Chapter 20: Visiting Our Sister 3

    Her voice broke slightly at the end, an emotional crescendo that seemed genuine to anyone unaware of her true feelings

    Somto''s eyes darkened momentarily, but he schooled his expression, suppressing the sharp words threatening to escape.

    Instead, he spoke with controlled calm. "I''m sorry, Ebere. I was busy with something I couldn''t afford to abandon at the time." His tone softened, his apology sincere. "I''ll try to be there for you next time."

    Ebere glanced up at him, her eyes glistening with what seemed to be tears, but a faint, satisfied smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she turned her face away.

    Somto sighed inwardly, acknowledging his fault in this situation. He understood that Ebere''s resentment toward Nnenna likely stemmed from his perceived favoritism.@@@@

    Trying to justify his actions would only add fuel to the fire, so he opted to defuse the tension with a simple sincere apology.

    "I''m really sorry, okay?" he said, his voice laced with sincerity.

    Ebere tilted her head slightly, her expression softening, but only on the surface. Deep down, she smirked, knowing that Somto had backed down to keep the peace.

    She wouldn''t press the issue now, doing so might ruin the sweet, caring sister persona she worked so hard to maintain. Instead, she mentally resolved to deal with Nnenna directly when the time came.

    "You promise?" she asked sweetly, her voice light and innocent as if she had already forgiven him.

    Somto nodded firmly, his commanding tone returning. "Go on now. Get ready quickly. We''re leaving soon."

    Ebere nodded obediently, her sweet smile still in place. But as she turned her back to him, the warmth faded, replaced by a cold determination. Let''s go see that girl, then.

    Somto''s sharp eyes lingered on her retreating figure until she disappeared around the corner. Something about her demeanor felt off, like an undercurrent of malice she was trying to conceal.

    Somto raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze studying the boy carefully. Something was off, his little brother''s behavior was far from his usual confident self.

    He nodded slowly, but his voice carried an undertone of suspicion. "Alright. I was just wondering..." He paused deliberately before continuing, "I walked past Nnenna''s room, but I couldn''t find her. Do you know where she is?"

    The question hit Chidera like a bolt of lightning, sparking an immediate flare of guilt and fear.

    For a brief second, his eyes darted away before he composed himself, though the effort was visible. "How am I supposed to know?" he snapped, his tone turning sharp and defensive. "Am I her caretaker?"

    Somto let out a soft scoff, the sound sharp enough to cut through the tense air. Chidera''s words echoed eerily in his mind, a chilling resemblance to Cain''s infamous excuse after killing Abel in the Bible.

    The similarities were too striking to ignore. ''Am I my sister''s keeper'' Somto thought bitterly, his jaw tightening.

    Chidera clearly knows what happened, yet he dares to deny it with such flimsy excuses.

    Taking a deep breath to steady his rising frustration, Somto fixed his little brother with a steely gaze.

    His tone, though measured, carried the weight of authority that left no room for argument. "Alright then," he began, his words deliberate and cutting through Chidera''s fragile composure like a blade. "Here''s what you''re going to do."

    Chidera swallowed hard, his confidence crumbling under Somto''s intense scrutiny.

    "You''re going to get ready," Somto continued, each word landing with precision. "We''re visiting her in the hospital."

    Chidera''s eyes widened slightly, panic flickering across his face before he could mask it. "W-what? Why?"

    Somto''s gaze didn''t waver as he took a step closer, his voice now cold and unyielding. "Because I said so," he said, his tone sharp enough to leave no doubt that he was done playing games. "And you, little brother, have some apologizing to do."