The afternoon sun cast a warm glow across the Kai estate. Nora sat gently rocking on her chair outside, wrapped in the comfort of her family. The twins, Seraphina and Lysander, lay nestled in her arms. While Lysander remained quiet as usual, Seraphina had begun talking in bits and pieces.
Zayan tried feeding her, but she pushed the spoon away with her tiny hand and yelled in her high-pitched voice, "Dada no! No, no, no!"
Everyone clapped in amusement, and Seraphina clapped back, her cheeks puffed up in delight.
Zayan chuckled, "You don't want it?"
Seraphina shook her head emphatically.
Across the garden, the women were lounging peacefully—Aaila, Lisa, Frya, and Nathaira—all glowing with pregnancy, their baby bumps round and prominent at eight months. Aaila, now in her ninth month along with Lisa, had already been admitted to the hospital in preparation for delivery.
Nora, ever nurturing, had already arranged a baby shower and stocked up supplies for all of them.
Cars pulled into the driveway. It was Rhea and her brother. As they walked in, Rhea held a thick photo album in her hands.
"Mr. Kai," she called. Everyone turned to look at her.
She walked up and handed the album to him. "Here."
Zayan opened it and flipped through pages—photos of Nora in her school days, standing by a window, laughing in the library. Beside her in many shots was a young man.
"Who's that?" Zayan asked, pointing at him.
"Oh, that's Desmon. He was in love with Nora. Wanted to marry her, even. But she only ever wanted to study. He's back in London now. I told him about Nora… He's on his way here."
Zayan raised an eyebrow, tension crawling up his spine.
An hour later, Asher rushed in, beaming. "It's a boy!"
Cheers erupted. Aaila had given birth.
"I'm a grandmother now," Nora said joyfully.
Everyone surrounded Asher, offering congratulations. Aaila, pale and tired, was wheeled out briefly, and Nora took the twins in her arms to visit her.
Zayan stayed back, still pensive. He turned to Asher and asked quietly, "Who is Desmon?"
Asher froze. "Where did you hear that bastard's name?" His jaw clenched as he grabbed his gun.
"Whoa, whoa—calm down," Maverick said, stepping between them.
"That fool tried to rape Nora when she was sixteen. Nana called the cops on him. His family used to be one of the most dangerous in the city back then."
Zayan folded his arms, silent.
Another hour passed. A grey G-Wagon rolled up. Several men and a woman stepped out.
"Rhea!" the man called. "Where is she?"
Rhea's eyes narrowed. "Desmon."
Zayan was still seated, rocking slowly, watching in chilling silence.
"You tried to rape Nora?" Rhea said coldly.
"It was a mistake—I was mad for her. I couldn't help myself. I got arrested, but I still love her," Desmon stammered.
Melanie stepped forward. "You're Desmon Blaze, right?"
He nodded, then turned—and locked eyes with Zayan Kai.
The air went cold.
"You're… Zayan Kai?" Desmon whispered.
Zayan gave a slow nod.
Desmon's gaze drifted to the family photo on the table—Nora and Zayan smiling with the twins, all dressed in moon-colored outfits.
"What the fuck…" Desmon muttered, his phone slipping from his hand.
Just then, Nora entered, carrying one twin while Aaila followed with her newborn. Max, the husky, padded beside them.
Nora cooed at the baby. "He looks like you—not Asher. Asher looks like a drunk unicorn."
Zayan burst into laughter.
"Pardon you," Asher said, feigning insult in his deep British accent. "I'm very handsome."
"Uhmm, no you're not," Nora replied without missing a beat.
Asher grinned and took Aaila's hand as she sat down. Zayan approached with a gift—a beautifully wrapped baby basket.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Asher," he said.
"Thank you both," Aaila smiled.
Desmon stepped closer. "Nora?"
"Hello," she said, her expression neutral.
"Do you remember me?"
Nora blinked. "Nope. Sorry. Nora doesn't remember anything."
Desmon turned to Zayan. "What the hell happened?"
Zayan explained the Bora Island accident, the memory loss, and everything that followed.
Desmon and Rhea stood speechless.
Suddenly—
"Z!!!" Nora's scream rang out.
Chaos broke loose. Guns were drawn instantly as they rushed to the backyard.
Zayan reached Nora first. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
She pointed—a masked figure stood with a gun aimed at her.
"MAX!" she cried.
The husky lunged, knocking the intruder down, biting fiercely and growling.
Zayan and the boys surrounded the man, guns raised.
"Who are you?" Zayan demanded.
"I… I'm just a messenger," the man whimpered, holding out a blood-stained letter. "For your wife."
Zayan snatched it and read aloud:
"Dear Nora Kai,
Zayan belongs to me—and only me. Since childhood, we were to be married. You came into the picture, but not for long. I will erase you, take your twins, and reclaim what is mine.
—Livie Diamond"
Gasps rippled across the group.
Nora stroked Max. "Good boy. Who's a good boy?" she cooed as Max licked her face. She giggled.
"Let's go inside," Zayan said, his voice dropping into a low, devilish tone. The boys shivered, but Nora smiled.
"Mom," she said, "call your old friend—Mrs. Janet."
Catalina dialed. Janet picked up.
"Hello?" she answered in her heavy French accent.
Zayan took the phone. "Good evening, Mrs. Janet. Kindly warn your mad daughter. If she ever threatens my wife or children again—I'll send her to God. Early."
There was a pause.
"My… my deepest apologies, Zayan, my boy. We're coming tomorrow," Janet replied.
He ended the call.
Just then, Seraphina waddled in. "Dada, Dada," she chirped, picking up a pistol and pointing it toward the window.
BANG!
The window shattered.
"WOAH WOAH WOAH!" Zayan cried, snatching the gun.
Seraphina giggled and clapped. "Pow pow pow!" she said joyfully.
Everyone rushed down.
"What happened?" Frya asked.
Zayan pointed. "She happened."
Maverick gasped, thrilled. "That's amazing! She shot the window!"
He picked her up and spun her around as she giggled again.
Zayan shook his head, laughing. "This girl will kill someone one day."