The city lights shimmered as the convoy moved.
Aarav and Ariz, Karim and Vanya, along with the boys, took Lilith and Anika out for shopping. Nearly a hundred armed guards surrounded them for Lilith's protection. She was the Gem after all — their little sister, the heart of the Obsidian Triad.
Lilith held tightly onto Anika's arm, her small fingers gripping the fabric of her sleeve as if letting go would mean losing her forever. Karim gently patted her soft hair, his expression softer than anyone ever saw in the boardroom or battlefield.
Anika led her into a luxurious clothing store while Vanya moved around picking out new outfits. Together they chose dresses, sweaters, soft cardigans, and pastel gowns for Lilith. Everything delicate. Everything safe.
Meanwhile, Aarav took Lilith to an art shop nearby.
Her eyes lit up.
Paint tubes. Brushes. Sketch pads. Charcoal pencils. Watercolors.
Lilith was an artist.
Back in the hospital, Anika always brought her coloring books and drawing pads. Art was the only place her mind felt steady.
"Pick whatever you want, Lily," Aarav said softly.
She nodded, clutching a set of soft pastel crayons to her chest like treasure.
Across the ocean, inside a grand mansion in New York, another storm was brewing.
The Mafia King stood tall by the window before taking his seat.
His assistant entered quietly.
"Boss, the spy you sent came back," she said. "It wasn't the men. It was one of the family members. And… something else."
"Speak," he ordered calmly.
"They have a Gem. But she is a girl. She is mentally unstable — in a childlike state. They call her the Gem of The Obsidian Triad."
"A Gem?" he leaned back. "Why is she called the Gem?"
"The leader has his reasons. She had an accident at the age of six. Her mother's body was never found. She survived… but her brain remained stuck as a child. She returned to the family just last week."
"Hmmm," he murmured. "Interesting."
He stood up.
"We meet them tomorrow."
And he walked out.
"Lilly, I promise to come back, Meri Baccha (My little baby). It's just six days. I will be back," Anika whispered.
Lilith clung to her, crying.
Karim gently tried to pull her away.
"N… Nunu…" the tiny girl sobbed.
"Listen baby, I have exams. Haan (right)? And I have to take them so I can be a doctor like I promised. Hm?" Anika smiled through tears.
Aarav patted Lilith's head gently.
"P… p… pinky promise?" Lilith asked.
"Pinky promise," Anika replied, locking fingers with her.
The medical bus arrived.
"Bye baby," Anika said.
"B… B… bye…" Lilith cried.
Anika wiped her tears gently.
"Take care of her," she told Karim.
He nodded, though he didn't want her to go either.
Anika sat in the bus with a heavy heart, waving. Lilith waved back through tears.
"She pinky promised to come back, baby. She will," Nihil assured softly as they led Lilith back inside.
She laid on the couch and fell asleep.
Later that evening.
"The Russian Mafia King wants to meet us. It's important. I declined the first meeting — now he's angrier," Troy said.
"He's extremely dangerous. We took something from him. He can ambush us anytime," Ishaan added.
"But we didn't take anything, right?" Karim frowned.
"I suspect your aunt," Troy said. "Vamika and Arhant just bought four brand new cars. They're partying. Even bought a mansion."
Farhan snapped his fingers. "I remember something. Arhant said he needed to hack his friend's system. He used my laptop. I saw the group name — The Dominion Apex. Latest weapons. When he was done, I saw everything. He used OUR group name."
"That fucker has put us all in deep shit!" Farhan growled.
Karim's jaw tightened.
"We meet him tomorrow."
"FOR FUCK'S SAKE PUT IT BACK!" Karim suddenly yelled.
He slapped Lilith.
The cookie fell from her hand.
She covered her ears instantly.
She hated loud noises.
They terrified her.
"Karim!" Rhea shouted, rushing to hold Lilith who was gasping for air. "She hates loud noises! Didn't Anika tell you? And you just slapped your sister knowing her condition?"
Karim froze.
Lilith trembled.
His heart shattered.
"P… please… I… be good… I promise…" she cried, clutching her teddy bear.
"Lily?" Zafraan stepped closer.
She screamed.
"What the fuck?" Troy muttered.
"Y… Y… You bad! Bad! BAD!" she cried and ran out.
"LILY!" Karim shouted.
They ran after her.
She ran into the woods behind the mansion.
"M… m… mumma… I want mumma…" she sobbed, looking around in fear.
Her breathing became uneven.
Another panic attack.
She couldn't breathe.
Then a deep, calm voice spoke.
"Breathe, little baby. Keep breathing."
"W… w… who there?" she stammered.
A tall man stepped out of the shadows.
He was extremely tall — the tallest she had ever seen.
"Hi, little baby," he said gently.
She was still trembling.
He handed her a bottle of water.
Her hands shook too much.
He sighed softly, opened it, and held it for her.
She drank from his hand.
"LILY!" voices echoed in the distance.
"Little baby, I gotta go now. But I'll see you soon, hm?" he said.
She nodded.
"W… what your name..?" she asked softly.
"The King."
"Now we are friends, right little baby?"
She nodded happily.
"LILY!" Farhan finally found her and hugged her tightly.
"Are you okay? Why did you run so far, baby?"
High above on a tree branch, the Mafia King watched silently.
"It's very dangerous outside. Don't run again, hm?" Aarav said gently.
Karim tried to approach.
Lilith immediately hid behind Zafraan.
"Stay away from her for now. It's best," Ariz said quietly.
Karim nodded.
"Let's go. The man must be waiting," someone muttered.
"Come, Bambi. Let's go choose your birthday cake," Reyan tried.
She didn't reply.
She yawned and fell asleep in Aarav's arms.
They carried her back.
As they walked away, Lilith stirred slightly, turned her head — and saw the man waving at her from afar.
She waved back with a tiny giggle.
Aarav didn't notice.
Inside his car, the Mafia King smiled faintly.
"Sir, the car is ready," his assistant said.
"Call my siblings. Tell them to do this," he instructed coldly.
"Yes, boss."
He looked out one last time toward the mansion.
"Soon, Little Bambi."