Three weeks later, it started.
Lina had been silently counting down each day, full of anxiety. But nothing could prepare her for the wave of pain that tore through her belly early that morning.
Her water had broken.
With shaking hands, she grabbed her phone and called Mara.
"It's time," Lina said quietly but firmly.
Mara didn't hesitate. "Go with the driver to St. Felicity Hospital, like we planned. I'll meet you there."
Lina hung up and turned as Uzo rushed into the room.
"Uzo," Lina said, holding her stomach as another pain hit, "please look after Davis. Don't let him worry. Just tell him I'm okay."
Uzo's eyes widened. "You're going now? The babies are coming?"
Lina nodded, gritting her teeth. "Yes. It's time."
"I'll take care of Davis like he's my own. Don't worry," Uzo said, quickly helping her gather her hospital bag and walking her to the front door where the driver waited with the car running.
As the car pulled away, Lina leaned her head against the window, breathing through the pain. Her thoughts raced, not just about the babies, but about what still needed to be done before they arrived.
At the hospital, everything moved quickly. Nurses took her to a private labour room. The clean smell, the machines, and the gloved hands made it all feel very real.
An hour passed. The pain got worse. Lina held onto the bed rails when the door opened.
Mara walked in, heels clicking, looking calm and confident.
"You're progressing quickly," she said after checking the chart. "The doctor says it won't be long now."
Lina wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Good. But first, I need something from you."
Mara raised an eyebrow. "Now?"
"Yes. Now."
Mara walked closer, slightly amused. "You're asking for things while in labour?"
"This isn't a request. It's a reminder," Lina said, struggling through the pain. "The contract balance. And our travel documents. Mine and Davis'. You said everything would be ready."
Mara blinked, then slowly pulled a white envelope from her handbag.
"Your passports and visas. One-way tickets. Everything's in there. You'll leave four days after delivery."
"And the money?"
Mara unlocked her phone and tapped. A moment later, Lina's phone buzzed.
"Five million. As agreed," Mara said.
Lina checked the alert, nodded once, then leaned back on the bed.
"Leave me now. I need to prepare," she said, closing her eyes as another painful contraction hit.
Once the door closed, Lina reached for her bag. Her hands trembled, but she moved fast. She took a brown envelope and put the travel documents inside. Then she folded it and pushed it deep into the bottom of her hospital bag, hiding it under her jeans and locking the bag.
Safe. Not in her purse. Not visible. She couldn't trust anyone—not even the nurses.
As she put the bag away, another sharp pain hit. Her body tightened, her eyes filled with tears.
It was time.
***
The cries came first.
High-pitched. Sharp. Beautiful. Lina heard them through the fog of pain. She had barely held it together through the final push and the cut that made delivery possible.
"It's a boy," the doctor said, handing the baby to Mara, who stood nearby dressed in all white, like a grieving angel.
Mara smiled; calm and satisfactory. Almost like it was all part of her plan.
Then came the second.
"Another boy!" the doctor announced, handing the second baby to Mara as well.
Lina's whole body shook. She couldn't move, couldn't speak. She could only watch as both babies; her babies, were handed to Mara.
Mara held them like they were treasures.
Lina bit her lip. The pain from the stitches was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. Her eyes filled with tears, but she refused to cry.
She could hear their soft cries as the doctor checked them. The nurses cleaned her up, treating her like a machine that had just done its job.
Her body felt empty. Her womb was hollow. But her soul screamed.
Just then, the door opened.
A tall man rushed in, breathing hard, his shirt slightly wet from sweat. He looked around quickly, then his eyes found Mara. She was holding both babies, smiling calmly.
"I'm sorry I'm late," he said, still catching his breath. "Traffic was crazy."
Mara turned slightly. "Ken, meet our sons," she said, lifting the babies. "I want to name them Marvin and Marius."
She handed one of the boys to him. "This is the older one."
Ken took the baby gently, his face softening as he looked down. He kissed the baby's forehead. "Hello, Marvin. Nice to meet you, little man."
From the bed, Lina watched. She could barely lift her head, but the moment Ken walked in, her senses came alive.
She recognized him.
His voice. His walk. His face.
It was him.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She hadn't seen him in years. Never thought their paths would cross again and certainly not like this.
But he didn't seem to know her. Didn't show any sign of recognition.
Still, when their eyes met, something passed between them. A flicker. A pull. A current.
Ken held her gaze for a second, looking curious, as if something about her felt familiar. His brow furrowed… then smoothed.
No sign he remembered her.
But Lina felt it. The pull was real.
She forced herself not to shake. Her eyes burned, but she stayed calm.
Then the doctor said, "Mr. and Mrs. Duru, please come sign the birth certificates."
Ken hesitated, his eyes still lingering on Lina. Then Mara gently took his arm and led him away.
Lina watched them go, her babies in their arms, stepping into a life she wasn't part of.
And she lay there, still bleeding, her soul crying out in silence.