Chapter 6 - THE PRICE OF A MOTHER'S CRUELTYLucia dropped her phone onto the bed.
For several seconds, she couldn't move.
The money.
Of all the things she had done to Amanda, the missing money was the one secret she had believed would never come back to haunt her.
She walked to the bedroom window and stared across the enormous garden.
Everything around her represented wealth.
The marble floors, expensive furniture, imported chandeliers, luxury vehicles, and beautifully maintained gardens were things she once believed made her superior to ordinary people.
Now none of them could protect her from the truth.
Lucia picked up her phone and called Esther.
The housekeeper answered after several rings.
"Good evening, Madam."
"Where are you?"
"At home."
"Don't lie to me."
Esther remained silent.
Lucia's voice sharpened.
"I know you went looking for Amanda."
"Yes, Madam."
Lucia nearly screamed.
"Who gave you permission?"
"Madam, I didn't need permission to tell the truth."
Lucia stood motionless.
For years, Esther had obeyed her without question.
Now even the servants were challenging her.
"What exactly did you tell that girl?"
"Everything I knew."
Lucia's grip tightened around the phone.
"You ungrateful woman! After everything I've done for you?"
Esther spoke calmly.
"You paid me to work in your house. You didn't buy my conscience."
Lucia was stunned.
Then she changed her tone.
"Esther, listen carefully. Whatever Amanda has promised you, I can give you more."
"I don't want money."
"Five million naira."
"No, Madam."
"Ten million."
Esther exhaled.
"Madam, I have a daughter almost Amanda's age. Every time I looked at that girl suffering, I imagined someone treating my own child that way."
Lucia rolled her eyes.
"Spare me the preaching."
"I watched Amanda cry herself to sleep. I heard her begging for food. I stood there when you accused her of stealing money she never received."
"Be careful."
"I should have spoken sooner."
Lucia lowered her voice.
"Esther, if you testify against me, you'll regret it."
There was a pause.
Then Esther said, "I've already given the lawyer my statement."
The call ended.
Lucia stared at her phone.
For the first time, she understood that the people she considered powerless were no longer afraid of her.
That evening, she approached her husband in his study.
Mr. Andrews was reviewing business documents.
He didn't look up.
"What do you want, Lucia?"
She forced a gentle smile.
"Andrews, can't a wife visit her husband?"
He continued writing.
"Say what you came to say."
Lucia sat opposite him.
"I've been thinking about everything that happened."
He stopped writing.
"Really?"
"Yes. Perhaps I was too harsh with Amanda."
Mr. Andrews slowly raised his head.
"Too harsh?"
Lucia swallowed.
"I made mistakes."
"You starved a pregnant young woman."
Lucia looked offended.
"Must you always exaggerate?"
Mr. Andrews closed the file.
"And now you're minimizing it."
She leaned forward.
"Look, Andrews, that girl wasn't innocent. She came into our home and caused confusion."
He stared at her.
"Lucia, Amanda didn't destroy this family. Your cruelty did."
Lucia's lips tightened.
"I came here to make peace."
"Then begin by telling the truth."
She hesitated.
Mr. Andrews opened another folder.
Inside were bank statements.
"Did you transfer money meant for Amanda into an account you controlled?"
Lucia's heart pounded.
"Who told you that?"
"Answer the question."
"Andrews, I manage many household expenses."
"That wasn't my question."
Lucia looked away.
Her husband stood.
"I have already contacted the bank and instructed our accountants to review every transfer."
Lucia jumped up.
"You have no right to investigate me!"
"I have every right to investigate the misuse of company funds."
"I'm your wife!"
"And Amanda was a human being under our roof."
The words silenced her.
Mr. Andrews walked toward the door.
"The account has been frozen pending the review. If you misappropriated that money, you'll be expected to return it and face the consequences."
Lucia grabbed his arm.
"Andrews, please."
He looked at her hand until she released him.
"For once, Lucia, stop worrying about what will happen to you. Think about what happened to Amanda."
He walked out.
Lucia sank into the chair.
Her carefully constructed life was collapsing.
And she had nobody left to blame convincingly.
Across the city, James received a call from an unfamiliar woman.
"Mr. James Andrews?"
"Speaking."
"My name is Barrister Naomi Adebayo. I represent Amanda."
James immediately stood.
"Is she safe?"
"She is receiving medical care."
"Can I speak to her?"
"Not at this time."
James closed his eyes.
"Please tell her I'm sorry."
There was a pause.
"Amanda has requested that you not be given her location. I need to know whether you will respect that."
James remembered the letter.
If you truly love me, become the man you always promised you would be.
"Yes," he whispered. "I will."
"Thank you."
"Will she ever let me see my child?"
"That is something you and Amanda may address through appropriate arrangements when she's ready."
James struggled to speak.
"Please tell her I won't pressure her."
"I will pass that along."
Then the lawyer's tone changed.
"Mr. Andrews, there is one more thing."
"Yes?"
"We believe someone has been following Amanda."
James felt a chill.
"Who?"
"We don't know yet. But there may be a connection to your household."
James gripped the phone.
"Tell me what you need."
"We need your cooperation, not interference."
"You have it."
After the call ended, James went downstairs.
His mother was sitting alone in the living room.
He looked at her for a long time.
Then he asked one question.
"Mom, did you hire someone to find Amanda?"
Lucia turned pale.
Before she could answer, James placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Collins standing outside Amanda's clinic.
"Because if you did, I need you to understand something."
Lucia stared at the picture.
May you like
James continued.
"Whatever happens next, I will not protect you from the truth."
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