The late afternoon sun streamed through Simi's window, casting a warm glow on her workspace. Papers strewn across her desk contained sketches, notes, and ideas for her upcoming fashion collection. But today, her thoughts were elsewhere. The events of the previous few weeks—the confrontation with Gbolahan, her budding relationship with Dami—had left her unsettled. She required clarification. Simi opened her laptop and began searching for articles about Nigeria's fashion industry. As she browsed various websites, a headline piqued her interest: "Corruption in Nigerian Politics: The Hidden Connections." She was intrigued and clicked on the link to start reading. Simi's heart rate increased as she read more of the article. The article described various politicians who had been involved in embezzlement and bribery scandals. Names she recognised from family conversations rose to the surface—men who had met Gbolahan through his business dealings. "Could it be?" she asked herself, feeling a shiver run down her spine as she pieced together the connections. She quickly opened a new tab and began searching for more information about these politicians, including their identities, affiliations, and ties to Gbolahan. Simi spent hours doing research. The more she discovered, the more concerned she became. Gbolahan had met with several of these individuals at charity events and business conferences. Photographs showed him shaking hands with known corrupt officials, their smiles wide and confident. "This could ruin us," Simi said quietly to herself, her heart pounding as she connected the dots. The implications of what she was learning were staggering. If these connections became public, it would not only tarnish Gbolahan's reputation, but could also destroy their family. She leaned back in her chair and ran a hand through her hair, frustrated. How did he keep this from them? The weight of the secrets felt heavier than ever; it was one thing to conceal personal truths about parentage, but it was quite another to become involved in political corruption. Simi's mind was racing with questions. What was Gbolahan involved in? How deep did the corruption go? And, most importantly, how will this affect her? She reflected on the impending arranged marriage; would this scandal change everything? Simi was determined to get answers and decided to confront Abosede. Her mother had always been the only one who understood the complexities of their family dynamics; perhaps she knew more about Gbolahan's activities. As she made her way downstairs, Simi felt a surge of anxiety and resolve. She found Abosede in the kitchen, preparing dinner and humming softly to herself. "Mom?" Simi called out, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. Abosede looked up, her face brightening with the sight of her daughter. "Simi! How did you spend your day? "It was good," Simi said, her heart racing as she approached. "But I need to speak with you about something important." Abosede's demeanour changed, revealing a hint of concern on her face. "What is it?" Simi took a deep breath, attempting to find the appropriate words. "I have been researching some information about your business connections," she explained slowly. "And I came across some information that involves Dad." "What type of information?" Abosede enquired cautiously, setting down the knife she had been using. Simi hesitated, fighting back the fear that gripped her heart. "His political connections are questionable." Abosede's expression darkened as she approached, her fingers firmly gripping the counter's edge. "What exactly do you mean?" "I discovered articles linking him to corrupt politicians," Simi stated urgently, her voice barely above a whisper. "He is been photographed with them at events—men embroiled in scandals that could destroy our family." As Abosede processed Simi's words, the colour drained from her face. "Are you certain?" "I am certain," Simi responded, her heart racing. "I will show you what I found." They went to the living room, where Simi pulled up the articles on her laptop and showed Abosede the evidence she had gathered. As they scrolled through images and reports about Gbolahan's connections, Abosede's expression changed from concern to disbelief. "I can not believe he would involve himself with these people," Abosede said quietly, her voice trembling. "I can not believe he would associate himself with these people," Abosede said quietly, her voice trembling. "Why would he keep this from us?" Simi enquired, fighting off the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Does not he understand how dangerous this is?" "I do not know," Abosede replied, a hint of sadness creeping into her tone as she reached out, taking Simi's hands into hers, offering comfort against the uncertainties looming ahead, knowing full well that whatever lay ahead of them would require strength and resilience built upon love shared between them both—an unbreakable bond forged through trials faced along the way. "But it is not just about appearances!" Simi exclaimed, fighting back tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks once more. "This could ruin everything!" Abosede took a deep breath, fighting against the emotions that were swirling within her. "We need to confront him on this." Simi nodded, determination filling every fibre of her being. "We cannot let this go unchecked." As they prepared for what lay ahead, Simi felt a mix of anxiety and resolve rise within her. She knew confronting Gbolahan would be difficult; he was a man who valued power and authority above all else. Later that evening, after dinner and Temi had gone to bed, Simi and Abosede found themselves sitting across from Gbolahan in the living room. "Simi has something important to discuss," Abosede stated firmly, facing him directly, as tension filled the air. Gbolahan looked up from his newspaper, a hint of irritation on his face. "Can not it wait until the morning?" "No," Simi boldly replied, a mix of fear and determination coursing through her veins. "It cannot wait." Gbolahan raised an eyebrow, sensing their serious tone. "What is this?" Simi took a deep breath before beginning the conversation. "I have been researching some information about your business connections," she explained slowly. "I discovered links between you and several corrupt politicians." Gbolahan's expression hardened immediately, and anger flashed across his face as he leaned forward in his chair. "What are you talking about?" Simi persisted, showing him the articles on her laptop while Abosede stood silently beside her, encouraging her without saying anything. "You never told us." Simi persisted, fighting back tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks once more. "You have put our family at risk!" Gbolahan stood abruptly, fury and disbelief etched on his features. "I have no idea what you are talking about!" "I have all the evidence here!" Simi shot back defiantly, fighting every instinct that told her to back down. Abosede eventually spoke up: "Gbolahan, we need to know what is going on. This is not just about your reputation; it concerns all of us." Gbolahan turned to face Abosede, anger flashing in his eyes. "You should have left your daughter out of this!" "She should know!" Abosede replied firmly, facing him without retreating. The argument heated up quickly; voices rose as emotions ran wild—unresolved conflicts lurking beneath the surface, waiting for the opportunity to resurface, filling the room with a weight that weighed heavily on their shoulders. Finally, after what felt like hours spent arguing back and forth, filled only by sounds echoing from nearby streets bustling alive under stars twinkling overhead illuminating the path ahead, leading towards an uncertain future waiting just beyond the horizon, Gbolahan turned away abruptly, leaving the room behind him filled with unresolved conflicts waiting patiently beneath the surface, waiting for the opportunity to arise once more, leaving both women standing there "I am sorry," Abosede said quietly as silence enveloped the room surrounding them, leaving only sounds echoing from nearby streets bustling alive under stars twinkling overhead, illuminating the path ahead, leading to an uncertain future just beyond the horizon. Simi shook her head vehemently; she did not want sympathy or apologies—she wanted understanding and support in the midst of their current chaos. "It is not your fault," she said softly, fighting back tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks once more, overwhelmed by everything going on around them right now. "I wish things were different," Abosede admitted quietly, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice as she reached out, taking Simi's hands into hers, offering comfort against the uncertainties looming ahead, knowing full well that whatever lay ahead would require strength and resilience built on love shared between them both—an unbreakable bond forged through trials faced along the journey ahead. As they sat together in silence, surrounded by warmth radiating invitingly against the cool evening breeze greeting warmly against their skin, reminding them how much life existed beyond the walls surrounding them all right now, Simi knew deep down that no matter what challenges lay ahead, together they could face anything life threw at them.