THE 365-DAYS WIFE

CHAPTER 16: Day 365

The docks smelled like salt and diesel.

Victor was waiting.

Three SUVs. Ten men. And Victor in the middle, holding a gun.

“Damian!” Victor yelled. “Let’s end this!”

Damian squeezed Zara’s hand once. “Stay behind me.”

“I’m not hiding anymore,” Zara said. She stepped forward with him. “Not on Day 365.”

Damian looked at her. Pride. Love. Fear. All in one look. “Then we end this together.”

They walked forward.

Victor smiled. “You really brought her. Cute.”

“The flash drive is live,” Damian said. “The whole country saw it. You’re done, Victor.”

Victor laughed. “Am I? Watch.”

He raised his gun. Pointed it at Zara.

Time slowed.

Damian moved.

_Bang._

The shot echoed across the water.

Zara screamed.

Damian stumbled back, clutching his shoulder. Blood.

“NO!” Zara ran to him. Caught him as he fell. “Damian! Damian look at me!”

Damian’s eyes were glassy but focused. On her. “I’m okay. I’m okay.”

Sirens.

Police. Dozens of them.

Victor turned, saw them, and ran. He didn’t get far.

_“Hands up! Okafor! You’re under arrest!”_

Handcuffs. Shouting. Chaos.

Zara didn’t hear any of it. She had Damian’s head in her lap. Pressing her scarf to his shoulder.

“Stay with me,” she begged. “Please stay with me. It’s Day 365. You promised 365.”

Damian smiled weakly. Blood on his teeth. “Technically... it’s 11:59pm. We made it.”

“Don’t joke.” Tears were streaming down her face.

Damian reached up and wiped one away with his thumb. “Zara. The contract... it’s over.”

“I don’t care about the contract.”

“I know.” His voice was soft. “That’s why I’m asking. Stay. With me. For real this time. No money. No deal. Just... me.”

Zara kissed him. Right there on the dirty dock with police everywhere. “Yes. A thousand times yes.”

Ambulance lights.

They took him.

Zara went with him.

---

*3 MONTHS LATER*

The hospital room was bright.

Damian was sitting up in bed, arm in a sling. Annoyed.

“I’m fine,” he grumbled.

“You got shot,” Zara said, peeling an orange. “You’re not fine.”

She was different now. Hair done. Dress nice. No fear in her eyes.

“My mom?” Damian asked.

“Recovered. Full remission. She’s making that pasta you hate right now.”

Damian smiled. “Good.”

Zara set the orange down. Got on the bed next to him. Careful of his arm.

“Day 365 is over,” she whispered.

Damian turned to her. “Yeah.”

“So what now?”

Damian pulled something from under the pillow. A small box.

Zara’s breath caught.

“Zara Adeleke,” Damian said. “I didn’t fall in love with you because of a contract. I fell in love with you because you’re stubborn and brave and you cook terrible pasta and you kissed me in an alley. Marry me. For real.”

Zara was crying and laughing at the same time. “Yes.”

He slid the ring on. Simple. Perfect.

Outside the window, Lagos was golden.

TO BE CONTINUED...