Betrayal is inevitable—it always finds a way in, no matter how hard we try to avoid it.
Let's return to Amelia.
Her father had been the love of her life—and now, he was gone. That day, Amelia, her younger brother Ethan, and their cousin Aiden were taken to their grandparents' house. But her grandma wasn't home—she had rushed off to meet Amelia's mother, Scarlett, who was crying uncontrollably.
Amelia was still playing with Ethan and Aiden when her grandmother returned. She sat down quietly, tears streaming down her face. When the children came out to the sitting room, she turned to them with trembling lips and said something that shook Amelia's world:
"I have very bad news… Your father is gone."
At first, Amelia didn't understand. Gone where? Gone for how long?
But when she saw Ethan and Aiden crying—really crying—it hit her. Her father wasn't coming back. And so, she wept too.
Scarlett, Ethan, and Amelia were shattered. Still, they had to be strong. The family traveled to their village for Noah's burial. Greg, the husband of Amelia's aunt Harper, drove them. They arrived that evening, joined by other family members.
But instead of comfort, they were met with hostility.
They were placed in a shabby, unkempt room far from everyone else. And as if that weren't enough, the villagers insisted that young Ethan, just a child, bury his father alone.
Then came the worst part. A crowd gathered and summoned Scarlett. The air turned hostile—people hurled insults, blaming her for Noah's death. Some said she should have her head shaved, others said they should burn them all alive. A few even whispered about dark rituals to cleanse the family.
As Amelia watched, paralyzed by fear, someone declared a ritual must be performed.
Tears spilled from her eyes. She ran into her mother's arms and hugged her tightly, trying to be brave. They wept together—broken, lost, and humiliated. Thankfully, a few kind souls intervened, pleading on their behalf. The ritual was eventually performed, Scarlett was declared "clean," and the family was allowed to return home.
And so began a new chapter of their lives—one filled with silence, survival, and searching. They moved into their grandfather's home.
Amelia was never the same. Her father had been her first love, and his absence created a void she couldn't fill. She never truly got to know the man he became, but his memory lived on in her heart.
Since then, Amelia struggled to express her feelings face-to-face. She feared losing people. She never knew if someone would like her back, and she didn't want to risk rejection—or worse, abandonment. In her mind, the more people she let into her heart, the more doors she opened for heartbreak.
Eventually, Amelia and Ethan started school at St. Andrews Catholic, where they met Mason Ifeanyi, who had three siblings: the eldest, Emilly, then Michael, and the youngest, Chloe.
Mason and Ethan became fast friends. Meanwhile, Amelia bonded with Chloe. The two girls became inseparable—best friends who shared everything.
Later, Amelia and Ethan transferred to Abide Montessori School. Though they no longer went to the same school as Chloe, they still saw her often, especially since their grandparents' house was nearby.
One morning, Scarlett gently woke Amelia up for school. Still half-asleep, she got ready—bathed, ate, and dressed in her uniform. She and Ethan walked to school, made new friends, studied, played, and did their homework. It was fun… but Amelia missed Chloe.
Then came Violet.
Amelia had gone to school one day feeling unusually happy. But during break time, Violet said something that ruined her mood. To this day, Amelia can't recall what exactly was said—but it hurt.
She poured her heart out to her friend and classmate, Debbie, who listened sympathetically. But later, Amelia discovered that Debbie was actually close friends with Violet. That stung.
Eventually, the girls apologized. Amelia forgave Debbie, and they became friends again. Debbie and her twin brother, David, were known by everyone. Amelia even had a small crush on David—but it faded, like most childhood crushes do.
Together, they all completed their Primary 6 exams and graduated successfully.
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Now let's shift the spotlight to Levi Chukwudalu—Amelia's uncle, the second child of her grandparents.
Levi and Scarlett attended the same primary school growing up. He went on to complete both secondary and tertiary education on his own. Brilliant and hardworking, Levi became an Education Officer.
In time, he met and fell in love with Delilah Ozioma—a student at Amanda's fashion design school. They got married, and Delilah became part of the Chukwudalu family.
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On another path, Amanda's life was also changing.
Two years after Levi's wedding, Amanda began preparations for her own big day—her wedding to Elijah Abosede. The family buzzed with excitement. Plans were made, clothes sewn, and invitations sent.
Seven-year-old Amelia was thrilled but a little sad—she hadn't been chosen as one of the little bridesmaids. Still, she smiled through it all, too happy for Amanda to let disappointment ruin the moment.
The wedding was blissful—dancing, laughter, family, and beauty.
But like most fairytales, reality stepped in too soon. The marriage didn't last. Amanda's relationship with her mother-in-law, Mrs. Kate, grew strained. Tensions rose, and what once felt like a forever promise slowly unraveled.
Still, Amanda had lived, loved, and learned—and the next chapters of her life were only beginning.