The sound wasn’t loud. It wasn’t like a slap. It was the smallest sound. But inside that bungalow in Lagos, it sounded like thunder.
Madam Janet stumbled backward on the dusty interlocking tiles, her old knees failing her. Her palms scraped the ground. Her wrapper shifted. Her breath caught in her throat.
And then Samson laughed.
Not a full laugh. Not even a happy one—just that short, cruel laugh people make when they want you to know they’re on the wrong side and they don’t care.
Madam Janet looked up at him, eyes wet, mouth shaking.
“Samson…” she cleared her throat, whispering like saying his name might wake the good boy she used to know.
But Samson didn’t move.
He stood there in his expensive navy suit, arms folded, leaning slightly like a man watching a funny show—like his mother’s pain was entertainment.
Gabriella’s face was burning with anger. She was in a glittering green gown that looked like it came straight from a boutique in Lekki. Her black wig sat perfectly on her shoulders. Gold jewelry flashed when she pointed at the old woman like she was pointing at dirt.
“You witch, old woman!” Gabriella shouted. “Get out of my house. Even your son is tired of you. Since you entered this house, it has been bad luck. Now he has lost his job!”
Madam Janet blinked fast, tears rolling down. “I didn’t cause—”
“Shut up!” Gabriella cut in, her voice sharp like broken glass. “You came here to destroy our peace. You think we don’t know? You village people. You carry bad market inside your body.”
Madam Janet tried to stand, holding her waist. She shook. She was seventy-eight. Her skin was dark and dry from years of work. Her gray hair was scattered around her face like she had been fighting wind all night.
And then she saw Gabriella’s leg lift again.
Madam Janet raised her hands quickly—a fear reflex, like a child.