Novels by Davida Onwujekwe

Iris leaned against the kitchen counter, nursing a glass of water and staring at the reflection of the moonlight on the tiled floor. The events of the evening replayed in her mind, but one moment in particular had stuck with her—the strange conversation with Grandma Martha after everyone had left the party.It had started innocently enough. They’d sat on the mansion’s balcony, sipping wine and gazing at the stars. Iris had felt relaxed for the first time all evening.“You’ve done well tonight,” Grandma Martha said, her voice softer than usual.“Thank you,” Iris replied. “I couldn’t have done it without your trust in me.”Grandma Martha smirked. “I trusted you because I knew you could rise to the occasion. And I must say, you’ve surpassed my expectations.”Iris blushed. Compliments from Grandma Martha were rare and hard-earned.They sat in silence for a while, the stillness of the night settling over them. Then Grandma Martha broke it with an unexpected question.“So, how is your marri

The grand ballroom radiated luxury, its intricate gold mouldings and cascading chandeliers reflecting the evening’s energy. The event Grandma Martha had been chosen to host was the highlight of the season, drawing in the most influential names in the city. Weeks of meticulous planning had culminated on this night, and Iris found herself at the epicentre of it all.As she stood near the entrance, greeting guests alongside Grandma Martha, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. The older woman was a picture of poise, her emerald gown shimmering as she extended polite nods and brief smiles to the city’s elite. Iris, on the other hand, felt like a child pretending to belong in a world far removed from her own.“You’re doing fine,” Grandma Martha said quietly, sensing Iris’s tension.Iris forced a smile. “I hope so. I just don’t want to mess this up.”“You won’t,” Grandma Martha replied with certainty. “Tonight is about showcasing what the Windsors can do, and you’ve done an exceptional jo

The warm afternoon sunlight bathed the lush gardens of the Windsor estate, casting golden rays across the pristine lawns. Carter leaned against a stone column near the main mansion, his phone in hand, half-listening to a podcast while keeping one eye on the driveway. He had just finished a meeting when the butler interrupted him with a request from his grandmother.“She wants me to what?” Carter asked incredulously.“Take a stroll with her in the park,” the butler repeated, his expression neutral.Carter sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t have time for a stroll. Tell her I—”“Carter Windsor,” Grandma Martha’s sharp voice rang from the entrance. She was already approaching, her cane tapping rhythmically against the stone steps. “You do not refuse me.”Carter straightened instinctively, pocketing his phone. “Grandma, I was just—”“No excuses,” she interrupted, her tone firm. “We’re going for a walk, and you’re coming with me. Let’s go.”There was no room for argument. Res

Carter sat in the living room, his leg bouncing anxiously as the soft ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to mock him. The house was quiet, too quiet, except for his own restless movements. The image of his grandmother’s sharp gaze lingered in his mind, the way she had looked at him and Iris after Loretta had been dragged away.“Nothing happens in this family without my knowledge.”Her words had been calm, but the implication had shaken him to his core.He ran his hands through his hair for what felt like the hundredth time that night, frustration bubbling just under the surface. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Grandma Martha knew about his and Iris’s sham marriage. If she knew, what would she do? Would she expose them? Cut him off? Destroy everything he’d built?“Carter?” Iris’s soft voice broke the silence. She stood in the doorway, her robe tied loosely around her waist, her hair slightly tousled as if she’d been asleep—or trying to sleep.He looked up, his expression strain

Carter sat across from Ollie in Hugh’s dimly lit apartment, the tension so thick it felt like the air could shatter. Ollie’s hands were trembling as he stared at his phone. The guilt was written all over his face, but he kept avoiding Carter’s eyes.“You’re not telling me everything,” Carter said, his tone low and cutting.Ollie flinched. “I am!”Carter leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. “No, you’re not. You said she has pictures, videos, and an audio recording. That doesn’t just happen by accident. What exactly did you do, Ollie?”Ollie shifted uncomfortably, looking to Hugh for some kind of backup, but Hugh just raised an eyebrow and waited.“I didn’t sleep with her,” Ollie finally mumbled.“Didn’t you?” Carter’s voice was sharp now. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re in just as deep as I am—if not worse.”“I didn’t!” Ollie snapped, his voice breaking. “We… we hung out a few times, okay? She recorded us talking and took pictures without my knowledge. I don’t know

Carter Windsor paced Hugh’s apartment, the tension in his shoulders evident. Hugh leaned against the kitchen counter, watching his friend with a mix of concern and intrigue.“You know,” Hugh began, breaking the silence, “you can’t keep letting this Loretta woman rattle you. You need to get ahead of her.”Carter stopped pacing and turned to Hugh. “You think I don’t know that? She’s holding fake pictures over my head, and if Iris ever sees them…”Hugh smirked, crossing his arms. “If Iris ever sees them, you’ll be in a hell of a mess.”“That’s not funny,” Carter snapped.“I’m not laughing,” Hugh replied calmly. “Look, we need a plan, and I think I know just the person to help us.”Carter raised an eyebrow. “Who?”Hugh grinned and pulled out his phone. “Jake. He’s still with the police, right? Let’s see what dirt he can dig up on Loretta.”About an hour later, Jake, their mutual friend from the police department, called back. Carter and Hugh were on speakerphone, anxiously waiting.“You g