The atmosphere in the room was thick—like smoke that refused to clear. Silence clung to every surface. Imani sat on the edge of the armrest, clutching Amira like a lifeline. Chief Kareem stood by the window, his gaze hard and unreadable as he stared into the night. Regan paced, hands on his waist, fury still simmering beneath his skin. Zara sat quietly in the corner, her arms folded, expression unreadable.Then a knock.GATEKEEPER (O.S.)Sir… Dr. Hakeem is here.Everyone froze.CHIEF KAREEM (without turning)Let him in.Footsteps approached. And then—Dr. Hakeem entered, slightly hunched, nervous energy clinging to him like a second skin. He removed his cap and held it respectfully in both hands, his lips twitching as he tried to summon words that wouldn’t feel inadequate.He stopped just past the doorway, eyes scanning the room—landing last on Imani. Her eyes widened, lips parting slightly in panic.DR. HAKEEMGood evening… sir. Ma. Everyone.No one responded.CHIEF KAREEMTalk.The c
KAREEM MANSION – MAIN LOUNGE – EVENINGThe atmosphere inside the grand lounge was heavy—dense with betrayal, shame, and the slow boil of fury. The room, usually reserved for elite guests and formal gatherings, had transformed into a quiet courtroom. The chandeliers above glowed a warm gold, casting long shadows across the marbled floor. But the warmth was lost on everyone in the room.Imani stood in the center, visibly shaken, clutching Amira close to her chest. Her arms trembled, not from the weight of her child, but from the weight of what had finally caught up with her. Her once-glossy lips were now dry. Her eyes darted between faces—Zara’s icy silence, Regan’s barely contained rage, Chief Kareem’s unreadable but thunderous calm.Chief Kareem paced slowly before her, one hand clasped behind his back, the other occasionally stroking the silver in his beard. He had not said a word in minutes, and that silence—the way it stretched—was far more frightening than any shouted curse.Final
NATHAN’S APARTMENT – NIGHTThe hum of the ceiling fan circled through the room like the ticking of a quiet clock. Nathan sat cross-legged on the floor, files and devices sprawled out in front of him—an open laptop, two phones, a small stack of printed documents. A single dim lamp cast a golden glow over the table beside him.He stared ahead in silence for a long moment, jaw clenched, then reached forward and pulled a manila envelope closer.FLASHBACK: INT. DR. HAKEEM’S OFFICE – MONTHS AGOThe office was cool, sterile, polished . Certificates lined the walls. Dr. Hakeem sat behind his desk, his fingers steepled nervously as Imani sat across from him, legs crossed, her voice low and sharp.IMANII don’t care how you do it. The results must say Regan Kareem is the father.DR. HAKEEMYou realize the legal implications of falsifying paternity—IMANI(slicing in)You realize the financial implications of losing the Kareem family’s goodwill?Dr. Hakeem swallowed hard. He tapped the desk ligh
LUXURY LAW FIRM OFFICE – DAYThe office was elegant and understated—glass walls, fine wood finishes, the faint scent of leather and ink. Rain tapped lightly against the tall windows overlooking the city skyline.Nathan sat opposite a suited man in his late forties—MR. AKINDE, calm and experienced, flipping through a printed document on crisp legal paper.MR. AKINDE(reading aloud)“…and hereby, both parents shall retain legal custody, with Amira Nathan Agozie,residing with her father for forty percent of each month and with her mother for sixty, pending reassessment in twelve months…”Nathan nodded slowly, fingers steepled under his chin.NATHANI don’t want to take her child away. I just want it documented. Protected. Amira deserves stability. Something her mother clearly can’t provide right now.MR. AKINDE(looking over his glasses)Then we keep it simple and focused. This isn’t about revenge. It’s about structure. The court won’t entertain character assassinations. But they’ll resp
SHOOT VENUE – LATERThe afternoon sun bathed the shoot location in warm amber light. A gentle breeze swayed the white drapes set up around the open-air venue, fluttering like silk against the backdrop of city sounds muffled in the distance. The once buzzing set was now winding down—lights being dimmed, props being gently packed, and makeup artists wiping down their kits.Zara stood near the center of the set, still glowing with the calm pride of a job well done. Her last outfit—a soft ivory silk gown that framed her baby bump with understated elegance—clung gently to her form as she sipped from a bottle of water, talking with the lead photographer and glancing over at Kemi, who stood off to the side reviewing photos on her tablet.Then, the soft purr of a familiar engine cut through the background noise.A sleek black car pulled in quietly through the side gate of the venue. Heads turned. Conversation slowed. Some of the crew looked on with curiosity, others with familiarity. But Zara
BACK AT THE KAREEM’S MANSION—REGAN’S ROOM – SAME TIMEThe room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn just enough to dull the sharpness of the midday sun. A soft mechanical hum from the ceiling fan turned overhead, blending into the quiet, almost meditative stillness.Regan lay sprawled on the bed, one arm flung over his forehead, his temples still pulsing with a dull ache. His shirt clung to his back slightly—heat and unease rising in waves. The remnants of his coffee cup sat on the nightstand, untouched since Zara left.A knock broke through the stillness—soft, measured, almost rehearsed.He blinked against the haze behind his eyes, dragged himself upright, and crossed the room. With a weary sigh, he unlocked the door and opened it.There she stood.Imani.Draped in a silk robe the color of dried rose petals, her dark eyes scanned him not with concern, but with something heavier—something dangerous and deliberate. She stepped forward before he could speak, brushing past him into the room