Ekoes: Chapter 4

The Adedayo mansion was filled with a tense silence as the family gathered in the living room to discuss the shocking revelations in Chief Obafemi’s will. The grand room, adorned with luxurious furniture and family portraits, had never felt so cold and distant. The weight of unanswered questions hung heavily in the air.

Oritoke Adedayo sat at the center of the room, trying to maintain her composure and hold the family together. Her eyes scanned the faces of her siblings and her mother, Grace, each reflecting a mix of confusion, anger, and fear.

Bayo Adedayo stood near the fireplace, his posture rigid with resentment. He had always felt overlooked and now, with the will’s revelations, his anger was palpable. Tosin Adedayo, lounging on a couch, wore a mask of indifference, though the tension in his body betrayed his inner turmoil. Ife Adedayo sat quietly, her sharp eyes absorbing every detail, feeling the weight of the secrets they had yet to uncover.

Grace, seated beside Oritoke, looked drained and fragile, her grief compounded by the uncertainties surrounding her late husband’s hidden life. The family was on edge, anticipating the next bombshell.

Suddenly, the heavy front door creaked open, and the sound of confident footsteps echoed through the hall. The room fell silent as everyone turned to see who had entered. Uncle Jide, Chief Obafemi’s estranged brother, strode into the living room with an air of arrogance and mystery.

Jide was a striking figure, tall and charismatic, with an enigmatic smile that hinted at untold stories. His presence immediately stirred old rivalries and tensions. The family stared in stunned silence as he approached.

“I’m back!” Jide announced, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

Grace stood up, her face pale with shock. “Jide, what are you doing here? You have no right!”

Jide smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. “I have every right. Obafemi and I had unfinished business. Did you think I wouldn’t find out about the will?”

Bayo stepped forward, his fists clenched in anger. “Get out of here. You’re not welcome.”

Ignoring Bayo, Jide turned to Oritoke, who met his gaze with a mix of wariness and curiosity. “Your father had secrets. Big ones. There’s a reason he kept me away, and it’s time you all knew the truth.”

Grace, trembling with anger, shouted, “Enough, Jide! Leave us alone!”

Jide, unfazed, continued, “Not until you all hear what I have to say. It’s about Felicia and the hidden child.”

The room erupted in chaos. Bayo lunged toward Jide, but Oritoke quickly intervened, holding him back. Tosin’s indifferent mask shattered, revealing a mix of confusion and anger. Ife, though silent, was visibly shaken by the revelations.

“Calm down, everyone!” Oritoke’s voice, though strained, held a commanding tone. She turned to Jide. “What do you know about Felicia and this hidden child?”

Jide’s smirk widened. “Felicia was more than just a mistress. She and Obafemi had a child together. A child who has been hidden from all of you for years.”

Grace’s eyes filled with tears. “How could he do this to us?”

Bayo, still fuming, demanded, “Where is this child? Why should we believe anything you say?”

Jide reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a stack of letters, waving them in the air. “These letters from Obafemi to Felicia will answer all your questions. But first, I think we need to have a proper family discussion.”

Oritoke, struggling to keep her emotions in check, nodded. “Fine. Let’s hear what you have to say.”

As the family reluctantly settled back into their seats, Jide began to read the letters aloud. Each word revealed more about Chief Obafemi’s double life and the depth of his secrets. The room was filled with a mix of gasps, sobs, and angry mutters as the truth unfolded.

By the time Jide finished reading, the family was left in stunned silence. The weight of the revelations had shattered their already fragile unity. Oritoke looked around the room, seeing the pain and betrayal etched on each face. She knew that this was only the beginning of their journey to uncover the full extent of their father’s secrets.

“We need to find this child,” Oritoke said softly but firmly. “We need to know the truth.”

Jide nodded, his expression serious. “I can help you with that. But be prepared. The truth might be more than you can handle.”

As the family braced themselves for the challenges ahead, they couldn’t help but wonder if they would ever find peace and unity again. The echoes of the past were louder than ever, threatening to unravel the very fabric of their lives.