The café in Victoria Island felt like a trap closing in.
Nadia leaned back in her chair, her light skin flawless under the soft lighting, eyes gleaming with victory. Tunde stood beside her, his hand resting possessively on her shoulder, that smug smile never fading.
Shemmy sat across from them, her full figured body rigid, light yellow skin prickling with tension. The air smelled of fresh coffee and expensive perfume, but it felt suffocating.
You have until midnight Nadia said smoothly. Leave him publicly, or the dirty money video drops. Your choice.
Tunde chuckled. And my offer is still open. One million dollars. Paris. A fresh start without the drama.
Shemmy's hands clenched under the table.
This is blackmail.
Nadia shrugged. Call it business. But Daevyd is not who you think. He has secrets. More than you know.
Ruth sat at a hidden table across the room, phone recording every word. Femi waited outside in the car, engine running, eyes on the door.
Shemmy leaned forward.
You two are together she said. The affair. That is why Tunde is helping you.
Tunde's smile widened.
Smart girl.
Nadia's eyes narrowed.
Jealous?
Shemmy stood up. The chair scraped loudly.
I need time to think.
Nadia's smile faded. You have until midnight.
Shemmy walked out. The door swung shut behind her.
Ruth slipped out a minute later, falling in step. Femi started the car.
That was intense Ruth said. I got it all on video. We can use this.
Shemmy's voice shook.
They are together. Tunde and Nadia. An affair. All this time.
Ruth nodded. Explains a lot. Tunde is using her to get to you. Or vice versa. Either way it is messy. What are you going to do.
I need to tell Daevyd.
They drove back to the Lekki apartment. The ride felt endless, traffic crawling like it always did in Lagos. The driver blasted Afrobeat, oblivious to the storm brewing in the back seat.
At the apartment Daevyd opened the door before the knock even landed. His tall slim frame filled the doorway, chocolate skin tense, eyes searching.
Semilore he said pulling her close. I was worried.
Inside they sat on the couch. Ruth stood by the window, giving space but staying close.
The story came out. The meeting. The affair between Tunde and Nadia. The dirty money video.
Daevyd's face darkened with every word.
An affair he repeated. That explains why Tunde is so obsessed. He is not just after your brand. He is helping her destroy me.
The dirty money video. It is old. But edited to look new. Nadia says it drops tonight unless I leave you publicly.
Daevyd stood up. Paced the room.
We cannot let her win he said. My lawyer can prove it is edited. But if it drops first the damage is done.
Ruth spoke up. I recorded the whole meeting. We can leak that first. Show the blackmail.
Daevyd nodded. Good thinking. Send it to me. I will get it to my team.
Ruth forwarded the video.
As Daevyd worked on his laptop Shemmy felt a wave of emotion.
You have been through so much because of me she said.
Daevyd looked up. Pulled her close.
No. Because of us. And it is worth it.
The kiss was deep. Full of everything unsaid.
Ruth cleared her throat. I will give you two space. Call me if you need anything.
She left quietly.
That night they sat on the balcony. City lights twinkling below like distant stars.
Daevyd's phone buzzed. His lawyer.
The blackmail video is ready to post he said. We can beat her to it.
Do it Daevyd said.
The video went live. Ruth's recording, showing Nadia and Tunde's affair, the threat, the blackmail.
The internet exploded.
Comments flooded in.
Nadia and Tunde together? Plot twist!
Shemmy is the victim here. Blackmail is low.
Tunde exposed. His investors will not like this.
Nadia called minutes later.
You think this stops me she screamed. The dirty money video is still dropping.
Daevyd took the phone.
Go ahead he said. My team has proof it is edited. And now the world knows about your affair with Tunde. How long until his investors pull out.
Nadia hung up.
Shemmy looked at Daevyd.
You think it is over.
He shook his head.
Not yet. But we are fighting back.
The night felt motivating. A reminder that they were stronger together.
But as they went to bed.
A new message from an unknown number.
The real bombshell is coming. Nadia is pregnant with Daevyd's child. Proof tomorrow.
Shemmy showed Daevyd.
His face went pale.
That is impossible he said. I have not touched her in years.
Shemmy felt the world tilt.
Then why would she say it.
Daevyd held her.
It is a lie. To break us.
The trust was tested.
The shadows from the past were longer than ever.
And the biggest twist was still coming.
After the tense confrontation at Daevyd's apartment, Shemmy, Ruth, and Femi finally drove back to Abeokuta late that evening. The road was dark and quiet except for the hum of the engine and the occasional splash through puddles. No one spoke much. The weight of the day pressed on all of them.
Mama was asleep when they arrived. The house felt safe. Quiet. A place to breathe.
Shemmy lay in her old bed that night, staring at the ceiling. The pregnancy claim hung over everything like a shadow.
But deep down, a small part of her believed Daevyd.
The fight was not over.
And tomorrow would bring the proof.