The garden shimmered with lights, laughter echoing through the air as guests arrived in a flurry of color and celebration. Children ran between tables adorned with balloons and sweets, while Liam sat painting joyfully with his siblings.
"Happy Birthday, Li Li!!" everyone cheered, lifting Liam into the air. His giggles rang like music as he clutched his little brush, a smear of blue paint on his cheek. Azara handed him a gift wrapped in shiny silver paper.
"It's for you," she said, smiling.
Liam unwrapped it eagerly—a toy gun. "Bang bang!!" he shouted, pointing to the sky and bursting into laughter as he playfully "shot" around.
Soon, Liam began to pick flowers nearby, humming to himself, when Mr. Smith stepped into the party with Finn by his side.
"Mrs. Nora," Mr. Smith greeted.
Nora stood and smiled politely. "Mr. Smith."
Finn crouched beside Liam. "Hey, Liam. Happy birthday, Li Li!" he said, giving him a tight hug. Liam smiled shyly before running off.
Finn straightened, eyes scanning. "Where's your husband?"
Nora ignored him and walked back toward the twins.
"Where is Z?" she muttered, searching the crowd.
Just then, Meeri bumped into someone—hard.
"Hey!" Meeri said.
"Whoa, chill, girl," the man said, flashing a charming smile. "Well, aren't you a beauty?"
Meeri narrowed her eyes. "Watch where you're going next time, please."
She turned to walk away, but he followed.
"How about your number, beautiful?" he asked.
Meeri rolled her eyes. "I'm here for Mrs. Nora. We work together. So, no."
He smirked. "Well, I'm Zayan's friend. Liam's uncle. Sooo… if you don't mind, for Liam's sake—will you give me your number? Huh?"
She paused. He was persistent—and annoyingly charming. "Fine," she sighed, giving it to him before walking away to Nora and Ciro.
"I just met a hot guy—his name's Kian," she whispered.
"Good luck," Nora said dryly. "You're gonna need it."
Azara burst out laughing, her arms still wrapped around Rose's waist.
Liam ran to Levi, throwing his arms around him with a giggle. Levi lifted him and patted his back with a soft smile.
But then—trouble struck.
Finn stepped to the side and made a call. "Now."
Engines roared.
Cars screeched to a stop around the garden as armed men jumped out. Nora's head shot up, eyes wide.
"Kian!" she called.
Kian instantly moved, gathering the children. Issca and Sora rushed them toward the orphanage for safety. But Liam—sweet Liam—was still sitting there.
"Liam!" Nora gasped, dashing toward him. But Finn grabbed her, yanking her back.
"Say goodbye to your family," Finn growled. "I'm taking you. You're mine now."
"What are you doing?! She's pregnant—you can't do this! She's married!" Mr. Smith protested.
"I DON'T CARE! I WANT HER!" Finn roared, tightening his grip on Nora's arm.
Asher stepped forward, folding his arms, Hael clutched in one.
"Oi. She's married. Let my mother go. Do you even know who her husband is? Touching her now means one thing—you're dead."
"Shut up! Who the hell is your husband anyway? You have me now, Nora. I can take good care of you," Finn sneered.
"Hey asshole!" Seraphina shouted, stepping forward with cold fire in her eyes.
He turned—only to find her pointing a gun straight at him.
"Let go of my mama or I will send you to God right now."
"Aww, isn't this cute—"
"Well, my mama's name is Mrs. Nora Zayan Kai, and my papa is Zayan Kai. So yeah, real funny, right?" Seraphina said with a deadly smirk.
Finn's face went pale. "What…?"
"Oh, and you crashed Li Li's birthday party," she added, cocking her head. "So now you're gonna die. Right, Uncle Eryx?"
The Black Scarf Lords appeared like shadows. Guns were drawn. Zayan's men swarmed in. Within seconds, Finn's men were on the ground.
Nora kicked Finn back and rushed to Seraphina, hugging her tightly.
"Where is your dad?" she asked.
"Dada!!" Liam shouted joyfully, clapping his hands.
A voice echoed from the back—calm, deep, dangerous.
"🎵Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday, my dear Li Li…🎵" Zayan sang, walking forward with that signature black scarf around his neck.
"Zayan Kai…" Finn whispered, eyes full of horror.
Zayan lifted Liam high in the air. "Li Li!!!!" he shouted with joy, spinning him around.
"Happy Birthday, Liam!" the Black Scarf Lords all echoed in unison.
"Thank you!!!" Liam beamed, hugging each one.
Zayan's eyes locked on Finn. "Take him away."
"No! Smith! Help me!" Finn screamed.
But Mr. Smith turned his face away, guilt heavy in his eyes.
"I am very, very sorry, Mr. Kai… and Mrs. Nora," he said quietly.
"Heyyyyy, it's fine," Zayan said cheerfully, turning to the guests. "Let's enjoy the party, okay?"
Then he turned to Nora.
"Are you okay, darling? Did he hurt you?" he asked, gently checking her arm.
She yanked his ear. "Ouch!"
"I'm not talking to you! Why didn't you tell me he was back?!"
"I'm sorry, baby," Zayan said, pulling her into a hug.
Liam giggled as he cut the cake, feeding both his parents, then the guests—guards, children from the orphanage, everyone.
The party finally slowed. Liam fell asleep in Nora's arms, his little toy gun resting by his side.
Zayan kissed his cheek softly. "Happy Birthday, my Li Li."
Then he looked at Nora. "I love you."
"I love you too, baby," she whispered.
The twins crawled into their laps, wrapping them all in a warm family hug.