(Soft morning light filters in.Pelumi  sits upright in bed, hand pressed against her chest. Her breathing is shallow but controlled.Beside her, JAMES stirs awake.)

JAMES: (half asleep) Again?

(She nods trying to contain the pain. He sits up immediately.)

JAMES: Is it sharp… or heavy?

PELUMI: Heavy. Like someone sitting on me. 

(He rubs his face in frustration.)

JAMES: We should have gone back to Doctor Gbenro years ago.

PELUMI: We didn’t have money.

JAMES: I should have found it.

PELUMI: (She turns to him gently) You were already working two jobs.

JAMES: And still it wasn’t enough.

(Silence. He places his palm over hers on her chest.)

JAMES: I hate watching you fight for breath.

(She forces a smile like she didn’t want to show the pain she felt)

PELUMI: I’m still here.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN – MORNING

They prepare for work.

PELUMI: I’m braiding Madam Tolu’s hair tonight. Extra five thousand.

JAMES: You need rest.

PELUMI: We need electricity.

(He softens.)

JAMES: When this promotion comes, things will change.

(She nods like she believes him. All they can do is hope)

SCENE: THE CHIEF

INT. MADAM TOLU’S LIVING ROOM – EVENING

(Pelumi braids carefully while Chief Ned watches her from across the room. Later… Madam Tolu steps away to take a call. Chief moves closer.)

CHIEF: You work too hard for a small life

PELUMI: Small life?

CHIEF: You deserve softness. (He places an envelope on the table.) 

CHIEF: Fifty thousand. No stress.

She stares at it.

CHIEF: And if you let me take care of you properly… there’ll be more.

(Her fingers tremble slightly.)

CHIEF: Look at your hands. Always working.

(She slowly pushes the envelope back.) 

PELUMI: My husband may not be rich… but he respects me.

(Footsteps approach. Chief quickly steps away. Pelumi exhales. she stares at the huge cash knowing she needed it badly and couldn’t afford to lose it. Quickly she puts the money in her bag.)

ACT TWO – THE HIT AND RUN

EXT. LAGOS ROAD – MORNING

Pelumi rushes across traffic. A speeding car hits her body to the ground. The car reverses and speeds off.People scream. Pelumi gasps — clutching her chest. Blood stains her blouse.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL – DAY

(Doctor reviews scan privately with Pelumi.)

DOCTOR: The accident worsened your existing condition.

(She swallows hard on her saliva)

DOCTOR: Your heart valves are failing.

(Her world stops. Eyes whirling with tears and fear)

DOCTOR: You need surgery. Soon.

PELUMI: How soon? (Her voice shaky)

DOCTOR: Weeks. Not months.

(She looks down.)

DOCTOR: Bring your husband.

(A long silence.)

PELUMI: How much?

(He tells her quietly. Her eyes fill.)

PELUMI: Don’t tell him yet.

DOCTOR: Madam—

PELUMI: Please. I’m begging! 

ACT THREE – HUMILIATION (Rewritten)

INT. OFFICE – DAY

(James edits intensely. Focused. He needs this promotion. He needs the loan approval. Mike, a senior colleague, leans over his desk, chewing gum loudly.) 

MIKE: Promotion boy.

(James ignores him.)

MIKE: I heard management is considering you. You? Over me?

(James keeps typing.)

MIKE: Must be nice… pretending to be responsible while your house is falling apart.

(James pauses. Obviously becoming irritated)

MIKE: Everybody knows your wife is always sick. Maybe focus on fixing your home before trying to climb here.

(James slowly turns.)

JAMES: Be careful.

(Mike smirks.)

MIKE: What? It’s not my fault she looks like she’s carrying the weight of your failure on her chest.

(James stands. The office grows quiet.)

MIKE: A man who can’t even protect his own wife from suffering wants to lead a department?

That’s it! James said as he punches him.

(Chaos explodes. Chairs scatter. Staff shout. Security rushes in.)

CUT TO:

INT. HR OFFICE – DAY

(James sits, breathing heavily.) 

HR MANAGER: I know he provoked you.

(James says nothing.)

HR MANAGER: But you reacted. Protocol demands suspension. Both of you. Without pay.

(James’ jaw tightens.)

JAMES: For how long?

HR MANAGER: Until investigation concludes. If the recording clears you, your promotion stands.

(James nods slowly. His hands tremble. The weight just got heavier.)

ACT FOUR – PRESSURE

INT. JAMES’ MOTHER’S HOUSE – DAY

MAMA JAMES: Three years. No child.

(Pelumi lowers her gaze.)

MAMA JAMES: Since she entered your life, nothing has worked.

(James says nothing. That silence hurts Pelumi more than the insult. She stands.)

PELUMI: Excuse me.

INT. APARTMENT – NIGHT

(Argument. James enters sweating profusely)

JAMES: You left me there!

PELUMI: Your mother humiliated me!

JAMES: You think I’m not stressed?!

PELUMI: You think I’m not dying inside?!

(He stops. That word hangs.)

JAMES: What does that mean?

(She shakes her head.)

PELUMI: Forget it.

(He laughs bitterly.)

JAMES: Everything is falling apart.

PELUMI: Then hold me instead of fighting me!

(He moves closer. Anger rising.)

JAMES: You think I enjoy this?!

PELUMI: Sometimes I don’t recognize you anymore. 

(Silence. He grabs his keys.)

JAMES: Maybe you don’t know me at all.

(Door SLAMS. She sinks into the chair. Breathing unstable

Concluding part in next tory upload