Chapter 10

Zara adjusted the strap of her bag and peeked into the mirror one last time. Her outfit was simple, stylish—perfect for a casual photoshoot. Kemi had already sent a text: “Outside your gate, babe. Let’s kill this shoot!”

Zara smiled faintly, then exhaled. Modeling again felt like breathing fresh air after months of suffocation. For a few hours today, she would get to be herself. Just Zara. Not someone’s fiancée, not someone trapped in family politics, not the confused girl who overheard her father discussing secrets he shouldn’t have been.

She slipped out the back door, her steps light and hurried. She met Kemi in the car and the girls shared an excited squeal before they drove off.

“I got this really cool photographer,” Kemi said, eyes sparkling. “And the location? Girl, you’ll love it. Think vintage café meets street style.”

Zara nodded eagerly. “I just wanna feel alive again.”

The shoot was magic. Zara changed into two outfits, posed under dusky light and cobblestone alleyways, the camera capturing her angles like she was made for it. For that moment, nothing else mattered. Just the click of the shutter and the freedom she felt in her bones.

Afterwards, hungry and giddy, they drove to a nearby eatery to get something to eat. They were laughing over some of Zara’s awkward poses when Kemi’s giggle abruptly died. Her eyes narrowed past Zara’s shoulder.

“Uhm… babe,” Kemi said slowly, “don’t look now… but your husband-to-be is here.”

Zara whipped around instinctively, eyes landing on Regan—and right beside him sat a tall, elegant woman with sleek black hair and flawless skin. She looked like she stepped out of a high-end magazine. They were talking closely, intently. Imani.

Zara blinked.

“You okay?” Kemi whispered.

Zara straightened. “I’m fine. I don’t care.”

“You sure? ‘Cause your nose is literally flaring.”

Zara turned her face back to her food, but her ears were tuned to every word from that table.

Meanwhile, Regan sat stiffly across from Imani, unsure how to even begin the conversation. He hadn’t seen her in months—not since his father ordered the abrupt end of their relationship and imposed the marriage to Zara.

Imani folded her arms. “So, what happened, Regan? You ghosted me. Just like that. No call, no text. Nothing.”

Regan sighed. “Imani, it wasn’t like that. I didn’t want to end things that way.”

She scoffed. “But you did.”

“My father… he made a decision. He told me I was to marry someone else. It wasn’t up for discussion.”

She leaned back, eyes cold. “So you’re a daddy’s boy now? Cute.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s not like that.”

“Oh, it’s exactly like that. Regan, you’re a grown man. You could’ve fought for us.”

“I tried.”

“Then try harder.” Imani leaned in, lowering her voice. “Or was I just a temporary thing until your daddy picked a trophy wife for you?”

Regan’s jaw clenched. “That’s not fair.”

Imani smirked. “Life isn’t fair, sweetheart. You didn’t just break up with me. You disappeared. And now I hear you’re engaged to someone else—publicly. Do you know how embarrassing that is?”

Regan sighed deeply. “I didn’t love her. I still don’t. This whole thing is complicated. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.”

He looked her in the eyes, his tone softer. “My father is powerful, Imani. You know that. There are things happening that are way above us.”

She rolled her eyes. “Right. The mysterious Kareem family business. Honestly, Regan, if you were man enough, you’d stand up to him.”

Before he could respond, Imani grabbed her drink and stood up. “Anyway, thanks for the explanation. Took you long enough.” She smiled bitterly. “Guess I dodged a bullet.”

As she turned to leave, her eyes locked with Zara’s. The two women stared at each other briefly—neither smiling, neither backing down. Then, slowly, Imani’s expression twisted into something smug.

“Ohhh,” she said quietly, tilting her head. “Now I remember you. You’re the girl in those engagement pictures. Regan’s wife-to-be.” Her voice was laced with mock sweetness. “Cute dress, by the way. Very… innocent.”

She gave a small mocking wave and strutted out.

Kemi exhaled dramatically. “Wow. That girl is extra.”

Zara still hadn’t touched her food. Her appetite had vanished. “So that’s her,” she muttered.

“Yup. And judging by the look on her face, she still wants him.”

Zara snorted. “They deserve each other.”

“Do they?” Kemi said slyly. “You’re jealous.”

“I’m not.”

“You are.”

“Am not!”

“Zara, you’re gripping your spoon like it’s her neck.”

They both burst into laughter.

Later that evening, as the girls walked into the house, Zara called out to her mother.

“Mum, Kemi’s sleeping over tonight. Hope that’s okay.”

Her mother, who was seated in the living room beside Mr. Tunde, looked up and smiled. “Of course, dear. You’re always welcome, Kemi.”

“Thank you, ma,” Kemi said politely.

Mr. Tunde gave a stiff nod. “How is your father? Your mother?”

“They’re doing well, sir. Thank you for asking.”

“And your siblings?”

“Everyone’s fine, sir.”

Zara could feel her father’s eyes linger a little too long before he turned back to the newspaper in his hands. The tension was always there—subtle but solid. She hoped tonight would be free of it.

Back in Zara’s room, Kemi sprawled on her bed, scrolling through her phone while Zara changed into her PJs.

“Hey,” Kemi said, sitting up. “So… what now?”

Zara flopped beside her. “About what?”

“That whole scene with Regan and his hot ex. You good?”

Zara pulled her pillow over her face. “Ughhh.”

“That bad?”

“I don’t know how I feel, Kemi. One second I hate his guts, the next I’m spying on his I*******m pictures.”

“You what?”

Zara groaned. “Don’t ask.”

Kemi giggled. “So you admit it. You’re catching feelings.”

Zara sat up, serious. “No. No, no, no. I’m not. That was just a moment. A weakness. I’m focused on my modeling. That’s what matters now. Whatever Regan had with that girl, it’s not my business.”

Kemi nodded slowly. “Unless it becomes your business. You are marrying the guy.”

Zara shook her head. “Let’s not go there tonight. Please.”

Kemi sighed. “Fine. But if anything fishy starts again, we’re digging deep, okay?”

“Agreed.”

They both settled under the covers, the silence between them filled with unspoken questions neither wanted to answer just yet.