I HATE LOVE STORY

CHAPTER TEN - FIRE IN THE SHADOWS

Naomie could barely sleep. Even though Liam’s promise echoed in her heart like a lullaby, the shadows in her past were louder.

She kept thinking about the last time she saw Kelechi-blood on his knuckles, rage in his voice, and the fear that gripped her chest like a vice. It had taken everything to walk away.

And now? Now he was back.

By morning, she knew what she had to do.

Liam was already waiting outside her gate when she stepped out.

“You sure about this?” he asked.

Naomie nodded. “Yes. I have to report him. I need to break this chain.”

At the police station, her hands trembled as she gave her statement. The officer nodded slowly, asking questions, scribbling notes, but something about his tone felt like he wasn’t taking it seriously.

“Madam,” he said, “you have any evidence?”

Naomie felt heat rise to her cheeks. “He called me. Threatened me.”

“And you didn’t record it?”

“No, I didn’t”

The officer sighed. “Hard to press charges without something solid.”

Liam stepped forward, placing his hand firmly on the desk. “We’re not asking for a trial today. We’re asking for protection. She’s not safe.”

The officer looked at him, then at Naomie, and scribbled something down. “We’ll look into it.”

Naomie felt cold. It wasn’t enough.

That night, as rain lashed against her window, she stared out into the darkness. She thought of every woman who had never been believed. Every cry swallowed by bureaucracy.

No. She wouldn’t let this end quietly.

There was fire in her now. And this time, she wouldn’t be the one burning.