t was morning.
Nikolai and Lilith were eating breakfast together.
He had prepared it himself.
"Here Mimi," he said softly, handing their daughter a bottle of milk.
Mila drank it quietly, her small hands wrapped around it.
Lilith watched them both for a moment, but her mind was elsewhere.
She had been thinking for days.
About everything.
About him.
About them.
About going back home.
She finally spoke.
"Nikki?" she said.
"Hmm?" he answered, not looking up immediately.
"Tell me something… do you think I'm capable of being your wife?"
Nikolai stopped eating.
Slowly, he looked at her.
His expression changed instantly.
"Why do you think that?" he asked.
Lilith hesitated.
"Well… you're a very successful man. Worth $90 trillion. Women are crazy for you. So bad that they separated us, like our love isn't strong enough to hold each other. Even Russia itself bows at your feet… but still you chose me when I was mentally unstable."
Her voice shook slightly.
"Now that I'm normal… everything feels different. Doubts… everything. Can't you be with someone strong—"
"That's enough, Lilith."
His voice was firm.
She stopped.
He set his fork down completely.
"I don't care if you're not strong," Nikolai said, eyes locked on hers. "It's not about strength, power, brains—none of that, Lily. It's you. It has always been you."
His voice broke slightly.
"I love you. Very, very much. You broke me when you left. We need to stay together and build trust again. You're hurting me… breaking me inside."
He stood up slowly.
"I love you. Always you."
"Come home."
"Your home. I built it for you. For our future. I took care of your garden… everything you love."
His hands clenched.
"Now it's in your hands."
"I'm leaving."
"If you truly love me, you will come. I will wait—even if it takes years."
His voice cracked fully now.
"But I'm deeply hurt. You don't even know how I feel right now. I'm broken. It hurts a lot."
"Nikki… Nikki—Nikki!" Lilith called after him.
But he had already turned away.
He wiped his tears and walked out.
A car door shut.
And he was gone.
Lilith stood frozen.
Tears slipped down her face.
Mila quietly drank her milk in her arms.
"I really do love you, Nikki…" she whispered.
Three minutes later…
In a hidden mansion.
Nikolai lay on his grandmother's lap.
Viktoria gently stroked his hair.
"Help me, Grandma… you're the only one who can talk to her," he said softly.
"Shhh. I will," Viktoria replied, rubbing his back.
"I wanted to see her in these clothes when she comes here," Nikolai said, pointing at a box nearby.
Viktoria glanced at it and nodded slowly.
"I will make sure of it," she said.
Six days later
At the academy.
Inside the art class, Lilith had not seen Nikolai in days.
He was still hurt.
The silence between them felt heavy.
"Oh my, Ms. Lilith… this is absolutely stunning," Mr. Savva said.
"Thank you, sir," she replied softly.
Later…
The hall changed atmosphere.
Lilith's outfit had been changed into a regal Mughal-inspired ensemble:
A muted sage green Anarkali peshwaz, layered and flowing, embroidered with intricate gota patti and zardozi floral work. Gold-thread sequins shimmered across the bodice and sleeves. A brocade-lined flared skirt moved elegantly over palazzo pants with every step.
A sheer dupatta with heavy gold borders covered her head and shoulders.
She wore a Persian-inspired embellished topi, pearl and kundan jewelry, layered necklaces, heavy jhumkas, stacked bangles, haathphool, rings, embroidered mojari, soft luminous makeup, kohl-lined eyes, neutral lips, and a small bindi.
Her long dark hair flowed beneath the headpiece.
She looked like something between royalty and myth.
Mr. Ignat stood nearby as the doors opened.
Aram and his group entered.
The Venom Syndicate followed.
The entire hall circled around the central chair.
Lilith walked in.
Her eyes were red.
And the performance began.
Lilith and the Students' Choral Performance
The stage lights dimmed.
Soft instrumental music filled the hall.
Lilith stood alone at the center.
Behind her, the student choir formed elegant rows.
The dancers surrounded them.
Lilith was the voice.
The students were harmony.
The performance began.
Lilith (Solo):
"Navatunni Aali Apsara"
(A heavenly beauty has arrived.)
She stepped forward slowly, graceful and controlled, her hand extending outward.
The dancers moved behind her in soft classical formations.
Lilith (Solo):
Aashi sundara saaj sathpudha
(She is beautifully adorned in magnificent attire.)
She touched her jewelry gently.
Student Choir:
Aali aali aali, aali ho aali
(She has arrived.)
The dancers clapped rhythmically in sync.
Lilith (Solo):
Jaisa maathi maanla gajra
(A fragrant flower garland decorates her hair.)
She mimed placing flowers into her hair.
Student Choir:
Dokyecha nazra theel tichyaavar…
(All eyes are drawn toward her.)
The performance continued in waves of movement, harmonies, and choreography.
Final Chorus
Lilith (Solo):
Sab noor noor sa bikhra hai…
(Light is scattered everywhere.)
Her voice softened.
Student Choir:
Ek tu hi khayalon mein utra hai…
(Only you live in my thoughts.)
Lilith (Solo):
Bas jhoom jhoom jhoom jhoom jaata hai dil…
(My heart keeps dancing.)
Student Choir:
Tu mastani hai… Tu deewani hai…
(You are graceful… you are deeply in love.)
The dancers slowly circled her.
Lilith (Solo):
Paakeza hasti hain teri tu noorani hai…
(Your pure soul shines bright.)
Her voice trembled.
Tears formed again.
The final notes faded.
Lilith lowered her head.
Tears streamed silently.
She tried to smile.
The choir hummed the last melody.
The audience rose in applause.
The curtain of silence closed over her emotions.
Backstage whispers began.
"This isn't just singing… it's pain," Yamini said.
"Pain of love," Baran replied.
"She didn't perform… she confessed," Cassia added.
Lilith walked out.
Her eyes were red.
Alara stepped in front of her.
"What now?" Lilith asked tiredly.
"So you're madly in love… that psycho?" Alara mocked.
Laughter followed.
"Are you done?" Lilith said coldly.
Alara stepped closer.
"I don't like you."
"I don't care," Lilith replied.
Her voice sharpened.
"Stay away from me and my group. Or it won't be funny for you. Do you understand?"
Valen smirked.
"You got nerve."
"My name is Lilith," she snapped. "I have nerves."
Her tone dropped dangerously.
"Stay away from me. If you want to leave this school in peace, trust me."
Her eyes hardened.
"People who cross me end up under something greater than themselves."
Silence fell.
She stepped closer.
"Mujhse dūr raho, varnā tumhẽ Devī Kālī ke krodh kā sāmnā karnā paṛegā."
(Stay away from me… or face the wrath of Goddess Kali.)
The group froze.
"How dare you—" Valen started.
"HEY!" Lilith shouted.
Everyone flinched.
Even Aram watched silently.
"Get this into your brains," she said sharply. "You are not gods. You are not untouchable. You are not above anyone."
Her voice cut through the hall.
"Stay away from me and my friends. Or it won't end well."
She shoved Valen slightly aside.
"You think you're intimidating? My fiancé is taller than you. Go target someone else."
At that moment—
A car pulled in.
Everyone turned.
An elderly woman stepped out.
Glasses. Guards carrying a box.
Lilith's voice softened instantly.
"Grandma?"
Whispers spread.
"Grandma?!"
"That old lady is looking for you," Gloria said.
"She's my husband's grandmother," Lilith whispered back.
"Ohhh…"
Lilith ran.
The woman opened her arms.
"Grandma!"
They embraced tightly.
Viktoria held her close.
"My sweet girl… I missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Grandma," Lilith said, wiping her tears.
"Come, love. Let's sit and talk."
They walked to the bench together.
And sat down.