Novel-novel oleh Victoria Chiamaka Amadi

Elizabeth lay on her back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't seem to silence.The things Monica said taunted her. There was this urge to call her mom and confront her, but she restrained herself.Her mind was so far that she didn't even notice her mom had come back and even entered her room.“My baby,” Mrs. Callahan called softly but Elizabeth was lost in thought.Mrs. Callahan sat on the edge of the bed and tapped her.“Lizzy dear, are you okay?” She asked, noticing Elizabeth had been lost in thought. She had never seen Elizabeth this absent-minded before.Elizabeth scoffed, finally blinking as if waking up from a trance. “Your baby?” she said, as if just hearing it. “Am I really your baby?” she asked, slowly sitting up and watching Mrs. Callahan closely.Mrs. Callahan became uncomfortable. Her facial expression gave her away. “What are you saying, Lizzy?”I knew it. Since the day Maggie and the doctor came here, I've been suspecting som

Leah had barely gotten enough sleep the previous night, but there was no time to dwell on that now. She needed answers. She needed to find out the truth, and she couldn't wait to get to the office.“My dear, where are you going so early?” Mama asked Leah.Leah turned and sighed softly. “Ma, I need to rush to the office. It's an emergency,” Leah explained as she wore her wristwatch.Mama who had been watching her sprang up at the mention of the word ‘emergency.’“Emergency? What emergency is that?” Mama inquired.Leah looked at her mother and shook her head. It was typical of her to react that way. Always quick to panic.“I don't want you to get worked up. I haven't been to the office for so long and I believe there are things that require my attention,” Leah said, trying to make her mother calm.Mama studied her daughter for a moment before nodding slowly. “Yeah, right. Even though Monica has been handling everything well, you should still go. I wanted to suggest it earlier but I just

Elizabeth rose up from Jeremy’s seat swiftly the moment she saw him, looking shocked. “It's not what you think, sir,” she tried to explain. There was urgency in her voice, but it wasn’t fear. It was the desperate need to explain. But Jeremy didn't even look upset. He looked concerned instead, his brows slightly furrowed.“You should be in the hospital, Elizabeth,” Leah said, her voice a mixture of worry and curiosity. She had barely finished speaking before Jeremy followed up with a question of his own.“I didn't even know you'd been discharged. Does Maggie know? She'll be so worried,” Jeremy said, expressing his concern for his mother.“Maggie, huh? Why's that?” Elizabeth asked, stepping forward, eyeing both Leah and Jeremy.Leah and Jeremy looked at each other but said nothing, an unspoken understanding passing between them.Elizabeth scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. “I knew it. I knew something was up. Everyone’s been acting strange around me—too nice, too careful.”Jeremy

Leah and Jeremy were curled up on the couch, watching a TV series Leah loved— one she had introduced Jeremy to, though he had only grown interested because it made her happy.Jeremy's living room was dimly lit, the television screen casting a soft glow on the walls. The air was warm and cozy, carrying the faint scent of Leah’s lavender shampoo. Leah was lying on his lap, resting her head comfortably on his thigh, as he ran his fingers through her hair absentmindedly.The TV series they were seeing showed a dramatic scene, one that resonated a little too closely with Jeremy’s own life. Leah, ever perceptive, immediately picked up on it.“So Elizabeth is your sister, huh?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. “How does it feel knowing this—that you aren't an only child, after all?”Jeremy let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head before correcting her. “Half-sister.” His voice was neutral, but Leah didn’t miss the underlying weight in his tone.“You still didn’t answer my question

When Elizabeth woke up, her eyes met a host of people in the ward she'd be admitted in. She blinked, her gaze adjusting to the fluorescent lights above. As her vision cleared, she saw them—her mother, Mrs. Callahan, sitting at the far end of the room with red-rimmed eyes; Jeremy and Leah standing close to each other, their hands clasped as though bracing for something painful; Maggie seated with her hands folded tightly on her lap, her eyes darting between her and Dr. Alfred; and Noah, right by her side, his face clouded with concern.She struggled to get up, but Noah rushed to her, to assist her.“No, Lizzy. Take it easy,” his familiar voice reached her, soothing and steady.She groaned, holding her head. And then she asked, “ what happened. Why are y'all here?”Alfred and Maggie looked at each other. Jeremy, who was standing beside Leah, held Leah's shoulders. Mrs. Callahan was in tears.The sight of all them looking heartbroken like that only meant one thing – that they knew.Stil

Maggie and Alfred had decided to visit the Callahan's and have a conversation with them and today was the day. They stood before the Callahan residence, exchanging one last glance before Alfred lifted his hand and knocked firmly. The house exuded wealth and prestige, but Maggie wasn’t awed by its beauty—she was preoccupied with what lay ahead.A woman opened the door. It must be Mrs. Callahan. She was a vision of grace and warmth. Her bright smile was disarming, an obvious contrast to the weight of the conversation Maggie and Alfred had come to have."Good afternoon," Mrs. Callahan greeted them, her voice smooth and welcoming. "How may I help you?"Maggie hesitated for a second before Alfred spoke. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Callahan. I’m Dr. Alfred, and this is my companion, Maggie. We were hoping to speak with you and your husband."“Oh, my husband is away on a business trip,” she said with a soft chuckle, stepping aside to let them in. “But rest assured, you can discuss any business ma