The CEO'S SUBSTITUTE WIFE

THE CEO'S SUBSTITUTE WIFE- Chapter 9: The Scar

The car was silent.

Kago drove. Amahle stared out of Sandton's lights.

Her back was still burning where his hand had been at the gala.

The penthouse elevator was empty. Too quiet.

Inside, Kago went straight to his study. He locked the door.

"Take off the dress," he said.

Amahle froze.

Kago caught himself. "Not like that. The back. I need to see the scar."

Amahle's face burned.

But she turned.

Her fingers shook as she lowered the zipper. Just enough.

The dress slipped off her shoulder.

There it was.

3 inches long. Thin. White. Right on her shoulder blade.

Kago went still.

He didn't touch her.

He just stared.

"I know that scar," he said.

Amahle's heart pounded. "How?"

"7 years ago. The night Lindiwe died."

The room went cold.

"What?" Amahle whispered.

Kago walked to his safe. Typed the code.

He pulled out a police file. Threw it on the desk.

Case file 2219-LM. Mokoena, Lindiwe. Cause: Single vehicle accident.

Amahle stepped closer.

A photo fell out.

Lindiwe's car. Wrapped around a tree. Rain.

And in the corner of the photo.

A girl. 17 years old. Soaked. Holding Lindiwe's hand.

Back to camera.

But her dress was torn.

And her shoulder was bleeding.

Same scar.

Amahle dropped into a chair.

"That's me," she said

Kago nodded once.

"You were there."

Amahle couldn't breathe.

"I was," she whispered. "I was 17. Still in high school."

She hugged her arms.

"My bus broke down after classes that night. It was raining. Lindiwe was driving past my school. She didn't know me. She just stopped. Said she'd give me a ride home."

Kago went still.

"We weren't related," Amahle said fast. "She was a stranger being kind. But on the way, she told me why she was in a rush."

"About what?

Amahle closed her eyes.

"About Themba. She said he was stealing from you. From Mokoena Holdings. That she had proof. Bank records. She was going to your office that night to give it to you."

Kago's face was stone.

"The car skidded on the wet road," Amahle continued. "We hit the tree. I was thrown from the passenger seat. When I woke up, Lindiwe was... she wasn't breathing. I tried. I held her hand. Blood was everywhere. Mine too. A piece of metal from the door cut my back."

She touched the scar through the silk.

"Police came. They took me to the hospital. I was a minor. No ID, no family. They listed me as Jane Doe. I ran before social services could take me. I couldn't tell anyone. Themba was already at the hospital asking about the other passenger. He was looking for me."

Silence.

Kago finally spoke. "You've been running from Themba since you were 17."

Amahle nodded.

"That's why you were cleaning offices here at 20," Kago said. "That's why you put yourself through nursing school at night. You never stopped hiding."

Amahle looked up at him.

"You never knew?" she said. "You never knew i was in the car with her. That I'm the witness Themba buried?"

Kago shook his head. "The police report said Lindiwe was alone. Themba must've paid to delete your statement."

The doorbell rang.

Both of them froze.

It was 10:43 PM.

Kago went to the intercom.

Zanele Khumalo flashed on the screen.

"I know you're in there, Kago," her voice came through. "Open the door. We need to talk about your wife's scar."

Amahle stood.

Kago looked at her.

For the first time, he looked scared.

Not for himself.

For her.

"Don't forget the rules," Kago said.

Amahle waited.

"We don't open the door. Not alone."

He picked up his phone.

"Because Zanele didn't come here for the truth."

on the screen, Zanele smiled.

She was holding a file.

Dlamini, Amahle. Adoption records. Sealed.

The Bed Clause put them in one room.

The scar just proved they were never strangers.