They left Lagos under cover of darkness.
No sirens. No dramatic exits. Just quiet movement and controlled fear.
Victor drove.
Arden sat in the front seat, eyes scanning every passing car. Ife sat in the back, clutching her bag like it contained her courage. The city lights faded behind them, replaced by long stretches of road and silence.
"Where are we going?" Ife asked softly.
"Outside the noise," Victor replied. "Somewhere people don't expect a man like Arden Blackwood to hide."
Arden exhaled. "You mean somewhere ordinary."
Victor glanced at him. "Exactly."
They stopped at a modest house just before dawn.
It wasn't luxurious. No gates. No armed guards in sight.
"That's it?" Ife asked.
Victor nodded. "The safest places never look important."
Inside, the house smelled faintly of dust and old wood. Two bedrooms. A small kitchen. Silence so loud it made Ife uneasy.
"This is your new reality," Victor said. "No spending patterns. No staff. No digital trail."
He turned to Arden. "Especially you."
Arden nodded. "I'm listening."
Victor hesitated, then finally said the words Arden had been waiting for.
"The man watching you isn't just an enemy," Victor said. "He's family."
Ife stiffened. "Family?"
Arden's stomach dropped. "Who?"
Victor met his eyes. "Julian Blackwood. Your uncle."
The name felt like ice.
"He died," Arden said.
"No," Victor replied. "He was erased."
Ife's breath caught. "Why would he want Arden dead?"
Victor's voice was heavy. "Because your father chose you over him. Took power that was meant to be shared."
Arden laughed hollowly. "So this is a family feud."
"No," Victor said grimly. "This is inheritance warfare."
Later, alone in the small bedroom, Ife sat on the edge of the bed while Arden paced.
"Your uncle," she said quietly. "All this… because of blood?"
Arden stopped. "Because of greed."
She studied him. "And your father?"
"He taught me to survive," Arden said. "My uncle taught me what power costs."
She stood and stepped closer. "What does he want now?"
Arden's voice was low. "Me gone. Or obedient."
Ife reached for his hands. "And what do you want?"
He looked at her like the answer terrified him. "A life where I don't owe anyone my silence."
She squeezed his fingers. "Then we fight."
His brow furrowed. "You don't even know what that means."
She smiled faintly. "I know what love costs. I've been paying already."
That evening, Victor returned with supplies and news.
"He knows you're not in Lagos," Victor said. "That means he'll escalate."
Ife's phone buzzed.
She froze.
Another unknown number.
She showed Victor. He swore under his breath.
"Don't answer," Arden said quickly.
But the phone buzzed again.
And again.
Then a message appeared.
I see why you chose her.
She's brave.
Let's see how long that lasts.
Ife's hands trembled.
Victor took the phone. "This is psychological warfare."
Arden clenched his jaw. "He's testing me."
"No," Victor said. "He's testing her."
Ife lifted her chin. "Then he's chosen the wrong person."
Night settled heavy and quiet.
The house creaked with unfamiliar sounds. Ife lay awake, staring at the ceiling, counting breaths.
Arden turned toward her. "You should sleep."
She shook her head. "If I sleep, I'll dream."
He pulled her closer. "Then stay awake with me."
She rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"Promise me something," she whispered.
"Anything."
"Don't disappear," she said. "Not into fear. Not into anger."
He kissed her hair. "I promise."
Outside, a car slowed briefly… then drove on.
The enemy had a name now.
And knowing it didn't make things easier.
It only made the war personal.