Novels by Cynthia Chidinma

Miriam barely made it to her room before the sobs took over. She collapsed on her bed, her whole body shaking with the force of her crying. Everything hurts. Her chest, her throat, her heart. Especially her heart, which felt like it had shattered into a thousand pieces. How could he do this? How could Thomas Wellington look his daughter in the eye and tell her she had to marry a stranger? For what? Money they already had? Power they already wielded? Some corporate merger that would make him look good at the country club? She thought about her mother. Sarah Wellington, who’d died when Miriam was just six months old. The mother she’d never known, never gotten to hug, never heard say “I love you.” Would Sarah have let this happen? Would she have stood by and watched her daughter be traded like property? No. Miriam was sure of that, even though she’d never known her mother. Sarah wouldn’t have allowed it. But Sarah was gone, had been gone for twenty-four years, and Miriam was alon

“Miri?” It was her father’s voice. “Can you come downstairs? I need to speak with you in my study.” When the knock came at her door, she expected Susan with tea or maybe Lucas with another pointless apology. Something in his tone made Miriam’s stomach drop. “What’s this about?” “Just come down, sweetheart. It’s important.” Miriam marked her page and stood, dread pooling in her gut. Important conversations with her father never ended well, especially when Margaret was likely involved. She walked slowly down the stairs and through the hallway to Thomas’s study, each step feeling heavier than the last. The study door was open. Thomas sat behind his desk, looking uncomfortable. Margaret perched in one of the leather chairs, perfectly composed, a slight smile playing at her lips. They were waiting for her. This was planned. “Sit down, Miriam,” Thomas said. “I’ would rather stand.” Miriam crossed her arms. “What’s this about?” Thomas glanced at Margaret, who gave him an enco

Friday evening came and Miriam couldn’t focus on anything. She sat in her room with her laptop open, pretending to work, but the numbers on the screen meant nothing. Ever since the board meeting, there had been this hollow feeling in her chest that wouldn’t go away. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Emily’s name lit up the screen. Again. Miriam had ignored four calls already this week. She watched it ring, guilt twisting in her stomach, but she couldn’t pick up. What was she supposed to say? How could she explain any of this? The phone went silent. Then it immediately started ringing again. Emily wasn’t giving up. Miriam took a shaky breath and picked up. “Hello?” “Don’t you ‘hello’ me.” Emily’s voice came through sharp and furious. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve called you? How many messages have I left?” “Emi, I’m sorry…” “You’re sorry? Miriam, I’ve been going out of my mind! You disappear for weeks, don’t answer calls, don’t respond to texts, and all I

Lucas was in a meeting when his assistant interrupted: “Mr. Wellington, Mr. Rhodes is here. He says it’s urgent.” Lucas excused himself, irritation and worry warring in his chest. “Damien, you can’t keep showing up here” “I have a proposal for you,” Damien said, closing the office door behind him. His casual demeanor from yesterday was gone, replaced by the sharp, calculating businessman Lucas rarely saw. “A business proposal. One that would solve a lot of problems for both of us.” “What are you talking about?” Damien sat down, steepling his fingers. “My father’s been on my ass about settling down, finding a wife, proving I’m mature enough to take over the company. Your father, meanwhile, has been trying to secure a partnership with Rhodes International for what, five years now?” Lucas felt ice forming in his veins. “Damien…” “I want to marry your sister,” Damien said bluntly. “In exchange, I’ll bring my father to the table. The partnership deal he’s been refusing? I’ll

The next morning at Wellington Enterprises, Lucas was trying to make sense of the mountain of responsibilities that came with his new position when his assistant buzzed him. “Mr. Wellington? You have a visitor. Mr. Damien Rhodes?” Lucas frowned. “Send him in.” Damien strode into the office moments later, carrying two bags from that expensive deli downtown, grinning like he owned the place. “Surprise!” Damien announced, setting the bags on Lucas’s desk. “Brought you lunch.” Lucas stared at him. “It’s 10 AM.” “Early lunch. Pre-lunch. Whatever.” Damien threw himself into a chair. “Can’t a guy visit his best friend at work?” “Since when do you bring me lunch?” Lucas asked suspiciously. “Actually, since when do you show up unannounced at my office? .“You hate corporate buildings, you always say they make you want to die of boredom.” “Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf.” Damien’s smile was too bright, too casual. “Besides, I wanted to see your fancy new VP digs. Very nice.

They gave the promotion to Lucas. Miriam stood frozen in the board room, the words still echoing in her head while her stepmother Margaret smiled from the corner like she had just won the lottery. “Lucas will be our new Vice President of Operations” Thomas Wellington announced to the room, effective immediately. The board members who had praised Miriam’s presentation an hour ago now clapped politely. Lucas stood by the window looking guilty but not guilty enough to refuse. “Dad– “ Miriam’s voice came out strangled as they walked towards Thomas’s office. “Your expansion proposal was excellent, Miriam,” Thomas said, not meeting her eyes. You will lead the implementation as Director of Strategic Planning. Director. The position she already had. “I earned that promotion,” the words burst out before she could stop them. “You said the board was impressed, you said they— “Lucas is my son,” Thomas interrupted. His tone made it final. “He’s the heir to this company. It’s time he st