Six hours later, they landed in Bangladesh.
The city was Dhaka.
The moment they arrived, everything changed.
Lilith fell sick—very badly sick.
Nikolai held her tightly in his arms as they stepped out.
"Why isn't her fever coming down?" Nikolai said angrily, his voice low and dangerous as he rubbed her hair gently.
It had been three days since she fell ill.
Three days of sleepless nights.
Three days of him taking care of her the same way she once took care of him.
Day and night.
She sneezed again.
He rubbed her back.
She coughed weakly.
Mrs Francesca touched her neck.
"Nick… she's still very hot," she said.
Rezaul waved at them.
Suddenly—
About 400 guards bowed in perfect unison.
"Rotno barite shagotom (Welcome home, Gem)!"
They all said together.
They were royal guards.
The Royal Family of Khan Zulfikar.
Nikolai entered the Range Rover Sport with Lilith still in his arms.
The rest of the family followed behind in a convoy of luxury:
Lincoln Black Label Navigator
Lexus RX
Lamborghini Diablo
Ferrari SF90 Stradale
Mercedes GLE Coupe AMG 63
Different cars, all moving like a royal procession.
They drove toward a private family estate.
When they arrived, they stepped out.
The mansion stood like a silent monarch on the emerald banks of the Buriganga River near Dhaka, its white marble glowing under golden lights, its name—Shonar Aashirbad—whispered among elites as a symbol of untouchable wealth. The towering iron gates lined with gold opened into a long driveway shaded by ancient banyan trees wrapped in soft lights while the air carried jasmine and distant music. Inside, the mansion rose in a breathtaking fusion of Bengali zamindar heritage and Mughal elegance, with carved arches, grand pillars, and gemstone floors forming glowing patterns beneath a massive lotus-shaped crystal chandelier. The Durbar Hall, draped in velvet and gold, held silent portraits watching every movement, while private suites overflowed with silk Jamdani fabrics and glass walls opening to river views where an infinity pool blended into the horizon below. Hidden chambers guarded rare diamonds, art, and ancient gold treasures. Beyond the walls stretched Mughal gardens with fountains, marble paths, and peacocks roaming freely beside a private helipad and a glass-domed hall for the world's most powerful guests. At night, the entire estate shimmered like a fallen star surrounded by silent guards and unseen surveillance. It was not just a home—but a symbol of power, legacy, and a beautiful cage for those who lived within.
Nikolai carried Lilith inside.
The Bengal family called her Baneva.
Her nickname—Neva.
"NEVA IS HERE!" a woman shouted, holding a coal pot with rising smoke.
"Wow!!!!!" Hammad said.
"Shubhechha (Greetings)," they all welcomed.
Nikolai was still outside.
"Where is Neva?" another woman asked.
Riyana walked out.
Her hair flowed freely, wrapped with flowers. She wore golden bangles and a nose ring with delicate nose cuffs. Her Banarasi silk saree shimmered in gold threads and deep red hues, flowing like liquid light with intricate patterns, radiating regal elegance.
She held a coal pot.
"Where is Neva?" she asked again.
"Now I see where Lily's beauty comes from," Sergei muttered.
"Yeah… look at her. Damn. Sohan is a lucky man," Kenan added quietly.
The entire family gathered.
"Where is Neva?" Mrs Asma asked as she entered.
"Where is Baneva?" a deep male voice echoed.
They turned.
An elderly man stood there.
Dressed in a finely tailored ivory sherwani with subtle gold embroidery, his presence was commanding yet graceful.
"You are all welcome," he said.
"Where is Neva?" he repeated.
"Right here," Nikolai's dark voice echoed as he stepped in, holding her.
The man was Zahirul Haq.
Riyana's grandfather.
He looked at his great-granddaughter—sleeping in Nikolai's arms.
"How is Neva?" Mrs Asma asked.
"Still sick. She's been like this for three days," Nikolai replied, gently rubbing her hair.
"Neva is sick?" one aunt gasped.
"Yes," Ethan confirmed.
"How is her mental condition?" one uncle asked.
Riyana stepped forward and touched Lilith's hair.
"Ria… how is Baneva's mental health?" Zahirul asked.
"She is still in a childlike state," Riyana answered.
Sohan walked in.
"How is Lily?" he asked, checking her.
"Put her down here. Let her sleep," Zahirul instructed, pointing at a cotton-brown bed that looked ancient.
Nikolai carefully laid her down.
Anika stepped forward and injected medication to reduce her fever.
Nikolai covered Lilith's ears protectively.
He kissed her lips.
Then her forehead.
He tried to stand—
But her tiny hand gripped his tightly.
"S…s…stay…" she whispered.
He froze.
He didn't move.
He gently patted her long hair.
Nearby, Zafraan began to panic.
Clara quickly moved closer.
"Shhh… it's okay… breathe in and out," she whispered calmly.
He nodded.
She patted his back.
He blushed slightly.
Everyone settled down as women served drinks and snacks.
Two hours later.
Nikolai sat face to face with Zahirul.
The old man had white beards, glasses, and a large emerald ring on his finger.
"So… what is your name?" he asked.
"My name is Nikolai William Devereaux," Nikolai replied, arms folded.
"What is your occupation?"
"I am a businessman. I own hundreds of properties, companies, and luxury hotels. They are all worth a lot."
The women began whispering.
The men leaned forward.
"How much are you worth?" Zahirul asked.
"Nanu, this—" Riyana tried to interrupt.
"$62 trillion dollars," Nikolai said calmly.
Damian leaned toward him and whispered something.
Nikolai didn't even blink.
"Make that $70 trillion dollars."
Silence.
The women gasped.
The men were stunned.
Even Nikolai's own family looked shocked.
Yulian grinned. "Brother is wild right now."
"Shhh," Arina whispered.
Zahirul smirked.
"We are worth $18 billion dollars. Looks like Neva hit the jackpot," one man said.
Zahirul gave him a death stare.
Silence returned instantly.
"So Nikolai… why do you want to marry Baneva? What is in it for you? Is it the 50% of the Gem of Obsidian Trial?" Zahirul asked sharply.
Nikolai smirked.
He knew exactly what was happening.
Zahirul was testing him.
Trying to provoke him.
Nikolai folded his arms.
"No. I married her at first to protect her from the dark world… but the Queen herself found her way into my heart."
Zahirul watched closely.
"Lilith means everything to me. She is my happiness. My life. I don't joke with her. Her health. Her happiness. Everything about her matters to me."
Zahirul turned to look at Lilith—still asleep.
"He loves her," Bhairavi said softly.
"Hm. Then we will begin preparations," Zahirul said.
"First, her name will be placed on the family tree."
"It will be a one-week celebration… then the wedding."
He turned to the staff.
"Show our in-laws to their rooms. Take care of them. If anyone makes a mistake, they will be seriously punished. Bujhecho (Got it!?)"
They nodded immediately.
Aarav spotted a maid.
She was grown now.
Riyana knew.
Her name was Nishi.
She was 18.
A maid in the mansion.
She lived with her stepmother and father.
She worked… and her stepmother took all her money.
But secretly—
She studied.
She wanted to become a surgeon.
Aarav knew everything.
And one day—
He would take her with him.
"Brother, I made arrangements for the school," Rafsan said quietly.
Aarav nodded and walked away.
Morning came.
Lilith had slept the entire day.
It was 9:42 AM.
She slowly opened her eyes.
She sat up.
Yawning.
She looked around.
Then waddled out of the room, her hair reaching her knees.
"N…Nikki?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"Hey Neva, you're awake. Come," her aunt said, guiding her.
"Baneva?" Zahirul called.
Lilith yawned again.
"Nikki? N…N…Nikki?" she whispered, holding her teddy.
"He's upstairs, love. Come sit," he said.
She sat beside him.
"Hungry?" he asked.
She nodded.
Sohan approached with papers.
"Hi Lily," he said.
"B…b…b…baba," she stuttered, waving.
He kissed her forehead.
Nikolai rushed downstairs.
The moment she saw him—
She squeaked happily.
Ran into his arms.
He caught her.
She hugged him tightly.
The family watched.
She jumped excitedly.
"Lily n…n…no more sicky!" she said.
Nikolai smiled softly.
"Come on, Bambi. Let's get you something to eat, darling."
She climbed onto his back, swinging her legs as he carried her to the kitchen.
The women turned.
"Excuse me?" Nikolai said.
"Yes, son-in-law?" one asked.
"Lily is hungry… I want to make her breakfast, if you don't mind."
"We already prepared breakfast. It's with Grandpa," another woman said.
"G…G…Grandpa?" Lilith asked.
"Yes, sweetie."
"Mkay! Lily take that o…one!" she said happily.
Nikolai carried her back.
She giggled, poking his ear.
They reached Zahirul.
He watched them.
Nikolai sat Lilith beside him.
"Hungry?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Here you go, Amar rotno (My little gem)," Zahirul said gently, feeding her.
She took a bite.
And hummed happily.
He continued feeding her.
Nikolai watched them.
Silent.
Then—
His phone buzzed.
He looked down.
A huge image appeared.
A picture of him and Lilith.
But her face—
Burning.
Covered in fire.
A dark laugh echoed through the audio.
Nikolai's expression hardened.
He slowly dropped the phone.
And looked at his wife.