Adira's POV
I woke to my mother's scream. No surprise there. The woman's voice could probably wake the dead.
Dragging myself out of bed, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I was changing from my PJs when the door burst open. Mum. Dad. Ashley.
They looked... different. Tense. Dad cleared his throat, his fingers drumming against his thigh. He was nervous. Dad never looked nervous.
"Sit," he said.
Ashley and I obeyed. My heart thudded against my ribs. Were they here to beat me? Lecture me? What now?
Dad's voice was firm, but his eyes flickered. "Adira. Ashley. You're going back to the UK."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Ashley and I shouted at the same time: "WHAT?!"
"You leave next weekend," Mum added, cool as ice.
"Are we... are we all going together?" I asked, my stomach twisting.
"No," Dad said. "Just the two of you. We've enrolled you in a boarding school in England. You've both been acting like children, and enough is enough. We pulled some strings. You leave next weekend."
Ashley's face crumpled. Tears spilled instantly. Drama queen. I rolled my eyes, but deep down I knew: she wouldn't last a day without Mum holding her hand.
Me? Part of me was relieved. Maybe this was my escape. A chance to breathe.
I begged. I pleaded. I even called Grandpa. No use. Everyone agreed. The decision was final.
The first person I called was Sam.
She cried so hard it broke my heart. "Addy, no. No, you can't go. Please, no."
"I don't have a choice," I whispered.
Her mum had already locked her down, blaming me for everything. I couldn't even sneak to see her. Our parents had worked overtime to break us apart. This time... they might win.
Days slipped by until it was the weekend. Thirty-two hours to go. Ashley sulked in silence, a storm cloud in human form.
Then my phone buzzed. Unknown number.
Hy AD, what's up. I heard you're going to England. I took a flight to Lagos from Abuja. I need to see you before you leave. I want to make sure you're okay... and that you won't forget me. I'm in the hotel lobby. I'll wait.
Love, Jayden.
My heart skipped. Jayden.
I texted back fast: Jay, are you crazy? How did you even fly alone? You're not 18. You could get into trouble. My parents have guards watching me. I'll try to sneak out.
I tried everything. The guards outside my door were like statues. Ashley was too busy sulking to help. I thought it was over... until Dad called.
"Adira. Bring me a file to the lobby."
Perfect.
I grabbed the file and slipped into the elevator, dialing Jayden as I went down. When the doors slid open, he was already there.
I handed the file to Dad, pretending to head back up. But Jay's eyes found mine, and he gave a small signal. A tilt of the head. A quiet promise.
I followed.
We slipped into a corner of the lobby, away from the guards, and I sank into a chair beside him. His smile was wide, genuine.
For the first time all week, I felt seen.
And safe.