Their laughter echoed on the rooftop where they sat at the resort, with a few drinks on the round table before them. It was evening and an afrobeat music could be heard playing in the background of the bar. “Daren, I’m really so happy for you. I can’t wait for the company to be fully handed over to you,” Evan said with a smile. He adjusted the collar of his dress as he sipped from his beer. “Thank you, Evan,” he said with a smile. “You know, you’re so fortunate to be born in a golden family, with a silver spoon in your mouth. I mean, you don’t have to toil hard like the rest of us before you reach greater heights. I’m really so happy for you, man,” Evan said again. “Well, it’s not as easy as you think. Like this one, I had to work for it,” he said with a chuckle and they both laughed. “Look at you, What work did you do except for the work you usually do in the bedroom?Ehh?” Evan asked with laughter and they both laughed uncontrollably. He heaved a sigh and his face beamed

10 MONTHS LATER. Her laughter echoed around the room as she watched Daren and their daughter, May, who was throwing her first steps in front of her daddy. She was 11 months old already and she had grown into a beautiful fair skin baby with adorable eyes and thick black hair. “Come on, baby, do it!” Daren cried in excitement as he watched her throw her frail legs. She fell and they both laughed. “I told you, she’s just a lazy princess,” she said from the bed and he frowned. “Don’t you dare call my princess lazy, next time,” he warned and she giggled. “What are you gonna do?” She asked with laughter. “Da..da..,” they heard May’s tiny voice behind them and they both turned Immediately. “Oh no, she just called daddy!” Daren exclaimed. “No, that’s not possible, I think she meant, mama,” Melisa argued as she shook her head in disbelief. “Say it again, baby!” She could hear Daren saying to the baby as he knelt in front of her. “Da da,” May’s tiny voice came again. “Wow

She couldn’t help but smile as she watched May dancing in front of the 63 inch tv on the shelf. They were at Rita’s place that afternoon and May’s giggles filled the living room as she danced excitedly to the cartoon music playing on the tv. “So, Daren asked about the transfer you made yesterday?” Rita’s voice came from the dining table where she sat, chopping onions. “Yes, I told you, he is becoming suspicious,” she replied from the couch. “You shouldn’t give him any room for suspicion. I’m glad you came up with the Idea of transferring the money into my account,” Rita said. “Yes, that was what killed it, else, his suspicions would have risen so high,” she said and Rita smiled. “Um..did you transfer the money to that bastard already?” She asked. “Um..yes..I.did,” she replied Immediately. “Oh, let me prepare this delicious Jollof rice so fast. I know my baby May must be terribly hungry right now,” she said as she stood up from her seat and proceeded to the kitchen. From

She laid on the bed with her gaze settled on the beautiful screeded ceiling. She was lost in thought and she tossed on her bed uncomfortably as she couldn’t catch some sleep. It’s been two days since she flared up before Daren and ever since then, he hadn’t spoken a word to her. The thought of it made her heart bitter and she heaved a sigh of frustration. She sat up on the bed as she thought of Jerry. He hadn’t called since their last encounter. What is he up to? She thought. What if he is planning something stupid? She thought again as she ran her hand into her hair. She stood up from the bed and paced around the room slowly. What if he comes right in front of the whole family and spills the truth about May? She reasoned and her heart began to race. She thought about Rita and her face pulled into a frown. She was her only companion and the only one she could share her problems with. The same Rita was the one who had put her into this mess and also backstabbed her. No, she wasn’t

Her loud cries could be heard as she was thrown into the cold empty room without windows. She sat on the floor and shifted closer to the wall with her arms curled around her knees. She began to sob heavily with her body trembling as she thought of what awaits her in the hands of the Taiwo's family. She thought of Daren and her heart cringed. Her heart became heavy as she thought of what he would be going through right now. She thought of May and the treatment she might be receiving from everyone in the family who might be avoiding her like a plague. "Oh, how did I get here? Oh Rita, it will never be well with you. For misleading me into this path, Rita, it will never be well with you!" She cried as tears poured down her face freely. * "No! This can't be true! This can't be true!" Evan yelled as he paced around the small moderately furnished living room. "I can't believe Lisa would do this, I mean, she loves you too much to have cheated on you. No, there is more to this," Toyo