Jason’s POV
Knowing the lengths Tiara’s uncle had gone to hurt her mum… it made my chest tighten. The fact that he was still out there, still breathing, while her mum was in critical condition, it made me sick. But what crushed me even more was seeing Tiara like this. Quiet. Heavy. Like her light had dimmed.
I was grateful she agreed to stay over. At least here, she’d be safe.
On our way home, we picked up some food. Uncle had to head straight back to the office after dropping us off. Ever since Aunty Joanna refused to let him hire a chef, so we’d been ordering meals almost every day. Not that I was complaining, today, it worked perfectly.
I quickly set the table once we got in. We had jollof rice, coleslaw, and chicken with chilled pulpy orange juice, just the way she liked it. I plated hers carefully and brought it to her in the living room, but she just sat there, looking lost, not even touching the plate.
“Tiara,” I said gently, crouching in front of her. “You have to be strong now, okay? The adults are involved. Mr. Lawanson’s on it. Your mum will be safe, and your uncle... he’ll be arrested soon. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.”
Her eyes flicked to mine, and I saw the faintest flicker of something, relief? Doubt? I couldn’t tell.
“You still have people who love you,” I added, voice low, sincere. “Aunty Valerie. Janet. The family doctor, Mrs. Adebayo. Mr. Davis. Me.”
That got a small laugh out of her. A tiny one, but I’d take it.
I pulled her into a hug, arms wrapping around her like I could shield her from everything. “You’ll be okay, Tiara. I promise.”
She nodded against my shoulder.
“Please eat,” I whispered. “For me. Just a little, okay?”
She gave another small nod, and I led her to the dining table. When she hesitated again, I picked up her spoon and tried feeding her.
“What are you doing?” she asked with a tired frown.
“I’m trying to feed my girlfriend,” I said, before the words even fully settled in my head. I froze. “Sorry. I forgot… we’re not together anymore.”
There was a pause, then she said softly, “It’s okay.”
She took the spoon from my hand and finally began to eat. I sat beside her and watched her take each bite like it cost her strength, but she still did it. That alone made me want to hug her all over again.
After dinner, I played one of those light-hearted romantic comedies she used to like. Ten minutes in, her head gently slumped onto my shoulder. She was out cold.
I smiled to myself and slowly reached for a throw pillow. Carefully, I laid it across my lap and shifted her head onto it. She didn’t stir. Her breathing evened out, peaceful. She looked so soft like that. Like an angel. I could’ve sat there all night just watching her.
Then my phone buzzed, Aunty Joanna. It was a video call.
I eased away slowly, trying not to wake Tiara, then picked up the call with my AirPods already in.
Her familiar smile filled the screen. “Jason! How are you, and where’s your uncle?”
“He dropped us off and had to return to the office. Something urgent came up.”
“Hmm,” she nodded,
I leaned closer. “What about Janet and my dad’s case?”
“She's okay,” she replied. “About your Dad's case, the verdict will come in soon, but Jason it’s not looking good.”
Janet appeared in the background and leaned in. "Hi Jason, how's Tiara?”
“She’s sleeping.” I turned the camera gently toward the sofa.
Janet screamed, “Oh my God!” then quickly covered her mouth. “She’s okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah. She’s here with me.”
“She looks so peaceful,” Aunty Joanna said warmly. “I’m glad she has you, Jason. You’re doing well.”
“Thank you, ma. I’m really grateful for you and Uncle. He’s been amazing.”
She smiled. “He’s always had a soft spot for kids in trouble.”
She narrowed her eyes playfully. “Have you two eaten, or are you still both living on takeout?”
I laughed. “We ordered food. Again.”
She shook her head, smiling. “You boys.”
We ended the call on a high note, and for the first time in a long while, I felt… full. Not just from the food, but from gratitude. My family, they were good people. Solid people. And I was lucky.
Later that night, Uncle returned with snacks and some extra food. We played games together, Uno, Ludo, even some stupid card game he made up, and Tiara joined in. There was laughter. Real laughter. And for a little while, we all forgot the weight we were carrying.
She smiled so much my heart felt like it could burst.
Eventually, I showed her to the guest room.
She paused at the doorway and looked back at me. “Thank you, Jason. For everything.”
“Good night,” I said, trying not to let the emotion rise in my throat.
She smiled. “Good night.”
And when I went to bed that night, I lay there staring at the ceiling, heart full. For the first time in a while, I felt happy. Hopeful.
For her.
For us.
