The next day, Aisha barely touched her breakfast. Her eyes were fixed on Anwana, who gently placed a plate of toast before Remi. Aisha watched her every move, scanning for fault.
"You're late today," Aisha said, cutting into her peace.
Anwana smiled tightly. "Sorry, I had to attend to victor. He had trouble sleeping."
"Of course. That boy always has issues," Aisha replied with a fake smile.
Anwana said nothing. She'd learned to swallow such insults, even as they burned like acid.
From that moment on, Aisha made it her mission.
---
Day One: The Silent Sabotage
Aisha entered the kitchen while Anwana was prepping dinner. She 'accidentally' knocked over the pot of stew. It splashed over the floor and some on Anwana's apron.
"Oh no," Aisha feigned concern. "I didn't see it there."
Amara walked in just in time. "You didn't see a whole pot? Seriously?"
Aisha rolled her eyes. "Relax. It was just a mistake."
But Amara wasn't buying it. She helped Anwana clean up and whispered, "Keep your eyes open. She's not done."
---
Day Two: The Boy
Aisha found victor playing in the living room. She sat beside him and offered him sweets.
"You like candies, don't you?"
Victor nodded, cautious.
"Good. But don't run around too much. Wouldn't want you hurting yourself."
Later, Anwana returned to find victor crying-his hand red and sore.
"He fell," Aisha said with a shrug. "Kids are clumsy."
But victor whispered to Amara later that she had twisted his hand when he tried to leave.
Amara reported to Tade.
Tade confronted Aisha that night. "Touch that boy again and I'll throw you out myself."
Remi didn't speak. Her eyes said it all she still didn't want Anwana there, but Aisha had clearly crossed a line.
That Night
It was just past 10 p.m. Anwana was in the kitchen baking bread. The air was thick with the smell of yeast and warmth. She sliced tomatoes for the morning stew when the knife slipped, slicing her palm.
"Ahh!" she hissed, clutching her hand.
Just then, Tade walked in, fresh from the gym. Tank top soaked, his chest rising and falling, arms glistening with sweat. His towel hung loosely around his neck.
He rushed over. "You're bleeding!"
"I didn't see the blade shift," she said through clenched teeth.
Tade grabbed the first-aid box, his hands steady but fast. He rinsed her hand under running water.
"Hold still," he whispered.
She watched the sweat glide down his temple. His face so close. His scent a mix of gym, spice, and something unmistakably Tade filled the air.
His fingers wrapped the bandage slowly, his touch gentle.
"You need to be more careful," he muttered, voice low.
Their eyes met. The air between them sizzled. Their breaths slowed. Her lips parted slightly, not to speak, just to feel the moment.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Tade..." she whispered.
He leaned in slightly, their foreheads brushing. His hand rested over hers, his thumb tracing her knuckles. They stood like that-time frozen, heartbeats in sync.
Then. ...SLAM!
The kitchen door burst open.
"What the hell is going on here!?" Remi roared, her eyes darting between their closeness, Tade's gym outfit, and Anwana's hand.
Tade pulled back immediately, lips tightening. "She cut her hand. I helped."
"Of course she did," Remi snapped. "You're always... helping her."
She turned to Anwana, her tone sharp. "Do your job and stay in your place."
Anwana held her ground. She was used to Remi's venom, but this time, Tade stepped between them.
"Mom", Tade called in a way that sent the message
Aisha Digs Deeper as her jealousy and furry grew
"A whole senetors child , this Tade mist be joking" , she thought out loud as she pulled her phone out of her hand bag
Aisha, restless, began searching.
She went online, hunting for any trace of Anwana's past. She found nothing , until she came across an old forum. Comments under a now-defunct cooking scholarship application. A name appeared: Kene Nduka.
Her curiosity sparked.
Who is this Kene? she wondered.
She hired someone to dig. What she would find next would shake the house to its core.
---
A photo appeared in Aisha's e
mail. A young man holding Victor, when he was just a toddler.
A caption: "My son, Victor
Sender: Kene Nduka.