Zara's eyes narrowed as she spotted Adeyemi approaching them. Jake stood frozen behind her, clearly unsure of how to react. Zara's heart raced with a mix of frustration and confusion. She couldn't deal with any more lies. Not today.
"I don't need your help, Adeyemi," she said, her tone sharp. "I've had enough of being played."
Adeyemi raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "You misunderstand, Zara. I'm not here to deceive you. I'm here to offer you the guidance your father would have given you... had he still been around."
The mention of her father sent a pang through her chest. Zara clenched her fists, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.
"I don't need anyone's guidance. I can handle this myself," Zara snapped.
Jake stepped forward, but Adeyemi raised a hand to stop him. "I think you'll find, Zara, that handling things alone isn't as easy as it seems. Trust me, your father knew this better than anyone."
Zara felt a wave of bitterness rise in her throat. "My father?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Adeyemi nodded, his expression turning slightly more serious. "Yes. That's why I'm here—to help you fulfill your legacy."
Her eyes widened. "Legacy? What are you talking about?"
Jake took a step back, his eyes filled with regret. "Zara... I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you. I never wanted to hurt you."
But Zara didn't hear him. She was too busy processing the words that had just come from Adeyemi. "Legacy," she repeated, her voice cold. "What do you want from me?"
Adeyemi's smile widened, though there was something unsettling about it. "I don't want anything from you, Zara. I simply want to help you become the woman you were always meant to be."
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
"Stay away from me," Zara said, her voice steady now, a new sense of resolve filling her chest. "All of you."
As she walked away, her heart pounded in her chest. She didn't know who she could trust anymore. But one thing was clear: this battle was far from over
*******************************************************************************
Zara couldn't escape the feeling that things were slipping out of her control. Adeyemi's visit had thrown her off, and Jake's confession had made everything worse. But what was the truth? How much of what they'd told her was real? How much was just part of their game?
That evening, as she sat alone in her room, the doorbell rang. This time, it was Walsh, looking as calm and collected as ever.
"I know you're upset, Zara," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "But you need to understand—everything we've done has been for your safety. Your father's mistakes don't define you."
Zara stood up, facing him. "What do you want from me, Walsh? Why are you here?"
He stepped forward, his gaze steady. "You don't know the full story yet. But when you do, you'll understand that we were only trying to protect you. Your father left us with a responsibility to you."
Zara's heart thundered in her chest. "Stop. I'm not your pawn anymore."
But Walsh's eyes darkened, his voice taking on a more sinister edge. "You may think you're in control now, Zara, but you'll soon see how little power you truly have. You've been playing in a game far bigger than you realize."
His words hit her like a slap. The anger built inside her, but so did the sense of betrayal. She had been manipulated by all of them—Adeyemi, Walsh, Jake. They had used her as a pawn in their dangerous game, and now it was time to take control of her own future.
As Walsh turned to leave, Zara felt a surge of power rising within her. It was time to stop being a victim. It was time to start fighting back.