Chapter 13: Akil Sees Them Together—The Ultimate Blow
377 Words
Akil prided himself on control.
He controlled his business. His image. His relationships.
Or at least—he thought he did.
Until Karuna walked away.
Until she started winning without him.
And now?
Now, he was about to learn just how much he had lost.
The Event That Changed Everything
The annual Elite Business Gala was the biggest event of the year—where power players gathered, deals were made, and reputations were solidified.
Akil had attended every year, basking in the attention, the whispers of admiration.
But tonight?
Tonight, the whispers weren’t about him.
They were about her.
The Grand Entrance
The moment Karuna walked in, the entire room shifted.
Draped in a deep red silk gown, her curls framing her face like a halo, she looked like she belonged on a throne.
And beside her?
Imani.
Dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back, he walked in like he *owned
The Ultimate Blow
Imani walked in like he owned the place—but more importantly, he walked in like he owned Karuna’s heart.
And for the first time in his life, Akil felt powerless.
He had prepared himself to see Karuna again, but not like this.
Not glowing.
Not thriving.
Not standing beside a man who actually deserved her.
The whispers around the room were deafening.
"She looks incredible."
"That’s Imani Zane with her—are they together?"
"Wow, Akil really fumbled the bag."
That last one?
It stung.
But the worst part?
When Karuna and Imani finally reached his table, she didn’t look at him with anger.
She didn’t look at him with sadness.
She barely looked at him at all.
And that—was the final nail in his coffin.
Because she was done with him.
For real this time.
And Imani?
He looked at Akil like a man who had already won.
"Akil," Imani said, his voice smooth, confident. Unbothered.
Akil clenched his jaw. "Zane."
Karuna simply smiled—radiant, effortless. "Hope you’ve been well."
And with that, she turned away.
Like he was nothing.
Like he had never mattered.
And for the first time in his life—Akil knew what regret really felt like.
- Writer
