The Therapist

Marcus Oladipo sat in his office, the notepad on his desk filled with cryptic notes, arrows, and hastily scribbled ideas. It was a web of connections, a chaotic map of his thoughts as he tried to navigate the precarious situation he’d landed in.

Victor wanted his marriage saved, or at least to regain control over Claire. Claire, on the other hand, had all but handed him an invitation to sabotage the marriage, dangling the promise of a hefty payoff if she could secure her divorce. And looming over all of it was Baba Jide, whose men had made it clear just days ago that Marcus’s time was running out.

For a moment, Marcus closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair. The faint hum of the air conditioner and the distant sounds of Lagos traffic outside his window did little to ease the pressure in his chest.

This wasn’t just a balancing act—it was a deadly tightrope.

Victor arrived first for their second session. Punctual as ever, he walked into the office with his usual commanding presence, his sharp suit and polished shoes exuding control. But Marcus could see the tension in his shoulders, the faint crease in his brow that betrayed his unease.

“Doctor,” Victor said, his voice clipped. “I hope you’ve made some progress with Claire. She needs to understand the importance of our marriage.”

Marcus forced a smile. “That’s what we’re here for, Chief. Progress takes time, but we’re on the right track.”

Victor sat on the couch, his posture stiff. “Time isn’t a luxury I have. I trust you’ll be honest if you think she’s beyond saving.”

Marcus nodded, his mind racing. He couldn’t afford to show his hand too early, not with Victor. “Of course. But from what I’ve seen, there’s still potential. We just need to identify the root causes of the disconnection.”

Victor’s jaw tightened. “The root cause is Claire’s selfishness. She’s lost sight of what matters. I provide for her, give her everything she could ever want, but it’s never enough.”

Marcus jotted something down, feigning interest while cataloging Victor’s words for later use. “It’s clear you’re deeply invested in this relationship, Chief. But sometimes, relationships are about more than provision—they’re about understanding. I’ll work with Claire to help her see that.”

Victor nodded, satisfied for now. But Marcus could feel the weight of the man’s expectations bearing down on him.

Claire arrived fifteen minutes late, her demeanor softer than Victor’s but no less guarded. She apologized briefly before taking her seat, carefully positioning herself as far from Victor as possible.

Marcus began the session by addressing their communication, gently guiding the conversation toward their recent arguments. As expected, the session quickly devolved into a series of accusations.

“You don’t listen,” Claire said, her tone sharper than Marcus had ever heard it.

“And you don’t appreciate anything I do for you,” Victor shot back.

Marcus intervened with a calming gesture, forcing himself to maintain a neutral expression even as he silently calculated his next move.

“Let’s pause for a moment,” Marcus said. “It’s clear there’s a lot of emotion here, but I’d like us to focus on actionable steps. Victor, what would you like Claire to do differently?”

Victor leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Claire. “I want her to stop acting like she’s the victim. She has no idea what it takes to build a life like this.”

Claire bristled. “Maybe because you never let me in, Victor. You make every decision without consulting me. It’s like I’m just… decoration.”

The words hung in the air, and Marcus seized the opportunity.

“Victor, how do you feel about what Claire just said?” Marcus asked, his voice steady.

Victor hesitated, clearly unused to being put on the spot. “I think… she doesn’t understand the weight I carry. It’s not about shutting her out—it’s about protecting her from things she doesn’t need to worry about.”

Claire rolled her eyes but said nothing.

“And Claire,” Marcus continued, “what would you like Victor to do differently?”

“I want him to see me,” she said simply. “To treat me like a partner, not a possession.”

Marcus nodded, his mind already weaving the threads of manipulation. He needed to keep them off-balance, unsure of where they stood with each other—and with him.

After the session, as Victor stepped outside to take a call, Claire lingered behind.

“Dr. Oladipo,” she said quietly, glancing at the door to ensure Victor was out of earshot.

“Yes, Mrs. Adebayo?” Marcus replied, his tone neutral.

Claire leaned in slightly, her voice low. “You’ve seen how he is. He’s not interested in fixing this marriage—he just wants control. If you help me get out, I promise you won’t regret it.”

Marcus forced himself to remain calm. “Claire, my job is to help both of you. I can’t take sides.”

She smirked faintly, her eyes sharp. “I’m not asking you to take sides, Doctor. I’m asking you to see the truth.”

Before he could respond, Victor returned, his call finished. Claire straightened, her face returning to its practiced mask of indifference.

“Let’s go,” Victor said curtly, not sparing her a glance.

As they left, Marcus sank into his chair, the weight of the session pressing down on him. He reached for his notepad, flipping back to his chaotic web of notes. He needed to keep both Victor and Claire invested in him—Victor for his control issues, and Claire for her desperation.

That night, Marcus sat in his apartment, replaying the session in his mind. He was threading a dangerous needle, planting subtle doubts in both Victor and Claire without letting either of them realize it. Victor needed to believe Marcus was his ally, guiding Claire back to him. Claire needed to see Marcus as her confidant, someone who would help her escape.

And through it all, Baba Jide’s threats loomed like a dark cloud. Marcus checked his phone compulsively, half-expecting another call or message reminding him of the ticking clock. Seven days.

“Can I really pull this off?” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair.

The stakes were higher than ever, and Marcus knew one wrong move could cost him everything.