𝐓 𝐇 𝐈 𝐑 𝐃 • 𝐏 𝐄 𝐑 𝐒 𝐎 𝐍 • 𝐏 𝐎 𝐕
︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾︾

After the long break and the pressure of JAMB, the SS3 students of Kenward International High School were finally back-ready or not-to prepare for the next hurdle: WAEC.

The school didn't waste time spicing things up. By 8 am sharp, the Top 10 JAMB Scores had already been posted on the noticeboard like exam results during morning assembly. And of course, the bragging started immediately.

KENWARD INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
TOP 10 JAMB SCORES

1. Victor Abraham - 368

2. Sonia Ubong - 310

3. Zainab Michael - 309

4. Florence Williams - 306

5. Desmond Oluwaseun - 305

6. Derrick Johnson - 298

7. Flora Williams - 296

8. Empress Devin - 292

9. Dexter Jonathan - 288

10. Kelechi Winner - 286

Florence had somehow managed to crawl out of camp just long enough to write her JAMB. Then poof-gone again like she was never there.

Even her sister, Flora, had no idea where she went. Their parents were being tight-lipped, acting like they didn't owe anybody explanations. But one thing Flora was sure of, is that Florence would return for WAEC. She always did, especially when it mattered most.

---

As Sonia made her way through the hallway, voices trailed behind her.

"Senior Sonia, well done oh!"

"You try abeg!"

"I saw your name on the list!"

She smiled gently, nodding as she walked past, quietly taking in the praise. She didn't need to say much. Her name on the list said enough.

When she reached her class and stepped inside, she instantly caught sight of Derrick and Empress in the corner.

They were talking-seriously. Sonia could tell by the way Derrick's brows were furrowed, like he was solving Further Maths without a calculator. That look only came out when something was really wrong.

Since they hadn't seen her yet, she slipped into the class quietly and made her way to the back, staying low-key.

She slid into her seat, her eyes locked on the two of them. Her ears were wide open.

"...What are we going to do now?" Empress said, her voice low and tense. "Your dad and my dad already agreed we'd get engaged after high school, but now that your dad's been arrested, my own dad is saying we should just go ahead with it immediately."

Sonia's jaw dropped.

Engaged? As in... married?

But it wasn't even the engagement that shocked her the most. It was the tone in Empress' voice-uncertain. Soft. Almost scared.

This was Empress Aniki Devin. The same girl that used to hover around Derrick like his personal perfume. The one who never wasted a chance to throw side comments at Sonia like it was a sport. The same Empress who had always made it clear she would fight for Derrick.

And now... she sounded tired?

Derrick sighed deeply, running his hands down his face. "You think I want this? I don't even know what to do. My dad is in jail, and honestly, he deserves it. But now, because of his mess, they expect me to smile and go along with an engagement I didn't ask for?"

Empress looked down, her fingers shaking slightly as she played with her bracelet. "I just want to live my life, Derrick. Not theirs."

Silence.

It sat heavy between them like a bag of cement.

Then Derrick whispered, "We have to find a way out of this."

At the back of the class, Sonia's heart was racing.

Derrick was in the middle of all this drama, and he hadn't said a single word to her? No call. No text. Nothing.

She felt heat rise in her chest. It wasn't just shock anymore-it was betrayal.

As Empress left the classroom, Sonia stood up and walked over to Derrick.

"So when were you going to tell me about this?" Her voice was calm, but sharp enough.

Derrick turned, eyes wide. He looked like someone who had just been caught doing something wrong.

"Sonia... I'm so sorry," he said quietly. "I just found out two days ago. Apparently, my dad and Empress' dad had some kind of deal. If their kids get married, their business stays in the family or something. But now that my dad's in prison, her dad is trying to make it happen faster."

He paused, his voice faltering.

"I swear I don't want this. I've been trying to figure out how to convince my dad to end it, but... if I can't even do that, then what does that make me?"

Sonia looked at him for a long moment, her emotions caught between anger and pity.

"I don't know, Derrick," Sonia said quietly, her eyes fixed on him. "But maybe it's time you started choosing what you want... and forget about your dad's decisions."

She paused for a beat, then her face lit up with sudden realization. "Wait, maybe that lawyer can help."

Derrick's eyes widened too. "Yeah... you're right."

"I have a plan," Sonia said, a spark of fire in her voice.

𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷𖧷

Two days later, the office of Springdale Law Firm was anything but calm.

"What nonsense is all this?" Mr. Devin bellowed, his voice shaking the glass on the office walls. "We had an agreement! You can't just wake up and decide to cancel it!"

He slammed his hand on the table, eyes flaring.

The female lawyer-young, fierce, and completely unbothered didn't flinch at all.

"I'm sorry, sir," she said smoothly, flipping through the papers in front of her, "but your daughter is still a minor. She hasn't reached the legal age of consent for any such engagement to be binding. As long as she isn't 18 or above, this contract is hereby declared invalid."

Across the room, Empress sat beside her not so happy mum, silently thanking God, Sonia, and whoever invented legal loopholes.

"You'll regret this," Mr. Devin spat. "I'll sue you. I'll sue this entire useless firm!"

The lawyer smiled sweetly, but her words were sharp enough to draw blood.

"Feel free," she said. "But do remember, half of your company's funding came from Mr. Johnson's business-which is currently under federal investigation. Since he's in jail, that company is frozen. Which means soon enough, yours will follow, since you were benefitting off the backdoor deals."

Mr. Devin's face went pale.

"Now," she continued, standing to her feet, "if you'll excuse us, my client would like to go home. She's had quite a traumatic day."

She nodded at Empress, who stood with her head held high, finally free from the chokehold of her parents expectations.

And in the corner, Sonia stood by the doorway, arms crossed, watching it all play out.

"Thank you once again, Sonia," Empress said softly. "Words can't explain how grateful I am. I know I might've been a bitch to you ever since you got here, but... I'm sorry. Really. I hope someday I can repay you."

Sonia smiled-genuinely. "You deserve to be happy and free. Your parents don't get to choose the life they want for you."

Just then, her mother stood up sharply, voice filled with venom.

"And where exactly do you think you're going, young lady?" she snapped. "Is this how you repay your father and me? After everything we've done for you?"

She shook her head, disgust written all over her face.

"You're practically useless. You couldn't even hold onto Derrick, you let another girl just take him from you, like that! You're a disgrace. I'm ashamed to call you my daughter."

But she didn't stop there.

"You never listen. You refused to study medicine like we told you. You never topped your class, no matter how much we pushed. All you ever do is disappoint us."

Empress heard every word, but inside? Nothing. Numb. Empty.

She was used to being called a failure. This wasn't new.

She took a slow breath, then looked up at her mother.

"You know what?" she said, voice steady but bitter. "You and Dad made me do some of the worst things just to please you. And I'm honestly tired."

"You made me believe Derrick and I were meant to be, even when it was never real. You made me think that if I wasn't number one, I was nothing. And everything I've done to impress you? You ignored it. You always ignore it."

"I'm done living for two people who will never see me for who I am."

Her father's voice cut in, sharp like a blade.

"Is that how you talk to your mother?"

Before Empress could respond, the lawyer stepped forward, her voice cool and clear.

"Yes. It is her mother she's talking to like that. And there's absolutely nothing either of you can do about it."

She turned to face them fully.

"You two don't deserve to be called parents. Not after the damage you've done to this girl."

"For now, your daughter will be staying with me until she finishes school and her WAEC exam. After that, she'll be moving to Lagos to live with her aunt."

Her mother flared up. "You have no right to take our child from us!"

The lawyer gave a slight smile-one filled with quiet power.

"Actually, I do. Unless you have two million naira lying around to settle this case, your custody is suspended."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"Her aunt filed a complaint against you both for emotional and psychological abuse. And thanks to your house staff, we have plenty of evidence. Apparently the workers saw when you guys abused her and reported."

Then she tilted her head, eyes hard.

"And honestly, with the way your finances are looking? I doubt either of you even have one hundred thousand to spare."

"So, please. Let the girl breathe."

She gestured toward the door like she was dismissing two strangers at the gate.

"You may now leave."

"Empress, we'll give you another chance," her dad said, surprisingly calm this time. "Us or her?"

Empress didn't even blink.

She looked at him-at both of them-and stayed silent. Her silence said everything.

And just like that, they turned and walked out. No goodbye. No hug. Not even a final look back.

Only silence.

Sonia reached for her, wrapping her in a warm, steady hug. "It's going to be okay," she whispered.

Empress didn't cry. Not this time.

"I'm not even sad," she said softly. "I just... I want to make things right. Not for them. For me."

Sonia pulled back, searching her eyes. "And you will."

"I think... moving in with my aunty will help me figure things out," Empress continued. "Not what my parents want. Not what everyone expects. Just what I want. Who I want to be."

Sonia smiled, a proud, sisterly smile. "That sounds like the first real step to freedom."

And for the first time in forever, Empress agreed-not because someone told her to. But because she meant it.

She wanted a new life.

To stop her bitchy attitude.

To reach greater things.

And it all started from here.

She was going to change.

She bade goodbye to Sonia, as she walked out of the door with the lawyer.

She was going to somewhere better, where her presence is appreciated.

She didn't look back.

She didn't need to.

She was going somewhere better now.
Somewhere her presence would no longer be tolerated, but appreciated.

She didn't look back.

She didn't need to.

Where she could finally learn who Empress really was...

Without fear. Without shame. Without limits.

And this was just the beginning.

ᜊᜊᜊᜊᜊ
A/N

Empress isn't really a bad person. Her parents are just fucked up, if you read from the beginning you would understand. I even gave hints, where she was a good person.

I hope she finally gets better.

And where do you guys think Florence is? 😭

Also, I'm excited to announce that this book is coming to an end soon...

Thoughts on this chapter?

Buh bye... 🧚🏼‍♀️