~Aderonke~
“Gerald!” I called out as I stormed into the room, my chest heaving with frustration.

“What’s wrong?” my husband asked, his tone calm and steady, as if my outburst was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Everything is wrong, Gerald!” I nearly screamed, unable to contain the fury bubbling inside me.

“That woman—” I spat the word like it tasted bitter, “—that wench who dared to claim those children were yours.”

Gerald’s brow furrowed slightly. “Fisayo? What about her?”

His calmness was infuriating. I wanted him to rage alongside me, to feel the anger that was tearing me apart. Why couldn’t he be furious for me?

“Her daughter killed our Alessia!” I shouted, my voice cracking as tears welled up. I broke down, sobbing. The pain was unbearable. Alessia, my baby… gone.

Gerald’s expression didn’t change. He remained disturbingly composed. “How do you know?”

His lack of reaction felt like a slap in the face. Where was the outrage? The need for justice?

“Everyone is saying it! Pamela, Adediwura, even the investigators! They’re all convinced she’s responsible,” I said, my words pleading, desperate to ignite any kind of response in him.

“And there’s actual evidence?” he asked, looking more worried than angry.

I blinked, stunned. “Why does it matter if there’s evidence? The DNA test already proved those children aren’t yours! Why do you care?”

Gerald turned away, a hint of something—was it regret?—in his eyes. “DNA tests can be wrong,” he muttered.

I stared at him, realization dawning. He cared about them. Those children. He still cared.

“This isn’t about them, Gerald!” I screamed, the pain in my heart hardening into fury. “Our daughter is dead! Alessia is gone. They need to pay for what they’ve done!”

“With what, Aderonke? Do we have solid proof?” His voice rose, anger finally flaring, but it wasn’t directed at Fisayo or her daughter. It was at me.

“Yes!” I lied, desperate for him to stand by me in this.

“You’re lying,” he said coldly. “Your nose always twitches when you lie.”

“And what if I am?” I shot back, my voice trembling with defiance. “We can make them pay, Gerald. We can do whatever we need to. She needs to suffer for what she’s done.”

Gerald’s eyes blazed. “Listen to yourself, Aderonke Bamidele. You want to fabricate evidence, to make someone suffer without proof. Are you out of your mind?”

I slapped him, hard. “Don’t you dare call me by my maiden name,” I hissed before storming out of the room, slamming the door behind me.

---

~Yemisi~

I sat in Kayode’s room, my mind heavy with the tension that had settled over the house. Mum had locked herself in her room since yesterday, refusing to come out, refusing to eat. I hoped she’d snap out of it soon, but I knew better than to expect miracles.

“Ireti’s at it again with her blog,” Kayode muttered, scrolling through his phone.

I raised an eyebrow. “Who’s that?”

“Some girl in my class. She writes this blog on trending Nigerian news.”

He paused, then looked at me, his expression shifting. “Today’s post is about you… being the prime suspect in Alessia’s murder.”

I stared at him, disbelief washing over me. “What? Are you serious?”

Kayode shrugged, unfazed. “Ireti always exaggerates. But she claims to get a million views.”

I felt a cold knot forming in my stomach. “A million?”

“Probably a lie,” he said, his attention back on his screen.

My phone buzzed. I groaned, annoyed. It was a message from my class WhatsApp group. Why hadn’t I left that group yet?

“Mtcheew,” I hissed, dropping the phone on the table, irritated by the constant pings.

Another buzz.

“Kilode?!” I picked up my phone to mute the group, but my eyes caught something—Sarah’s message.

Sarah: You guys should check out Ireti’s post.

She had dropped a link. My heart sank. I clicked it, and there it was. FYK’s CEO Daughter is a Murder Suspect in bold letters. My blood boiled as I read the headline. I prayed mum wouldn’t see this.

“What now?” Kayode asked, noticing my reaction.

I shoved the phone in his face. “You know I’ve seen it already,” he said, pushing it away.

I slumped over his desk, burying my face in my arms. This couldn’t be happening.

An idea flashed through my mind.

“Kayode,” I began slowly, “imagine if I died, and everyone thought someone killed me. But you knew I took my own life. How would you react?”

Kayode looked confused. “Are you imagining yourself as Alessia?”

“Just listen,” I said, pushing forward. “If you knew the truth, what would you say to the public?”

“I wouldn’t say anything. The truth would be enough,” he said, clearly not getting where I was going.

“And if someone did kill me, and someone else said I committed suicide?” I pressed on.

“I’d call them out for spreading lies.” He finally looked at me, suspicion creeping into his eyes. “Why are you asking this?”

I smiled faintly. “Never mind.”

I left the room, my plan forming clearer in my head.

---

I sent Kayode a quick text.

Me: Hey, could you send me Ireti’s number?

Big Head (Kayode): Why are you bothering me?

Me: Please, it’s important!

Big Head: +234 912 678 5368. Don’t get me involved.

I messaged Ireti right away.

Me: Hi Ireti, it’s Yemisi.

Her reply came almost instantly.

Ireti: Hi Yems! No hard feelings about my post, right?

I took a deep breath.

Me: No hard feelings. Actually, I need a favor. I found out that Alessia killed herself.

Ireti: What?! Are you serious?

Me: Yes. Can you help me post it?

There was a pause before her next message.

Ireti: I don’t post things I’m not sure of.

I pressed on.

Me: Your post will help me find out the truth.

Ireti: Hmm… You’re not using me to get out of this, are you?

Me: Just trust me, Ireti. Post it and see what happens.

Five minutes later, my phone buzzed.

Ireti: Done.

I quickly opened the link and confirmed she had posted everything just as I’d asked. Now, I had to wait and see if the bait would be taken.

I dashed downstairs to grab a snack, my heart racing with anticipation. I found mum in the kitchen, holding the cookie jar. Without thinking, I rushed over and wrapped her in a hug.

“Thanks for coming out, mum,” I whispered.

She smiled weakly. “The note was nice.”

“You’re not mad at me, are you?” I asked, searching her eyes.

“Of course not, my dear.” She pushed a stray braid from my face, her touch soft, comforting.

I grinned, grabbed the cookie jar, and raced upstairs, her gentle laugh following behind me.

Back in my room, I checked my phone again.

---

Unknown Number: Ireti, your revelation is shocking ooo! So Alessia killed herself?

Sarah: I feel the same way.

Unknown Number: Wait, what? Alessia killed herself? That girl was always so tough…

I scrolled down, but then a message appeared that made my heart skip a beat.

Pamela Anderson: Cut the crap, Hassan and Daniel. Alessia didn’t kill herself. I believe this is the handiwork of that Yemisi girl.

My hands trembled. The fish had taken the bait. Pamela knew something, and now I had to find out what.

____________________
Author's Note
What is Pamela hiding.
This chap is soooooo long
We are going to be seeing more of Ireti soon and Aderonke.
Sadly, guys I have exams in a month and I need to start preparing.
So there might be no updates.
But if you guys love what I'm doing.
Please share and vote.
Your comments and votes might just be what I need to update chapter 9
Please check it out.
Thanks so much for 200+ reads.
Love yaa 💕💕❤️❤️💛