Anita placed the babies on a blanket on the floor beside her chair and began eating slowly, not rushing like before. She was learning to behave like she didn’t expect the food to disappear. Naomi watched her closely. She ate with both hands, breaking the bread into small bits before putting it in her mouth.
She fed one of the babies a few drops of water from a spoon. She didn’t speak unless spoken to, but she didn’t look scared anymore either. “Are they always this calm?” Naomi asked after a moment. She nodded. Yes. If I feed them and hold them close, they don’t cry. She looked at her carefully. You said their names are James and Joseph, right? Yes, Ma. How old are they? 9 months.
Naomi paused. There was silence between them. Then Naomi stood. Finish eating. Dr. Andrew will be here soon. I want him to check the twins again. She nodded but didn’t look up. An hour later, Dr. Andrew arrived with a small black case. He greeted Naomi politely and walked to the guest room where the babies had been moved.
He wore gloves, took swabs from the baby’s cheeks, and placed them in labeled containers. Naomi stood by the door watching. “Will it take long?” she asked. “Two days,” he said. “Maybe less.” “Good, Dr. Andrew packed his things.” “Why do you need a DNA test, madam?” She didn’t reply. As he left, Naomi turned to the twins and stood beside them.
They were lying quietly in the crib, looking up at the ceiling with big, curious eyes. Those same eyes again, hazel, light brown, almost golden in sunlight, just like his. Her fingers touched the edge of the crib. “Who are you?” she whispered. That evening, Naomi went to her late husband’s old study. It was the only room she hadn’t touched since he died.
She had locked it up and left everything the way he liked it. books on the shelf, photos on the desk, his suits in the closet. She stood by the door for a long time before opening it. The room smelled of dust, and something else, something old and quiet. She walked to the desk and sat. She opened the drawers one by one. Old bank statements, pens, a half-finished cross word puzzle.
Then she found a small wooden box. Inside it were letters, love letters. Not from her, from someone else. She opened one. Femi, thank you for coming last weekend. I wish you could stay longer. I understand your life is complicated, but I want you to know I don’t expect anything. Just come when you can. Love, your baby Naomi’s eyes widened with shock, her chest tightened. Another letter.
My love, I don’t think I can continue hiding this pregnancy. It’s becoming obvious and people are asking questions. But Fei, sometimes I wish you would just tell her. Tell your wife the truth. Naomi closed the box. Her hands were shaking. She stood up and walked out of the room. She didn’t cry.
She just walked straight to her bedroom and locked the door. The next morning, Naomi walked downstairs and saw Anita on the rug with the twins laughing. Real happy laughter. Something about that sound made her stop and stare. She hadn’t heard baby laughter in her house before. Anita noticed her and stood up quickly. Good morning, Ma.
She nodded. They are better today, she said, smiling a little. They slept well. She looked at them and nodded again. The next day, the DNA results arrived. Dr. Andrew handed her the envelope in her office. She didn’t open it immediately. She waited until he left. She sat alone, staring at the brown envelope with her name written neatly on the front.
Her hands were cold. Finally, she opened it. She read the first line. DNA match confirmed. Probability of paternity 99.98%. Her eyes froze. Her breath stopped. She dropped the paper and stood up. She paced the room, her hands on her head. They are his, she whispered. They are really his.
The twins were her husband’s sons. He had a whole secret family. He had lied for years. She remembered all the hospital tests, the IVF treatments, the tears, the shame. He always said it wasn’t her fault, that maybe they were both the problem. But all this time, he was the one with children outside. Tears rolled down her face.
She didn’t wipe them. Later that night, she sat with Anita on the couch. The babies were asleep in the crib beside them. She didn’t speak at first. Neither did Anita. Then she turned to her. Anita. She looked at her. Who is their father? How long were you married to the father of your twins? She bowed her head like one ashamed to speak. Then she nodded.
No, he had another life somewhere else. I met him when I was in 200 level. I never knew he was married. He acted all sweet and gentle at first. Then when I became pregnant, I told him about it and he came just once to see me. Ever since then, he disappeared. I wrote letters but got no replies.
I heard he has a wife, but it was already too late for me. I had fallen in love with his deceits. He abandoned me to suffer. Because of the shame and pain, I dropped out of school. What was his name? Femi. Naomi closed her eyes briefly. Do you have any pictures? Anita reached into a small plastic bag beside her and pulled out a folded photo.
