The Baby Shower and the Bullet.

A week had passed, and the long-awaited day had finally come—Nora's baby shower.

Zayan had gotten her a beautiful, cozy purple dress—not too tight for her growing bump. She twirled in front of the mirror with a soft smile, her fingers brushing the fabric.

Kiernan held her hand gently, guiding her down the stairs as guests arrived one by one, each offering their warm wishes.

"Safe delivery soon," someone said.

Nora blinked and turned to Zayan. "What's a delivery?"

Zayan chuckled. "Love, it's when you bring the baby into the world—you push it out."

Nora stared at him, confused, and then whispered with a soft smile, "I'll ask Aaila about it."

Photos were taken—Zayan, the boys, everyone captured the joy. Yet, despite the smiles, Nora's eyes dimmed.

Neal and Damian ran over. "Mama Nora, why are you sad?"

"I… I miss Ash. Can I… call him? Like when you see someone's face?"

"You mean a video call?" Neal asked.

"Yes, please," she nodded eagerly.

"Close your eyes," Neal said with a mischievous grin.

She obeyed, eyes shut tight. A quiet signal from Zayan—and someone sat beside her.

"Hiii Mama Nora!" came a familiar voice.

Her eyes flew open.

"ASH!!!!!!"

She screamed and threw her arms around him, hugging him tight, tears streaming down her face. She held his hands, swinging them like a child.

"My tummy's getting bigger! The doctor said the baby's growing," she giggled.

"It's going to be a baby girl," Asher said proudly.

"Excuse you," Frya and Sora shot back, "It's a boy!"

"I agree," Shaw and Rex chimed in.

"Nope. Girl," Asher, Damian, Kiernan, and Maverick declared.

Zayan just watched, amused. "We'll do another ultrasound tomorrow," he said, "and a gender reveal in the evening."

"Team boy!" Miska shouted.

"Team girl!" others countered.

Bets were placed—money flying into bowls.

Suddenly, Nora slammed her hand on the table. Everyone fell silent as she said in a firm voice, "That's enough!"

A thin stream of blood slid from her nose.

Zayan immediately pressed a tissue to it, eyes wide. "Are you okay, love?"

She nodded, rubbing her tummy, then looked at them all. "What if… what if the baby is two?"

They paused.

Maverick slowly nodded. "It's possible. We'll find out tomorrow."

Later that night, Aaila entered her room to study Nora's pregnancy files. The room was pitch dark.

"Where's my phone?" she murmured, feeling around for it, reaching for the light switch.

Suddenly, a hand gripped her neck, pulling her close. Someone kissed her deeply.

She fought back, hitting the intruder and kicking hard.

"Ouch!"

She froze.

"…Ash?" she whispered.

He turned on the light, holding his stomach. "Wow… you're strong," he said with a husky laugh.

"I—I'm so sorry! I didn't know it was you!"

She sat him down, inspecting the spot. "Does it hurt?"

He didn't answer. He was too busy staring at her, the woman he'd fallen for. Then:

"Will you marry me, Aaila?"

She smiled, leaned in close. "Yes… I'll marry you, Asher."

He bit his lip, kissed her again—and they fell into each other, lost in their moment.

The next morning, Nora craved everything strange.

"I want… moon cake. And cinnamon roll juice."

Everyone turned slowly.

Asher blinked. "Cinnamon roll… juice??"

"You blend them with chocolate milk and blueberries," she explained sweetly.

Zayan groaned. "You think that's weird? Just wait."

They gave her a moon cake and a banana-blueberry smoothie instead.

"Shoo!" she shouted suddenly.

"Who's 'Sho'?" Shaw asked.

Nora grinned. "The sky is up," she said smugly.

Everyone laughed.

"Why are Shaw, Maverick, Kiernan, and Damian still single?" she suddenly asked, frowning. "You're 25, 27, 30—what a shame."

Zayan and Asher tried not to laugh while the others coughed awkwardly.

"Well," Kiernan cleared his throat. "Maybe soon. Who knows."

Nora shook her head in mock disappointment.

At the hospital, Dr. Maia scanned Nora's tummy.

Zayan held her hand.

Dr. Maia blinked. "Two heartbeats."

"Two?" Zayan asked.

"Yes… she's carrying twins. A boy… and a girl. Congratulations."

The doctors gave safety instructions for a home delivery. Zayan listened carefully.

Back at the mansion, everyone was ready for the gender reveal picnic.

Frya and Miska welcomed Nora and Zayan as they walked slowly into the garden. Lady Kim grinned.

"I want a great-granddaughter," she teased.

"Alright, everyone!" Shaw called. "Ready for the reveal?!"

"YES!!!"

"3… 2… 1—GO!"

Zayan fired a color cannon—blue and pink smoke exploded into the air.

"TWINS?!" Maverick gasped.

Nora smiled and nodded.

Aveline ran over, hugging her tightly. "I'm a grandma of two!"

But then… Nora's gaze sharpened.

"Z!" she shouted.

A swarm of armed enemies approached.

Chaos erupted.

Miska pulled a gun. Sora, a mafia boss, started firing. Frya joined in.

Lady Kim, Catalina, and the others shielded Nora as the battle unfolded.

Zayan's uncle Ciro emerged, flanked by his daughter—Zira. Shaw and Zira's eyes met… a spark passed between them.

"Well, well," Ciro sneered. "Your little wife? How cute. Too bad you'll all die."

"You were never worthy," Zayan said calmly. "That empire was never yours."

Ciro aimed for Nora—Sora shot first, blocking him.

Zira remained still, glaring at her father.

Asher gave the signal. Nora was rushed to the orphanage, secured by Isaac and the kids—who instantly activated lockdown.

Back at the mansion, the final confrontation began.

"You want my empire?" Zayan said coldly. "Come and get it."

Ciro shot—Zayan dodged, but got grazed in the arm.

He laughed. "After this, I'll finish your wife. Should've died in that car crash."

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Zira shot him. Silence.

"That's for my mother." She fired one last bullet into his head.

Zayan stared. "Zira… why?"

"For what he did to her. Burned her alive… in front of me."

Zayan remembered the child he once saved. "You can stay with us."

"…Really?"

He nodded.

Back at the orphanage, Nora was frantic.

"Z! Z! Z!"

They tried calming her, but she kept hitting the iron gate. Eventually, it opened—Zayan stood there, arm bandaged.

"Z!" she cried.

As he reached her, her nose bled again. He gently plugged it and cradled her.

"I'm okay, love," he whispered.

"No… you're not!" she shouted, before passing out in his arms.

At the mansion, Dr. Maia examined her. Kiernan and Maia locked eyes briefly.

"She must avoid stress—at all costs," Maia said. "It's dangerous for her and the twins."

Asher immediately upgraded security, making calls.

Minutes later, Nora stirred. Zira sat nearby.

"Hey, you're up," Zira smiled.

"Where's my Z?"

"He's cooking for you," Zira grinned. "Hungry?"

Nora nodded.

"What happened to the bad man?"

"I killed him. Six times, baby girl."

Nora gasped with joy. "Really?! He's gone?!"

"Yeah… he's gone."

Zayan walked in, carrying a tray.

"Doctor Maia made your new diet plan," he said.

She pouted.

He kissed her. She smiled—and finally ate.

She fed him too.

And Zira watched… her heart already finding a new family in the most unexpected place.