Novels by Davida Onwujekwe

Grandma Martha’s birthday loomed a date that Carter dreaded more than anyone else. “She hates being celebrated, Iris,” he said, leaning against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed. His lips quirked in a mixture of amusement and resignation.Iris tilted her head, giving him an incredulous look. “Everyone likes their birthday celebrated, Carter. Even if they say they don’t.”He chuckled softly. “Not Grandma. She pretends she hates it, complains for weeks, and then ends up loving it once the day comes. It’s this…strange ritual.”“Well,” Iris said, standing a little straighter, “if she’s going to get a party, let’s make sure it’s one to remember.”From the moment the decision was made, Iris threw herself into the preparations. She wasn’t just overseeing things—she was involved in every detail. She picked out flowers from the market, tasted every dish on the menu, and even fixed the seating arrangements after Carter got them wrong.“Iris, this is too much. You don’t have to do all this,”

The city buzzed with life as Carter pulled up to Iris’s apartment in his sleek black SUV. The car glided to a stop, and he stepped out, smoothing his jacket with one hand while clutching a single red rose in the other.When Iris opened the door, her expression was a mix of annoyance and reluctance. She looked stunning in her red dress, her hair cascading down her shoulders, but her arms were crossed tightly over her chest.“For you,” Carter said smoothly, holding out the rose. “Though I have to admit, it pales in comparison to you tonight.”Iris rolled her eyes, though a faint smile threatened to betray her. “Flattery isn’t going to fix things, Carter.”He leaned against the doorframe, a playful glint in his eye. “Maybe not, but it’s a start. Shall we?”She sighed but grabbed her clutch. “Let’s just go.”The drive to the movie premiere was relatively quiet, but Carter wasn’t one to let silence win.“I know you’re still mad at me,” he said, glancing at her. “And you have every right to

Iris paced the living room, her heart racing. She couldn’t believe it. Her father—the man who had walked out on their family years ago—was outside Carter’s front door, demanding to see her. She turned to Carter, her eyes wide with panic.“Send him away,” she pleaded. “Please, Carter. I can’t do this. Not now.”Carter, tall and calm as ever, leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “Iris, you’re jumping to conclusions. Maybe he has something important to say.”She shook her head violently. “You don’t know him like I do. He’s only here because he needs something. Probably money. He always needs money.”Carter sighed. “I get it, Iris. But what if you’re wrong? What if he’s here to make amends?”She laughed bitterly. “Amends? My father doesn’t do ‘amends.’ He does chaos. He does destruction. Trust me, Carter, this will only end badly.”Carter pushed off the wall and walked over to her, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. “Listen to him. Just for a few minutes. You’ll regret it if

“It’ll help us both,” she had reasoned late one night, as they sat in their modest apartment. “If you move into the estate, Grandma Martha will be thrilled. And if she’s happy with you, she’ll start warming up to me, too. Think about it, Carter. It’s a win-win.”Carter sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t care about her approval, Iris.”“I know,” Iris said softly, her hand resting on his. “But this isn’t just about approval. It’s about securing our place in the family. You know how much this inheritance drama weighs on her. Showing her you’re willing to be part of the family could mean everything.”He had to admit, that Iris had a point. Reluctantly, Carter agreed, and two days later, they packed up their lives and moved into the sprawling mansion on the family’s estate.Grandma Martha was overjoyed, her sharp eyes twinkling as she hugged Carter tightly. “I knew you’d come around, my boy. This is where you belong.”The move sent ripples through the estate. Ollie, Carter’s

The sleek black car pulled up outside the apartment, gleaming in the afternoon sunlight. Iris smoothed her dress nervously, her fingers fidgeting as she checked her reflection in the window. Spending an afternoon alone with Grandma Martha was already nerve-wracking, but the thought of being under her scrutinizing gaze for hours made her stomach churn.“You’ve got this,” Carter had said earlier, his tone calm but insistent. “Just answer her questions honestly. If you say no, it’ll only make her more curious.”“Why does it feel like I’m heading into an interrogation?” Iris had replied, half-joking.“Because you probably are,” Carter admitted with a wry smile. “But just be yourself. She’ll come around.”Now, as the car door swung open, Iris took a deep breath and stepped in. Martha sat inside, poised and regal, her sharp eyes missing nothing. Her tailored suit and pearls screamed authority, but there was a warmth beneath her composed exterior, buried under layers of propriety.“Ah, Iris,

As they entered, the atmosphere shifted to one of sophistication and glamour. The walls were lined with exquisite pieces, and Iris felt a thrill as she wandered through the racks, touching fabrics and admiring styles. Carter hung back, letting her explore. “I’ll just be over here,” he said, his hands tucked in his pockets, a relaxed smile on his face. Iris started picking out items, feeling more confident with each piece she held. A striking dress caught her eye—deep green with a silhouette that hugged the waist before flaring out gracefully. “What do you think of this one?” she called over to Carter. “A yes,” he replied, a grin spreading across his face. “You should try it on.”As Iris slipped into the fitting room, her heart raced with anticipation. The deep green dress shimmered against her skin, and she felt a wave of confidence wash over her. She glanced in the mirror, admiring how the fabric hugged her curves perfectly.“Hey, how’s it going in there?” Carter called from outs