WHEN WE MEET AGAIN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
THE PRICE OF BETRAYAL
Robert Cole sat in his office, staring at the news that Peter Lawson had been found.
He had spent years believing that the original records were lost forever. Now Samuel's carefully preserved evidence threatened to expose everything.
His phone rang.
"It's done," a man said. "The police have the documents."
Robert's face darkened.
"Then we need another plan."
"There may not be another plan. Peter is ready to give a statement."
Robert ended the call and stood by the window.
He had built his life around the belief that power could protect him from consequences. He had manipulated records, spread accusations and frightened people into silence.
But he had underestimated Samuel.
And he had underestimated Aisha.
That evening, Robert received a formal notice requesting that he attend an interview with investigators regarding the financial allegations.
For the first time in years, he felt genuine fear.
Meanwhile, Aisha and Daniel were having dinner when Daniel received a message from his father.
The police have contacted Robert. He knows the evidence has been found.
Daniel showed Aisha the message.
"Do you think he'll run?" she asked.
"He might try."
"Then the police need to act quickly."
Daniel nodded.
"I've already passed on everything I know."
Aisha looked thoughtful.
"I keep thinking about how different our lives might have been if the truth had come out earlier."
Daniel reached across the table.
"We can't change the past."
"I know. But sometimes I wonder how many years we lost because people were too afraid to speak."
He squeezed her hand gently.
"We still have the future."
Aisha smiled, although uncertainty remained in her eyes.
"I want to believe that."
"You don't have to figure everything out tonight."
She studied him.
"That's what I like about you now. You don't keep asking me to make promises before I'm ready."
Daniel smiled.
"I'm learning."
They finished their meal and took a walk outside. The city lights reflected off the pavement, and for a little while, the investigation felt far away.
Then Aisha's phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
She answered cautiously.
"Aisha Nwosu?"
"Speaking."
"This is Detective Okafor. We need to inform you that Robert Cole has agreed to cooperate with the investigation."
Aisha stopped walking.
"Does that mean he's admitting what he did?"
"Not yet. He has agreed to provide information about the company's financial records. We will need to verify his account."
After the call ended, Daniel asked what had happened.
Aisha explained.
He looked relieved, but not entirely convinced.
"Let's wait until the evidence is confirmed."
She nodded.
For the first time, Robert was no longer hiding behind threats alone. He was being forced to answer questions.
But Aisha knew that even if the legal battle ended, there would still be emotional wounds to heal.
And she had one more important question to answer.
Could she finally let herself love Daniel without allowing their painful past to decide their future?