported.
"What happened, baby?" Hana asked.
Before anyone answered…
Lilith's phone rang.
Unknown Number.
"Yes?" Lilith answered.
"Mahira…"
"Why did come—"
The woman began.
"Now listen to me, you old hag!"
"You have crossed my line by TOUCHING MY DAUGHTER!"
"And now…"
"I will have your head!"
"You want that mountain, don't you?"
"You will NEVER GET IT!"
"EVERYTHING WILL BE DESTROYED!"
Lilith roared.
Everyone in the room instinctively stepped backward.
She wasn't merely angry.
She was very… extremely… furious.
The woman chuckled.
"We could have been sisters…"
"If Sohan didn't take Riyana away from my father…"
"Who abused my mother…"
"Just because of him!"
She shouted.
"Don't yell, you stupid woman!"
"How is that our fault?"
"Now get this into your head."
"I WILL MAKE YOU PAY."
"I WILL KILL YOU."
"GOT IT!?"
Lilith screamed.
She ended the call.
Then…
Lilith released a loud, heart-shaking scream of pure rage as she walked away.
"Mihu?" Zafraan called softly.
"Give her a moment."
"She needs to calm down," Nikolai said quietly.
He continued holding Mila in his arms while Leonid carefully treated her wounds.