Chapter 15 - THE NIGHT EVERYTHING ALMOST ENDEDThe first thing Barrister Adebayo did was contact the police.
She gave them Collins's number, the time of the call, and everything he had told her.
She didn't know whether he was genuinely in danger.
But she wasn't willing to ignore the possibility.
By morning, investigators had located Collins.
He was alive.
He had fled his apartment after two unidentified men appeared outside and demanded to speak with him.
The police were investigating the incident, and Collins had agreed to cooperate with the broader inquiry into the financial transactions.
His recordings were not treated as automatic proof of every allegation.
But they gave investigators leads to examine alongside banking records, company documents, witness statements, and other independently verifiable evidence.
For Amanda, the developments were terrifying.
She had never imagined that her struggle to survive would expose secrets involving two wealthy households.
Dr. Okafor urged her to concentrate on her health.
"Your legal team can handle the case for now."
Amanda nodded.
"I know."
"You need rest."
"I'll try."
But rest was difficult.
Every phone call made her nervous.
Every unfamiliar car reminded her of Collins.
And every time she felt her baby move, she wondered what kind of world her child was about to enter.
One afternoon, Sister Grace found Amanda sitting beneath a tree outside the shelter.
She was holding the little pair of socks she had purchased with her first wages from the clinic.
Sister Grace sat beside her.
"Thinking about the baby?"
Amanda smiled.
"Always."
"Have you chosen a name?"
"Not yet."
Sister Grace laughed.
"Then you'd better start. Babies don't usually consult their mothers before deciding to arrive."
Amanda smiled.
Then her expression became serious.
"Sister Grace, do you ever regret helping women like me?"
The older woman looked surprised.
"Why would I?"
"Because we bring so many problems."
Sister Grace took her hand.
"Amanda, the problems existed before you arrived. Helping someone through them isn't what creates the trouble."
Amanda looked at her.
Sister Grace continued.
"When I was younger, I lived with a man who made me believe I couldn't survive without him. I stayed for years because I had nowhere else to go."
Amanda listened carefully.
"One day, a stranger helped me find temporary shelter and work. She didn't ask what I had done wrong. She asked what I needed."
Amanda's eyes filled with tears.
"Is that why you started this place?"
Sister Grace nodded.
"I wanted to become the person I once needed."
Amanda rested her hand over her stomach.
"Then one day, I want to do the same."
Sister Grace smiled.
"You already are, sweetheart. You just haven't realized it yet."
That evening, Amanda helped a new resident settle into the shelter.
The woman was young and frightened, with a toddler clinging to her dress.
Amanda brought her a plate of food.
"Here. You must be hungry."
The woman hesitated.
"I don't have money."
Amanda smiled gently.
"You don't need money to eat here."
The woman began crying.
Amanda recognized that expression.
She had worn it herself on the day Sister Grace welcomed her.
The experience reminded her why she wanted to become a doctor.
She didn't want wealth simply for comfort.
She wanted enough knowledge, strength, and resources to help people who had been abandoned.
Later that night, Amanda returned to her room.
She noticed a dull headache but assumed she was tired.
She drank water and lay down.
An hour later, the headache had become severe.
Her vision seemed strange.
She tried sitting up.
A wave of dizziness forced her back against the pillow.
Then she felt pain high in her abdomen.
Amanda reached for her phone.
"Sister Grace..."
Her voice sounded weak.
She dialed the shelter office.
Sister Grace answered.
"Amanda?"
"Please come."
Something in Amanda's voice frightened her.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't feel well."
Sister Grace hurried upstairs.
When she entered, Amanda was pale and trembling.
She immediately contacted Dr. Okafor and arranged emergency transportation.
At the hospital, the medical team checked Amanda's blood pressure and began urgent evaluation.
The doctor on duty looked concerned.
Dr. Okafor arrived shortly afterward.
"Amanda, listen to me carefully."
Amanda stared at her.
"Is my baby okay?"
"We're monitoring your baby. Your blood pressure is dangerously high, and we're concerned about preeclampsia."
Amanda's eyes widened.
"What's that?"
"It's a pregnancy complication that can become serious for both you and your baby. We're treating you and deciding the safest next steps."
Amanda began crying.
"Please save my baby."
Dr. Okafor held her hand.
"We're going to do everything we can for both of you."
Amanda was nearly thirty-five weeks pregnant.
She had hoped to carry her baby closer to full term.
But now the doctors were discussing whether an early delivery might be necessary.
Sister Grace called Ngozika.
Then she contacted Barrister Adebayo, who relayed the news to James with Amanda's previously recorded permission for medical emergencies.
James was at home when the call came.
He listened in shock.
"Is she conscious?"
"Yes, but she's very ill."
He grabbed his keys.
"I'm coming."
The journey felt endless.
When he arrived, Ngozika was already in the waiting area, crying.
James hurried toward her.
"Mama Amanda!"
She grabbed his hands.
"James, my daughter!"
He held her gently.
"She's receiving care."
Ngozika sobbed.
"I already lost her once. I can't lose her again."
James felt tears running down his face.
"You won't face this alone."
They waited together.
Minutes stretched into hours.
Eventually, Dr. Okafor emerged.
James and Ngozika stood.
"Doctor?"
The physician looked exhausted.
"We've stabilized Amanda enough to proceed with an urgent delivery. Her condition requires close monitoring, and the baby may need specialized newborn care."
Ngozika covered her mouth.
"Can we see her?"
"She's being prepared now."
James swallowed.
"Please tell her we're here."
Dr. Okafor nodded.
"I will."
Inside the delivery unit, Amanda lay beneath bright lights.
She was frightened.
She missed her mother.
She wanted James.
But most of all, she wanted her baby to survive.
A nurse gently squeezed her hand.
"You're doing well, Amanda."
Amanda began crying.
"I'm scared."
"I know."
"Please don't let anything happen to my baby."
The nurse spoke softly.
"We're here with you."
As the team prepared for the procedure, Amanda closed her eyes.
She remembered the nights she had slept hungry.
The insults.
The loneliness.
The long bus ride after running away.
She remembered Sister Grace giving her food.
Dr. Okafor holding her hand.
Rita answering her message.
And Ngozika apologizing through tears.
All the people who had helped her reach this moment.
She whispered a prayer.
Please let my child live.
The doctors began.
Time seemed to lose meaning.
Then, suddenly, the atmosphere changed.
A clinician spoke urgently.
"We need to move quickly."
Amanda opened her eyes.
"What's happening?"
The nurse held her hand.
"We're watching your baby's heart rate closely."
Amanda began shaking.
"Is something wrong?"
The nurse tried to reassure her.
The medical team worked with focused urgency.
Outside, James stood beside Ngozika, staring at the closed doors.
Then an alarm sounded from somewhere inside the unit.
James turned sharply.
A nurse hurried past.
He felt his chest tighten.
Minutes later, Dr. Okafor stepped into the waiting area.
Her expression was serious.
"James. Mrs. Ngozika."
They stood immediately.
The doctor took a breath.
"We've delivered the baby."
James stared at her.
"And Amanda?"
Dr. Okafor hesitated.
"Her condition is still critical."
Ngozika grabbed James's arm.
May you like
The doctor continued.
"And there's something you need to understand about the baby."
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