Chapter 9 The Silence She Left Behind

The air in the apartment was still. Too still.

Tunde's footsteps echoed through the narrow hallway as he pushed the door open, panic already pounding in his chest. The lights were on. The curtain fluttered gently from an open window.

But there was no sign of her.

"Chizaram?" he called.

Silence.

His eyes darted across the living room. Her slippers were by the door. Her favorite scarf draped carelessly on the armrest. The faint scent of her perfume still lingered in the air. But something was wrong. Deeply wrong.

Then he saw it.

A folded sheet of paper on the coffee table, tucked beneath her phone.

His heart dropped.

He grabbed it with shaking hands.

My Love,

I know you'll be angry. I know you'll search.

But I had to go.

I didn't leave because I doubt your love.

I left because I believe in it too much to let it destroy you.

Your father threatened my life, and I saw the rage in your eyes.

I know you, Tunde. You would burn down kingdoms for me.

But I won't let you go to war with your blood not for me.

You have a legacy to protect, a nation watching you, a future to build.

I'm just a girl with a scarred heart who was lucky enough to be loved.

Don't look for me.

Don't fight your father.

This is my way of protecting you.

I love you.

Always.

Chizaram

The paper trembled in his hands.

His throat clenched as he sank onto the couch, breath shattered by grief he hadn't expected.

She was gone.

She had left him.

But not because she stopped loving him because she loved him too much.

"No..." he whispered, voice hoarse. "No, Chizaram..."

His phone rang.

It was Yemi.

"Sir, we've just confirmed she left on foot. No ride. No trail. She turned off her phone. We're scanning nearby areas."

Tunde's voice shook with fury and fear.

"Find her," he growled. "Find her now."

"But sir"

"I don't care what it takes. I don't care if I have to freeze every account and stop every plane. She's my wife. And if anything happens to her"

He stood, fists clenched, the note pressed to his heart like a wound.

"This country won't be big enough to contain my wrath."