CHAPTER TWELVE: No More Control
The tension in the car was suffocating.
Chidimma sat quietly, her mind still replaying everything that had happened at the house.
Amaka tied up.
The warning.
The fear.
And now—
Julian.
Beside her.
Silent.
But clearly furious.
"Take me to him," Chidimma said suddenly.
Julian's grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"No."
She turned to him.
"No?" she repeated.
"You've seen what he can do," Julian said. "I'm not taking you anywhere near him."
Chidimma frowned.
"He already came near me," she replied. "He sent people to my house. This is not something I can hide from."
Julian didn't respond immediately.
Because deep down—
He knew she was right.
"I'm ending this," he said finally.
Chidimma looked at him.
"How?"
He didn't answer.
But the look in his eyes said everything.
Moments later—
The car stopped in front of a massive building.
Julian's family company.
Power.
Control.
Everything his father stood for.
"Stay in the car," he said.
Chidimma shook her head.
"No."
"Chidimma—"
"I'm not staying behind while you fight this alone," she said firmly.
He stared at her.
Frustration.
Worry.
And something deeper.
Respect.
"Fine," he said at last. "But you stay close to me."
She nodded.
They walked in together.
Side by side.
And for the first time—
It felt like they were on the same side.
The office doors opened.
Julian's father was already there.
As if he had been expecting them.
"You didn't waste time," he said calmly.
Julian stepped forward.
"Call off your men," he said.
No greeting.
No respect.
Just anger.
His father raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Stop lying," Julian snapped. "They went to her house."
A pause.
Then—
A small smile.
"Ah," his father said. "So you've decided to challenge me."
Chidimma stepped forward.
"You crossed the line," she said.
His father's gaze shifted to her.
Cold.
"You're still here," he said. "That's your first mistake."
"And threatening my family is yours," she replied.
The room went silent.
Then—
A slow clap.
"Impressive," he said. "You've both grown bold."
Julian's patience snapped.
"I said call them off!" he demanded.
His father stood up slowly.
"You think you can command me?" he asked.
"I'm not asking," Julian replied.
For a moment—
The air felt like it could break.
Then suddenly—
His father's expression changed.
From calm…
To something darker.
"You want to protect her?" he said quietly.
Julian didn't respond.
But his silence was enough.
"Then listen carefully," his father continued.
"If you don't walk away from her… everything you care about will suffer."
Chidimma's chest tightened.
But she didn't move.
Julian stepped closer.
"You've already done your worst," he said.
"No," his father replied. "I've only just begun."
Before either of them could react—
The office door opened.
Vanessa.
She walked in slowly, her eyes moving between them.
Then she smiled.
But this time—
It wasn't subtle.
It was confident.
Almost victorious.
"You didn't tell them?" she said, looking at Julian's father.
Chidimma frowned.
"Tell us what?" she asked.
Vanessa's smile widened.
"Oh," she said. "So they don't know."
Julian's eyes narrowed.
"Know what?"
Vanessa took a step forward.
Then looked directly at Chidimma.
"You really think this is just about love?" she said softly.
Chidimma's heart skipped.
"Julian isn't free to choose you," Vanessa continued.
"Why?" Chidimma asked.
Vanessa's eyes gleamed.
"Because," she said slowly,
"He's already promised to me."
Silence.
"What?" Chidimma whispered.
Julian's jaw tightened.
"Vanessa—"
But she cut him off.
"No more hiding," she said. "They deserve to know."
She looked at Chidimma again.
"Our engagement isn't just personal," she said.
"It's a contract between families."
The words hit hard.
Too hard.
"And if he breaks it…" Vanessa added, her voice dropping slightly,
"everything falls apart."
Chidimma felt her world tilt slightly.
So this was it.
This wasn't just love.
It was power.
Control.
And a deal she never knew existed.
And now—
She was standing right in the middle of it.