Title: Bound by Blood, Broken by Pride
*Chapter 14: Reckonings and Revelations
The grand chandelier above Queen Preshido's living room sparkled in the quiet afternoon light. She sat curled on the velvet chaise, lost in her thoughts. Evelyn's words echoed again and again in her mind: *"I've seen him with that rough girl… I'm sure of it."*
Her fingers gripped her phone, staring at Charles' contact, yet again unanswered. Doubt twisted in her chest. Had he really replaced her with someone else?
The click of the front door interrupted her spiral.
She turned.
Her breath caught. "Michael?" she gasped.
*Michael Godson*, tall, clean-cut, dressed in a navy-blue jacket and jeans, stood in the doorway with a bright smile.
"Surprise," he grinned.
She jumped up, ran to him, and threw her arms around his neck. "You didn't tell me you were coming!"
"I wanted to see that shocked look on your face," he laughed, holding her tightly before planting a soft kiss on her cheek. "You look more beautiful than ever."
She pulled back, beaming. "I missed you."
"I missed you more," he replied.
"Where's your dad?" he asked, glancing around.
"He's out of the country. Business trip. He'll be back in two months," she said, linking arms with him. "You're just in time."
She turned and called out, "Angela!"
A maid stepped out. "Yes, my queen."
"Please get something special for our guest. He's just arrived from abroad."
Angela nodded and left.
Hand in hand, Queen Preshido and Michael headed upstairs. Her laugh rang out in the hallway as he whispered something in her ear.
***
Meanwhile, at a sleek café bar, *Charles* leaned back on the couch across from his friend, *Richard*.
"I'm telling you, this is the biggest move I've made yet," Charles said, sipping his drink. "Soma's business plan is golden. Imports, wholesale cosmetics, distribution - it's a multimillion-naira deal."
Richard raised a skeptical brow. "And you already sent her the money?"
Charles nodded proudly. "All of it. 200 million."
Richard's eyes widened. "200 million?! Bro, are you sure you're not getting played?"
Charles frowned. "No. Soma's not like that. She loves me. She's planning our future."
Richard leaned forward. "And what if she's planning it alone? Without you?"
Charles waved him off. "You don't know her."
"I know enough to say - think twice."
Charles stood abruptly. "Get me another drink. Something strong."
Richard sighed and walked off to the bar.
***
Back at the mansion, *Marita* sat on the sofa smiling as she looked at her husband, *Sir Frederick*, over her reading glasses.
"I spoke to Nancy today," she said warmly.
"And?" he asked, looking up from his newspaper.
"She's two weeks pregnant!"
Frederick's face lit up. "Are you serious?! That's the best news I've heard all week."
"She said they'll be back in Nigeria soon."
He placed the paper down and clapped his hands. "I can't wait to see them. At least someone in this house is making me proud."
***
Later that evening, the sound of a door creaking open echoed down the marble hallway. Charles had returned. He moved quickly toward the staircase, not even glancing at the living room where his parents sat.
"Charles," Sir Frederick called sternly.
He stopped mid-step.
"Didn't you see us?" his father asked.
"I did," he said flatly.
"And you couldn't greet?"
Charles didn't respond.
"You've been parading yourself with that girl. When are you going to get a responsible woman and settle down?"
Charles clenched his jaw.
"You should know," Frederick added, "your brother's wife is pregnant. They'll be back soon."
With that, he stood, shook his head in disappointment, and walked off.
"Charles," his mother called gently. "Come - "
But Charles was already climbing the stairs.
***
Inside his room, Charles dropped his phone on the bed. He immediately picked it back up and dialed *Princess Soma's* Nigerian number.
Switched off.
He tried the German line.
Also switched off.
He frowned. "Maybe no signal…"
A soft knock.
"Come in," he said.
I stepped in holding a tray. "Should I serve your food, sir?"
He looked up at me, his eyes tired, a little hollow. He stared at me for a long moment, like he was seeing right through me.
Then he muttered, "Get out."
I blinked, stunned. I turned and slowly began to walk out and shut the door.ready for chapter 15