Chapter 144 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 34

Chapter 144 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 34
—Amira—
My heart bled with every step I took, my tears leaving a trail on the floor. I kept going until I was inside the elevator, grateful to find it as empty as the hallway.
After a smooth ascent, the doors parted onto the familiar floor.
I glanced at the pictures in my hand and stepped out, my heels clicking softly against the floor.
A sense of unease settled inside me as I approached his office.
“She needs to know her place. He’s off limits.” Grace’s words echoed in my head.
Was he?
Had I believed in a stupid fairytale?
The doors parted before I could knock on them. Of course. How could I have forgotten he’d programmed the sensors to recognize me?
I walked into the office and saw him seated behind his desk, a smile curving his lips. His cologne wrapped around me, but for the first time, I hated it.
“The woman after my heart,” he called. “Why did it take you so long?”
I held myself together as I stopped before his desk.
“We need to talk.”
He sat straighter. “Ok. About what?”
“Everything,” I snapped and drew a breath. “Is there something you're not telling me?”
He paused. “Amira. You seem angry. What happened?”
“I asked a question, Nathaniel... answer me!” I blurted. “W-what we had—was it all a lie?”
He stood. “Of course, not. I love you. Everything between us is true.”
A scoff left my lips before I could stop it.
H–how had I not seen this? He was comfortably lying to my face without remorse.
I tossed the pictures on his table. “Then what's this?”
He froze, his jaw tightening as he stared at the photos. “How did you get these pictures? They're classified information.”
I couldn't help the hysterical laughter that left my lips.
Really? I came up with a heavy accusation and all he could ask was how I got them?
“Are they real or not?” I asked.
“It’s complicated. I didn’t plan for this to happen.”
“Are they fucking real or not?” I rasped. “Are you engaged to the daughter of a business tycoon in America?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Yes, I'm engaged to the daughter of a business tycoon.”
My heart shattered. Tears fell from my eyes.
I sniffled. “You proposed to me... made me feel seen, cherished... loved.”
“Amira.”
He rounded the desk and tried to touch me, but I backed off.
“I believed you,” I sobbed. “Gave you my heart, my loyalty. But to you, it was just a game.”
God! I wanted him to deny it, but he didn't. Instead, he deflected again.
“Can you please tell me how you got these pictures?”
I laughed.
Was the universe giving me a clue? A chance to breakup with him before the DNA results land?
It hurt. It hurt so much.
“I quit,” I said. “I quit everything.”
“No.” He gasped. “Please, don't do this.”
“You can't have two wives, Nathaniel. Even if you could, I refuse to be numbered.”
“I don't want two wives.”
“Then make your choice now. Me or her?”
Something inside me still wished he'd fight for us. I wanted him to.
He stood there, composed, eyes wide with hurt. But he said nothing.
“I get the message,” I murmured. “Goodbye, Nathaniel.”
I turned to my heel.
Every step away from him felt like my heart was being ripped out. The sound of my heels clicking against the floor a cruel reminder of what I had lost.
After gathering my things in my office, I took the elevator down.
Laughter erupted the moment I stepped into the reception. Grace whispered something to the women around her, her smile smug and victorious.
“Amira,” someone called.
I turned to Joyce as she hurried to my side, brows creasing. “Are you leaving?”
“I have to go,” I whispered.
“I'll miss you,” she said, and pulled me into her arms.
“I'll miss you too.”
We straightened, and I made my way to the forecourt. Then I ran into Steve.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “You didn’t deserve that.”
I swallowed hard. “I know.”
The certainty in my own voice surprised me. Footsteps echoed behind me —my driver.
“Where are we going?”
“I'm no longer with Allwell.”
He froze, hand still on the door handle. “Ma’am?”
I forced a smile and glanced once more at the facility before climbing into a taxi outside the gates.
“Where to, Miss?” the driver asked.
I needed a place of solitude. Somewhere I could grief without interruption.
“To Port Harcourt Pleasure Park,” I said, and gazed out the window as we merged with the streets of Port Harcourt.
Moments later, we pulled up at the park and I made my way to the scenic lake.
Lowering my stuff, I sat on the grass and watched as the day passed away.

. . . .
—Nathaniel—
I stared at the empty office long after she left, my chest tight in a way no boardroom loss had ever evoked.
Silence had always been golden.
Control had always been my armor—but now it felt like the very thing that had cost me everything. Her.
I pulled out my phone and dialed my security head.
“Sir?”
“Prepare my flight to D.C. Now.”
I lowered the phone into my pocket, just as a knock sounded on the door. Steve walked in.
“Is everything okay, sir?”
“You’re in charge until I return. Sign off on procurement and HR matters. If Amira submits a resignation letter—”
I paused, fist clenching.
“Do not process it. It comes directly to me.”
“Yes, sir.”
I slipped on my aviator sunglasses and made my way to the field, to the sight of my private jet waiting on the tarmac.
“We're cleared for takeoff,” the head of my security announced.
“Let's go,” I said, and moved.

. . . .
—Amira—
The sky had gradually become a blanket of stars.
I let out a sigh and wiped my tears as I listened to the gentle lapping of the lake.
Then my phone rang. Mama.
“Hello, Mama,” I answered.
“Where are you, Amira? This is past eight o'clock.”
“I–I resigned from my job.”
“What? Why?”
I shook my head. “It was a lie. He's engaged to the daughter of a business tycoon.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I saw the photos.”
“Where are you?”
“At Pleasure Park.”
“Alright. Come home, my child. There's no problem without a solution.”
I sniffled. “Okay, Mama. How's Oluchi?”
“She's right here. We're making your favorite for dinner.”
A chuckle escaped me. “Okay. I'm coming right away.”
I ended the call, gathered my stuff and headed out of the park. Then I bumped into the last person I expected to meet tonight.
Sammy.
A chill ran down my spine.