The city shimmered with late-morning heat as Agnes Lewis stood before the glass entrance of SMG Conglomerate, her heels steady, her heart no longer lost.
It had been over two months since she'd last walked through these doors. Back then, she was someone's daughter, someone's pawn, someone's promise.
But now? She was a woman reclaiming her voice.
Inside the building, the atmosphere shifted the moment the receptionist looked up and saw her.
"Ms. Lewis...?"
"Tell my father I'm here. I won't be needing an appointment."
She walked past before the woman could respond.
Her stride was confident. Familiar.
Some of the staff gawked. Others whispered. A few smiled—those who still remembered the day she stood up for a suspended analyst named Majekodunmi Adebayo.
Today, she wasn't just walking back into a company.
She was walking into a reckoning.
Inside Mr. Smith's Office
Mr. Smith rose from behind his polished mahogany desk as the door opened.
He looked older somehow. Wearier.
"Agnes," he said, voice taut. "You're not supposed to leave the hospital without clearance."
She stepped in, closed the door softly behind her.
"I don't need clearance. I need the truth."
He exhaled and sat back down, hands folded on the desk.
"I suppose you're here about Majek."
"I remember things now. Not everything, but enough. I remember his voice. I remember the night. The café. The fear."
"And yet you don't remember who pulled the trigger."
"I don't need to," she said sharply. "Because I remember who wouldn't."
Her words struck him with precision.
"I've spoken to Aunt Eniola. I know about the deal with the Goriolas. The marriage pact. The manipulation. The silence."
Mr. Smith leaned forward. "Everything we built was based on that alliance."
"And how much of me did you build into that foundation?" she demanded.
He was silent.
Agnes placed a folder on the desk. "I'm taking back my seat on the board. Effective immediately."
"You're not medically cleared—"
"I have every legal right. And I've already filed the documents. The lawyers will call by noon."
He studied her—this version of her. Poised. Unbending.
"Is this about love?" he asked quietly.
Agnes didn't blink. "This is about dignity."
He nodded slowly, a war ending behind his eyes.
"You have your mother's fire."
"I only wish she'd lived long enough to see me use it."
Later That Day – Surulere
Majek sat on the steps of a car wash, eating akara and bread.
He had been offered a teaching job at a neighborhood school. It wasn't much—but it was honest.
The court date had been reset again. No progress. No closure.
Until his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered cautiously.
"Majek," the voice was familiar—smooth, firm.
"Agnes?"
"I'm in my office at SMG."
He nearly dropped the phone.
"What—?"
"I remember enough. And I need you to meet me."
His throat was dry. "You're back?"
"I'm more than back," she said. "I'm done being silent."
At SMG Boardroom – 4:30PM
When Majek stepped into the boardroom, escorted by Eniola, his heart nearly exploded.
There she was—Agnes—in full power mode.
Blazer sharp. Hair in a bun. Eyes locked on him like he was the only thing she'd been looking for.
"I've cleared your record," she said as he sat across from her. "And I want you back. Not as an analyst."
He blinked. "What?"
"I want you as my advisor."
"Advisor?" he echoed, unsure if this was real.
"You know the company. You know the people. And most importantly—you told me the truth, even when you had everything to lose."
He smiled faintly. "And if I say yes?"
She looked at him carefully. "Then we do this together."
He reached out across the table—no hesitation this time—and she met him halfway.
No more cowardice.
No more what-ifs.
Meanwhile…
Lami's fingers trembled as he watched the news alert on his phone.
SMG Welcomes Back Agnes Lewis, Names New Strategic Advisor in Bold Internal Reshuffle.
And there it was—Majek's name. Attached to her. Elevated. Vindicated.
He gritted his teeth.
"You think this is over?" he whispered.
But even his voice felt hollow.
For the first time in his privileged life, Lami Goriola was losing.
Nightfall – Agnes' Apartment
The sun dipped behind the Lagos skyline as Agnes and Majek sat on her balcony, sharing small chops and soft laughter.
"I still can't believe you came back," he said, voice full of wonder.
"I still can't believe I left you alone," she replied.
He looked at her. "You were fighting battles I didn't see."
"So were you," she said softly. "And I want to know all of it. No more holding back."
He nodded. "Then start by letting me tell you something I should've said a long time ago."
She turned fully to face him.
He took her hand. "I loved you then. Quietly. Completely. And even now, I don't know how to stop."
She didn't reply right away.
Instead, she leaned in.
And this time, it wasn't memory or fate or circumstance that moved them closer.
It was choice.
Their kiss was slow. Full. Long overdue.
When they pulled apart, she whispered, "I remembered that too."
Three Days Later – Emergency Board Meeting
The boardroom buzzed.
Every executive of SMG was present. Agnes at the head. Majek beside her.
Mr. Smith sat in silence.
The issue on the table: Lami's concealed ownership claim, and his pending investigation.
Agnes stood. "Mr. Goriola was part of a violent incident which nearly cost me my life. I will not let legacy protect danger."
One of the board members cleared his throat. "Are you... filing charges?"
She nodded. "The investigation has begun. And I will testify when the time comes."
Murmurs spread. Shock. Admiration. Resistance.
Majek leaned toward her, whispering, "Are you sure?"
She met his gaze.
"I was afraid once. I won't be again."
Final Scene – Ikoyi Police Department
Lami was seated in an interrogation room, fingers drumming on the table.
A detective entered. Dropped a folder in front of him.
"New witness. Confirmed you were armed that night."
Lami laughed. "I'm a Goriola. You can't touch me."
The detective smiled. "Funny. Because it looks like your empire is finally bleeding."
Outside the station, a black car waited.
Inside, Agnes and Majek sat together.
Watching.
Waiting.
Ready.