Gentle Damage

Raymond and Christie share a loving but financially strained marriage in Lagos. Raymond lost his job after a past fraud incident cost him a promotion and he struggles through fruitless interviews. Christie supports him with prayer and encouragement. Their friend Tunde, a carefree bachelor, frequently visits and offers questionable advice. After another interview rejection a prophetess reveals Raymond's stalled progress is tied to a woman from his past he deeply wronged. Raymond tracks down his ex Nancy and apologizes for causing her multiple abortions and abandoning her. Nancy forgives him and reveals she is now Head of HR at a major firm. Christie, desperate to help Raymond provide, secretly uses her only landed property as collateral for a bank loan to fund his electronics import business from China. The business venture collapses when the Chinese shipping agent cuts contact leaving Raymond devastated and the land lost. Christie suffers a miscarriage shortly after deepening their grief. Raymond secures a new job offer but it is rescinded during final verification when his past fraud resurfaces. Convinced Tunde sabotaged him Raymond violently confronts his friend. Christie's mother challenges her daughter's fear-driven behavior and reveals Christie inherited her mother's trauma from a father who abandoned them upon gaining wealth. The truth emerges that Christie orchestrated the email exposing Raymond's past. She hired thugs to attack him at the mechanic shop and harassed him through Abu to prevent him from succeeding and potentially leaving her just as her father left her mother. Raymond discovers Christie's betrayal during a tense confrontation at a bar where she confesses she sabotaged his career and safety to keep him dependent and close. Horrified that her protection destroyed them Raymond rejects her pleas and moves out staying with a friend. Later that friend celebrates his own job restoration and recovered goods from China.