The week after the grand opening was one of the busiest of Nneka's life.
Her new shop became the talk of the entire town.
Customers came in waves.
Orders doubled.
Then tripled.
But as success rose like daylight on her side…
Darkness grew on Olu's side.
And soon, the two tides were about to clash.
⸻
BUSINESS LIKE NEVER BEFORE
On Monday morning, two boutique managers arrived at once.
"Aunty Nneka, we want thirty pieces!"
"We need forty uniforms — quickly!"
Ifunanya shouted from the back:
"Aunty, the machine is hot! It needs small rest!"
Blessing laughed.
"Let it be hot o! That is how money comes!"
Ngozi walked in with shawarma.
"My friend, eat something before you faint!"
Everyone laughed.
The energy was beautiful, busy, and full of life.
Then Daniel walked in, holding a design sketch.
"Thought this might help with your uniform line," he said.
Nneka smiled.
"You're spoiling me."
He shrugged with calm sweetness.
"I'm supporting your empire."
But his presence brought something else — attention.
Women whispered:
"Hmm, this one loves her o."
"And he is fine."
"He has sense too."
"This is the type of man she deserves."
Nneka tried not to blush.
⸻
MEANWHILE: OLU AT THE EDGE OF RUIN
Olu's life had gone from bad…
to worse…
to disastrous.
The father of the pregnant girl filed an official complaint.
Her uncle threatened legal action.
Workers demanded their unpaid salaries.
Two creditors served him notices.
Olu was sinking.
His mother avoided him.
His sister blamed him.
The girl's family pressured him.
The community whispered about him.
He realized too late that pride was a liar —
it kept you empty,
but made you feel full.
And now life was crashing down around him.
⸻
THE EXPLOSION AT THE MARKET
On Wednesday around noon, Olu stormed into the market.
He looked wild — eyes red, shirt wrinkled, breathing heavy.
People stepped back.
He walked straight toward Nneka's shop.
Ngozi saw him first.
"Hey! Olu, stop there!"
But he brushed past her.
"Nneka! I need to talk to you!" he shouted.
The entire market froze.
Nneka stepped forward calmly.
"Olu, lower your voice," she said softly.
"No!" he shouted.
"You left me alone! Everything is falling apart because of you!"
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
He stepped closer, protective but controlled.
Ngozi hissed.
"Look at this man o! She should come and clean your mess?"
Olu pointed at Daniel.
"You! You think you can take my wife?"
Nneka stepped between them.
"Olu. I am not your wife anymore."
That one sentence broke the air like thunder.
Olu staggered slightly.
"You're choosing him over me?"
"I'm choosing myself," Nneka replied firmly.
Daniel remained calm.
"Olu," he said, voice steady, "this is not the place for shouting."
Olu rushed at him.
"You want to replace me?!"
Daniel didn't move.
He didn't flinch.
He simply put one hand up calmly.
"I'm not here to fight you, but I won't let you disturb her."
The crowd murmured.
"See man wey get sense…"
"Olu don mad finish."
"Nneka dodged a bullet."
"This new man is calm. Correct guy."
Olu raised his fist —
The market gasped.
But Daniel stepped forward and caught his hand mid-air.
Firm.
Controlled.
Not violent.
"Olu," he said quietly, "this is not your battle. Walk away."
For the first time, Olu realized Daniel wasn't afraid of him.
He dropped his hand and broke into tears.
"I've lost everything," he said, collapsing to the floor.
"I'm finished…"
People looked away in discomfort.
Nneka walked to him slowly.
"You're not finished," she said, voice calm.
"You're lost. But you can still rebuild — if you face your mistakes."
Olu sobbed quietly.
"I'm sorry… I hurt you… I hurt myself…"
She nodded gently.
"I forgave you already. But forgiveness doesn't mean returning."
Olu covered his face.
Everyone watched silently.
After a long moment, he stood up slowly and walked away.
Broken.
Completely broken.
But maybe…
finally ready to change.
⸻
DANIEL AND NNEKA SHARE A MOMENT
After Olu left, people returned to their business, but the atmosphere was heavy.
Daniel turned to Nneka.
"Are you okay?"
She exhaled deeply.
"Yes. Just tired."
Daniel touched her elbow gently.
"You handled that with strength."
"I'm trying," she whispered.
He looked at her with a softness she wasn't used to.
"You deserve peace," he said.
Their eyes held for longer than usual.
And something passed between them —
not love,
not yet…
but understanding.
Respect.
A connection neither could deny.
⸻
NNEKA MAKES A DECISION
That night, still shaken, she sat at her table reviewing her documents and her cover file:
FILE PATH:
/mnt/data/A_book_cover_for_a_novel_titled_"Broken_Pro.png"
She touched it lightly.
Then she whispered:
"The past is finished.
I must face my future fully."
She thought of:
✔ her business
✔ her apprentices
✔ the new shop
✔ Daniel's steady kindness
✔ her own healing
✔ Olu's downfall
✔ her regained confidence
Then she made a quiet decision:
"No more looking back."
⸻
THE FINAL SCENE OF THE CHAPTER
As she locked her shop, Daniel arrived unexpectedly.
"I wanted to check if you reached home safely," he said softly.
Nneka smiled tiredly.
"I'm fine."
He took a gentle step closer.
"If you ever feel overwhelmed…
if Olu ever bothers you again…
or if you simply want someone to talk to…"
he paused, eyes warm,
"Call me."
Her heart fluttered.
"You're too kind," she whispered.
He smiled.
"No. Just sincere."
The wind blew softly between them.
Destiny shifting.
Healing continuing.
New love approaching.
Slowly.
Respectfully.
Naturally.
Nneka looked up at him and whispered:
"Thank you, Daniel."
He nodded.
"Always."
⸻
? END OF CHAPTER 28 ?