The private hospital smelled like disinfectant and cold air. Lina lay still on the narrow bed, belly exposed, eyes staring at the ceiling as the nurse moved the scanner gently across her skin.
She was used to this by now; routine checkups, fake smiles, and empty greetings. But today, something felt different.
The nurse suddenly paused, her eyes fixed on the monitor.
Lina turned her head. "Is something wrong?"
The nurse didn't answer immediately. "I'll call the doctor."
Lina's heart skipped.
A few moments later, Dr. Benjamin came in, wearing his usual kind of smile and a stethoscope around his neck.
"Good afternoon, Lina. Let me take a look."
She watched him closely. His eyes were calm but focused. He stared at the screen for longer than usual.
Then he smiled.
"Lina… you're carrying twins."
Lina sat up halfway. "What?"
"Two babies. See?" He turned the screen slightly toward her. "Two heartbeats. Two little ones."
Lina blinked. Her mouth opened but no words came out.
Twins?
Her chest tightened. "But… I was told it was one. I only signed for one."
"I know," the doctor said gently. "Sometimes, twins can hide behind each other during early scans. But it's clear now."
Lina stared at the screen.
Two heartbeats. Two tiny flickers of life.
She wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh, cry, or run out of the hospital.
"I need a moment," she whispered.
Dr. Benjamin nodded and left her alone.
She placed her hand over her belly, feeling the soft curve that now held more than she ever expected.
Two babies.
One contract.
And one big problem.
***
Lina walked into the sleek office building like she owned it. Her belly was big now, hard to hide, but she didn't care.
The receptionist stood up. "Excuse me, ma…"
"I'm here to see Mrs. Duru. Tell her Lina is here."
The woman looked nervous. "She doesn't take walk-ins."
"Tell her or I'll go in myself."
The woman picked up the phone.
Moments later, Mara's door flew open.
Mara Duru stood there in a cream blouse over dark pants. Dark glasses perched on her hair. Her expression grave. "How many times have I told you never to come here?"
"I don't care," Lina said, walking past her into the office. "This is important."
Mara shut the door behind them, eyes blazing. "Do you want people to start asking questions?"
"Then sit down and listen."
Mara folded her arms but didn't sit.
"I went for the scheduled scan today," Lina said. "I'm carrying twins."
Mara's eyes twitched. "Twins?"
"Yes. Two babies. So everything changes now."
"I don't understand."
Lina stepped closer. "I want double the pay. I also want a U.S. visa, one-way ticket for me and my son. You want me gone after birth? Fine. Then send me far."
Mara laughed dryly. "You're not serious."
"I'm very serious."
"We already signed a contract."
"That was for one child," Lina snapped. "One. This is two. That contract is useless now."
Mara narrowed her eyes. "I'm not giving you anything more. You're even lucky you're getting paid that amount."
"I'm carrying two lives inside me. I'm risking my health. Now it's twice the risk. You can afford it, madam. You people always can."
Mara walked slowly to her desk. "You're becoming too bold."
"I've had to be bold to survive. You said I should disappear after the birth, fine. But I won't disappear broke."
Mara picked up her phone, then dropped it again. She stared at Lina for a long time.
Finally, she spoke. "You'll get what you want. But one mistake; one word to anyone and I'll make sure you regret it."
Lina nodded once. "Deal. But I want it in writing. A new contract."
"You'll get it," Mara said coldly. "Now leave. And don't ever walk into this office again."
Lina turned to leave, hand already on the door handle, but paused.
"Oh…and one more thing."
Mara's head snapped up. "What now?"
"I need a better apartment."
Mara scoffed. "That's not part of the…"
"I'm carrying twins, not chickens," Lina cut in. "I need a better space. Cleaner air than that stench around where you hid me. No more leaky roofs or generator noise."
"You're getting paid, use it to…"
Lina raised a finger. "You want privacy and these babies to be healthy, right? Then let me carry them in peace. New apartment. Quiet neighbourhood. And a cook."
Mara blinked. "A cook?"
"Yes. I'm tired of eating noodles and boiled eggs every day. I need proper meals. Balanced diet. Twice a day at least."
Mara's mouth dropped open slightly.
"Oh," Lina added with a sly smile, "and fruits. Lots of fruits. The babies like watermelon."
"You're mad," Mara hissed.
"Maybe. But I'm carrying your children now," Lina said. "And I haven't even started. I want a nurse on standby too. Not some grumpy woman, a real one with papers."
Mara picked up her phone, gripped it like she would throw it, then dropped it again.
"You're pushing it."
"I'm pushing twins," Lina shot back.
Mara muttered something in her dialect and rubbed her forehead. "God punish that day I agreed to this madness."
Lina smiled. "Too late. You're already in it."
Mara slammed her palm on the table. "Fine! You'll get your damn apartment, your fruits, your nurse and your bloody cook. But if you try to raise that price one more time, I'll…"
"You'll what?" Lina asked calmly. "I'd love to hear it."
Mara stood up slowly, breathing hard. "Just go."
Lina turned the handle. "I'll wait for the new contract. If it doesn't land before Friday, I'll come back with the bump."
"Get out!"
Lina walked out, head high.
She had walked into that office the first time, a desperate girl.
She walked out now as the girl with the twins.
And she knew; Madam Duru wasn't the one who'd suffer at delivery.
Lina stepped out of the office building, shielding her eyes from the harsh sun. The wind brushed against her dress, tugging at the curve of her swollen belly.
She took a deep breath, then tapped her phone screen and booked a ride.
She couldn't afford to walk under this sun, not with twins in her belly and fresh demands just granted.
As she slid into the backseat of the clean air-conditioned cab, she allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.
She had won. For now.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
She almost ignored it. Then something made her swipe to answer.
"Hello?"
Silence.
She frowned. "Hello, who's this?"
The voice came slow and calm.
"Lina Obi?"
Her spine stiffened. "Yes? Who are you?"
A pause.
"I've been looking for you."
She sat up straighter. "Excuse me?"
The voice dropped even lower. "Now that I've found you… don't disappear again."
Click.
The line went dead.
Lina stared at the screen.
Her mouth was slightly open. Her fingers trembled just a little.
Found her?
Who?
Why?
And how?
She glanced down at her belly.
Trouble wasn't just growing inside her.
It was already knocking.