Chapter 26 – Fake Gold and Real Love

Mannie’s POV

We were almost free.

Just a few more steps and we’d be out of that suffocating courtyard, away from their judgmental eyes, their whispers, and Sandra’s venom.

But of course, she couldn’t let us go without one more stab.

“Leaving already? The shame finally got to you?” Sandra sneered, folding her arms.

I didn’t respond.

“How can you leave without giving the celebrant her birthday gift?” she added, loud enough for the people nearby to hear. “At least that is the little thing you can do.”

My mother leaned toward me and whispered, “We would give our gifts and leave.”

I nodded.

I was calm on the outside but I was literally boiling on the inside.

But before I could reach into the tote bag where I kept the small wrapped gift Mama had picked out, a small voice rang clear from beside me.

“We’ll give it. But we should also see what Aunty Sandra gave,” she said, voice sweet but sharp enough to cut.

Sandra raised a brow, arms folding tightly over her chest. “And why does a child need to know that?”

Sophie smiled. “Because you said we should all celebrate properly, right? So let’s all admire your gift too. That gold necklace you gave Grandma Jenna… it’s beautiful.”

“Is that necklace real?” She added

The crowd around us paused.

I turned to stare at my little daughter.

Sophie was standing with her arms crossed, her face unreadable or more so scrunched up rather.

She was staring directly at Sandra.

Sandra blinked. “Excuse me?”

Sophie tilted her head. “The necklace you gave the birthday lady. The gold one. Is it real?”

Gasps.

Some muffled chuckles followed soon after.

Sandra stiffened, “Of course, it’s real. What kind of question is that?”

Sophie stepped forward, calm and smart in a way that made her look older than her years. “Because it looks exactly like the one Auntie Gladys sells at the market. The one that turns green after a week. Except hers is cheaper.”

I nearly choked.

Zarah, who had been watching from the side with folded arms and a smug smile, suddenly frowned.

Sandra tried to laugh. “Don’t be silly. I bought this from a jewelry store.”

Sophie pointed to the necklace now proudly displayed on Zarah’s mother’s neck. “It’s too shiny. Real gold doesn’t reflect light like that. And the clasp... it’s the kind found on costume jewelry. Plus, when you gave it, you were too quick to pull off the tag. Why? Was there something you didn’t want us to see?”

I blinked. My daughter wasn’t just brave—she was brilliant.

Sandra’s face flushed red. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s real. I bought it from a proper store.”

“Which one?” Sophie asked. “Because I know all the stores in our area, and none of them sell that style. Unless it was second-hand.”

People were gathering now. Guests leaned in and the murmurs grew louder.

I tried to signal Sophie to stop, but she didn’t even glance at me.

“You can show the receipt,” Sophie added casually, her voice full of fake innocence. “That way no one thinks you’re lying.”

Sandra’s mouth opened. Then shut. Then opened again. It was like a mini cycle.

“Why would I carry a receipt to a party?” she finally said.

Sophie smiled. “Because it’s expensive, right? Most people keep those. Especially if it’s real gold.”

The crowd buzzed louder.

Zarah’s mother, who had just been enjoying compliments on her gift, now looked down at the necklace like it had turned into a snake.

“You mean this might be fake?” she asked, her voice sharp and her eyes were filled with thick venom.

Sandra looked around, her face was so red like a boiled shrimp and even her hands trembled subtly.

Sandra looked around, laughter tightening her voice. “I don’t need to argue with a child.”

Just then, Zarah walked over, her face tight with forced calm. “What’s going on here?” She decided to intervene after all the commotion though entertaining wasn’t something that would look good on her.

“Your cousin’s daughter is causing a scene,” Sandra said. “Making baseless accusations.”

Sophie stepped closer. “It’s not baseless. If it’s real, let someone check.”

The crowd murmured. A tall woman in a silver dress stepped forward. “I work in a jewelry store,” she said. “If you don’t mind, I can help verify.”

Zarah hesitated. She looked between her mother and Sandra, clearly displeased with the chaos but more annoyed that it reflected badly on her. “Fine. Go ahead.”

Sandra stepped back. “There’s no need—”

“Too late,” Zarah cut in.

The woman examined the necklace closely, lifting it, inspecting the clasp, even rubbing it slightly. The crowd leaned in.

“This isn’t real gold,” she finally said. “It’s plated. Good quality, but not solid gold.”

Sandra’s mouth opened and closed like a fish caught on dry land. “That’s not possible! It’s—”

Tera suddenly grabbed her by the wrist. “You lied to Grandma Zarah!” He shouted. “You’re fake like your necklace!”

The crowd broke into muffled laughter. Zarah’s mother touched the necklace now with disappointment.

Sandra pulled away from Tera. “Let go of me, you brat!”

But Tera held firm. “You said mean things about my Mama. You don’t get to stay!”

Terry grabbed her arm. “Let’s go.”

“But—”

“Now,” he said, pulling her through the crowd.

Terry didn’t even look at me. He just walked away with her, both of them swallowed by the crowd’s judging whispers.

They left fast, heads ducked, the crowd parting with soft murmurs of “How embarrassing” and “She’s always been fake anyway.”

I stood frozen.

Sophie returned to my side, still calm.

“Sophie...” I started.

She looked up at me. “No one talks to you like that, Mama. Not while we’re around.”

My heart squeezed.

I dropped to my knees and hugged her tight.

“I’m supposed to protect you,” I whispered.

“And I’m supposed to protect you too,” she replied softly.

Zarah walked over, arms still crossed.

“Cute trick,” she said, her lips twisted. “But don’t think this changes anything. You’re still not welcome here. And you never will be.”

I stood, still holding Sophie’s hand.

“I didn’t come here to be welcome. I came for your mother. I came with respect, even when you all tried to bury me in shame. But guess what?”

Zarah said nothing.

I smiled. “Respect can’t be bought. And I already have more of it than you ever will.”

I turned away before she could respond.

We walked back to the shaded corner, and Mama finally exhaled.

“That girl...” she mumbled. “Sandra’s always been trouble.”

“She’s gone now,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

But the moment I sat, the weight hit me.

I looked at my children. Their worn shoes hand their second-hand clothes stung my eyes.

But they were Eight beautiful souls.

And I couldn’t even promise them the best life.

What kind of mother was I?

My eyes burned.

I turned away, but Sophie saw it.

She crawled into my lap.

“You okay, Mama?”

I nodded. “Just tired.”

She leaned her head on my chest. “You know, I don’t want anything fancy.”

I looked down. “What do you mean?”

She smiled. “I mean... I don’t care if we don’t have big houses or lots of toys. I just want to be with you. That’s more than enough.”

I couldn’t hold it anymore.

I cried.

Not because I was weak.

But because her words reminded me that I still had something richer than gold.

Love.

And I’d guard it with my life.

I held Sophie close. Then one by one, all my kids crowded around me, hugging, giggling, and chatting like nothing bad had ever happened.

Let them call us poor.

Let them laugh.

Because we were rich in what mattered.

And that... that would always be enough.