Now here she was in a house full of children, his children and mistress.” The next morning, Naomi went into the twins room and found Anita already awake, changing their clothes. “You’re always up early,” she said. “I don’t sleep much. I can tell.” She sat on the bed and watched her button James’ shirt. “Anita,” she said.
“How would you feel if I made sure you never had to sleep on the streets again?” She looked at her confused. “You mean stay here forever?” “Not just stay,” she said. “Live here. Go back to school. Be safe. Give the twins a better future and a name.” She blinked. “You You want us to live here? If you want to?” She didn’t reply.
Then suddenly she burst into tears. She cried remembering all the struggles she had passed through. She dropped on her knees and covered her face. Naomi didn’t move for a few seconds. Then she got up, walked over. Get up, she said. I am doing this because of the children. I have nothing against them or you. I’m sure you’ve learned from your mistakes.
The news didn’t stay quiet for long. In a house like the Adelkis, everything speaks. the guards, the drivers, even the housekeepers. And once the first whisper left the mansion gates, it spread like fire. By the next morning, her name was being spoken in hushed voices across the high streets of Ecoy and the loud corners of gossip tables in Banana Island. She brought in a street girl.
They say the twins are her husband’s children. Did Fei really cheat on her all those years? The rumors rolled and twisted like a storm. And Naomi knew it wouldn’t be long before the people who mattered most would come knocking. Not out of care, but out of fear. Fear that she was about to change the balance of power in the Adela Empire.
And she was right. They came on a Sunday afternoon. Three black SUVs rolled into her compound like kings arriving at war. Her head of security called her immediately. Madam, it’s Chief Whale Adelke with two of his cousins. She stood up from the reading chair in her private lounge and placed her cup of tea on the table.
“Let them in,” she said simply. Downstairs, the front door opened. Chief Whale was Femy’s elder brother, a bulky man with a sharp voice and a habit of speaking like the whole world owed him something. He walked in with his chest out, followed by two younger men in abadas who wore dark glasses indoors.
Naomi didn’t stand when they entered the living room. She only crossed her legs and looked at them. Good afternoon, she said. Chief Whale didn’t smile. We need to talk. I assume that’s why you’re here. The youngest of the men hissed slightly. So, it’s true. Naomi looked at him. What exactly is true? Chief Whale didn’t sit. He walked slowly around the room like he owned it.
You brought a mad woman into this house with her babies. Babies that people are saying belong to Femi Naomi said nothing. Chief Whale’s eyes narrowed. Is it true? She reached for a file on the table and slid it toward him. Read for yourself. He picked it up, opened the first page, and read the DNA report.
