CHAPTER 31

Aunty Caro's House – Early Morning

The sun hadn't fully risen. A cool breeze swept through the yard.

Nelly, Maria, and Mrs. Ada were inside eating quietly — until a sudden knock at the gate broke the silence.

Aunty Caro stepped out cautiously.

> "Who is that?"

A familiar voice called from behind the gate:

> "Please… it's me. Mark."

Nelly froze. Maria stood immediately, anger flashing in her eyes.

> "What's he doing here?"

Caro opened the gate a crack — and gasped.

Mr. Mark stood outside — his eye swollen, lip bruised, shirt stained with dried blood.

> "Please," he begged. "Let me in."

Reluctantly, Caro opened the gate.

He stepped in, limping. Everyone stared, speechless.

> "What happened to you?" Mrs. Ada asked cautiously.

He didn't answer.

He looked straight at Nelly.

> "They came for me… Benson's men."

Everyone tensed.

> "They want you back," he said hoarsely. "As his wife. Or I pay them the ten million."

Nelly stood slowly, her voice firm:

> "So that's why you're here? To drag me back to that mansion? After everything?"

> "No," he said quickly. "I just… I came to warn you. And maybe… maybe to beg."

Ada folded her arms. "Beg for what?"

> "Help me," he said, breaking down. "I don't know what to do. I made a deal I couldn't understand. I thought the money would help us. I didn't know he was this dangerous."

Nelly's eyes narrowed.

> "You sold me, Dad."

> "I know," he whispered, tears forming. "And I've regretted it every single day."

Caro stepped in sharply.

> "You should leave, Mark. Before your enemies find this place too."

He nodded, defeated.

> "I just needed to see her one last time. If they kill me… at least I asked for forgiveness."

He turned and limped out the gate — broken and scared.

Later that night – Aunty Caro's House

The house was quiet, but not peaceful.

The moonlight seeped in through the windows, casting long shadows on the walls. Inside, Nelly sat on a small mat in the corner of the room, staring into space, her mind spinning with everything her father had said.

Across from her, Aunty Caro paced slowly, arms folded, lips pressed into a tight line.

> "He looked like death," Caro finally said. "But I don't trust him. Not even a bit."

Nelly nodded. "He only came to save himself. Not me."

Silence.

Then Caro dropped her voice low and knelt beside her.

> "Listen, Nelly. If they found him… they can find us."

Nelly blinked. "You think they'll come here?"

> "I don't think — I know," Caro said firmly. "Men like Mr. Benson don't take embarrassment lightly. You turned his whole world upside down. And now Julie's in jail. Malik. Tanko. That man has enemies stacking like bricks. And he'll do anything to silence you."

Nelly swallowed hard. Her hands were shaking.

> "So what do we do?"

Caro leaned in closer, her voice now a whisper.

> "We disappear. You especially."

> "What?"

> "You're going to leave Abuja."

Nelly's eyes widened. "But what about Mom? Maria?"

> "They'll be fine. I'll keep them here with me. You? You'll go somewhere no one knows your name. Somewhere they won't look."

Nelly shook her head. "But—"

> "I'm not asking, Nelly. I'm telling you. You're not safe here."

She paused.

> "I've already called someone. A contact of mine. A woman who works with girls like you—girls who've been hunted. Abused. Betrayed. She owes me a favor."

> "Where will I go?"

Caro glanced toward the window, then back at her.

> "Somewhere far. You'll get a new identity, new start. It's the only way. This time… you vanish for real."

Nelly sat still, breathing hard. "And Jimmy?"

Caro looked away.

> "You'll have to let him go… for now."

Tears welled up in Nelly's eyes.

> "I don't want to run anymore, Aunty."

> "I know, baby," Caro whispered, placing her hand on Nelly's. "But this time, it's not running. It's surviving."

---

Scene fades on Nelly staring at the candlelight, her mind racing. The decision is made.

Tomorrow, she leaves everything… again.

But this time, she's not hiding out of fear.

She's hiding to fight back one day — the right way.

The sky was still dark.

No birds chirped yet. No neighbors stirred.

Just silence… thick and heavy.

Inside the house, Nelly stood in the hallway, a small backpack on her shoulders.

She wore a hoodie Aunty Caro had given her, and a pair of plain sneakers. She didn't look like "Nelly" anymore. Just a girl trying to vanish.

Aunty Caro appeared from the kitchen with a small brown envelope and a paper.

> "This is the address. Her name is Madam Blessing. She lives in Gwagwalada, runs a tailoring shop. She's my good friend. Tell her I sent you."

She pressed the paper gently into Nelly's palm, then pulled her into a hug.

> "She'll hide you. You'll stay with her until it's safe. Promise me you won't try to contact anyone yet."

Nelly nodded, tears brimming. "I promise."

From the back room, Mrs. Ada stepped out, tying her wrapper, eyes red from crying all night. She held something in her hand.

> "I don't have much," she said softly, walking up to Nelly. "But… take this."

She handed her ₦100,000 in crisp notes.

> "Use it to take care of yourself. Feed well. Don't starve because you're trying to stay invisible."

Nelly hugged her mother tightly, burying her face in her shoulder.

> "I love you, Mama," she whispered.

> "I love you too, my daughter. More than life itself."

Maria peeked from her room door, wiping silent tears. She gave a weak smile and mouthed: "Be safe."

Caro glanced outside.

> "The bike I called is here. Don't look back, Nelly. Just go. We'll keep our end here."

Nelly nodded, wiped her tears, pulled her hood over her head, and stepped outside.

The motorbike driver said nothing.

He only nodded when Caro gave him the name of the junction.

---

ON THE BIKE – Moments Later

As the city rolled past her in silence, Nelly stared into the wind.

Scene fades.

Nelly disappears into the distance.

No trace. No goodbye notes.

Only a girl… with a fire that refuses to die.