Chapter 6
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The driver, who turned out to be a woman jumped out of her car the moment she heard the loud thud. She rushed to the front of the vehicle and saw a young girl lying still, bleeding.
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“Oh my God!” she screamed. “Please, open your eyes, young lady!” She shook Abioye gently, panic rising in her voice. But there was no response.
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Without wasting another second, she lifted Abioye into her car and drove straight to the nearest hospital. Doctors rushed out with a stretcher and wheeled her into the emergency ward. Blood was cleaned, drips fixed, oxygen tubes inserted. But still, no movement.
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“She’s in a coma,” one doctor said.
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Days turned to weeks.
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And weeks turned into a month.
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Abioye remained unconscious, her body barely responding.
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Inside her mind, strange things were happening. She wandered in a dark space, voices echoing all around her some calling her forward, others calling her back.
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Then suddenly, one voice stood out.
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“Abioye!”
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She turned around slowly.
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“Who are you? How do you know my name?” she asked, confused.
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“Go back,” the voice said gently. “Your time is not yet up. You still have unfinished business.”
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“But the pain is too much. I’m tired of suffering!” she cried.
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“Go back.”
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And just like that, she gasped.
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Her eyes fluttered open.
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Machines beeped. Nurses rushed in. One of them shouted, “She’s awake! Call the doctor!”
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They removed the oxygen tube from her mouth and helped her sit up gently.
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“Where… where am I?” she asked weakly.
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“You’re in the hospital,” one nurse replied. “You’ve been in a coma for a month. You were brought in by a woman who hit you with her car.”
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Just then, a middle-aged woman stepped into the room, her face lighting up with relief.
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“Oh, thank God you’re awake,” she said. “I’m the one who hit you. I’ve been coming every day since then.”
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Abioye looked at her, eyes soft. “You brought me here?”
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“Yes, dear. I’m so sorry.”
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“Thank you, ma. You saved my life.”
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The woman smiled. “What’s your name?”
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“Abioye Ajenifuja. I’m 18. My parents disowned me after I got pregnant… the boy denied me. I lost everything. I’ve been surviving on the streets.”
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The woman’s face turned to sorrow. “Oh, my dear. That’s heartbreaking. My name is Mirabel. I’m a widow… and CEO of Hermes Company. We produce hair creams and natural body products.”
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Abioye blinked. “Wow…”
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“Do you have anywhere to go after you leave here?”
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“No, ma. The woman I worked for threw me out.”
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Mirabel paused, then asked, “Would you like to come stay with me?”
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Abioye stared in shock. “Are… are you serious?”
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“Yes, I am.”
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Abioye’s voice shook. “Thank you so much, ma. God will bless you.”
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A few days later, Abioye was discharged and moved into Mirabel’s spacious, well-decorated home. As they walked in, the living room was filled with portraits of a man and two teenagers.
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“Ma… who are those in the pictures?” Abioye asked gently over dinner.
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Mirabel’s smile faded. “That’s my late husband and my two children. They all died in a car crash two months ago.”
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Abioye’s eyes widened. “Jesus! I’m so sorry, ma.”
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“It’s fine. When I saw you lying there, something in me just couldn’t walk away. You reminded me of what I lost.”
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Tears filled Abioye’s eyes. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
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That night, as she lay in a warm, clean bed, her mind flashed back Bamidele’s lies, Mercy’s warnings, the rape, the miscarriage. She whispered to herself, “I hope there’s a second chance for me in this life.”
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A few mornings later, Mirabel called her in for a talk.
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“My dear, you’ve been with me for some time now,” she began. “Do you have plans for your future? A trade or… maybe school?”
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Abioye sat quietly, then said, “I want to go back to school, ma. I was studying Law before everything fell apart. But I have no means…”
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Mirabel smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll sponsor you.”
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Abioye’s eyes widened in shock. “Ma… are you serious?”
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“Yes. But ” Mirabel paused, her tone serious, “on one condition.”
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Abioye’s heart skipped. “What condition, ma?”
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Mirabel leaned forward. “I want to adopt you legally. I’m getting old, and I want someone to call my own. Someone who will carry on my name. In return, you’ll have access to everything I own, my wealth, my home, my legacy.”
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Abioye froze. Emotions overwhelmed her.
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“Are you… sure, ma? Someone like me?”
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“You deserve love too, Abioye.”
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Abioye dropped to her knees, tears streaming down. “Thank you, ma! I’ll be your daughter. I’ll make you proud.”
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They embraced.
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A few weeks later, Abioye purchased her JAMB form and passed excellently. She gained admission into Lagos State University this time with a clear focus. She poured her heart into her studies.
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Five years later, she graduated with a First Class in Law. At the convocation, her name was announced as the Best Graduating Student. As she walked across the stage, she looked out and saw Mirabel, older, but smiling brightly with a gele almost covering her eyes.
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Tears filled Abioye’s eyes.
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She had been given another chance, and she didn’t waste it.
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Now working in a top law firm with Mirabel’s help, life finally looked perfect.
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But when her past returns to haunt her…
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Will she be strong enough to face it?
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and then Add to home screen.