Chapter 61
Chapter 61: Fragile Reprieve
Anderson Estate, Master Suite
Thursday, 7:40 AM
Damian hadn't slept.
He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window watching the Lagos sunrise bleed orange across the sky, a tray of Imani's favorite breakfast—fresh akara, pap, sliced avocado, and ginger tea—cooling on the table. He had arranged white roses beside it, no note, just the flowers she once said reminded her of hope.
Imani was still in bed, back turned to him, pretending to sleep. He knew she wasn't. The tension between them had become a living thing, thick and suffocating.
He crossed to her side of the bed and knelt. "Imani…" His voice was raw. "I know words are cheap right now. But I'm going to prove it with actions. Every single day."
She didn't respond.
Five-second pause.
He reached out, fingers hovering above her shoulder before pulling back. "I'll fix this. I swear on my life."
Cross-cut – Jude's Private Study
Thursday, 8:15 AM
Jude Anderson sat like a king on his throne, eyes hard as flint. Temi stood before his desk, arms crossed, still in her morning robe.
"You will stop this nonsense immediately," Jude said, voice low and final. "Pushing that girl, encouraging Ivy's games—it ends today. I will not have this house turned into a battlefield while the board watches our every move."
Temi's lips thinned. "She slapped Ivy. In our home. And you're defending her?"
"I'm protecting this family," Jude snapped. "One more public incident and we lose everything we've built. I've already spoken to Oko. He's investigating that bachelor party quietly. I want the truth."
Temi's eyes flickered with the first hint of unease.
Cross-cut – Private Lounge, Ikoyi Club
Thursday, 10:30 AM
Damian sat with his three closest friends in a secluded corner overlooking the golf course. Andrea nursed a espresso, Banni leaned back with a cigar he wasn't smoking, and Gregory scrolled through his tablet.
"Ivy is claiming pregnancy," Damian said flatly. "Showed up with suitcases and a story. I don't remember touching her. I was blacked out."
Gregory whistled low. "That's messy. Even for us."
"I need it contained," Damian continued. "No leaks. Kill every rumor before it breathes. And find out who drugged me that night."
Andrea nodded. "I'll handle the media side. Full blackout."
Banni cracked his knuckles. "I've got contacts at the hotel. We'll pull every camera angle."
Damian rubbed his face. "Imani… she's pulling away. I can't lose her over this."
The three men exchanged glances. They had never seen Damian this shaken.
Cross-cut – Anderson Estate, East Guest Suite
Thursday, 11:50 AM
Ivy lounged on the chaise, flipping through a pregnancy magazine while Temi watched her like a hawk.
"You've been dodging the DNA test for two days," Temi said, voice deceptively light. "Morning sickness seems selective too. Are you sure there's a baby in there, Ivy?"
Ivy smiled sweetly, but her eyes were sharp. "Of course I'm sure. These things take time to confirm properly. Stress isn't good for the baby, Mama Temi."
Temi's suspicion deepened, but she masked it with a smile. "Of course, darling. We only want what's best."
Cross-cut – Jude's Study
Thursday, 2:10 PM
Mr. Oko stood before Jude, tablet in hand, face grim.
"Damian was definitely drugged. Rohypnol mixed with something stronger—professional job. Ivy is on the footage handing him the drink. But there's another man. Face never fully caught. Shadowy. He was in the room with them for twelve minutes."
Jude's fist slammed the desk. "Get my personal doctor here. Now. We do the tests discreetly."
Cross-cut – Master Suite
Thursday, 3:45 PM
Damian found Imani on the balcony again, staring at nothing. He approached slowly, like she was a wounded bird.
"I've spoken to my father. The rumors are dying. No leaks. I'm handling it." He paused. "I know you don't want to hear it, but I'm sorry. For the bachelor party. For not protecting you from all this. For every second you've hurt because of me."
Imani turned. Her eyes were tired. "Sorry doesn't erase her being here, Damian."
"I know." He stepped closer. "But I'm fighting for us. Every hour."
Cross-cut – Medical Wing, Anderson Estate
Thursday, 4:30 PM
Dr. Adeyemi arrived with a discreet black bag. Ivy protested at first, then relented under Jude's cold stare. Blood and urine samples were collected while she complained about "invasive procedures" and "trust issues."
"The full paternity DNA can only be done after birth," the doctor explained. "But we can confirm pregnancy now."
Jude nodded. "Do it."
Cross-cut – Unknown Safe House
Thursday, 5:15 PM
Ivy's voice was urgent on the phone. "Victor, they took samples. You have to swap the results. I'm not pregnant—I never was."
Victor's chuckle was dark. "Sending the doctor's courier to me now. Consider it done. You owe me one, Ivy. A big one."
Cross-cut – Jude's Study
Friday, 11:20 AM
The results envelope lay on the desk like a bomb.
Dr. Adeyemi cleared his throat. "She is pregnant."
Temi's face lit up with genuine joy. "I knew it! A grandchild!" She clapped her hands.
Damian's expression remained stone. "I want another test. Independent lab."
Jude said nothing, but his eyes were calculating. He wasn't satisfied either.
Cross-cut – Master Suite
Friday, 12:05 PM
Damian closed the door behind them. The moment they were alone, he pulled Imani into his arms despite her stiffness.
"I'm so sorry, my love," he whispered, voice breaking. "For the mistake of that night. For not seeing how deep this wound goes. You are my wife. My only wife. I chose you on that altar with clear eyes and a full heart. Nothing and no one changes that."
Imani trembled but didn't pull away.
He cupped her face gently. "I love you, Imani. Not because of any contract. Not because of the empire. Because you make me want to be better. Because when I look at you, the whole world goes quiet. I will never make a mistake like this again. Never let anyone come between us. I vow it on everything I am."
She closed her eyes, tears slipping free.
Cross-cut – Jude's Private Study
Friday, 1:40 PM
Jude summoned Imani alone.
She entered, chin high despite the exhaustion in her eyes.
"I know this was never part of the deal we made," Jude said, surprisingly gentle. "My son made a grave error in judgment. But he loves you. I see it. This family needs stability, Imani. Forgive him. Not for me—for yourself. And for whatever future you two build."
Imani nodded slowly. "I'm trying."
She left without another word.
Cross-cut – Master Suite
Friday, 3:10 PM
"I want to see my mother," Imani said suddenly. "Today. Alone."
Damian shook his head. "Not alone. Let me take you. Please. I don't want distance between us anymore."
She hesitated, then gave a small nod. The hurt was still there, raw and heavy, but so was the need for comfort.
Cross-cut – St. Nicholas Hospital, Private Wing
Friday, 4:55 PM
The room smelled of antiseptic and lilies. Imani's mother lay propped against pillows, stable but frail. Her eyes were open but distant, speech still limited to faint murmurs.
Imani sat on the edge of the bed, holding her mother's thin hand.
"Mummy… it's been so hard," she whispered. "I thought I could handle it. The house, the people, the lies… but everything keeps breaking."
Her voice cracked. The tears she had held for days finally spilled over.
Damian stood by the door at first, giving her space. But when her shoulders began to shake with silent sobs, he crossed the room in two strides.
He sank to his knees beside her chair and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"I've got you," he murmured against her hair. "Let it out, my love. I'm right here."
Imani turned and buried her face in his chest, hugging him back with surprising strength. Her tears soaked his shirt.
Damian held her closer, one hand stroking her back, the other cradling her head. His voice was thick with emotion.
"I hate seeing you like this. Every tear you cry kills me. You are the strongest, most beautiful woman I have ever known. Your heart, your fire, the way you fight for the people you love… I don't deserve you, but I will spend every day earning you. I promise you, Imani Anderson, I will never let another woman, another scandal, another mistake come between us again. You are my peace. My home. My future. Whatever comes—Victor, my mother, the empire—I will stand between you and it. Always. I love you more than power, more than pride, more than anything this world can offer. Just… don't shut me out. Let me love you the way you deserve."
Imani clung to him, her sobs gradually easing. For the first time in days, the hug felt real. Safe.
Her mother's hand twitched weakly on the bed, as if trying to reach them.
Cross-cut – Hospital Corridor
Friday, 6:20 PM
As they walked back to the car, Damian kept his arm around Imani's waist. She leaned into him slightly—small surrender.
But in her pocket, her phone buzzed with a new message.
Mother's charts look stable… for now. Would be a shame if complications returned.
Imani deleted it, and blocked the contact,but the seed of fear took root again.
Cross-cut – Anderson Estate, Master Suite
Friday, 8:45 PM
Back home, Damian drew her a bath with lavender oil. And rose petals,with fresh scented baths boom,The way she loves it He did join her. While he let her rest on his chest, he read to her,reading softly from one of her favorite books while they soaked.she fall asleep on him
The foamy water was covering her breast,and Damian was stroking her hair,he stop reading when he noticed she was asleep,and decided to let her rest and the beautiful moment together
Ivy and Temi's laughter drifted faintly from downstairs, but for tonight, the master suite felt like their sanctuary again.
Yet in the east wing, Ivy stared at her phone with Victor's message: Results swapped. You owe me.
And in Jude's study, Mr. Oko dropped a new file.
"The second man at the party… we have a partial match. It's connected to Victor."
Jude's face darkened. The game was far from over.