The girl boss

The Gala Mistake

Two weeks in and we had a routine.

Fake smiles at events. Real fights in private. And a tension that was getting dangerous.

Tonight was the Ashford Gala.

Red carpet. Press. "The power couple of Abuja."

"You look beautiful," Malik said as I came downstairs.

Black gown. Diamonds. And heels I could kill in.

"You look tolerable," I replied.

He laughed and offered his arm.

We played the part perfectly. Photos. Toasts. "We’re so in love."

Until halfway through, I saw her.

Amara. Malik’s ex. And Leo’s godmother.

She walked straight to us, champagne in hand.

"Malik. Darling. And... the new wife." Her eyes raked over me. "Tell me, do you know about the baby?"

The world stopped.

My heart stopped.

Malik’s arm tightened on mine. "What baby?"

"Oh." Amara smiled. "I must be mistaken. I thought Siddiqa had a toddler. Looks just like you."

I couldn’t breathe.

Malik looked at me. Really looked at me.

"Siddiqa?"

"She’s lying," I said quickly. Too quickly. "Leo is—"

"Leo?" Malik repeated. "You have a son named Leo?"

Amara sipped her champagne. "Oops. My bad."

And walked away.

The rest of the night was a blur.

Photos. Dancing. Malik’s hand on my back like he owned me.

But his eyes. Cold. Calculating.

When we got home, he didn’t speak.

He went to his office and closed the door.

I stood outside for 10 minutes.

Then I heard it.

His voice. Low. Angry.

"Get me everything you have on Siddiqa Carter. Birth records. Hospital records. Everything."

He knew.

Or he was about to.

And I had 24 hours before Malik Ashford found out he had a son.