The silence in the guest room was heavy. Amaka stared at the reflection in the mirror, heart pounding like it wanted to escape her chest. She was still in her wedding gown. The hem was slightly stained from where she'd run through the corridor. Her hands trembled as she brushed her hair back.
Her phone buzzed again. This time, a message.
Unknown Number: You really married him? After everything?
Her throat went dry.
Who was this? Was it Tochi?
No. It couldn't be.
She stepped back, away from the mirror, her breath quickening. Then she turned sharply at the knock on the door.
"Amaka?" Ebuka's voice came through gently. "Can I come in?"
She froze. Part of her wanted to pull the door open and throw herself into his arms. But the other part… the part that had read that message and seen the man at the gate… that part whispered, What if you made a mistake?
She took a deep breath, forcing calm into her voice. "Yes. Come in."
Ebuka stepped in, still wearing the same tuxedo from earlier, the top button undone, his eyes tired but warm. He walked over slowly, gently taking her hand.
"You disappeared. I was worried," he said, his thumb brushing her palm. "Everyone's still downstairs asking questions."
She didn't speak. She didn't know what to say.
Ebuka studied her. "You're scared. What's wrong?"
She opened her mouth, but no words came. Should she tell him? Would he believe her?
Instead, she showed him the phone.
His eyes narrowed as he read the message. "Who sent this?"
"I don't know," she whispered. "The number isn't saved."
He stared at it a moment longer, then handed it back. "We'll get it traced. It could be someone trying to mess with you. With us."
"But the man I saw…"
"Amaka, we buried Tochi three years ago."
She shook her head slowly. "I know what I saw."
He stepped closer. "And I believe you think you saw him. But people play tricks, babe. Someone might be trying to scare you."
Amaka pulled away. "Why today of all days? And why would someone want to scare me unless… unless it's really him?"
Ebuka clenched his jaw. "Do you want to go to the police?"
"No," she said quickly. "Not yet. Not until I'm sure."
He nodded, though his eyes were filled with conflict. "I'll have someone keep an eye on the gate. No one gets in or out without us knowing."
She nodded slowly.
As Ebuka left the room, her phone buzzed again. Another message from the same number.
Unknown Number: I'm coming for you, Amaka. And this time, you won't walk away so easily.
Her knees buckled, and she sank onto the bed, the phone slipping from her hands.
She didn't see the shadow standing just across the street, watching the house from beneath the cover of night. His eyes were fixed on the window where the light still glowed.
He lit a cigarette and took a slow drag, his lips curving into a cold smile.
"Tochi," a voice said behind him. "Are you sure about this?"
He exhaled smoke and didn't take his eyes off the window. "She thinks I'm dead. Let's keep it that way… for now..