CHAPTER 5

Six years later...

“Surprise!! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday...”

A smile flitted across my lips as the voices of my triplets filled the atmosphere. I swiveled on the bed and peeled my eyes open just as they stepped into my bedroom while balancing a chocolate cake in their hands.

The rich aroma of cake filled the room, making my lips water.

Of course! My kids knew I loved chocolate. Had they baked this themselves?

A chuckle erupted from the hallway as their nanny appeared at the doorway. Mrs. Chukwuemeka leaned on the door post, our eyes meeting for a moment.

“...How old are you now? How old are you no–w?...” My triplets chanted, carefully climbing my bed.

Grinning, I sat up, against the plush pillows, running my hands over the silk sheets before join them.

“I’m twenty-eight years today. I’m twenty-eight years today. I’m twenty-eight...I’m twenty-eight, I’m twenty-eight years today!!”

The kids broke into joyful squeals.

“May God bless you now!” they sang. “May God bless you now! May God bless n-now...May God bless you now!”

“Hip! Hip! Hip?!” Mrs. Chukwuemeka called.

“Hooray!!” the kids hollered, dumping the cake on my lap, and lifting their hands in the air, and hugging me.

And just like that, the tears I've been fighting came gushing down my face.

Years ago, I never imagined this moment. I had no idea that life still had something this beautiful in store for me.

It'd been six years since I left the States and landed in Port Harcourt, a bustling city of Nigeria.

Six years since I started over and built a life that no longer hurt to wake up to.

Life hadn't just been good—it had been better than I'd ever dared hope.

I landed my dream job at Allwell Group, climbed through four promotions, and built a home where my children never had to wonder if tomorrow would be kinder than yesterday.

“Stop, Damian!” Eloise, my eldest by ten seconds, scolded as her younger brother reached for the icing. “You will ruin mommy’s cake.”

“I was just adjusting the icing!” Damian, my second child, defended

“You weren’t!” Eloise retorted and turned to my youngest. “Wasn't he about to lick the icing, Nathaniel?”

“Can we not fight this morning? It's mommy’s birthday,” Nathaniel muttered in his usual soft voice.

Laughing, I wiped the last of my tears and studied the cake. The icing was a little messy, the writing slightly crooked, but it was perfect in my eyes.

“Did you guys really make this?” I asked.

“Yes!” Eloise answered, lifting her head with pride. “We did everything!”

Damian scoffed. “No, we didn't. Mrs. Chukwuemeka helped a lot.”

Eloise shot him a glare. “That’s not true! We cracked the eggs, mixed the batter, and poured it into the pan all by ourselves!”

“Except for the first batch,” Nathaniel calmly reminded her.

Eloise’s cheeks turned pink. “That was an accident! I… might have dropped an eggshell in the batter. But it was just one time!" she gestured with an index finger.

I laughed so hard it hurt, shaking my head.

They argued over everything... and somehow always made up before I could scold either of them.

“Well, I appreciate all the effort,” I said, studying the cake. “This is the best birthday cake ever,” I praised.

“Blow the candle and make your wish, Mommy,” the triplets chorused.

Exhaling, I closed my eyes and wished for a partner. I mean, I was successful, healthy, and raising my own kids. It would be nice to have someone to come home to.

Upon reopening my eyes, I blew the candle!

The kids squealed and clapped their hands, their nanny joining them. Warmed by their love, I cut the cake and gave everyone a piece, myself included. Hmmn, it tasted good.

Just as I took another bite, my phone rang. Ruth. Mrs. Chukwuemeka and I exchanged a knowing smile.

“Alright, children. Time to dress up for school.”

She stepped forward and led them out of the room. I mouthed a ‘thank you’ to her before sauntering to the window and answering the call.

“Hello, Ruth.”

“Happy birthday, Mabel!” she cheered, and we burst into laughter.

My best friend and I have stayed in touch since the evening I secured the interview with Allwell Group. I’d reached out to her and shared the good news, but not without apologizing for suddenly leaving the States and ghosting her all those months.

It was hard, but I opened up to her about what had happened with Mr. Rivera at the Forte-nite ball. Ruth had been sympathetic, as usual, understanding.

We’d reconciled instantly.

But I’ve kept the motherhood aspect of my life from her.

Until I’m ready to introduce the triplets to my past, I’d chosen to keep them a secret— safe and hidden.

“Thanks, Ruth,” I mumbled.

“So, how are you celebrating your special day?” she asked. “Are you going out on a date?”

“No.” I shrugged. “Probably curled up on the couch with a bottle of champagne.”

“Champagne?” Ruth laughed. “Oh, I’ve forgotten. You’re a rich lady now,” she drawled and we shared a laugh.

My phone buzzed.

A message from my boss.

‘Report to my office first thing.’

Another message.

‘This is important.’

A knot tightened in my stomach. I stared at her messages... wondering, had something happened?

“Is everything okay?” Ruth asked, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Y-yes,” I stuttered, placing the phone against my ear again.

“Oh, I miss you so much,” she murmured, her voice quieter and edgy with emotions. “Maybe you should visit soon.”

“I will, Ruth. Very soon.”

“That's what you always say, Mabel. But you never come or allow me to visit you either. It’s truly unfair.”

Guilt wrenched my heart.

The only reason I hadn't visited or let her come over was because I was hiding the triplets. An ache pushed my heart, the pain of hiding something as sensitive as this from her.

“I promise we'll meet again soon, Ruth. But right now I have to go now.”

Ruth hesitated as though perceiving something odd. But she didn't push it.

“Alright. Talk to you later, birthday girl!”

I beamed. “Bye.”

With a deep breath, I ended the call and glanced again at my boss's text. There had to be a reason she asked to see me this early... What could it be?

I lowered my phone on the nightstand and headed into the bathroom.

Moments later, I studied my reflection before the vanity.

For the day, I’d slipped into a white pantsuit tailored to my slender figure. The blazer hugged my shoulders perfectly, paired with trousers that fell effortlessly over my latest Jimmy Choo stilettos.

My diamond watch caught the sunlight as I grabbed my handbag and phone from the nightstand.

Satisfied with my look, I headed out of my bedroom.

I descended the grand stairs, heels clicking softly against the marble floor. The laughter of the kids reached my ears from the dining room.

“Hurry up, sweeties, or we’ll be late!” I called out.

“Last one's a rotten banana!” Damian blurted, and they erupted with squeals as they gulped down the last bites of their breakfast and raced toward the terrace.

“Good morning, Ma'am.” My housekeeper handed me my coffee, and I joined the kids outside.

A sleek black SUV waited outside, the driver holding the door open. He gave a slight bow as the kids filed in, and I followed seconds later, gently shutting the door after us.

Sunlight filtered through the windscreen as our car glided along the streets of Port Harcourt. The traffic was light, the city just stirring from its night’s rest.

My phone buzzed on my lap—a reminder of my boss’s text. I took a deep breath and a slow sip of coffee.

“It's your birthday, Mommy,” Eloise said, all teeth. “Where are you taking us after school today?”

A warm smile spilled across my lips. “Where would you like to go, honey?”

“I want to visit the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park!” Damian blurted.

“I want to visit the zoo,” Eloise murmured, and our gazes drifted to Nathaniel who was suddenly quiet.

“Nat, what about you?” I asked.

My youngest hesitated for a second too long, then in low voice, deviated from the topic entirely.

“Everyone in my class has a daddy. Where’s our Daddy, Mommy?”