Nora woke up with her stomach growling. She sat up, frowning when she realized Zayan wasn't beside her. He had left early, already busy with preparations.
As she wandered through the halls, she spotted James. Without a word, she grabbed his arm and dragged him straight to the kitchen. Together they warmed up kielbasa and placki ziemniaczane, eating side by side at the counter.
"I'm not angry with you, James," Nora said with her mouth full, her tone gentle. "And neither can I change your mind about her. That's your love."
James nodded slowly, staring at his plate. "But… will I ever find anyone like her again? We were together for two years."
Nora reached over and patted his shoulder. "Yes, you will. With time, you will."
They finished eating, and Nora slipped away for a warm bath. When she came out, Zayan was waiting, holding her battle suit ready. He had chosen a crisp white long-sleeved shirt, tailored pants, and gleaming white boots for her. She smiled faintly at his precision, dressing carefully for the day ahead.
Just then, her phone buzzed. Lysander's face lit up the screen in a video call.
"HI MAMA!" the three children shouted in unison.
"Hey, my beautiful babies!" Nora beamed, her heart instantly lighter.
"Mama, Auntie Billie and Lola were looking for you," Liam explained. "Uncle Alex brought them here and they left an invitation for you. Andddd… Auntie Kaz and Billie kissed!"
Seraphina burst into laughter. "Li-li! Don't tell Mama everything!"
In the background, Kaz's voice rang out, flustered. "Liam!"
Zayan, standing behind Nora, chuckled. Nora shook her head with a smile. "Where's Kim?" she asked.
They turned the camera to show baby Kim crawling.
"Z, she's crawling!" Nora squealed.
Zayan leaned over her shoulder, smiling softly.
Meanwhile, Arion was on a separate video call with Xandria.
"Let me see his face," she begged. "Mama!" little Zeren cried, and Xandria kissed the screen again and again.
Elsewhere, Alex had recorded a video for Dabira of Polina.
"Do you miss Mama?" Alex asked.
"MAMA!" Polina giggled, reaching for the phone.
Dabira's heart swelled as she texted back, I love you both.
Soon they arrived at the company headquarters. Media and security swarmed outside. Inside, Zofia was with James.
"I'm sorry for everything," James whispered, guilt heavy in his voice. "I only wanted to save her. I swear."
Zofia cupped his face tenderly. "I know, my child. She's in the safest place now—and she loves you too." She hugged him, her voice breaking with the weight of both comfort and truth.
But before the moment could linger, Aldona entered, the spy beside her. Upstairs, Smith and Valencia were already searching for the assassin. They caught sight of a servant pouring poison into Nora's drink. Kian and Russo pounced, covering his mouth and tying him up before he could slip away.
Down below, Zofia's voice rang across the microphone.
"Good day, everyone. We gather here for the last heiress of the Lilith Family Empire. This seat belongs to her. My late son, Lilith, wrote in his will that his last child would inherit this position to prevent anyone else from abusing it. Aldona has nothing to do with our family business."
Sachi, Azara, and Xandria walked proudly, Nora following behind them.
"Now, everyone," Zofia declared, "meet Mrs. Nora Lilith, the heiress of this company—the CEO of Lilith Ltd."
Nora stepped forward, flanked by Salvius, Yaisa, Saskia, Boris, and the rest. Asher stood tall beside Zayan.
But Aldona was already in motion. She gave the spy a nod. The woman raised her gun, smiling wickedly. Aldona lifted her own glass.
"Goodbye, Nora," she laughed.
But Nora laughed right back. "No. Goodbye, Ms. Aldona."
Her gun was already in her hand. One shot—clean, precise. Aldona's body dropped to the ground.
"Anyone else?" Nora asked coolly, holstering her weapon before lowering herself into the CEO's chair.
The room was silent, electrified.
"Thank you, Nana," Nora whispered, rushing into Zofia's arms for a tight embrace.
But before the air could even settle, Zayan's phone rang. It was Catalina.
"Zayan!" her voice trembled. "We took Liam to the hospital. He's seriously sick—he has a high fever. They said it was an allergic reaction. He… he's allergic to cashew nuts. He drank cashew milk last night before bed. He hasn't woken up since."
Zayan's hand tightened on the phone. "But he's breathing, right, Mom?"
"Yes. But he's sleep-talking… calling for Nora and for you."
Zayan swallowed hard. "Keep an eye on him. I'll call later." He hung up, his face pale.
He crossed the room and bent down to whisper the truth in Nora's ear. Her face went cold instantly.
"Li-li…" Her trembling fingers pulled her phone out. She called Seraphina on video.
After two rings, her daughter appeared, eyes swollen with tears.
"Mama… Li-li is not waking up. He drank cashew milk and the doctor said he's allergic. Look…"
She turned the camera. Liam lay unconscious, oxygen mask strapped to his face.
"LIAM!" Nora's scream tore from her chest.
Zayan caught her before she collapsed. "Calm down," he whispered, his own voice shaking.
"No, no, my Li-li is talking! Why won't he wake up?" Nora cried desperately.
Zofia hurried over. "What happened to Liam?"
But the call had already ended. Nora's body shook as Zayan gave her water. They rushed into the car and drove back toward the house.
Nora couldn't stop pacing, restless and terrified. Zayan sat with his head in his hands. Then his phone buzzed again—it was Kaz, with a video.
"Baby, Li-li," Kaz whispered, holding the phone.
The camera showed Liam awake at last, weak but conscious.
"I want Mama and Dada… and food too," he whimpered.
"I'll get you food, okay?" Kaz soothed.
"Mama? Dada?" Liam's little voice cracked as he started to cry. "I want both of them…"
Kaz turned the camera to her face, stern. "Get your asses back soon."
The video ended.
Nora broke down completely, sobbing. "My little Li-li…"
Zayan's own tears finally spilled. Liam was their brightest light—a joyful, loving boy, always filled with laughter and wonder.
The next day, Nora forced herself to go shopping, her way of coping. Zayan packed with the rest of the family. Half of them left immediately. On their way to London, Nora shifted the company there, purchasing a brand-new building. She relocated all employees, even buying blocks of flats for their housing. Over £80 million was spent.
And yet, despite their empire expanding and their power growing, Nora and Zayan carried only one thing in their hearts as they returned home—
a peaceful but worried mind.