“This is not ours,” she said quietly.
Baba Akutu opened the door.
“It is,” he replied.
Her heart began to beat faster.
Nothing made sense anymore.
But she entered.
The journey lasted hours. They left behind the crowded roads of Lumora City and moved toward a part of the region Soma had never seen before. Tall gates, wide roads, buildings that stretched into the sky.
It felt like a different world.
Finally, the car stopped in front of a massive compound.
Workers moved around with purpose, greeting Baba Akutu with deep respect as he passed.
Respect.
Not pity.
Not dismissal.
Respect.
Soma felt her legs weaken slightly.
“What is this place?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Baba Akutu turned to her fully, and for the first time since she met him, he stood completely upright.
No staff. No struggle. No weakness. Just presence.
