of distant traffic was a soothing background noise, but inside me, there

s warm embrace, dreaming of a family. My first pregnancy had been a dream come true, a promise of joy. But that dream had shattered just as s

f grief. This time, the sadness lingered longer. Jackson's reassurances felt mor

the hospital, the sterile scent of antiseptics. And then, the doctor's words, clipped a

king. What was there to say? My body had failed me. Jackson tried to be strong, forcing smiles, making me te

ink after work-an attempt to numb the pain he couldn't escape. Then two. Then too many.

money we didn't have, then started stealing from me. I would save a few naira from my tailoring work-mon

e nev

. I would scream at him for wasting what little we had, for abandoning me in my

p tailoring. At first, it was just something to keep my mind busy, but soon, it became a lifeline.

and his gambling debts began to creep up. Yet I en

from an alley. Instinct made me hide behind a large dumpster, and I saw them-a group of men, sur

I pulled out my phone and dialed the police, whispering the location. The next few

rying, clutching her belly. "Are you al

as Clara, and she was relocating, hoping to start a new life

can stay with me. It's

ether, we walked to my small, weathered home. As we settled in, I found a strange se

house that had been missing for years. I tended to her, cooked for her, and in the q

a reminder that even in a world of loss, ther

, for a new

s began. Panic gripped me, but I forced myself to stay calm. We barely made it to the clinic in time. Hours of pain, scre

cries and laughter of newborns. I helped Clara with everything

it all

my feet aching but my heart light. I pushed the door open, ex

was

the table, h

ice. I can't explain, but I have

to the small crib by the corner. One of the babies was still the

ed and swelled a

but she had also

aug