The Crown And Her Shadows

chapter 29

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Naseem stood still, his heart racing as the weight of his confession hung between them like a storm cloud. Iman stared at him, her breath caught in her throat.

“Iman, I didn’t choose this life,” he said, his voice faltering. “It was forced on me by my family. I didn’t want you to be part of it, that’s why I didn’t tell you. But I can’t keep lying anymore.”

Iman’s eyes widened in shock, the betrayal washing over her like a tidal wave. “You… you run a mafia group?” Her voice trembled with disbelief. She took a step back, shaking her head. “How could you keep something like that from me?”

Naseem reached out, his hand shaking. “I was trying to protect you. I didn’t want this life to touch you.”

Iman couldn’t hear him anymore. She was already turning toward the door. “I need to get out of here,” she muttered, grabbing her coat and bag. Naseem tried to stop her, but the pain in her eyes made him hesitate.

“Iman, wait—please, we can talk this through!” he pleaded.

But Iman was already gone, her footsteps echoing down the hall before the door slammed shut.

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Iman drove through the night, her heart pounding, her mind in turmoil. The man she began trust with her heart, her future, had been hiding something so dark from her. She needed space, needed air, and there was only one place she could think of: her  home, where her sister  Halima and brother Umar are.

When she pulled into the driveway, the house stood quiet against the night sky. It was a stark reminder of her parents, gone for years now, and of the family that was left behind.

Iman knocked, and after a moment, Halima opened the door, her face creased with concern. She looked Iman up and down, sensing immediately that something was wrong. “What’s going on?” she asked softly.

“I… I couldn’t stay with Naseem,” Iman choked out, tears finally spilling over. “I need to stay here tonight.”

Without another word,  Halima pulled her into a tight embrace. “Of course, come inside. You know you’re always welcome here.”

As they entered, Umar appeared from the living room, frowning when he saw Iman’s tear-streaked face. “What happened?” he asked, his deep voice filled with protective concern.

Iman shook her head, wiping at her face. “I just… I can’t talk about it yet. I just need some space.”

Umar exchanged a worried look with Halima, but nodded. “Stay as long as you need, sis. We’ve got you.”

The warmth of the house, filled with her siblings' quiet support, soothed some of Iman’s pain, but the questions about Naseem’s betrayal still gnawed at her, leaving her torn between anger and the love she had for him.

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Nassim gave Iman some space then he went after Iman the next day he arrived at the house

The maid gwogwo opened the door "ina wuni" she greeted
"Lafiya lu gwogwo"he said "Ina mutanan gidan"

"Umar, bilkisu,and Halima left for work while the twins are in school but your wife is upstairs",she says

"Okay thank you" he climbed the stairs and saw her in the balcony

"Iman" he said
She turned with horror in her eyes fear she is afraid of me he thought sadly
"Nas..nasimm what are you doing here"

"I am here to talk to  you he says
Nassim I need you to leave now
I don't want to see you go Dan Allah"

"Iman please listen to what I gave to say please"

"Okay fine ten minutes start" she said with a skeptical look

He narrated everything from when his grandfather inherited the business till he got it.

"So you are telling me that you have wanted to tell me but you thought this would happen, if you  want me to come back you have to quit your job and do something normal" she said

"But you didn't infact that doesn't justify what you do you kill people for a living you think if I tell my uncle's what you do for a living you think they will side you",she says

"As I am thinking about it now, why I am begging  you it doesn't even make sense for  me, the leader of the most feared organisation in the underworld in Africa to be  begging you,a sorry for a nothing of woman that doesn't add value to my life just a burden to everyone around you, to the point that your ex got himself killed to avoid you,to mention your parents"I said with cold eyes "I am not going to stress myself I have so much to do...

"Killing people" she says with red eyes clearly holding her tears

"Yes fadeelah killing People, if you want a divorce tell your family but you know that nobody will believe that,have a nice week when you are ready come back, the door is open for you" I said coldly

I walk down the stairs I see Umar and Halima with the twins

"Nassim....Umar started

"Spare me the bullshit I have better things to do if she wants to come  back she can if not the marriage can continue like this it is not like she adds anything to my life, and I can marry again can't i, I said as close the door to the car."

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Nassim is in his office drinking his favourite non-alciholic wine the door is banged open

"What was that rubbish that you pulled"his father says

"What rubbish" acting oblivious clearly knowing what the man is talking about

"What did you do to her"he asks

"Who father,I don't know who you are taking about" he said with a smirk

"If you don't talk and wiped that smirk off your face I will do it for You how can you do that"  he shouts

"How can I do what, you said I should tell her and I did she freaked out then she started to do that her rubbish thing that she does...

"What rubbish thing" Kassim asked

"The..why am I even talking about it I don't care about her she can go and die, she thinks she can keep everyone on a leash well that isn't me I will fucking  cut lose and tear her into pieces" Nassim shouts

"You will don't no such thing you will go and apologize for what you do...

"I will not do such thing, for what if they don't want me for her they should find another man for her because even if she comes back to my house I will....

"Don't nothing because if you don't go and bring her back to your house I will strip you of your title and if you don't think I can do it, try me" he said and leaves the room slamming the door"

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