Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO HID THE TRUTHThree hours outside Lagos, Amanda sat on a narrow hospital bed with both hands resting protectively over her stomach.
The small clinic was quiet.
Rain tapped gently against the windows.
A ceiling fan turned above her head.
Amanda was twenty years old, but the past few months had made her feel much older.
She had lost weight.
Her face was thinner.
And although she tried to appear strong, fear followed her everywhere.
Dr. Evelyn Okafor stood beside the bed, reviewing her medical chart.
"Amanda, when did you last eat a proper meal?"
Amanda looked away.
"This morning."
"What did you eat?"
"Bread."
"And?"
Amanda hesitated.
"Tea."
Dr. Okafor lowered the chart.
"Amanda."
The young woman sighed.
"I know."
"You can't keep skipping meals. Your blood count is low, and your body needs proper nutrition."
Amanda nodded.
"I've been trying."
"I know you have. But trying to survive and taking care of yourself are not always the same thing."
Amanda stared at the white bedsheet.
"I don't have much money."
Dr. Okafor pulled up a chair.
"Then we will work on that together."
Amanda's eyes filled with tears.
She had met Dr. Okafor almost by accident.
After Wendy dropped her at the bus station, Amanda traveled to Abeokuta with barely enough money for transportation and food.
She had intended to stay with a former schoolmate.
But when she arrived, she discovered the girl's family had relocated.
For two nights, Amanda slept in the waiting area of a church compound.
On the third morning, she fainted outside a pharmacy.
Dr. Okafor happened to be passing.
Instead of walking away, the doctor helped her into a taxi and brought her to the clinic.
After learning what had happened, she contacted a legitimate women's shelter and arranged temporary accommodation.
Amanda had been staying there ever since.
At first, she barely spoke.
She was terrified that someone would discover her location.
But slowly, she began helping the shelter staff organize medical supplies and assist visitors with registration.
The work reminded her of her dream.
She still wanted to become a doctor.
Even if that dream felt impossibly far away.
Dr. Okafor gently touched her shoulder.
"Your ultrasound today was reassuring. Your baby has a heartbeat, and I don't see an immediate emergency. But we need to monitor your health carefully."
Amanda exhaled.
"Thank God."
"How far along are you now?"
"Almost twenty-eight weeks."
The doctor nodded.
"You also need to stop carrying heavy boxes at the shelter."
Amanda managed a small smile.
"Did Sister Grace tell you?"
"Of course she did."
They both laughed softly.
Then Dr. Okafor became serious.
"Amanda, there is something else we need to discuss."
Amanda's smile faded.
"What?"
"A woman came here yesterday asking whether we had treated a pregnant girl from the Andrews family."
Amanda immediately sat upright.
"Who?"
"She didn't give her real name."
Amanda's heart began racing.
"Did you tell her anything?"
"Absolutely not. Your medical information is private."
Amanda pressed a hand against her chest.
"Thank you."
Dr. Okafor watched her carefully.
"Is there someone who might be trying to hurt you?"
Amanda thought about Lucia.
She remembered being locked out of the kitchen when she was hungry.
She remembered cruel accusations, endless chores, and the humiliation of having her pregnancy discussed as though she were something dirty.
But there was one particular memory she had tried desperately to forget.
The night before she escaped, she had overheard Lucia speaking angrily on the phone.
Amanda had been standing outside the sitting room.
Lucia hadn't known she was there.
"That girl will never become part of this family," Lucia had said. "I don't care what it takes."
Amanda had stood frozen.
Then Lucia spoke again.
"If she won't leave willingly, I know someone who can make her disappear."
Amanda never discovered whom Lucia had been speaking to.
The following evening, she ran.
Now, sitting inside the clinic, Amanda wondered whether that threat had been more serious than she realized.
Dr. Okafor leaned closer.
"Amanda, look at me."
Amanda raised her head.
"You're not alone anymore. We can help you document what happened and contact people who specialize in protecting women experiencing abuse."
Amanda began crying.
"I don't want trouble."
"Wanting safety isn't causing trouble."
"But Lucia is wealthy. She knows powerful people."
"And you have rights."
The doctor allowed Amanda a moment to collect herself.
Then she handed her a tissue.
"Have you told anyone from your old life that you're safe?"
Amanda hesitated.
"I sent Rita a message."
"Was that wise?"
"I trust her."
"Then choose carefully what you share. You deserve control over who knows your location."
Amanda nodded.
That evening, she returned to the shelter.
Sister Grace, the middle-aged woman who managed the place, welcomed her with a warm plate of rice and vegetables.
Amanda thanked her and sat near the window.
For the first time in weeks, she managed to finish an entire meal.
Afterward, she took out her phone.
She wanted to tell Rita she was safe.
She wanted to ask about Ngozika.
And despite everything, a small part of her wanted to know whether James was all right.
But before she could type a message, Sister Grace entered the room.
"Amanda, someone is here to see you."
Amanda froze.
"Who?"
Sister Grace looked uneasy.
"A woman. She says she's your aunt."
Amanda slowly stood.
"My aunt?"
"Yes. She says your mother sent her."
Amanda shook her head.
"But I don't have an aunt in Abeokuta."
Then a familiar voice sounded from the hallway.
"Amanda, come out. I know you're in there."
Amanda recognized the voice.
May you like
Her blood ran cold.
It belonged to someone who had worked inside the Andrews mansion.
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