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Chapter 42
Last Updated:
2025-05-02 21:01:06
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The reluctant vow Chapter 43
Zara didn’t even finish brushing her hair that morning. She just tossed it into a bun, slipped on a hoodie, grabbed the flash drive, and dashed out. Her heart thumped the whole way to Kemi’s house, the mysterious note echoing in her head: He’s not who you think he is.Kemi’s mother opened the door with a warm smile, still in her satin wrapper and a shower cap.“Zara! Long time, my dear.”Zara curtsied lightly, breathless but polite. “Good morning, ma. It’s been a while.”“You and Kemi don’t visit like you used to,” the woman teased as she opened the door wider.“We’ve just been swamped with… stuff,” Zara replied, trying not to seem too anxious. “Is Daddy home?”“No, he’s gone for a business trip. Traveled late last night. You just missed him.”“Oh, okay,” Zara nodded, thankful. That meant fewer eyes watching her every move.She climbed the familiar stairs and pushed open Kemi’s door to find the room empty but the bathroom light on. The sound of running water echoed faintly.“Kemi!” sh
Last Updated : 2025-05-02The reluctant vow Chapter 44
The ride to the hospital was uneventful, though Kemi kept glancing at her phone like she was expecting a message. They didn’t talk much—both of them were still unsettled from the strange Imani encounter the last time.As they walked through the hospital doors, the scent of antiseptic hit them instantly. Zara wrinkled her nose while Kemi headed straight for the nurse’s desk to check in. After confirming the appointment, they were told to wait.The hallway was quiet except for the occasional beeping of machines and the echo of nurses’ footsteps. Zara sat beside Kemi, eyes drifting lazily over the faded posters on the wall.Ten minutes later, a nurse stepped out and called, “Miss Kemi Adebayo?”“That’s me,” Kemi stood, brushing invisible dust from her jeans. “You’re coming in with me, right?”“Of course,” Zara replied.Inside the dimly lit scan room, the doctor motioned for Kemi to lie down. Zara stood at her side as the technician prepared the gel and equipment. The whirring of the mach
Last Updated : 2025-05-02The reluctant vow Chapter 1
“You know your father has made the decision. That’s final.”Zara’s eyes widened in disbelief as her mother’s voice echoed through the living room, sharp and unwavering. “So nobody cares about me or my dreams? Not even my happiness?”Mrs. Tunde stood still, arms folded across her chest. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, like she was trying to stay calm, but the tension between them was too thick to ignore.“I don’t love Regan. I don’t even know him!” Zara burst out, voice trembling as she stood in the middle of the room, her fists clenched by her side.“You don’t need to know him or love him.” Mr. Tunde’s deep baritone cut through the air as he stepped into the living room. His expression was unreadable—cold, commanding, final. “All you need to know is that the marriage is happening. You, Zara Tunde, are going to be the wife of Regan Kareem.”Zara felt her chest tighten. Her legs wobbled beneath her. “You can’t do this to me,” she said, almost in a whisper.“We already have,” her
Last Updated : 2025-04-17The reluctant vow Chapter 2
The house felt quieter than usual, but it wasn’t peaceful. It was the kind of silence that carried weight—unspoken words, wounded pride, and burning disappointment all wrapped into one. Zara had barely slept the night before. Her body had collapsed into bed, but her mind had wandered restlessly, dancing between hope and helplessness.The email still sat open on her phone. She had read it more than a dozen times. Each line, each sentence, carried the promise of freedom, of escape. A chance to start fresh, to step into the world she had dreamt of since she was a teenager. Yet that future now clashed with the one her parents were forcefully designing for her.Downstairs, the hum of conversation floated up to her room. Footsteps echoed off the polished tiles, followed by the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. Zara slowly sat up, her heart thudding with anxiety. She could already sense what was coming.The door creaked open without a knock.“Zara, come downstairs,” her mother sai
Last Updated : 2025-04-17The reluctant vow Chapter 3
The living room buzzed with stifled tension. Chief Kareem’s deep voice floated in and out of Zara’s consciousness as he discussed “family values” and “merging legacies” with her father. Regan sat across from her, back stiff, eyes occasionally glancing her way, unreadable as always.Zara’s fingers twitched in her lap. She couldn’t breathe in here—couldn’t think straight. With a polite smile that barely masked her frustration, she excused herself.“Excuse me, I need to get something upstairs,” she muttered, not waiting for permission.Once in her room, she locked the door behind her, slumped onto the bed, and grabbed her phone. Her heart beat faster as she pulled up her messages, scrolling until she saw the email again—the one that had flipped her world upside down just hours ago.Congratulations Zara Tunde, you have been shortlisted as one of the finalists for the House of Aramé Model Search. The final selection will take place in three months. Prepare to bring your A-game.She stared
Last Updated : 2025-04-17The reluctant vow Chapter 4
Zara blinked, her steps faltering as she entered the kitchen and caught sight of Regan—bare-chested, sweatpants hanging low on his waist, his muscular frame bent over the water dispenser as he filled a glass. The silver jug shimmered beneath the fluorescent light, but all she could focus on was the stranger in her house. Again.He looked up briefly, their eyes locking for half a second before he turned away, cool and unbothered. Not a single word. Not even a nod. Just silence.Zara’s brows furrowed in confusion and mild irritation as she backed away and turned down the corridor, storming toward her mother’s room.“Mummy,” she called, pushing open the half-closed door. “Why is Regan in our kitchen?”Mrs. Tunde looked up from where she was folding a wrapper. “Because he’s staying here, Zara.”Zara blinked. “Staying? As in… sleeping over?”Her mother sighed. “Yes. The Kareems are spending the weekend here. Both families agreed. We’re going to start planning the engagement, and this will
Last Updated : 2025-04-17The reluctant vow Chapter 5
Zara didn’t expect peace when she came downstairs, but she also didn’t expect the bomb her father was about to drop. The living room was filled with cheerful voices—Chief Kareem’s deep laugh, her mother’s polite chuckles, and her father’s barely hidden pride. Everyone was drinking tea like it was a regular Sunday morning.Until her father cleared his throat and said, “We’ve decided the wedding will be next month. Just enough time for proper preparations.”Zara froze.Kemi’s voice in her head whispered breathe, but it was already too late.“Excuse me?” she said aloud, blinking like she’d misheard.Her father didn’t even look at her. “You heard me. It’s final.”She stood, heart pounding. “And I don’t get a say? You’re just going to marry me off like—like some business deal?”Chief Tunde’s eyes snapped to hers, hard and warning. “Zara. Sit down.”“No,” she said louder now. “You can’t just decide my future without me!”Chief Kareem’s smile stiffened. Mrs. Tunde looked away, pretending to
Last Updated : 2025-04-17The reluctant vow Chapter 6
Zara paced the length of her room, her fingers trembling with excitement as she stared at the message on her screen. “Your shoot is confirmed for today at 6 PM. Location: VI. Don’t be late.” She could almost hear Kemi’s voice squealing in her head. It was finally happening.This shoot wasn’t just any shoot—it was a potential launchpad. The kind of opportunity that could change everything.She quickly changed into something casual but sleek, just enough to make it seem like she was going out for something ordinary. If she played this right, she’d be back before dinner. No one would even notice.But her plans shattered the moment her mother’s voice echoed up the stairs.“Zara! Be downstairs in twenty minutes. We’re going to dinner with the Kareems.”Zara froze. “Dinner again?” she muttered under her breath. Her brows furrowed. “Why? We’ve had breakfast, lunch, dinner… brunch… more food than conversation.”Still, she descended the stairs slowly, calculating what excuse to give. Maybe she
Last Updated : 2025-04-17
Latest chapter
The reluctant vow Chapter 44
The ride to the hospital was uneventful, though Kemi kept glancing at her phone like she was expecting a message. They didn’t talk much—both of them were still unsettled from the strange Imani encounter the last time.As they walked through the hospital doors, the scent of antiseptic hit them instantly. Zara wrinkled her nose while Kemi headed straight for the nurse’s desk to check in. After confirming the appointment, they were told to wait.The hallway was quiet except for the occasional beeping of machines and the echo of nurses’ footsteps. Zara sat beside Kemi, eyes drifting lazily over the faded posters on the wall.Ten minutes later, a nurse stepped out and called, “Miss Kemi Adebayo?”“That’s me,” Kemi stood, brushing invisible dust from her jeans. “You’re coming in with me, right?”“Of course,” Zara replied.Inside the dimly lit scan room, the doctor motioned for Kemi to lie down. Zara stood at her side as the technician prepared the gel and equipment. The whirring of the mach
The reluctant vow Chapter 43
Zara didn’t even finish brushing her hair that morning. She just tossed it into a bun, slipped on a hoodie, grabbed the flash drive, and dashed out. Her heart thumped the whole way to Kemi’s house, the mysterious note echoing in her head: He’s not who you think he is.Kemi’s mother opened the door with a warm smile, still in her satin wrapper and a shower cap.“Zara! Long time, my dear.”Zara curtsied lightly, breathless but polite. “Good morning, ma. It’s been a while.”“You and Kemi don’t visit like you used to,” the woman teased as she opened the door wider.“We’ve just been swamped with… stuff,” Zara replied, trying not to seem too anxious. “Is Daddy home?”“No, he’s gone for a business trip. Traveled late last night. You just missed him.”“Oh, okay,” Zara nodded, thankful. That meant fewer eyes watching her every move.She climbed the familiar stairs and pushed open Kemi’s door to find the room empty but the bathroom light on. The sound of running water echoed faintly.“Kemi!” sh
The reluctant vow Chapter 42
The morning sun broke gently through Zara’s bedroom window, but its warmth did little to thaw the cold, tight feeling in her chest. She was back at her father’s house now—just as planned—but something about it felt off. Foreign. Like she had left a part of herself behind at the Kareem mansion.Her mother’s knock came soft but insistent.“Zara, are you awake?”Zara sat up slowly, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Yeah,” she called back, though her voice barely rose above a whisper.The door cracked open, and her mother peeked in. Her eyes immediately scanned Zara’s face. “You look pale. Did you sleep at all?”“I’m fine,” Zara replied quickly, swinging her legs off the bed. “Just… tired.”Mrs. Tunde stepped in fully, her brows drawing close with concern. “You’ve been looking tired a lot lately. Is this about the wedding?”Zara gave a small, rehearsed smile. “Just nerves, I guess.”Her mother didn’t look convinced, but she nodded. “Well, breakfast is ready.”“Okay. I’ll be down in a minu
The reluctant vow Chapter 41
The atmosphere inside the Kareem mansion was different that night—tense, quiet, final. Tomorrow, Zara would return to her father’s house. The wedding was drawing near, yet everything felt off balance.Zara sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the clock. It was almost midnight. She couldn’t sleep with the weight of uncertainty pressing against her chest. The stalker’s message still haunted her, and Regan’s growing distance gnawed at her thoughts.She stood up abruptly, her bare feet padding quietly down the hallway to Regan’s room. This couldn’t wait.He was still awake, seated on the couch near his window, a glass of something dark in his hand. The moment she walked in, he looked up.“We need to talk,” Zara said, closing the door behind her.Regan leaned back slightly, eyebrows raised. “About what?”Zara took a breath. “About us. About… everything. Look, this is our last night here. After this, I go back to my father’s house. We’re getting married soon, Regan. And if we’re going to
The reluctant vow Chapter 40
Zara barely registered the drive back to Kareem’s Mansion. Her mind buzzed with everything she had witnessed tonight. Every corner, every sharp turn Regan had taken, every shadowy figure he had met with—Imani, whoever she was, seemed like a piece of a puzzle Zara didn’t yet have the full picture of. The night air was thick with tension, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was getting closer to something dangerous.As she pulled into the driveway, Zara quickly shut off the engine and climbed out of her car. She glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, before heading to the front door. The mansion was eerily quiet at this hour, and Zara was grateful for the silence. Her steps were steady, but her mind raced.As she reached for the door, the cold handle greeting her with a sense of finality, she froze. The last thing she expected was to bump into Regan.He stood there, looking at her with a raised eyebrow, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his coat.“Did you go out?” Reg
The reluctant vow Chapter 39
Zara hadn’t planned on making it a habit. But each night, as the house fell silent, she couldn’t help herself. The urge to follow Regan, to figure out just what the hell was going on, gnawed at her.It wasn’t like she was obsessed… well, maybe she was. Just a little.She would tell herself it was nothing, just curiosity, just needing to understand the pieces of the puzzle that were Regan’s life — the pieces he kept locked away. But each night, as he slipped out for another mysterious errand, she found herself slipping behind him again.It had started as an occasional thing, but now it was becoming routine. Every night, she donned the same hoodie, flattened her chest, and turned her mind off to any risk of getting caught. She had already followed him twice this week, each time more daring than the last. But tonight, she could feel the tension in her bones. Tonight, it felt different.She leaned against her window, watching as Regan prepared to leave. The same strange feeling settled in
The reluctant vow Chapter 38
The house was unusually quiet that evening, the kind of quiet that made every creak of the floorboards echo louder than necessary. Zara wandered aimlessly down the long hallway leading to the private cinema room, intending to grab the sweater she had left there earlier. She wasn’t thinking much about Regan — at least not until she approached the corner near his bedroom.That’s when she heard it.Muffled voices leaked from his slightly open door. She froze, instincts sharpening.It was Regan’s voice. And he was on the phone.Curiosity tugged at her, rooting her to the spot. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but something about the urgency in his tone made her inch closer, her back pressed against the cool marble wall.“…you need what?” Regan’s voice was low but irritated. car for what now?”Zara’s brows knitted together, but she kept listening.There was a pause, then Regan spoke again, his frustration barely masked.“You’re demanding for a car because of a baby that’s still in the w
The reluctant vow Chapter 37
The morning light spilled softly into Zara’s room at the Kareem mansion, but she had barely slept. She turned onto her side, staring blankly at the elegant curtains, her mind still replaying the conversation with Kemi the night before. Her father’s warning echoed louder with every passing hour.A light knock came at the door before it creaked open. Kemi’s head popped in, her hair wrapped messily in a scarf.“Rise and shine, bride-to-be,” she said teasingly, stepping inside with two mugs of coffee in her hands.Zara sat up, forcing a small smile. “Thanks. God knows I need it.”Kemi sat beside her on the bed and handed her a mug. “You look like you’ve been wrestling demons all night.”Zara laughed dryly. “I feel like it.”For a few minutes, they sipped quietly, the comfort of friendship filling the silence.Then, Kemi’s voice turned serious. “Zara, what are you going to do? About all this?” She gestured vaguely around the luxurious room.Zara stared into her coffee. “I don’t know. I fee
The reluctant vow Chapter 36
Later that evening, Zara found herself in her room, sitting on the bed, her thoughts racing. She couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that there was more to Regan’s behavior than he was letting on. It wasn’t just the coldness between them now, or the gifts from Imani that still made her stomach turn; it was everything. The way he avoided answering her questions, the way he acted like everything was fine when she could see the cracks forming around him.Just then, the door creaked open, and Kemi stepped inside, looking every bit the comforting friend Zara needed at that moment. She glanced at Zara’s furrowed brow and knew immediately that something was bothering her.“You okay?” Kemi asked, sitting next to her on the bed.Zara let out a sigh, leaning back against the headboard. “No, I’m not. Everything is just… complicated. I don’t even know where to start.”Kemi raised an eyebrow. “Well, why don’t you start with Regan? You’ve been avoiding him all night.”Zara shook her head. “I’m not a
