The drive home had been quiet. Bukky sat rigidly in the passenger seat, her bag packed, her hands gripping the straps tightly as if holding onto some fragment of composure. Akanni had tried, almost desperately, to reach her in those final moments outside the courtroom.
"Bukky… please," he had said, his voice low, almost breaking. "Just talk to me. Don't leave like this."
She didn't respond. Not a word. Not a glance. The silence in the car was deafening, punctuated only by the faint hum of the tires against the asphalt and the occasional sigh escaping Akanni's lips.
When she reached her apartment, she didn't hesitate. She moved swiftly, dragging her luggage inside, her parents and Demi following quietly behind. Akanni stepped in too, his frame tense, but his words faltered as he tried one last plea.
"Bukky… don't do this. Please… just hear me out."
Her eyes, fierce and unwavering, met his. "Akanni, it's done. There's nothing left to hear."
Her parents tried, gently, cautiously, to intervene. "Bukky, darling, let him explain. Marriage is not just one side," her mother said softly.
Her father added with a firm tone, "Bukky, we raised you to see the bigger picture. Don't let anger or pride guide this decision."
Demi, standing a step behind, only placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "She's right, but I'll support you either way," he whispered, just enough for her to hear.
But Bukky's resolve was unshakable. "Thank you, all of you, but I made my choice," she said, turning to Akanni one final time. "I cannot do this anymore."
Akanni's shoulders slumped. The world seemed to tilt. He had expected resistance, but this… this was final. He retreated to his car, the weight of grief and regret pressing down on him like a physical force.
Back at his home, Akanni paced the length of his study, staring at the city lights flickering through the tall windows. Every shadow, every glow seemed to mock him. He ran his hands through his hair, heart hammering, mind racing. Mira entered quietly, sensing the storm brewing within him.
"Sir… sit down. You've been walking around for hours," she said gently, placing a hand on his arm.
He didn't look at her. "I've lost her, Mira. I failed her. I let everything slip through my hands."
She knelt slightly, her hands covering his, offering a silent sanctuary. "Akanni… it's not over. You are not broken beyond repair. Take a breath. Talk to me."
His head fell into his hands. "You have no idea how much I love you, Mira."
Her heart skipped, the words catching her off guard. She looked into his eyes, their depths reflecting pain and raw vulnerability. She grasped his hands in hers. "You are just too beautiful… thank you… for everything."
This time, Akanni lifted her hands to his lips and planted a lengthy, reverent kiss upon them. Mira's chest tightened at the gesture. She whispered, almost hesitantly, "Did you just say…?"
"That I love you?" His voice was soft, but sure. A gentle, almost broken smile tugged at his lips. "Yes."
Mira's mouth went dry, her heart racing. She moistened her lips, trying to breathe steadily, though every beat felt chaotic. "You don't have to wait for a reply… I know you feel it, and… I feel it too."
Akanni's fingers found her chin, guiding her gaze to his. "I had to say it again. You are so beautiful… so amazing. How did I not realize this sooner?"
He leaned in, lips brushing hers. The familiar tingle of warmth shot through Mira's chest, igniting something deep and pure. Their kiss deepened, slow and deliberate, each touch stoking a fire that had lain dormant, carefully controlled. Tears pricked at her eyes, unbidden, as she felt the assurance that she had truly found him, that he was hers, wholly and completely.
Slowly, he pulled back. Their eyes met, speaking silently what words could never convey. His fingers gently wiped away the tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Akanni," she whispered, her hands cupping his face. "We have to eat… you've been breaking down since evening."
As though on cue, his stomach let out a low, rumbling sound. She laughed softly, a brief reprieve from the tension.
"I was hoping for something else first… but yes, let's eat," he said, rising.
She pulled him back gently, and in a heartbeat, his lips were on hers again. The hunger between them surged, urgent and consuming. She pressed back against him, guiding him as he hovered above her.
"Are we not eating anymore?" he murmured against her lips.
Her hands tangled in his t-shirt. "All I want is you. It can wait, Akanni."
He smirked, a deep, knowing smile. "I love the way you think. Let's get back to action."
From that moment, the world outside ceased to exist. He devoted himself to her, every touch, every whispered word designed to make her feel cherished, loved, desired. Mira surrendered herself fully to him, letting the intensity of the moment sweep away every shadow of the past. It was real—raw, passionate, and profoundly intimate.
And in that shared space, Akanni and Mira found more than just comfort—they found a renewed connection, a fire that refused to be extinguished, and a love that was undeniable.