All Chapters of The reluctant vow: Chapter 221 - Chapter 230

The morning sun poured gently through the tall windows of the Kareem mansion, painting golden streaks across the living room floor. It was one of those rare, peaceful afternoons that felt suspended in time — the kind Zara had dreamed about. The gender reveal party had passed a week ago, and its joy still lingered like a warm glow in her chest. The media was still abuzz, headlines calling her “Mama Kareem Times Two,” and family visits had become a daily occurrence.For the first time in months, Zara’s heart felt light. She was no longer constantly glancing over her shoulder or scrolling through old emails with trembling hands. Her days were filled with nursery plans, prenatal appointments, and soft conversations with Regan about the future. The shadows of the past had begun to fade — or at least, that’s what she believed.Across town, Kemi sat in a cozy café, sipping on a cup of hibiscus tea as she scrolled absentmindedly through her phone. It was supposed to be a lazy afternoon, but t

The soft creak of the nursery door pulled Zara from her spiraling thoughts. She didn’t turn — she didn’t need to. The faint scent of Kemi’s vanilla perfume and the gentle rhythm of her footsteps were instantly familiar.“Hey,” Kemi said softly, leaning against the doorframe. “I figured you’d be up here.”Zara stayed seated in the rocking chair, her gaze fixed on the two empty cribs across the room. The silence stretched between them — not uncomfortable, but weighted. Kemi didn’t try to fill it with more arguments or reasons. She knew her best friend too well for that.Instead, she crossed the room and crouched beside Zara, resting a comforting hand over hers. “I’m not here to change your mind,” she whispered. “I just want you to know something.”Zara blinked back fresh tears, finally meeting her friend’s eyes.“Whatever you decide,” Kemi continued, her voice steady and sincere, “whether you choose peace or you choose the truth — I’m with you. Always. You’re my sister, Zara. And I’ll w

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Kareem mansion, casting golden light across the nursery where Zara and Regan had spent the early hours arranging little cribs, toys, and tiny blankets. Laughter filled the air as they debated over stuffed animals — whether the twins should have matching ones or personalities reflected in different colors.Zara’s fingers brushed the soft fabric of a pastel teddy bear, and she smiled, feeling a warmth she hadn’t experienced in months. Regan, grinning mischievously, held up two miniature rocking chairs. “One for each of our tiny rulers,” he joked. “We can’t have a monarchy with only one throne.”The day was punctuated by lighthearted shopping trips, choosing nursery decorations, and planning future milestones — first steps, birthdays, school supplies. Zara felt a surge of gratitude for these ordinary moments, for the sense of safety and love that surrounded her.But beneath the joy, a quiet tension lingered. Her phone rested in her bag,

The restaurant was tucked away in one of Lagos’ quieter corners — an upscale yet discreet place, the kind where business deals were sealed and secrets were exchanged over coffee. The soft hum of jazz played in the background, but for Zara, every note only heightened the tension coiling inside her chest.She sat at a corner booth with Kemi, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The napkin before her had been twisted into knots — a clear reflection of the turmoil in her mind. Her heart thudded against her ribs, the weight of what she was about to learn pressing down on her like a stone.“Breathe,” Kemi whispered, placing a steadying hand over hers. “No matter what he says, we’ll face it together.”Zara nodded, but her breath still came in shallow, nervous bursts. She felt like a child again — the same girl who had spent sleepless nights wondering what had happened to her sister, the same girl haunted by an unfinished story.When the private investigator finally walked in, her stomach dr

Three days passed after the call with the private investigator — three long days of planning, debating, and nervous anticipation. Zara and Kemi had started preparing quietly for the journey to Kwara, making lists of everything they might need, researching routes, even checking weather forecasts. But the one thing they couldn’t prepare for was who would be joining them.It was late in the afternoon when Kemi’s phone buzzed. She had been lounging in the sitting room, a mug of tea balanced on her lap and a restless feeling churning in her chest. The notification flashed across her screen: a new message from the PI.“Here’s the contact. He’s agreed to help. - PI”Attached beneath the message was a phone number.Kemi’s heart skipped. This was it — the final piece of the plan. She quickly sat up, pushing her tea aside, and tapped the number to dial. But just as her thumb hovered over the green button, something strange happened. Her screen lit up with a familiar name.Nathan.She froze.For