Nora stirred gently, her head resting on Zayan's chest. He was already awake, watching her with eyes full of love and awe.
"Morning, princess," he said in a husky whisper, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Nora yawned and smiled. "Good morning, Z."
He pulled her into a warm embrace. "Happy new month, love."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Wait… August already?"
"Yeah," Zayan nodded. "Liam was born this month—on the 6th."
"Mama!!!" Liam's tiny voice echoed from down the hallway, breaking their peaceful moment.
Zayan chuckled. "And the prince is awake."
They both got out of bed, bathed, and dressed the kids for school. Liam, however, wouldn't stop crying.
"Mama! Mamaaa!" he kept repeating.
Nora scooped him up and rubbed his back gently. "Shhhhh, it's okay, baby."
He slowly calmed down in her arms. Zayan kissed both Liam and Nora before heading out but not before making a quiet detour—one he never missed on the first day of every month.
At the cemetery, he knelt before Lady Kim's grave, placing fresh flowers gently on the soil.
"Good morning, Grandma," he said softly. "I miss you."
He stayed there for almost an hour, silently paying respects, then placed flowers on Nana's grave before heading to the office.
Back at Nora's workplace, she arrived with Liam in her arms.
"Good morning," she greeted as she entered her office.
She set Liam down, handed him her iPad, and kissed his cheek. He happily began watching cartoons while sucking his pacifier.
A few minutes later, Finn walked in holding a bouquet of flowers. He paused when he saw Liam.
"Hmm," he muttered, annoyed, and dropped the flowers on Nora's desk.
Meeri and Ciro entered behind him.
"Hiiii Liammm!" Meeri beamed, and Liam giggled in response.
Nora, barely glancing at the flowers, dropped them straight into the trash.
Later, as they all chatted:
"Hello!" Liam said, waving at everyone.
Nora smiled. "Liam turns two on the 6th. You're all invited. And the twins' party will be in September."
Finn, boiling with silent rage, stormed off and found Mr. Smith.
"I want her. I don't care that she's married. Did you see the baby? That's their third child, and I still want her," Finn growled.
Mr. Smith scoffed. "For the last time, she's married. You'll die if you keep chasing her. Do you even know who her husband is?"
"I don't care. I'll take her."
"Well… may your soul rest in peace," Mr. Smith muttered and walked off.
Moments later, Nora approached Mr. Smith holding Liam.
"Hi, Mr. Smith," she said sweetly.
"Hey, Liam!" he tapped Liam's cheek playfully.
"Liam's birthday is on the 6th. My husband said I should invite you."
"I'll be there," Mr. Smith replied.
"Thank you." She smiled and left.
Liam sat peacefully, watching Nora work. Eventually, he dozed off, looking angelic.
"Awww, he's so cute," Meeri whispered.
But Nora suddenly felt dizzy. She stood up quickly, rushed to the bathroom, and threw up. When she returned, Ciro asked, "Are you okay?"
She nodded weakly but her thoughts swirled. Am I pregnant again? I'll check when I get home…
As she got ready to leave, Finn stepped in front of her.
"So you threw my flowers away, huh?" he snapped.
"I hate nonsense. Get lost," Nora replied, pushing past him.
But Finn lost it. He violently shoved Liam—into the wall.
Nora's eyes widened in horror. "LIAM?! My baby!!"
Liam cried uncontrollably. Blood trickled down his head.
Meeri, Ciro, and Mr. Smith rushed in.
"Are you out of your fucking mind?!" Smith barked at Finn.
Nora grabbed her bag, scooped Liam into her arms, and bolted out. Ciro and Meeri followed.
She called Zayan in a panic. Alex answered.
"GIVE THE PHONE TO ZAYAN!!" she screamed, tears streaming.
Zayan got on the line. "Hey, baby—"
"LIAM GOT HURT! THAT BASTARD PUSHED HIM! HE'S NOT MOVING!!"
Zayan's heart dropped. Without another word, he jumped into his car and sped to the hospital.
At the hospital, Arion took Liam from Nora's arms and rushed into the emergency room.
Nora couldn't breathe. She started hyperventilating.
"Nora! Just breathe—he's going to be okay," Meeri tried to soothe her.
But it didn't help. Zayan burst through the doors and saw her collapsing.
"My… my baby…" she gasped before passing out.
"Nora!!" Zayan shouted, holding her face. Nurses rushed over, and Ciro helped get her to a separate room.
Both mother and son were admitted.
Zayan was silent. The storm inside him grew darker by the second.
Hours passed. Liam slowly woke up.
"Dada…" he whispered.
Zayan's eyes lit up. "My son," he breathed, hugging him tightly.
"Mama?" Liam looked around, confused. "Where Mama?"
Arion came in with some test results and a smile.
"Congratulations, Zayan. Nora is pregnant again. The panic attack could've harmed the baby, so you need to protect her more than ever now."
He turned to Liam. "Here you go, little guy," handing him a lollipop.
Liam giggled, licking it with joy.
Zayan carried him to Nora's room.
"Mama!" Liam called, sitting beside her.
Nora slowly opened her eyes.
"My baby boy…" she cried, hugging him.
"Mamaaa!" Liam giggled and kissed her cheek.
Zayan kissed her too. "Baby number four now," he said with a grin.
Nora turned to Liam. "You're going to have a new sibling, sweetheart."
"Yayyyy!!" Liam cheered.
Zayan chuckled. "What happened, love?"
"That bastard pushed Liam… just because I threw away his flowers," she whispered, still weak.
Zayan rubbed her head gently. "Shhh. Rest, baby. I've got this."
The next morning, they returned home.
"Mama!!" The twins ran to hug her.
"Liammm!!" they squealed, and Liam hugged them tightly.
Lysander especially clung to him—he adored his little brother.
Zayan held Nora's hand protectively.
"What happened?" Maverick asked.
Nora explained everything, and the whole family erupted in anger.
"That asshole is gonna pay," Maia hissed.
"I agree," Nathaira added.
"I'm pregnant again…" Nora said softly.
Lisa gasped. "Me too!!"
They hugged excitedly.
"Guess I'm doing two scans," Maia laughed, and the girls joined in.
Liam quietly played with blocks, tongue sticking out in concentration. He placed a tiny flag on top.
"All done!" he said proudly.
"Good job, my boy," Zayan said while feeding Seraphina.
Nora had dozed off with Lysander in her arms.
Liam crawled over, cuddled beside them, and fell asleep on Lysander's chest. Seraphina joined too.
Zayan sat back, smiling at his growing family.
"My little family is getting bigger," he whispered… and began planning Liam's birthday.