CHAPTER 6

THE TRUTH ABOUT CLARA

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and fear.

Amara ran down the corridor of UPTH, her slippers slapping loudly. Evelyn was waiting outside Ward C.

"He's inside. Minor fracture in his leg, some bruises. A truck brushed his car on his way back from Eleme site. He's awake."

Amara pushed the door open.

Daniel was lying on the bed, his leg in a cast, his forehead bandaged. He looked pale and tired. But when he saw her, his eyes lit up.

"You came," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

"I was worried," she said, tears already falling. She sat beside him.

And then she saw her. Standing by the window, holding a bag of fruits.

Clara.

Clara looked different without makeup. Smaller. Nervous.

Amara's heart tightened. Her fists clenched. "What is she doing here?

Clara stepped forward. "Amara, right? I think we need to talk. Outside?

"I have nothing to say to you," Amara snapped.

"Please. Five minutes. For him."

Daniel looked at Amara. "Please listen to her."

Amara followed Clara to the corridor, her body shaking with anger.

Clara didn't waste time.

"I liked Daniel," she said bluntly. "From the first day I saw him. He was kind, different from the men I know. I knew he had a girlfriend - you - in Lagos. I thought if I stayed close, posted pictures, made you jealous... you would leave him and I would have a chance."

Amara stared at her, shocked by the honesty.

"I encouraged the rumors," Clara continued, tears now. "I told people in the office that we were close. I asked a friend to send you that first photo. I wanted him. But he rejected me. Every single time. Even when you two were fighting, he told me he was in love with you. He told me to stay away from him last week. He said 'I am waiting for my wife to forgive me.'"

Amara covered her mouth.

Clara wiped her eyes. "I came today because my father heard about the accident. I felt guilty. I made things look worse than they were because I wanted him. I'm sorry. He never cheated on you, Amara. He was just... too polite to be rude to a client. That's his fault, not cheating."

Amara couldn't breathe. All those nights she cried in Lagos, all those fights, all the doubt... it was based on a lie she chose to believe.

She walked back into the ward, tears streaming.

Daniel was looking at her.

"I told you the truth," he said softly. "Every time.

Amara broke. She knelt beside his bed and took his hand.

"I was wrong, Daniel. I was so wrong. I lost you because I let fear speak louder than trust. My father left, so I thought you would leave too."

Daniel reached out with his bandaged hand and touched her face.

"I was afraid too," he whispered. "Afraid of losing you.

Their fingers intertwined.

For the first time in six months, there was no distance between them. No Lagos, no Clara, no Vanessa. Just them.

But the doctor came in at that moment.

"Family only, please. He needs rest. And his leg will need physiotherapy for three months. He cannot walk without help."

Amara looked at Daniel.

Three months. She would have to stay. She would have to take care of the man she broke up with.

And she didn't know if he would let her.