The city woke slowly to a restless dawn.
Maria stood by the tall windows of the penthouse, watching golden light spill across the skyline. But there was no peace in her chest. Not yet.
Chuka had vanished into the night like smoke. But she could feel him—lingering like a storm cloud, threatening everything she loved.
Behind her, Alexander ended a tense call with security.
"No new sightings," he said. "Interpol's flagged him, and I've locked down every one of his aliases. He won't get far."
Maria turned. "He's not running, Alex. He's regrouping."
Alexander crossed the room and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Then we'll be ready. Whatever he tries, we'll end it."
But Maria wasn't sure that was enough anymore.
---
Later that morning…
While Junior colored quietly on the living room floor, Maria visited the digital investigator's office downtown. She needed more than updates. She needed leverage.
The investigator, a short man with tired eyes, gestured toward a file on the desk.
"We pulled what we could from Chuka's financial footprints. Look at this—"
He slid forward a photo.
Maria blinked. "Who is she?"
"A woman. Nia Mbeki. Connected to Chuka's old accounts. Paid regularly, always in cash. Lives under the radar in Ghana now. She could be the key."
Maria nodded slowly. "Find her. I want to know everything."
---
That night…
Alexander stood on the penthouse balcony, gazing into the darkness beyond the city lights.
His phone buzzed. Private line.
He answered, and a distorted voice spoke.
"You took her from me. Now I'll take what you love."
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"Chuka," he said coldly.
Laughter.
"I warned her at the pier. She didn't listen."
Alexander's mind raced—security had been doubled, tripled even. But Chuka always found the cracks.
"You want me?" Alexander said, voice like ice. "Face me."
"You don't get to call the shots anymore, billionaire boy. This time, I end the game."
The call cut.
Alexander stared at his reflection in the glass. Fury boiled beneath his skin.
No more shadows. No more hiding.
It was time to hunt.
---
Back inside…
Maria stood over Junior's bed, gently brushing back his curls as he slept.
But her phone buzzed with a message that turned her veins cold.
"He has a plan. And you're not in control anymore."
It came from the same unknown number as before.
Maria stepped back from the bed, heart racing.
For a moment, everything felt fragile—like one wrong move would shatter the life she fought so hard to rebuild.
Then she looked down at her son.
No.
She would fight harder.