Esaaba went home that night livid but with a chilling smile on her face. What Reggie had done to her was diabolical. He didn’t deserve to live. He didn’t deserve to see another sunrise. Him, his wife, his mother—everyone who had a hand in this betrayal would have to go.

She picked up a knife from her kitchen counter, tracing her finger along its edge. The cold steel felt reassuring in her hand. She set it down carefully, climbed into bed, and drifted off to sleep peacefully, her mind buzzing with plans for revenge.

The following evening, she armed herself with the knife and headed for the new residence of the Eshuns. Rain poured heavily, a blessing in disguise. The downpour would muffle any sounds, making it harder for anyone to hear screams or cries for help.

When she arrived, she noticed the house was more heavily guarded than she had anticipated. There were dogs prowling the yard and a security guard stationed at the front gate. She crouched nearby, observing. She realized it would be almost impossible to sneak in unnoticed under these conditions.

For hours, she lingered, studying the patterns of the household. Eventually, she concluded that returning during the day would be wiser. The dogs would likely be locked away, and the household would be more relaxed. Frustrated but resolute, she returned home, eager for the morning.

The next day, as the sun rose, so did Esaaba's resolve. She arrived at the Eshuns’ residence again, this time with a calm demeanor masking her fury. The dogs were indeed locked away, and the security guard was leaning lazily by the gate. She approached him with a smile.

“Hello,” she greeted. “Is Mr. Eshun around?”

The guard shook his head. “He’s gone to work.”

“And Mrs. Eshun? Is she home?”

He nodded.

“Good,” Esaaba said, her voice laced with faux sweetness. “I need to see her. It’s about work.”

The guard hesitated, squinting at her suspiciously. “Wait here. Let me tell her you’re here before I let you in.”

The moment he turned to head inside, Esaaba slipped in behind him. Quiet but determined, she followed closely, making it to the house just as the guard was informing Nancy of her presence.

Nancy was in the living room, gently rocking the baby to sleep. When she saw Esaaba enter, her face turned pale with terror. Her mouth opened as if to scream, but Esaaba moved quickly. She swung the blunt side of the knife and struck the guard on the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.

Nancy gasped and clutched the baby tightly, her expression now one of pure horror. She scrambled to her feet, panic overtaking her.

“Give me my child!” Esaaba screamed, her voice raw and furious.

Nancy turned and bolted, clutching the baby as she ran toward the staircase. Esaaba chased after her with the knife in hand, her rage giving her speed. She intercepted Nancy at the foot of the stairs and slashed at her arm. Blood gushed out as Nancy let out a piercing scream, her grip on the baby faltering.

Esaaba snatched the crying infant from Nancy’s weakening grasp. Nancy tried to fight back, her good hand clawing at Esaaba, but the blade came down again, this time slashing across her stomach. Nancy collapsed to the floor with a strangled cry, her hands trembling as she tried to press against the deep wound.

The baby’s wails echoed through the house as Esaaba turned toward the door, her grip on the child firm. She paused for a moment, looking back at the bloody and writhing Nancy on the floor.

“Tell Reggie he’s next,” Esaaba hissed. Her voice was steady, almost calm, which made the threat even more chilling. “If he ever shows his face at my residence, he’ll meet the same fate.”

With that, she stepped out of the house as the roaring thunder and the darkened clouds cheered her on her flawless victory in the fight for her child. but she didn’t care. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she could smile. Her child was back where she belonged. Even if she had to commit a crime for that to happen.

The end.

Prev. chaps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22