Woke up his wife

Chapter Twelve – Zion's Files, Burna Boy & Backseat Truths

Tammy wasn't even finished washing the pan from the Eggs & Chemistry Breakfast of the Year when Jeremy's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and his jaw twitched.

"Zion," he muttered, already moving toward the door.

Tammy followed, drying her hands on a napkin. "Something wrong?"

Jeremy didn't answer until they were both in the car, Rita's playlist still playing from the speakers—Tems' "Me n U" humming softly like a prelude to tension.

"She said she wanna flex with the big boys..." Tammy sang under her breath, then paused. "Wait, that's not even Tems. Why is that playing here?"

Jeremy blinked. "It's one of Zion's mixed playlists. He's a Gen Z in a millennial's skin."

Tammy snorted, then got serious. "Why does he want to see us?"

Jeremy exhaled. "I don't know, but Zion never says 'come with your wife' unless he's holding something important."

---

Zion's office was dark except for the light from the monitors and his custom blue lava lamp. Don't ask why he had one—it was a vibe thing.

Tammy stepped in, her slippers slapping the tile like they owned the place.

"You didn't say hi to your in-law," she said, crossing her arms.

Zion smiled. "Tammy."

"Zion."

"Nice to see you fully upgraded into Adebayo-level confidence."

"Was there any other choice?" she said with a small shrug.

Jeremy rolled his eyes. "Zee, don't flirt with my wife."

"Technically I started flirting first," Tammy added with a smirk.

Jeremy gave her a look. "Oh, you wanna go there?"

"Gentlemen," Zion said, raising his hand, "and queen of sarcasm… let's get to business."

He clicked his mouse and brought up a series of security stills. The room darkened even more, the vibe shifting instantly.

Tammy moved closer.

"What is this?"

Zion pointed. "This is footage from the hotel the night of… the incident."

Tammy's chest tightened.

Jeremy reached for her hand, instinctively.

The images showed her entering the hotel. Alone. Slightly dazed. Someone from behind was guiding her. Her face was flushed, confused.

Then it switched.

Another figure. A man in a crisp navy suit.

"Tony Balogun," Zion said, zooming in.

Jeremy's fists clenched. "That bastard."

Tammy's voice was faint. "That's your business partner."

"Was," Jeremy corrected coldly.

Then another image appeared. A girl in heels, short dress, lipgloss smudged.

Tammy froze. "No. No. No—"

It was Tayo.

She was by the elevator. Laughing with Tony. Handing him something.

Another image showed her by the hotel registry. Speaking with a concierge. Pointing toward Room 813.

Tammy felt her heart thud in her throat. "That can't be real. No. That's… she wouldn't…"

"She did," Zion said softly. "They planned to drug you and send you to another room. But there was a switch. Jeremy was never the target."

"And I… I walked in…"

Zion nodded. "You were rerouted."

Tammy backed away from the screen.

"She's my sister…"

"And Tony was supposed to frame me," Jeremy muttered. "Get me caught in a scandal, ruin my rep. He's been trying to oust me from the company for years."

Tammy collapsed into the seat beside her. "This is sick. She… she wanted to ruin me."

"And almost succeeded," Zion said.

Jeremy stood up. "Why now? Why release this now?"

"Because we're reaching a breaking point," Zion replied. "The press is going to start poking again. There's a new anonymous tip coming out next week, linked to a blog that Tony controls. They're going to question the hotel night again."

Tammy closed her eyes. "Can they prove anything?"

"Not yet," Zion said. "But this video… this clears you both. It shows you were victims, not schemers."

Jeremy was silent. His eyes locked on the screen like it held the answers to every failure he'd ever blamed himself for.

Tammy didn't speak.

Because suddenly, everything felt heavier.

And more dangerous.

---

Later, in the car, it was dark and silent except for Burna Boy's "Real Life" playing low on the stereo.

🎶 "Yes we are blessed but it's harder to see sometimes, tryna find my peace of mind, you said how could we be so blind babe. You just follow your dreams and go live your life. I'll give you something to believe in, I'ma be the reason so please, please stay, say you won't leave. Real life is for living and the price you've been giving s not cheap. So please stay we'll share the whole fee. Real life is for living use this life you've been living be free…" 🎶

Tammy really felt like the song was speaking to her right now.

Jeremy gripped the wheel. Tammy looked out the window, arms folded, eyes empty.

"She was supposed to be my best friend," she whispered.

"I'm sorry," Jeremy said, voice hoarse.

Tammy's head fell back against the seat. "Why are people like this?"

"I don't know."

They reached the estate gate.

Still silent.

Still simmering.

"Do we go after them?" she asked, suddenly.

Jeremy looked at her. "You want revenge?"

Tammy turned slowly. Her voice dropped into something unrecognizable.

"I want them to burn."

---

Meanwhile, back in Tayo's apartment, things were cracking. Literally.

Tony had disappeared.

His phone was off. His socials wiped. No access to accounts.

Tayo screamed and flung her phone at the wall.

"Coward!"

She picked up her second line and called someone.

A woman answered.

"Yes?"

"Plan B," Tayo said coldly. "Now."

---

Back at the Adebayo estate, Tammy pulled off her scarf and threw it on the couch. Jeremy stood near the door, watching her.

"You okay?" he asked.

"No."

"Wanna scream?"

"No."

"Wanna burn things?"

"…Maybe."

Jeremy grinned weakly. "We've got a fire pit in the back."

Tammy let out a tiny laugh.

She turned, walking toward the stairs. "Tomorrow, I'm calling Anjii. We're taking this public. On our own terms."

"Wait," Jeremy said, suddenly. "Tammy."

She paused on the stairs.

"I'm proud of you."

She blinked.

"Why?"

"You didn't fall apart."

Her voice was soft. "I kind of did."

"But you kept standing. That's different."

Tammy gave him a long look. Then nodded once.

"Goodnight, Jeremy."

And for the first time since the marriage, he whispered:

"Goodnight, Tammy."

---

Somewhere across Lagos, a secret number was typing.

"She's waking up. Move faster."

The response came instantly.

"I'm ready. Tammy won't know what hit her."

And just like that—

Another war began.