NewStats: 3,261,538 , 8,174,313 topics. Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 03:17 PM 2b546j

Chapter 30


Letting the cool air graze my skin, I sat by the pavement, staring at nothing in particular, forcing myself to ignore the excruciating pain in my heart. It’s been two days since Uduak regained consciousness, yet she has refused to see or speak to me.

I understand her hurt, but I only did what I thought was best, for both of us. I couldn’t lose her. I just couldn’t. I feel terrible about what happened, but if I had to make the choice again, I’d still choose her, over and over and over, as many times as it takes. Because she’s all I’ve got.

If the child had lived, then what? I can barely keep my own life together, let alone raise a newborn. And it’s not like the father would care, he’s the one who gave the instruction to terminate the pregnancy.

Sniffing, I wiped the tears from my eyes and gripped my dress like it was the only thing keeping me from falling apart. It hits differently when the one person you would climb a mountain for wants absolutely nothing to do with you. It really does.

I flinched at the sudden touch of someone beside me.

“Relax, it’s me” Richard said with a small, amused smile.

I scoffed. He actually thinks this is funny?

“What do you want?” I asked, refusing to look at him.

I still hold a grudge against him, a deep, hateful one. And the fact that he hasn’t left my side since only makes it worse. Does he really think his presence makes everything okay? That covering all the bills somehow clears his record? He better think again.

“I think it’s time we leave” he said.

“Huh?” I blinked, unsure I heard him right.
“Leave to where?” I scoffed again. “Have you completely lost it?” Turning to face him fully, I let out a bitter laugh.
“You’ve really lost it, Richard. Leave to where? My sister is in there, and you have the guts to-”

“Ruby, calm down, okay?” he said gently.

“Don’t freaking tell me to calm down!” I snapped. What gave him the right to talk to me like that after being so rude, condescending, and arrogant? If this is guilt or pity, I don’t want it.

He exhaled deeply and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

“Doctor Samuel has volunteered to take Uduak in after she’s discharged…”

I stared at him, confused.

He swallowed, clearly uncomfortable. He looked like someone about to drop an atomic bomb.

“Uduak doesn’t want to see you again. She’s turned down every offer we’ve made to help her. Says she wants nothing from either of us. So, Doctor Samuel offered to step in and take care of her after she leaves the hospital”

I chuckled nervously. “What are you saying?” I searched his eyes, hoping, praying, that this was some twisted prank.

He hesitated, unsure of how to make me understand. “Your sister doesn’t want to go with you. She doesn’t want anything to do with you”

I burst into bitter laughter, clapping my hands ridiculously. “My sister would never say that”

But my heart was trembling, and the defeated look on his face told me everything. She did say that. Uduak really said that.
How? Why?

Without thinking, I jumped up and ran inside the building. I needed to hear it from her.


❤️❤️❤️❤️

“You didn’t say that, did you?” I asked breathlessly as I barged into her room.

“Ini, leave” she said coldly.

Scoffing in disbelief, I leaned against the wall for . My legs were shaking. This couldn’t be happening.

“Sunday Ruby Iniobong, I said leave” she repeated, this time more firmly.

“I freaking heard you, UD! I bloody heard you!” I screamed, on the verge of losing my mind. “So that’s it?” I asked, tears welling in my eyes. “You’re just going to ask me to leave?”

“Yes! I want you to leave. I never want to see you again” she spat.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

“You took the most precious thing away from me. That little one was all that mattered to me”

“At the cost of your own life?” I forced out, my knees buckling.

“Yes, even if it meant my life. I told you, Ini, I told you to save my baby. I saying those words to you. But no, you thought you could be the hero again. You always want to save the day. Well, guess what? I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m your elder sister, and I have a right to make my own decisions. And I did. But you went against it”.

I stared at her, speechless, my eyes filling with tears.

“Now what?” she continued, her voice breaking. “I have no one. Absolutely no one now…”

“UD, you have me” I whispered through sobs.

She let out a bitter laugh. “You? The same you that took my precious little one away? You must be joking”

What is she saying? Can someone explain this to me?

Slowly, I sank to the cold, tiled floor, my body collapsing under the weight of it all. We stayed silent for a while, only the sound of our sniffles echoing in the room.

I heard footsteps but didn’t bother to look up. My head was pounding, and I had no strength left.

“Ruby, you don’t have to worry about her” Doctor Samuel said gently. “She’ll be fine”.

Nodding faintly, I forced myself up from the floor. I gave Uduak a weak, strained smile and walked toward her.

“I’ll leave, okay? I’m sorry for everything. I hope one day you’ll forgive me. Be fine, alright?”

Taking a deep breath, I turned around and walked towards the door then paused. Turning around I looked at her for a while, then walked out the door.

This is for the best.


---

Richard’s POV

My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I drove Ruby and me to Senator Sunday’s hotel. She’d asked me to take her there. I didn’t ask questions, I just agreed.

Catching a glimpse of her from the corner of my eye, I felt a pang of guilt. She did what she thought was right for her sister. Uduak shouldn’t have treated her like that. If it were Dave, I would’ve done the same.

Just when I thought things might finally get better, this happened. How can Ruby ever forgive me now? The chances feel so slim. I feel terrible, absolutely terrible.

We arrived, and I pulled into the parking lot. I moved to open the door for her, but she was already out before I could.

Taking the lead, I walked ahead of her into the tall green building, wondering what this sudden visit to her father was all about.

Pulling out my phone, I dialed his number.

“It’s me” I said when he answered. “We’re here”

Sochee123:
Please can we drop out s without quoting the full writeup again?

I almost thought there was a new update just no 🥲

For me oo, since the ghost reader choose not to comment as you have done. Those quoting will fill their spaces 😁😁😁

What a sumptuous attack ( parading in the form of air) towards the senator 😁😁
Thanks for the update boss

I think Richie has been in with the senator before now concerning the happening of things between his daughters, the hospital situation and all.

I feel this phone call is just to give the senator a heads up.

My two cents

Senator will received better mouth lash Wotoporiously

The people r waiting.......

Hello Op, how are you? We your readers are patiently waiting for your update.

Chapter 31

Richard’s POV

I had no idea why Ruby insisted we come here. She said she needed to see him but gave me nothing more. Her face was blank, her voice calm, too calm. The kind of calm that made your chest tighten with unease.

The moment we stepped into the palatial house, the air shifted. Ruby walked ahead like she’d been here a thousand times.

Senator Sunday appeared at the end of the hallway, dressed in his signature flowing kaftan and cap, holding his phone to his ear.
He paused when he saw us.

“Ah, Richard, my boy!” His face lit up. “I wasn’t expecting you today. I assume this is official?”

His eyes barely acknowledged Ruby.

Before I could respond, before any greetings could be exchanged, a loud, resounding slap echoed through the room.

Slap!!

I froze. My breath caught.

Ruby’s hand was still in the air. The senator's face turned sharply to the side, disbelief painted across his features.

“That’s for me!” she barked, her voice thick with rage and pain.

“What the-” he barely muttered.

Slap!!!

Another one. Right across the other cheek.

“That’s for Uduak!”

My senses jolted back to life. I rushed toward her, trying to pull her back, trying to stop whatever this was….. but I was too late.

Slap!!!!!

A third one. So hard his cap flew off and hit the floor.

“And that’s for the child she lost!”

Ruby’s chest heaved against mine as I finally managed to restrain her, her back pressing into me like a weight she could no longer carry on her own.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Senator Sunday stared at her with wide, stunned eyes. His lips trembled, but no words came out.

“Ruby, what the hell are you doing?” I whispered behind her, more out of shock than disapproval.

But she didn’t respond. Her eyes were fixed on the man who had once been her father. I have never seen her this furious and angry. And in that moment, I realized, this wasn’t madness. This was liberation.

“You ruined her,” Ruby said through clenched teeth, eyes blazing. “You ruined Uduak. And you walked away like nothing happened. Like she doesn’t exist. Like we’re disposable.”

“Is this how you were raised?” he finally spoke, trying to regain his composure, his voice trembling with indignation. “You barge into my house to insult me?”

Ruby scoffed. “Raised by who? You?” She laughed bitterly. “You don’t get to pull the father card now. Not after what you did.”

He turned to me then. “And you just let her assault me like this? Richard!”

“I didn’t know this was going to happen,” I said quietly. “But maybe you deserved it.”

Senator Sunday’s eyes narrowed at me, then back at Ruby. “You think this is how justice works? You think slapping me will fix anything?”

“No,” Ruby said, finally stepping away from me. “But it’s a damn good start.”

Senator Sunday’s hand twitched, his face contorting as though he was about to explode.

“You think you can walk in here, slap me like a common thug, and go scot-free?” he bellowed.
“Ruby, I swear, you’ve crossed the line!”
His voice echoed through the mansion, but Ruby didn’t flinch. She stood her ground like a statue carved out of fire and steel.

“Crossed the line?” she echoed. “No, you crossed the line the day you looked Uduak in the face and said she was nothing. You crossed it the day you let her bleed alone while you poured champagne with your precious sons!”

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that-”

“I dare!” she thundered back, her eyes blazing.

He took a step forward, his index finger pointing at her. “I’ll make sure you regret this. I’ll strip you of anything that ties you to this family. You’ll be cut off-”

“Cut me off from what?” she scoffed. “From a father who already discarded me like trash? From a name I stopped answering years ago?”

I could see the veins bulging in his neck. The man was fuming, humiliated, and furious.

“Actually,” she said, folding her arms, “I came here for something else.”

Senator Sunday blinked.

“I want what’s mine. And Uduak’s.”
He frowned, confused. “What the hell are you talking about now?”

“The property. The one Granddad left for us before he died. The one worth seven billion naira.”

Silence.

His face tightened. He said nothing.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” she said. “You seized it. Told everyone it didn’t concern us because we’re girls. That we weren’t entitled to anything while your sons, who barely knew Granddad got a free .”

“You were not interested!” he barked. “Neither of you lifted a finger. The paperwork was just sitting there-”

“Because we thought it was pointless!” Ruby cut in. “Because you made it clear we weren’t allowed to dream of owning anything beyond your pity. But guess what? I’m done playing small for your comfort.”

“You won’t get a kobo!” he spat.

She took a step forward, chin raised. “Then prepare for war. I’ll go to court. I’ll tell the press. I’ll pull every string necessary. That property is our right, and I’ll make sure Uduak gets her half, even if I have to drag your name through the filth you buried us in.”

Senator Sunday looked like he’d just swallowed acid. “You’re just like your mother. Stubborn. Mouthy. Disrespectful.”

“And yet here I am still standing. Still speaking. Still coming for everything you stole.”

She paused as if ing something “I'm nothing like my mother, just so you know. She's as terrible as you are!” She spat. "Likes attracts after all".

He turned to me as if seeking backup, but I just stood there, quiet. Torn. Watching a lioness fight for her pride.

“You’re making a mistake,” he warned her.

“No,” Ruby replied, eyes locked on his. “You made the mistake when you thought we’d stay silent forever.”

Happy Sunday y'all🥰, sorry for keeping you guys waiting.

A big Thank You to all my commenters, I appreciate you guys♥️. And, my ghost readers, I greet una oh☺️

ZaraIhua:
Happy Sunday y'all🥰, sorry for keeping you guys waiting.

A big Thank You to all my commenters, I appreciate you guys♥️. And, my ghost readers, I greet una oh☺️

Thanks fit this update

That is a very good one from Ini.

I hope we don't have to wait for a month before another episode drops

Mehn, this is getting fierce full by the day

[quote author=ZaraIhua post=135326714]Chapter 31

Richard’s POV

I had no idea why Ruby insisted we come here. She said she needed to see him but gave me nothing more. Her face was blank, her voice calm, too calm. The kind of calm that made your chest tighten with unease.

The moment we stepped into the palatial house, the air shifted. Ruby walked ahead like she’d been here a thousand times.

Senator Sunday appeared at the end of the hallway, dressed in his signature flowing kaftan and cap, holding his phone to his ear.
He paused when he saw us.

“Ah, Richard, my boy!” His face lit up. “I wasn’t expecting you today. I assume this is official?”

His eyes barely acknowledged Ruby.

Before I could respond, before any greetings could be exchanged, a loud, resounding slap echoed through the room.

Slap!!

I froze. My breath caught.

Ruby’s hand was still in the air. The senator's face turned sharply to the side, disbelief painted across his features.

“That’s for me!” she barked, her voice thick with rage and pain.

“What the-” he barely muttered.

Slap!!!

Another one. Right across the other cheek.

“That’s for Uduak!”

My senses jolted back to life. I rushed toward her, trying to pull her back, trying to stop whatever this was….. but I was too late.

Slap!!!!!

A third one. So hard his cap flew off and hit the floor.

“And that’s for the child she lost!”

Ruby’s chest heaved against mine as I finally managed to restrain her, her back pressing into me like a weight she could no longer carry on her own.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Senator Sunday stared at her with wide, stunned eyes. His lips trembled, but no words came out.

“Ruby, what the hell are you doing?” I whispered behind her, more out of shock than disapproval.

But she didn’t respond. Her eyes were fixed on the man who had once been her father. I have never seen her this furious and angry. And in that moment, I realized, this wasn’t madness. This was liberation.

“You ruined her,” Ruby said through clenched teeth, eyes blazing. “You ruined Uduak. And you walked away like nothing happened. Like she doesn’t exist. Like we’re disposable.”

“Is this how you were raised?” he finally spoke, trying to regain his composure, his voice trembling with indignation. “You barge into my house to insult me?”

Ruby scoffed. “Raised by who? You?” She laughed bitterly. “You don’t get to pull the father card now. Not after what you did.”

He turned to me then. “And you just let her assault me like this? Richard!”

“I didn’t know this was going to happen,” I said quietly. “But maybe you deserved it.”

Senator Sunday’s eyes narrowed at me, then back at Ruby. “You think this is how justice works? You think slapping me will fix anything?”

“No,” Ruby said, finally stepping away from me. “But it’s a damn good start.”

Senator Sunday’s hand twitched, his face contorting as though he was about to explode.

“You think you can walk in here, slap me like a common thug, and go scot-free?” he bellowed.
“Ruby, I swear, you’ve crossed the line!”
His voice echoed through the mansion, but Ruby didn’t flinch. She stood her ground like a statue carved out of fire and steel.

“Crossed the line?” she echoed. “No, you crossed the line the day you looked Uduak in the face and said she was nothing. You crossed it the day you let her bleed alone while you poured champagne with your precious sons!”

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that-”

“I dare!” she thundered back, her eyes blazing.

He took a step forward, his index finger pointing at her. “I’ll make sure you regret this. I’ll strip you of anything that ties you to this family. You’ll be cut off-”

“Cut me off from what?” she scoffed. “From a father who already discarded me like trash? From a name I stopped answering years ago?”

I could see the veins bulging in his neck. The man was fuming, humiliated, and furious.

“Actually,” she said, folding her arms, “I came here for something else.”

Senator Sunday blinked.

“I want what’s mine. And Uduak’s.”
He frowned, confused. “What the hell are you talking about now?”

“The property. The one Granddad left for us before he died. The one worth seven billion naira.”

Silence.

His face tightened. He said nothing.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” she said. “You seized it. Told everyone it didn’t concern us because we’re girls. That we weren’t entitled to anything while your sons, who barely knew Granddad got a free .”

“You were not interested!” he barked. “Neither of you lifted a finger. The paperwork was just sitting there-”

“Because we thought it was pointless!” Ruby cut in. “Because you made it clear we weren’t allowed to dream of owning anything beyond your pity. But guess what? I’m done playing small for your comfort.”

“You won’t get a kobo!” he spat.

She took a step forward, chin raised. “Then prepare for war. I’ll go to court. I’ll tell the press. I’ll pull every string necessary. That property is our right, and I’ll make sure Uduak gets her half, even if I have to drag your name through the filth you buried us in.”

Senator Sunday looked like he’d just swallowed acid. “You’re just like your mother. Stubborn. Mouthy. Disrespectful.”

“And yet here I am still standing. Still speaking. Still coming for everything you stole.”

She paused as if ing something “I'm nothing like my mother, just so you know. She's as terrible as you are!” She spat. "Likes attracts after all".

He turned to me as if seeking backup, but I just stood there, quiet. Torn. Watching a lioness fight for her pride.

“You’re making a mistake,” he warned her.

“No,” Ruby replied, eyes locked on his. “You made the mistake when you thought we’d stay silent forever.”

This lovely. Please we are waiting for the next chapter

metalgear11 ann2012, y'all need to read this.

bigbauer:
metalgear11 ann2012, y'all need to read this.

Me I know say normal Normal I be like davido in the midst of wizkid and Burna boy for your eyes like this. But ehn make I peep small na 😉😉😁😁

Chapter 32

Writer's POV

The car was silent at first, except for the angry hum of the engine and Ruby’s erratic breathing.

“You shouldn’t have slapped him,” Richard said eventually, keeping his eyes on the road.

Ruby snapped her head toward him. “Excuse me?”

“I get that you’re angry. You have every right to be. But that….” he shook his head “.....that was assault”

She scoffed bitterly, blinking back the sting in her eyes. “Oh, so now you’re on his side”

“That’s not what I said”

“But that’s what you meant”

He sighed but didn’t respond.

Tears slipped down her cheeks before she could catch them. She turned to the window, wiping them away harshly. Silence took over as they drove on.

Then, without warning, Richard pulled the car to the side and parked.

Ruby sat up straight, defensive. “What? You want to throw me out again?” she snapped, forcefully wiping at her face. “Go ahead! I’m used to it!”

He didn’t say anything.

She laughed without humor, her voice shaking. “Oh, I forgot. He’s your godfather. You must be feeling insulted and disrespected. All of you are the same- egoistic, arrogant, wicked, self-”

“Ruby!!” he barked, the name loud and sharp.

“What?!” she fired back, half yelling, her chest heaving.

He stared at her for a moment, then forced out a long, weary breath. “I may not know the full story. But just so you know….. however you wish to fight for your inheritance, I’ll you, okay?”

She blinked. Her mouth opened slightly but no words came out. She hadn’t expected that.

Not from him.

Not after what just happened.

Not considering who Senator Sunday was to him- a godfather, a second father, a business icon he’d always ired.

She sank back into the seat, silent now. The tears no longer came, but her heart still beat in uneven rhythms. Richard's words circled in her mind.

“I’ll you”.

She turned her face toward the window again, lips trembling, not from anger this time, but from the weight of an unexpected ally.


♥️♥️♥️♥️

Richard lay on the bed, one arm flung across his forehead as the dim lights bathed the ceiling in a soft yellow hue. The silence in the room only magnified the storm inside his head.

This trip was supposed to be simple. A weekend away from the noise. A getaway. Instead- First, the tension between Ruby and the senator. Then… the accident. Her body limp in his arms. The blood. The fear. And now, tonight…… tonight was something else entirely. Three slaps. No warning. Just pain, rage, and secrets he was only now beginning to uncover.

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone vibrated on the bedside drawer.

Mom flashed on the screen. He sighed, picked it up, and answered.

“Richard” her voice came tight with tension.

“What is going on? Why did Sunday call me screaming this evening? I could barely understand a word he was saying…. he sounded furious!”

Richard sat up slowly. “Did you know he had two daughters?”

There was a pause.

“What does that have to do with-?”

“Just answer the question, Mom” he cut in, his voice low but firm. “Did you know my godfather had two daughters?”

She was silent again, and then cautiously responded, “Daughters? Well… I do know Milanda, his first wife, had two girls. But I never met them. When the first one was born, I was in for a contract shoot. By the time I returned, he’d already sent her to live with his parents”

Richard’s brows furrowed. “Okay… what about the second?”

“Richard, what’s this about? Why are we suddenly-?”

“Answer”

His tone left no room for negotiation.

She sighed. “It was during your second birthday, I . The second one was born around that time. But as you know, we were already in Dubai by then”

He was quiet.

She continued nervously, “Son, after all that traveling… we never asked after the girls. Despite how close the families were.”

“So you knew.” His tone was flat, laced with disbelief. “You and Dad. You knew and never cared to ask what happened to them?”

“We did ask, at first. Your father and I… but Sunday always said they were fine, living with his father. Milanda was always away for her modeling gigs. Sunday was chasing business deals. Those girls were barely around. When his father ed, they were shipped off to some boarding school. He got remarried. Had more kids. With time, we just… stopped asking.”

Richard’s chest rose and fell with growing heat.

“Just like that” he muttered. “Like they were disposable, ghosts”

“Richard, what is this about?”

He swallowed hard, then spoke slowly.

“Ruby is his daughter.”

Silence.

Not a sound from the other end. Just pure, stunned silence.

“She’s the second daughter,” he added. “The one born around my second birthday. The one you never met. The one no one asked about.
The one who nearly died a few weeks ago”

“Oh my God…” his mother whispered.

Richard didn’t respond. His jaw was clenched.

His eyes were distant.

“Son… I didn’t know…”

“No one did,” he said, almost to himself. “Because no one cared enough to know

ZaraIhua:
Chapter 32

“No one did,” he said, almost to himself. “Because no one cared enough to know

This appetizer, is barely a mouthful. I want more, and more. This story should be screen played. Even if it means using AI to create the movie. Meanwhile, please give us a loooonnng update.

Damilgodwin:

Me I know say normal Normal I be like davido in the midst of wizkid and Burna boy for your eyes like this. But ehn make I peep small na 😉😉😁😁

I'm not understanding. Nevertheless, welcome to a blockbuster, by the one and only Zaralhua.

It's crystal clear to me that some people are moving angels, what a wonderful piece of art 💯💯💯

What a mouth watering piece. Thanks for the update OP

bigbauer:


I'm not understanding. Nevertheless, welcome to a blockbuster, by the one and only Zaralhua.

.
Oops, you didn't give me a cue of the update na, at least you should have mentioned my name na, despite I am in the list of people craving for it😁😁

Damilgodwin:
.
Oops, you didn't give me a cue of the update na, at least you should have mentioned my name na, despite I am in the list of people craving for it😁😁

Oopsie, my bad. Sawie, i'll do better next time. @zaralhua darling, please tag Damilgodwin on your next update.

Chapter 33

Ruby's POV

I sat on the edge of the bed, legs pulled up to my chest, wrapped in nothing but a towel. The room was quiet, but my head wasn’t. It hadn’t been since we left the Senator’s house.

I hadn't planned to slap him. I really hadn’t. But the moment I saw his smug, clueless face and how he greeted Richard like I didn’t exist, as if I was furniture in the room, I snapped.

Three slaps. One for me. One for Uduak. And one for the child she lost.
God, I could still feel the sting in my hand.

I reached for my phone and stared at the screen for a moment before calling the one person who’d understand.

Ibiso.

She picked on the second ring. “Hey babe,” she said, sounding sleepy but instantly alert. “It’s late. Are you okay?”

I hesitated. “No. I’m not”

“What happened?”

I paused, pressing my forehead against my knees.

“I confronted Senator Sunday today”

The silence on the other end was loud.

“What?”

“I slapped him, Ibiso. Three times”

“You did what?!”

“I know” I laughed bitterly. “I just… lost it. I saw his face and everything I’ve kept buried came rushing back. For me. For Uduak. For everything he stole from us. I couldn’t hold it in”

“Oh my God, Ruby…”

“He acted like he didn’t know who I was. Like I was some stranger barging into his home” My voice cracked. “And then when he realized… he still tried to brush it off. Like I was nothing”

Ibiso didn’t say anything for a few seconds.
Then, softly, “Was Richard with you?”

“Yeah,” I said. “He was shocked too. He didn’t yell or try to control me. But later, in the car… he looked at me like he didn’t recognize who I was.”

“What did he say?”

I wiped my face with the back of my hand. “He scolded me a bit. Told me I shouldn’t have used violence. I was so mad at him, I said a lot of things. I accused him of being like the rest of them.”

“And?”

I breathed out. “He said something I didn’t expect. That even though he doesn’t know the full story, he’ll me. However I choose to fight for what’s mine, he’s with me”

Ibiso was quiet again.

“That’s big,” she finally said.

“I didn’t see it coming” I whispered. “Especially not from him. That man is his godfather. Someone he respects deeply”

“Yeah”

“Ibiso… I want the property back. The one Papa willed to Uduak and I before he died. The one Senator Sunday seized without blinking. I’m done being quiet. I’m done being sidelined because I’m a girl”

“You’re sure you’re ready for this fight?”

“I’ve never been sure about anything like I am right now”

She sighed. “Then I’m with you. Whatever you need, Ruby.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you”

“Always”

When the call ended, I just sat there, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were swollen, red….. but there was fire in them. A fire I hadn’t seen in a long time.

I wasn’t just fighting for myself anymore. I'm fighting of I and my sister. Even though she's mad at me at the moment, it doesn't change anything.

I still the day Uduak and I came back from boarding school, both of us bursting with pride. We were in primary school then. We had taken first positions in our classes again….. something we worked so hard for. The excitement in my chest felt like it might burst.

We stepped into the house, expecting to be welcomed with hugs and congratulations. But instead, there was this cold silence that swallowed us whole. The only warmth came from Nanny, who wrapped us in her arms and told us how proud she was. For a moment, I let myself breathe easier.

Then we went to find Mom. I couldn’t wait to show her our results, to see her smile. But she barely looked up from her papers and told us she was busy. “Go away” she said, as if we were nothing more than a nuisance.

My heart sank.

Uduak and I exchanged a glance, both of us hurt, but we kept going.

We found Dad in his study next. I thought maybe he’d be proud. Maybe he’d say something kind. But no. His words cut deeper than I expected.

“Girls topping boys? That can’t be right” he scoffed. “The boys must be fools to let that happen”

I wanted to scream, to tell him he was wrong, but I just stood there, frozen.

He went on, cold and harsh “I didn’t send you to school to get an education. I sent you away to get you out of my house after my father died, so don't bring those stupid papers to me got it. Useless things”

I felt like the ground gave way beneath me. Uduak’s lip trembled beside me, and I swallowed back tears.

But then there was the maid, her arms steady and warm around us. “Don’t listen to them” she whispered. “I’m proud of you. You’ve done so well”

Her kindness was the only thing holding me together that day.

I smiled sadly to myself, the weight of those memories pressing down but somehow steeling me. I had come too far to turn back now. Whatever this fight cost me, I was ready.

My phone buzzed, breaking the silence. It was Dave.

I hesitated a moment, then answered.

“Ruby” his voice was calm, steady, exactly what I needed to hear. “Richard told me everything”

I felt a strange mix of relief and vulnerability wash over me.

“You’re not alone in this. I’m with you, every step of the way” Dave promised, his tone unwavering.

His words were like a lifeline. I took a deep breath.

“Thank you, Dave. I’m going to need all the I can get”

As I ended the call, I knew this fight wasn’t just mine anymore. And maybe, just maybe, I didn’t have to face it alone.

Your comments are 🥰🥰

Thank you guys😊

bigbauer:
Oopsie, my bad. Sawie, i'll do better next time. @zaralhua darling, please tag Damilgodwin on your next update.

What a relieve 😁😁

From now on my amazing pretty boss ehn, please bestow onto me the spirit of rubylizing 😂😂. Some people really deserve ruby- touch on their faces 😂😂😂

So so so good!!!!!

Damilgodwin:
From now on my amazing pretty boss ehn, please bestow onto me the spirit of rubylizing 😂😂. Some people really deserve ruby- touch on their faces 😂😂😂

Pls, go ahead and rubylize anybody that deserves it😂

Sochee123:
So so so good!!!!!

🙏❤️

Chapter 34

Writer's POV

At Senator Sunday’s Private Study, the scent of aged whiskey and cigars clung to the air like tension. The room is occupied by four men, all seasoned in power, money, and political muscle. Senator Sunday sat at the head of the mahogany table, a glass of scotch in his hand, his jaw clenched in silence.

Across from him was Zachary Sunday, his second son and personal lawyer, tapping a pen impatiently against a stack of legal documents.

“Tell me the truth, Zach” senator said finally, breaking the silence. “If this ever sees court, where do we stand?”

Zachary sighed. “If it’s based solely on inheritance laws and the content of the will? We lose. Ruby and Uduak are the rightful heirs. Grandpa made sure of that before he died, and I’ve seen the documents. You seized those properties illegally”

A few of the other men shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

One of them, Chief Otobo, a former governor, let out a low whistle. “Na small pikin slap you like say you be her mate” he muttered with a half-laugh. “Senator, this is a dent on your legacy. We can’t just sit here and fold our arms. She humiliated you”

Another leaned forward. Honourable Gbasen, always the hothead. “Why don’t we send boys after her? Make we shake this girl small. These small girls think they’re untouchable. One week in fear, and she’ll crawl back to wherever she came from”

Zachary raised a brow, unimpressed. “That would only make things worse. She has witnesses, and from what Richard told me, the press might already be sniffing around”

Senator Sunday didn’t flinch, instead he gulped in liquid in his glass and looked up slowly.

“She thinks she can win because she has the truth. But this isn’t about truth” he said, voice low and calculating. “This is Nigeria. I have fame. I have money. I have power. And if she thinks standing on some piece of paper written by a dead man will save her, then she doesn’t know who she’s dealing with” he scoffs “that little brat has always been a thorn in my flesh, very disrespectful and stubborn. I should have crippled her the instance she started growing wings”.

A silence settled over the room, heavy and grim.

“So what’s the move then?” Otobo asked.

Senator Sunday straightened. “We sue her. For assault and defamation of character. That stunt she pulled? Slapping me? Accusing me of abuse with no evidence? We take the offensive. Paint her out as a troubled, bitter girl looking for attention. She’ll fight back, yes ….. but let’s see how the court of public opinion handles a young woman dragging a respected statesman through the mud”

Zachary looked hesitant, but nodded. “It’s risky especially the fact that she's your daughter. But if we control the media narrative, and lean on the right judges... it could work”

The senator leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

“She wants war?” he said coldly. “Then let’s give her one”


💜💜💜💜

Ruby sat cross-legged on the mattress, her back against the wall, the unfamiliar walls of the new apartment echoing the storm swirling in her chest. Her phone lay beside her, buzzing nonstop, news alerts, gossip blogs, vague threats.

Richard paced the room like a storm contained in human form.

"They're suing you, Ruby. Assault. Defamation of character. They’re really going all in. What is wrong with him?” he asked, raising his hands in anger.

Ruby scoffed, her voice hoarse but steady.
“Typical. Twist the story, bury the truth. He’s rich, he’s powerful, manipulative and greedy... he thinks he’s untouchable”

“He’s testing us” Richard said, his jaw tightening. “Trying to drag you through the mud before you can even get your foot in the door legally”

Ruby looked up, eyes glistening. “Then we don’t back down. Let him bring it. I’m done hiding. If it means facing hell, so be it”
Richard nodded silently. He picked up his phone and walked toward the balcony.

“Bro” Richard began.

“Don’t tell me you’re coming back already” Dave teased lightly, but the tension was thick between them.

“We’re not coming back. Not anytime soon. Not with what’s happening”

There was a pause. Then Dave's tone turned serious. “I was hoping you'd say that”

Richard raised a brow. “You were?”

“I have an idea. Uncle Tosan”

“The SAN?”

“Exactly. This case needs weight, media, legal, political. We’re not playing small boy games anymore. I’ll reach out to him. Ruby deserves top-tier defense”

Richard exhaled, relief breaking through his anxiety. “Thank you, man”

“Also” Dave added, “I just secured a short-term lease for both of you. Check your email”.

“Dave...”

“No long talk. This isn’t charity. It’s strategy”.

ZaraIhua:
Chapter 34


“Exactly. This case needs weight, media, legal, political. We’re not playing small boy games anymore. I’ll reach out to him. Ruby deserves top-tier defense”

“No long talk. This isn’t charity. It’s strategy”.

The show down is about to go down.

Ann2012, damilgodwin metalgear11


divepen1 this story deserves visibility. It's FrontPage worthy.

I haven’t been on NL for many years, Lit section has always been my favourite and I came back now to this beautiful story. Well done writer, this is impressive.