Chapter 3 *In Third Person Pov*

The morning light streamed through the curtains, painting golden streaks across Layo's bedroom walls.

She stared at the ceiling, her body probably heavy with exhaustion. She hadn't slept, not really.

Every time she closed her eyes, Tony's voice re-echoed in her head.

"I can't do this,"

"I don't love her."

She forced herself to sit up, her limbs sluggish, and her heart, still weighed down by the sting of betrayal.

Dragging herself out of bed, she walked to the bathroom and turned on the tap, splashing cold water on her face. The chill likely shocked her system, pulling her out of the fog of last night.

With steady hands, she picked up her phone and opened Instagram.

She had been avoiding it, but there was no reason escaping reality. The first thing she saw was her name with bold captions and hashtags.

#Bossladylayoleftatthealtar.

#Tonydidherdirty.

#Weddinggonewrong.

Her stomach probably twisted but she didn't flinch.

She clicked on one of the posts, a video played. Tony walking into the hall, the hushed whispers, the moment he shattered her world.

The comments where worse.

"Omo, this one pain me. How can you disgrace someone like this?"

"I knew it, men like Tony don't settle for influencers. He dodged a bullet."

"Layo will be fine abeg. She should keep giving us content and move on."

"Maybe she was the problem, sef.."

Layo inhaled sharply, dropping the phone onto the bed, anger and humiliation curling inside her.

"Was she the problem? Had she been blind?" , she asked herself.

Her thoughts spiraled, but before she could sink too deep, a knock on the door jolted her back to present.

She sighed, dragging herself out of bed.

When she pulled the door open, her friend Mercy stood there, her arms crossed and brows furrowed with concern.

Mercy pushed past her into the apartment, her sharp eyes scanning Layo from head to toe and back.

"You look like hell, girly," she lamented.

"Good morning to you too," Layo muttered shutting the door.

Mercy whirled around.

"What the hell happened, Layo?"

Layo folded her arms across her chest, her throat tightening.

"You saw the video, you already know."

Mercy exhaled her expression softening.

"I don't mean that, I mean why? Why did he do this? Did he say anything to you?"

Layo swallowed hard shaking her head.

"Nothing. He just said he didn't want the wedding."

"Ah!" Mercy's lips parted in disbelief. "And babes, you didn't ask why?"

"I... I did," Layo bit out. "He refused to answer."

Mercy's hand clenched into fists. "Chaaii! That bastard."

Layo sat on the couch, pressing her fingers against her temple.

"I just don't understand, Mercy. Everything was fine..... And suddenly it wasn't."

Mercy shifted close to her. "Are you sure there wasn't another woman?"

The question likely sent a sharp pang through Layo's chest, she shook her head.

"No, he would never cheat."

Mercy scoffed. "Sweetheart, you'd be surprised. Men??"

Layo sighed, rubbing her arm. "I just want to move one."

Mercy studied her for a moment before nodding.

"Then that's exactly what we're going to do. We're taking control of this narrative."

Layo frowned. "How?"

Mercy smirked. "You're going to post something."

Layo hesitated. "Post what? I don't want to talk about it oo."

"Who said you have to talk? Just post a picture of yourself looking unbothered.

Show them that you're still standing, still thriving."

Layo considered it. It wasn't a bad idea.

She had spent years building her brand. She wasn't going to let a man ruin her reputation.

With a deep breath, she grabbed her phone, walked to the mirror and took a selfie..

Her hair was messy, her skin bare, but her eyes. Her eyes held quiet defiance.

She uploaded the picture with a simple caption:

"STILL STANDING."

Within minutes, comments flooded in.

"Yes, queen! Shake it off!"

"That's right gurl! Don't let them see you sweat."

"Tony is thrash, you deserve better."

Layo stared at the screen, feeling a bit relieved.

Mercy sat at the coffee table with a broad knowing smile. She tapped her nails against the coffee table dramatically.

"Okay, what's the next step?" She asked.

"I don't have the energy to think about next steps right now, Mercy."

"Well you should," Mercy countered. "Your ex just humiliated you infront of the whole Lagos. Infact the whole country cause your news should probably be on its way to Abuja by now." "The only way to regain power is to make moves. Show the world that you don't need him, that you're better off without him."

Layo sighed, rubbing her temples. " I don't care what the world thinks."

Mercy arched a brow. "Really? Then why did you post that picture?"

Layo hesitated. "Because, I don't want them to think I'm weak."

"Exactly. So let's build on that Mercy leaned forward."

"Have you checked your email? Brands are probably flooding in with Sympathy deals. You should capitalize on this."

Layo stiffened. The thought of leveraging her pain for engagement made her stomach turn.

But she couldn't deny the reality, her name was everywhere and she has always known how to control her image.

Slowly, she reached for her laptop and opened her email.

Mercy was right, the offers started pouring in.

•Luxury skincare brand: "We stand with Layo. Let's collaborate."

•Adire fashion label: "Stay strong. We'd love to dress you for your next big event."

•A Talkshow invitation: "Would you be open to sharing your side of the story?"

Layo stared at the screen, her mind whirling.

Just yesterday, she had felt like the world was caving in. Now, she had the opportunity to rise from the ashes.

Mercy grinned. "Told you. You control the narrative."

Layo exhaled. "You're such a blessing Mercy, thank you."

"My pleasure, baby. I gatt you," Mercy replied.

They haven't been friends for quite a long time. Infact, they were more of colleagues. But somehow, Mercy always showed up for her in ways she couldn't imagine.

Layo was likely more certain she hasn't lost herself and was quite determined to prove it.