Chapter 24 – Uninvited Truths

Mannie’s POV

The next day was Saturday.

It was supposed to be a quiet weekend.

Just me and the kids. Maybe something simple like pancakes in the morning, cartoons in the afternoon, and cuddles at night.

Instead, I found myself ironing the only decent dress I had left in my closet, braiding Lily’s hair while Jay fought Adam for socks, and listening to Mama mumble about how we couldn’t be late. Not for this kind of party.

Zarah’s mother’s 50th birthday.

I hadn’t seen that woman in years. Not since the incident. Not since everything fell apart.

And Zarah?

Let’s just say, the less I said about her, the better.

"You sure we should go?" I asked Mama quietly while Nate helped Sophie tie her shoes.

Mama gave me a look. One of those hard stares that reminded me she was raised by warriors, not cowards.

"They invited us. We go and we hold our heads high."

"Even if they spit on us with smiles?"

"Especially then," she said, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck.

So we went.

The moment we arrived at the gate of Zarah’s family’s new villa, my stomach twisted.

It wasn’t a house. It was a palace. A mansion with golden gates, flower-lined paths, and a marble statue of some angel holding a crown.

"Is that thing real gold?" Adam whispered.

"Looks fake to me," Sophie mumbled.

"It’s shiny!" Tera said. "I like it."

I didn’t answer. My lips were pressed too tight.

The front yard was already crowded with guests. Some sat under tents with flowing curtains. Others sipped drinks by a large fountain.

Everyone wore something sparkly, expensive, and loud.

Mama stepped ahead first, her back straight, her shoes clean but old.

I followed with the children, doing my best not to shrink under the weight of a hundred eyes.

"Oh my God," I heard someone whisper. "That’s her. That’s Mannie."

"The one with the kids?"

"Eight of them! Out of wedlock!"

"No wonder she looks so tired."

"I thought she disappeared. Why’d she come back now?"

I smiled.

Not because I liked what I heard, but because it was better than crying. Besides, crying would only give them something to talk about. Now, they could only talk about me having eight kids and nothing more.

We found a corner near the back where the shade was cooler and the crowd thinner.

The children behaved well, sitting quietly, nibbling on meat pies and sipping juice. Sophie shared her chair with Lily. Zane helped Jay wipe his mouth. Adam stood tall like a little soldier beside Nate, who remained oddly calm, watching everything.

"Mama," Clarice whispered. "They’re all staring."

"Let them," I whispered back.

Soon enough, the main woman of the hour came floating in like a queen.

Zarah’s mother.

She wore gold from head to toe. Sequins, glitter, even her shoes sparkled. Her face was pulled tight with makeup. Her smile was wide and her voice high.

"Thank you, thank you! Oh, fifty looks good on me, doesn’t it?"

Applause followed then compliments and laughter that sounded to fake to my ears.

And then Zarah appeared.

She walked like she owned the earth.

Her hair was perfectly waved. Her dress shimmered with every step. She held a glass of champagne like it was made for her fingers alone.

It would be a lie to say I didn’t envy her.

She spotted us within seconds.

Her eyes locked on mine.

Then slid over to the children.

She said nothing.

But the look was enough.

It burned. Just like the betrayal years back.

Still, I nodded politely.

She didn’t return it.

Instead, she turned and walked straight to a group of young women standing nearby, all dressed in designer gowns, all laughing like they had no idea what the world outside smelled like.

They whispered and then they laughed.

And then they turned toward me.

"Is it true?" one asked Zarah loudly. "She really has eight kids?"

"And no husband?"

"Must be hard."

"Or careless."

"No wonder she looks... stretched."

My hands tightened around the juice cup I held.

I looked at my children, who thankfully hadn’t heard.

Or maybe they had but they pretended they didn’t.

A woman walked past me with a plate. She stopped, looked down at the children, and smiled.

"Such beautiful children," she said. "Who’s their father?"

I opened my mouth, unsure of what to say.

"They don’t have one," someone answered behind me.

It was Zarah.

She stood with her group, lips curved in a cruel little smile.

"She raised them all alone. No man. Just... her." It may have sounded like a praise but no one was stupid not to detect the sarcasm and disdain.

The woman’s smile faltered.

She nodded stiffly, then walked off.

Others looked over now.

More whispers.

More steps taken back.

Like we were diseased.

"Mama," Adam said, tugging at my sleeve. "Why did they walk away?"

I crouched and hugged him. "Because they don’t know better. That’s all."

"But... we’re good kids."

"I know, baby. I know."

Zarah came closer then. Her group followed like perfume.

"Eight kids," she said, sipping from her glass. "You must really love being a mother. Or was it just the attention?"

"Zarah," Mama snapped, stepping forward. "That’s enough."

Zarah smiled. "Auntie, I didn’t mean anything bad. I’m just curious. I mean, I only have one child and I can barely keep up. But Mannie? She makes it look so... chaotic."

"Children are blessings," My mom said tightly.

"Sure. If you can afford them."

The group laughed.

I stood.

"Thank you for inviting us," I said.

Zarah blinked. "I didn’t."

My cheeks burned.

Mama stepped forward. "We came for the sake of your mother. Not you."

Zarah’s face twitched.

"Well, make yourselves comfortable. Enjoy the party. Just don’t let your kids run wild. This isn’t a playground."

She walked away with her friends, their laughter trailing behind them.

I held my children tighter.

"We’re leaving soon," I whispered.

"But Mama, we didn’t get cake yet," Jay whined.

"We’ll get better cake at home. I’ll bake it myself."

Their faces lit up.

I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Let them whisper.

Let them judge.

I came with my head high.

And I’d leave with it higher.