Chapter 6 SIX

Six years later...

“Surprise!! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday...”

A smile flitted across my lips as the voices of my triplets filled the atmosphere.

I opened my eyes and saw them stepping into my room while balancing a chocolate cake in their hands.

Quickly, I looked at the wall clock.

It was 6:30 AM.

The rich aroma of chocolate filled the room, making my lips water. My kids knew I loved chocolate. Had they baked this themselves?

A chuckle erupted from the hallway as their nanny appeared at the doorway. Mrs. Chukwuemeka and I shared a knowing glance.

“How old are you now? How old are you no–w? How old are you now?” My triplets chanted, carefully climbing my bed.

Grinning, I sat up against the plush pillows and joined them.

“I’m twenty-eight years today. I’m twenty-eight years today. I’m twenty-eight...I’m twenty-eight, I’m twenty-eight years today!!”

The kids broke into joyful squeals.

“May God bless you now! May God bless you now! May God bless n-now...May God bless you now!”

“Hip! Hip! Hip!” Mrs. Chukwuemeka clamored.

“Hooray!!” the kids hollered, dumping the cake on my lap and lifting their hands in the air, before hugging me.

And just like that, the tears I've been fighting came gushing down my face.

Years ago, I never imagined this moment. I had no idea that life still had something this beautiful in store for me.

It'd been six years since I left the States and landed in Port Harcourt, a bustling city of Nigeria.

Six years since I started over and built a life that no longer hurt to wake up to.

Life hadn’t just been good—it had been perfect. I’d secured a job at a top aerospace company and watched my kids grow in beauty and grace.

Over the years, I thrived as a single mother and earned four promotions. Who would’ve thought the server girl from years ago would become this successful?

“You’re determined and resilient,” my boss, Mrs. Allwell, would say. She'd believed in me from the start and given me opportunities to prove myself.

And I did.

I won her multiple deals and investments. Even helped secure her company’s position as the top aircraft manufacturer in Africa.

Today, I owned a mansion in my name and four luxury cars. My savings account was enough to last me a lifetime—even for my third generation.

It felt like a dream. But every time I pinched myself, the sharp sting reminded me that it wasn't. I was a living proof that someone like me, someone who once had nothing, could build everything.

“Stop, Damian! You will ruin mommy’s cake,” Eloise, my eldest by ten seconds, scolded her younger brother, ruining his efforts to scoop an icing from the cake.

“I was just adjusting the icing!” Damian defended

“No, you weren’t!” Eloise retorted and turned to my youngest. “Wasn't he about to lick it, Nathaniel?”

“Can we not fight this morning? It's mommy’s birthday,” Nathaniel muttered in his usual soft voice.

Laughing, I wiped the last of my tears and studied the cake. The icing was a little messy, the writing slightly crooked, but it was perfect in my eyes.

“Did you guys really make this?” I asked.

“Yes!” Eloise answered, lifting her head with pride. “We did everything!”

Damian scoffed “No, we didn't. Mrs. Chukwuemeka helped a lot.”

Eloise shot him a glare. “That’s not true! We cracked the eggs, mixed the batter, and poured it into the pan all by ourselves!”

“Except for the first batch,” Nathaniel calmly reminded her.

Eloise’s cheeks turned pink. “That was an accident! I… might have dropped an eggshell in the batter. But it was just one time!" she gestured with an index finger.

I laughed harder, shaking my head. Every moment with the triplets was memorable. It was fun seeing them banter each other and make up the next second.

"Well, I appreciate all the effort. This is the best birthday cake ever,” I praised, and the triplets beamed with pride.

“Blow the candle and make your wish, Mommy,” Nathaniel said.

Exhaling, I closed my eyes and wished for a partner. I mean, I was successful, healthy, and raising my own kids. It would be nice to have someone to come home to.

Reopening my eyes, I blew off the candle!

The kids and their nanny clapped.

Warmed by their love, I cut the cake and gave each child a piece, Mrs. Chukwuemeka and myself. Hmmn, it tasted good.

Just as I took another bite, my phone rang— Ruth. Mrs. Chukwuemeka and I exchanged a knowing smile.

“Alright, children. Time to dress up for school.”

She stepped forward and led them out of the room. I mouthed a ‘thank you’ to her before sauntering to the window and answering the call.

“Hello, Ruth.”

“Happy birthday, Mabel!” she cheered, and we burst into laughter.

Ruth and I had stayed in touch since the morning I got the job with Allwell Group. I’d reached out to my best friend to share the good news, but not without first apologizing for leaving. After I opened up to her about what happened to me at the Forte-nite ball, Ruth, was as usual, sympathetic.

We’d reconciled instantly, but I’ve kept the motherhood aspect of my life from her.

Until I’m ready to introduce the triplets to my past, I’d rather keep them a secret; safe and hidden.

“Thanks, Ruth,” I mumbled.

“So how are you celebrating your special day?” she asked.

“I don't know—perhaps at home, with a bottle of champagne after work.”

“A champagne? Oh, I’ve forgotten. You’re a rich lady now,” she drawled and we laughed.

My phone vibrated. A text from my boss.

‘Report to my office first thing. This is important.’

A chill crept down my spine. Did something happen?

“Oh, I miss you so much,” Ruth drawled, pulling me out my thoughts. “Maybe you should visit soon.”

“I will. Very soon.”

She sighed.“That's what you always say, Mabel. But you never come or allow me to visit you either. It’s truly unfair.”

The only reason I hadn't visited or let her come over was because I was hiding the triplets. An ache pushed my heart, the pain of hiding something as sensitive as this from her.

“I promise we'll meet again soon, Ruth. But right now I have to go now.”

Ruth hesitated as though perceiving something odd. “Alright. Talk to you later, birthday girl!”

I beamed. “Bye.”

With a deep breath, I ended the call and glanced again at my boss's text. There had to be a reason she asked to see me... What could it be?

Moments later, I studied my reflection before the vanity.

For the day, I’d slipped into a white pantsuit tailored to my slender figure. The blazer hugged my shoulders perfectly, paired with trousers that fell effortlessly over my latest Jimmy Choo stilettos.

Satisfied with my look, I grabbed my handbag and phone from the nightstand and headed out of my bedroom.

I descended the grand stairs of my mansion, just as the laughter of the kids in the dining room reached my ears.

“Hurry up or we’ll be late!” I called out.

They gulped down the last bites of their breakfast in record time and rushed out of the dining room.

“Last one's a rotten banana!” Damian blurted, and they erupted with squeals as they raced toward the terrace.

“Your coffee, Ma'am.” My housekeeper handed me my coffee and joined the kids in the driveway.

A sleek black SUV waited outside, the driver holding the door open. He gave a slight bow as the kids and I filed in, then gently shut the door behind us.

Sunlight filtered through the windscreen as our car glided along the streets of Port Harcourt. The traffic was light, the city just stirring from its night’s rest.

My phone buzzed on my lap—a reminder of my boss’s text. I exhaled and took a slow sip of coffee.

“It's your birthday, Mommy. Where are you taking us?” Eloise asked, beaming with smiles.

A warm smile spilled across my lips. “Where would you like to go?”

“I want to visit the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park!” Damian blurted.

“I want to visit the zoo,” Eloise muttered, and our gazes drifted to Nathaniel who was suddenly quiet.

“Nat, what about you?” I asked.

My youngest hesitated, then in low voice, deviated from the topic. “Everyone in my class has a daddy. Where’s our daddy, Mommy?”