The night before, Zayan and Nora had worked quietly to prepare for their twins' fifth birthday. Seraphina loved training; Lysander adored drawing. Nora made sure both passions were woven into the theme—paint and brushes, mixed with weapons and sparring mats. It wasn't a grand affair, just family, love, and safety.
That morning, they slipped into the twins' room and crawled onto the bed.
"Happy birthday, my loves," Nora whispered.
Lysander stirred first, rubbing his eyes. "Morning, Mama."
"Thank you, Papa. Thank you, Mama," Seraphina yawned, sitting up.
Just then, Liam burst inside. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LILLY AND LARRY!" He tried climbing the bed until Zayan lifted him up.
"Why, thank you, Benny!" Liam said with a giggle.
Zayan froze. "Heh? What did you just call me?"
"Benny!!" Liam squealed.
Nora covered her mouth with laughter. "Benny? Li-Li, who told you Papa's name is Benny?"
"Auntie K did!" Liam said proudly.
"Kaz?" Zayan muttered, glaring. Liam nodded.
"Benny," Nora teased, laughing harder.
"I'm not Benny!" Zayan growled, but the children were already giggling.
The house filled with voices. Zayan's cousins had returned from Poland with their wives.
"Happy birthday, twins!" the kids chorused.
"When did you come back?" Lysander asked.
"Last night," Hael said, hugging him.
"Li-Li!!!" Winter called.
"Winter!" Liam squealed, running into her arms. She scooped him up, spinning him around as he giggled.
Nora was soon surrounded by the women.
"Hi, Nora!" Melanie hugged her.
"How was Poland?" Nora asked.
"Fun… but sad," Zira said. "Shaw got shot."
"What?!" Nora's voice sharpened.
"He's fine," Zira added quickly.
Still, Nora stormed down the hall with Zayan to Shaw's room. He was reading when she barged in.
"Hey, Nunu," Shaw said casually.
Nora grabbed his ear. "Why didn't you call me? Are you nuts?"
"Ouch! Sorry—besides, it doesn't hurt," he lied.
"Liar!" She inspected his bandaged arm with furious care.
The boys gathered, explaining in clipped tones: Aunt Aldona, Nora's aunt, had tried claiming Nora's heir chair in Poland. She wanted the empire for herself and had already moved against them. Only Nora, the last heiress, could sit and take control publicly—otherwise, Aldona would destroy everything.
Zayan listened silently, Elowen cradled against his chest. "I'll think about it," he said coldly, walking out.
At the office, the Black Scar Lords convened. Zofia explained, "Nora must sit. The empire is hers. Her net worth alone is ninety billion. Everything belongs to her."
The room fell quiet.
Zayan stared at his desk photo—Nora's smiling face. His phone rang. Seraphina's voice trembled.
"Papa—someone tried to take Liam!"
Zayan shot up, grabbing his suit. "Who?! Tell me who!"
"Some goons. The cops stopped them, but… Li-Li's arm is broken. We're at the hospital. Mama is crying. One of them said a lady named Ms. Aldona wants Mama dead."
Through the line, Nora's roar was heard: "HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!"
Zayan's blood boiled. Guns were loaded. The family stormed the hospital.
The scene that greeted them froze everyone—goons strung up like carcasses, blood dripping across the walls. Nora stood among the bodies, wiping her hands.
"Nora, dear…" Zofia whispered carefully.
"Hi," Nora said in a hollow voice, her eyes dark with pain.
"Aldona will pay," Zofia promised.
Inside, Zayan found Liam on an oxygen mask. His chest cracked. "My Li-Li…" He wept openly, holding him.
Raphael and Catalina arrived, clutching their son as Zayan broke.
"Dada? Why are you crying, Dada?" Liam asked weakly, lifting his tiny hand.
Zayan kissed him over and over. "Don't scare me again, baby."
"Where Mama? It's time for the twins' surprise party!" Liam said, clapping softly.
Zayan chuckled through tears. "Let's fix your arm first. Mama's sad you got hurt."
Nora rushed in, kissing Liam frantically. He giggled, whispering, "Mama, I want to give my twins their gift."
She smiled, tears streaking her face, as Liam kissed her nose to cheer her up.
By evening, the mansion was alive. Liam, in a white jumpsuit and durag, ran ahead despite his bandaged arm. The twins wore sleek black outfits.
The lights flickered on. "SURPRISE!" everyone shouted.
Seraphina gasped, hugging Nora. Lysander shook Zayan's hand with a grin.
"Thank you, Li-Li!" the twins chorused as Liam proudly handed them his gift: gold necklaces and bracelets with their names engraved.
The twins lifted him in a hug. "We love you, Li-Li!"
"I love both my twins," Liam said sleepily.
Kian handed Seraphina a long box. She unwrapped a katana sword and screamed with delight.
"Thank you, Uncle Kian!"
Lysander received a box of signed brushes—one from Leonardo Adams himself. He screamed even louder.
As gifts poured in, Zayan and Nora gave their own. Seraphina's was a sleek training suit and a high-tech staff. She pressed the button, and it expanded into full size.
"AWESOME!" she shouted.
Lysander opened his: the newest iPad with unlimited art and drawing software. His eyes filled with tears as he hugged them tightly.
"Thank you so much—I've been saving for this."
"Happy birthday, babies," Nora kissed his forehead.
The twins bowed. "Thank you, everyone!"
Dinner followed, laughter filling the hall. Liam, half-asleep in Kaz's arms, still giggled.
Kaz adjusted his head warmer and found a letter hidden inside. "Uh… Zayan, I found this in Li-Li's cap. It's for Nora."
She tore it open. The letter read:
Mrs. Nora. You killed my brother, the late Don. You are an illegitimate child, a maid's bastard. You have no right. I will eliminate you and your family.
—Aldona
Nora's fist clenched. Her gaze fell on Liam's bruises, and fury surged.
"Henry, give me your phone," she snapped.
"Why—"
"Now."
He obeyed. She dialed.
"Hello?" Aldona's voice oozed malice.
"Listen, bitch," Nora spat. "You touched my Liam. I'll send you to meet your stupid Don in hell. You want the seat? Good luck."
Aldona laughed cruelly. "You have no rights. You're nothing but a bastard child of a maid."
"I am not!" Nora screamed, hurling the phone and shattering glass. Rage consumed her—she smashed furniture, kicked vases, even struck Zayan by accident.
"Mama, stop!" Liam cried, wrapping his small arms around her leg. The twins clung to her too.
Breath shuddering, she dropped the vase and fell silent. Zayan, clutching his side, looked at her with pain and love.
She stared at the wreckage. "Did I do this?"
"Yes," the twins admitted softly.
Liam's eyes brimmed. "Are you okay, Mama?"
Her anger broke. She scooped him up, carrying him and Elowen upstairs.
Later, while Zayan tucked in the twins, Nora soaked in the bathtub, silent tears slipping down her face.
He entered quietly. She lifted her eyes. "I'm sorry, love… I lost control."
Zayan knelt beside her, cupping her face. "It's not your fault, baby. It's fine." He kissed her deeply, sliding into the tub.
Wrapped in each other's arms, they finally breathed in peace, if only for a moment.