Catalina had sent out invitations far and wide. Friends, family, allies—all were expected at the Kai mansion for the grand party.
Zayan finished his office work earlier than usual, and Nora had her own list of guests. She reached out to Smith, Meeri, Ciro, and even Melanie, who had insisted on joining her, Catalina, and Nora for shopping and a salon trip.
Shopping Trouble
Nora tied on a bonnet before stepping into the dress store.
"Welcome, Mrs. Kai," the manager greeted warmly.
"Hi, everyone," Nora smiled, and the attendants practically ran to embrace her.
"Mrs. Nora!" they chorused, their admiration genuine.
They laid out the newest collection of gowns. Lisa gasped dramatically.
"Ouuuuu!"
"Right?" Darba laughed, already trying something on.
But Nora shook her head after browsing. "No… none of these feel right. I want the best, the sexiest."
And then came the voice that froze the room.
"Well, well, well. Look who's here."
Sasha and her clique walked in, their presence dripping arrogance. She flopped into a chair, her friends Roxy and Billie rolling their eyes at her.
"He's married, girl. Let it go," Roxy said.
"No!" Sasha snapped. "I want him. He's rich, powerful, and devastatingly handsome. I don't care if he's married."
Lisa scoffed. "Pathetic."
Nora finally found a dress she liked, her eyes lighting up. "This one. I'm sure Z will love it."
Sasha's head snapped up. "Hey! Give me that. I want it."
"Uh, no. She picked it first," Catalina cut in sharply.
The manager stepped in, offering an even better set of gowns in a private collection. Nora tried them and came out glowing. "I'll take these." She swiped her card for a jaw-dropping £6 million.
"I said I want it!" Sasha screeched.
"She took it first," Nathaira said coldly.
But before the tension could escalate, Nora heard a familiar voice.
"Nora?"
Her heart leapt. "Billie!"
They embraced tightly, tears in both their eyes. Moments later, Lola burst in, squealing, "Noraaaaa!" She flung herself onto her.
"My God… it's really you," Billie whispered.
"These are my friends from high school," Nora explained, smiling warmly.
But when they asked about Nana, Nora's smile faded. "She… she died in the orphanage fire six years ago. I'm married now, with four kids."
"Oh, Nora…" Billie whispered.
Sasha scoffed, breaking the reunion. "Are you seriously going to the Kai party? You don't even look like you belong there. It's not for broke, dirty people."
The manager's jaw dropped. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"
"I don't give a fuck," Sasha said.
"Well, you should," Catalina said, stepping forward with her chin high. "Because I am Zayan Kai's mother."
Sasha laughed in her face. "Hoe, you're not. If I see you near that mansion, you're done. Zayan will be mine."
"Good luck," Nora said calmly. "See you tomorrow. Zayan himself will introduce me to you."
Billie and Lola exchanged numbers with her before Sasha's gang stormed off.
Back Home
At the mansion, Catalina paced, furious.
"She called me a hoe, Nora! A hoe! And said I'm not Zayan's mother!"
"Mom, please calm down," Nora said gently, still in her bonnet.
"No! She insulted me in public. Tomorrow, she'll regret it." Catalina's anger burned hot.
Nora sighed. "Z, I ran into my old friends—Billie and Lola. Sadly, they're connected to Sasha."
"That's the same bitch who kept eyeing Papa yesterday," Seraphina interrupted proudly. "I gave her the best insults of her life."
Catalina scooped her up with pride. "That's my baby!"
Nora smiled at the scene when Lysander padded in, sleepy. "Hi, Mama."
"Hi, sweetheart. I got you and Liam matching suits with your sister."
"Awesome! Thanks, Mom!"
But Neal called out. "Nora, come see where Li-Li is…"
They entered the hall—and froze.
"WTF, Liam!" Zayan and Seraphina shouted together.
Their boy was perched high on the chandelier, swinging like a monkey.
"Hi, Dada! Hi, Mama!" he waved proudly.
"Li-Li, how did you even get up there?" Nora asked, wide-eyed.
"Easy. I jumped," Liam grinned.
"LIAM ZAYAN KAI! GET DOWN NOW!" Lysander bellowed.
Liam grinned, did a triple flip, and landed perfectly in front of Nora. "Hey Mama, you look so, so pretty." He hugged her legs, giggling.
Lysander tugged his ear. "Ouch! Larryyy!" Liam cried, wriggling away.
Soon, laughter filled the hall as Liam clung to Winter, Kiernan's daughter, bragging, "Winter loves me!"
The Party
By the next afternoon, the mansion glittered with light and music. Guests streamed in.
Raphael gazed at Catalina, more in love than ever. At forty-five, she radiated elegance; at fifty-seven, he was smitten like a boy.
Upstairs, Zayan sulked. "Nora, I just want to lay down with you. Don't make me dress up."
"Too bad," she smirked, fixing his tie. "You look so hot and handsome."
Her words made him blush. He pulled her close, lips grazing hers. "You drive me insane."
Moments later, against the wall, passion took over—until Aaila knocked. "Nora! Hurry!"
Nora straightened, cheeks flushed. "Later, Z."
"Tonight, you're mine," he whispered darkly.
Downstairs, the party came alive. The Black Scar Lords, the Lilith women, and the Kai allies gathered. The wives stunned in gowns, each more breathtaking than the next.
But when Nora descended the staircase—deep cherry waves in her hair, her dress a dramatic dark red with twin thigh-high slits, white fur coat draped over her shoulders—the room went silent.
"Wow…" Lucian whispered.
Even Sasha froze, humiliated in the dress Nora had discarded.
"Hello, ma. I'm Nora Zayan Kai," she said graciously, joining Zayan's side.
He was struck speechless, lips parting as if he'd forgotten how to breathe.
The Betrayal
The night swirled with music and wine, laughter echoing through the halls. Guests admired the Kai family openly.
But not everyone was celebrating.
Seraphina slipped into a room and froze. Sasha stood inside, phone to her ear.
"I want you to do a job for me. Kill Zayan Kai's kids—there are four. I'll poison his wife. He'll be mine. Be their new driver, burn them all in the car."
Seraphina's heart pounded. She spotted the hidden camera—everything was recorded.
She bolted—only for Sasha to spot her.
The gunshot cracked.
Seraphina collapsed, blood soaking her back.
"LILLY!" Lysander screamed, clutching his chest in shared agony. Neal held him as his pain mirrored hers.
"WHAT HAPPENED?" Zayan roared.
Nora rushed down the stairs, Seraphina limp in her arms. Liam cried hysterically. "Lilly? Larry? What's wrong?!"
"Shhh, baby," Renna tried to cover his eyes.
Zayan's face went pale. "Lilly? Lilly!" He slapped her cheeks, desperate for a response.
Nora didn't wait. She carried her daughter into the car and sped to the hospital.
Lysander sobbed, begging. "Please, Lord, take my life instead of hers!"
"SHUT UP!" Zayan thundered, gripping him, his voice raw.
Everyone was shaken—Winter, Luca, Lyra, Hael, all crying.
Valencia stepped forward, holding up a phone. "Play this."
The recording boomed through the speakers, Sasha's voice filling the hall.
"I want you to kill Zayan Kai's kids…"
Gasps erupted. Maali's eyes went wide. "Sasha…"
Lucian's voice broke. "She didn't… she couldn't…"
But the proof was undeniable.
Lysander, still trembling with pain, snarled through his tears. "I will kill her myself."
And the Kais rushed toward the hospital, their family on the edge of breaking.