Life doesn't pause for anyone—not even for heartbreak. It just keeps moving, and so must we.
Let's return to Levi. He and his wife, Delilah, welcomed their first daughter—Davina Chukwudaalu. Her birth was a blessing that brought joy to the entire family. Amelia, especially, was overjoyed to have a new little cousin to dote on.
Shortly after, Levi and his growing family moved into a new apartment, not far from the grandparents' home. We visited often, sharing laughs, meals, and little moments of peace.
But peace is fragile.
About a year later, strange things began to happen. Levi started having terrifying, vivid nightmares that shook him to his core. The dreams became so frequent and disturbing that the entire family grew concerned. Eventually, the truth came to light: the landlady was involved in some form of spiritual manipulation. The nightmares weren't just dreams—they were warnings.
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Now, let's go back to Amelia. While she and Ethan were still attending Abide Montessori School, something terrible happened.
One afternoon after school, their mother didn't arrive to pick them up on time. After waiting for a while, Amelia and Ethan decided to take a motorbike home themselves. But they never imagined what that decision would cost.
By the time their mother arrived at school, they were already gone. Frantic, she rushed to check Levi's house, hoping they might've gone there. But just minutes away from his place, tragedy struck. She was involved in a terrible accident. Her leg was broken.
When Amelia heard what had happened, she was devastated. Guilt and sorrow consumed her. She cried for days, blaming herself. Thankfully, with time and care, Scarlett began to heal, but the memory of that day left a permanent scar on Amelia's heart.
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Despite the heaviness, Amelia found comfort in the little joys of childhood—playing with Chloe, laughing with Mason, and annoying Ethan. Around the age of ten, Amelia developed a small crush on Mason. She thought it would fade, like the others. But it didn't—it only grew.
Then came a change.
Grandma brought home a new housemaid, Isabella. She was kind and responsible, and quickly settled into the rhythm of their home. Still, the usual sibling squabbles between Amelia and Ethan continued. Somehow, Amelia always ended up doing the chores—because Ethan was older and good at dodging responsibility.
After completing primary school, Amelia's mother told her she would be traveling to join Aunt Amanda in Lagos. The news shattered Amelia. She didn't want her mother to leave. But Scarlett reminded her, "It was your father's dream—for me to explore the world."
Wiping her tears, Amelia promised,
"One day, I will make my parents proud. I will begin my new journey."
She packed her bags. They would travel the following week. Her mother would go with her, but only stay briefly before returning to Delta State. Amelia would have to be brave.
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The Journey To Lagos.
The road to Lagos was long and tiring. They traveled by bus, stopping occasionally to stretch and grab snacks. Amelia missed her brother, her friends, Chloe… and yes, Mason. But deep inside, she knew this was something she needed to do.
Aunt Amanda welcomed them warmly. After two weeks, Scarlett sat her daughter down for one last talk.
"I love you so much. Be strong. Take care of yourself and be good to Amanda. Goodbye."
"I love you too, Mom," Amelia whispered, her voice breaking.
Then, Scarlett left.
Amelia cried for nights. But eventually, she pulled herself together, stood in front of the mirror, and said, "I can do this."
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New Beginnings.
The next morning, Amelia woke up on her own. She could almost feel her mother's presence lingering beside her. She got ready—bathed, brushed her teeth, dressed herself, ate breakfast—and waited for school. It was a new life.
She settled into her new school. It was different but exciting. She made new friends, helped Aunt Amanda with chores, and even babysat for neighbors. Slowly, Lagos began to feel like home. But there was still a part of her that longed for home in Delta.
Then came her first real test.
The classroom was tense—students flipping through notebooks and whispering formulas. Amelia sat in the middle row, heart pounding.
She remembered her mother's words:
"You're smart, Amelia. Just believe in yourself."
The test began. She moved through the questions smoothly—until the urge to pee hit her like a thunderstorm.
She rushed to finish the test, but forgot to write her name. Desperate, she ran to the toilet. But the stench inside was unbearable, and the urge vanished. She hurried back, scribbled her name, and as if cursed—the pee came rushing out. Right there, in the teacher's office.
Amelia was mortified.
The teacher looked at her and said kindly, "It's okay. Go wash your skirt and come back. The janitor will handle it."
She nodded, eyes filled with tears, and went to clean herself. But when she returned to class, everyone laughed. That day broke her spirit.
But just a few days later, when the results came out—
Amelia had the highest score in class.
**********
Time Passed.
She joined the school's drama club, and to her surprise, landed the lead role in a play. She began writing in a journal every night, pouring out her fears, hopes, and dreams. Sometimes, she wrote letters to Mason—letters she never sent.
She thought about her dad often. She missed her mom, Ethan, and Chloe. But she didn't let it weigh her down. Instead, she carried their memories like a backpack—heavy, but always with her.
One evening, Aunt Amanda took her to the beach.
As the sun dipped into the horizon, painting the sky in gold and violet, Amanda turned to her and said:
"This is life, Amelia. It's full of pain, joy, and change—but through it all, you grow."
Amelia nodded, the breeze brushing against her cheeks.
Every day, she grew a little stronger. Yes, there were still tears, still lonely nights, and moments of self-doubt. But she faced them—with courage.
Because Amelia knew something now:
Life is a journey.
And hers was only just beginning.