The sun slipped lazily behind the marble gates of the Westbridge Estate as Kael tossed his car keys on the polished counter, laughing at a joke his girlfriend hadn't quite finished. "You're not serious," he said, his voice full of that careless, rich-boy warmth. "He actually tried to pay you in exposure?"
Ava grinned, lounging on the couch like she belonged there — because she did. "He said I'd thank him later when I'm famous. "Kael chuckled and fell beside her, brushing a stray curl from her face. The air smelled of fresh leather, imported lilies, and whatever fragrance Ava had casually worn to drive him crazy. They had been together since their second year at St. Avalon's. Perfect match, people said — power couple in the making and honestly? Kael believed it.
His life was… full.
A father who ruled boardrooms like a lion. A mother who ran their home like a castle. Friends who called at midnight just to talk nonsense. Even the waitstaff respected him — not out of fear, but because Kael had always been… kind.
Spoiled? Definitely, but heartless? Never.
Just that morning, he had transferred ₦250,000 to Jasper, his best friend, to cover a rent shortfall. Jasper had begged not to ask his parents again. Kael hadn't even blinked.
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Later that night, while Ava scrolled on her phone and Kael playfully tapped at her shoulder with a throw pillow, his mom stepped into the living room, pale and silent, "Kael," she said quietly, eyes glassy. "We need to talk."
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The fire began with a whisper. In the space of one conversation, everything unraveled, His father , the man Kael revered had filed for divorce. There was another woman. Younger. Already pregnant. And the house they lived in? Not in Kael's mother's name. Nothing was.
By morning, Kael's mother had been escorted out by private security. Her things boxed like she was a disgraced guest. Kael protested, screamed, but his father's face remained cold. "You can leave with her if you want," he said. "You've always been more her son than mine."
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Kael chose his mother. Of course he did.
He didn't even pack properly. Just grabbed her hand and walked out of the gates that once opened at the sound of his name, no driver, no black Mercedes , no bodyguard.
Just silence.
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They spent two nights at a cheap motel. Then three.
Kael made calls.
Jasper didn't pick up.
Daniel was "busy with exams."
Ava sent a voice note: "Kael, I can't deal with this right now. I need space, "By day five, Kael stopped calling.
By day six, his mother collapsed at a bus station.
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The hospital said it was stress-induced — a breakdown.
Kael used the last of his savings to get her into a home. A quiet one, with kind nurses and a garden. He sat beside her on the second night and whispered, "I'll come back for you. I swear, Mom. "She couldn't answer. Her eyes were open, but distant.
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Kael left the city that weekend with one bag and a hollow heart, he didn't know where he was going. Only that he couldn't stay in a city that had turned its back on him so fast, not after everything he gave, not after everything they were.
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