Chapter 23: Pretense 1

    "Hey! What do you mean by that?" Ikenna asked, his tone rising in indignation. "How do you even know about that? So, you''ve been monitoring us? I can''t believe you actually planted your people in my hospital!"

    Somto remained calm, letting Ikenna rant.

    "And what''s worse, you two must''ve been in on this! Did you know he was going to ban me from his room? It''s not fair! I''m his doctor, the reason he''s even alive right now, and yet, he''s barring me from his room!"

    Ikenna''s frustration bubbled over as he continued. "And let''s not even talk about the fact that I still can''t figure out why he doesn''t want to recover.@@@@

    Probably because he''s still holding out hope for that girl you both keep looking for! It''s been years, she might even be dead by now!"

    As soon as those words left Ikenna''s mouth, the entire atmosphere shifted. A cold chill swept through the hallway, and for a moment, he thought it came from Somto.

    But no, it wasn''t Somto. It was the man on a wheelchair across the hall.

    Four''s voice cut through like a blade.

    "What did you just say?"

    Ikenna turned toward the voice, startled. He stumbled over his words, trying to clarify. "I didn''t mean that! She''s not dead. I mean, I didn''t say she was dead, did I? Did you hear me say she was dead?" His eyes darted to Somto, searching for support.

    Somto "..."

    Four "..."

    Somto didn''t answer him. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Four, who sat on a wheelchair motionless, his presence commanding. Without a word, Somto began walking toward Four.

    As Queen Chioma spoke, she reached out as if to adjust Nnenna''s pillow, but her hands barely did anything. The gesture was empty, just for show.

    Nnenna''s sharp gaze followed the woman''s movements, her mind spinning. ''She''s a Queen, yet she''s acting like this? Maybe the stage would suit her better. She would make a fantastic actress.''

    The young girl''s thoughts turned darker as the reality of the situation hit her. ''Who in the castle doesn''t know that I fell down the stairs and spent the last four months in a coma?

    And yet, these people, standing here as if they care...never visited me. Not once. Now she has the audacity to say she was ''so worried.''''

    Her tired body stiffened slightly, though she tried to remain calm. ''Why are they even here? What do they want from me this time?''

    She glanced at the family with a growing sense of unease. These past few days, after waking up, had been peaceful, almost too peaceful. She had begun to dream of staying away from the castle forever.

    But now, it seemed the chaos and problems of that place had followed her here.

    "I''m fine, and if you don''t mind, I really need to rest," Nnenna replied, her tone as calm as she could manage, though a hint of annoyance flickered behind her eyes.

    But Queen Chioma wasn''t backing down. She had her agenda for the day. With a determined smile, she pressed on, hoping to leave a good impression on the King. "You don''t have to pretend, dear. We''re family.

    You can tell us how you''re really feeling. Don''t worry, I will speak to the doctor. Maybe you can stay here a bit longer so they can make sure everything is alright with you."

    In her heart, Queen Chioma actually hoped that Nnenna would stay longer in the hospital. She didn''t want the girl to come back home at all.

    It was an opportunity for her to come up with a perfect excuse, a reason to keep Nnenna away. But what Chioma did not realize was that her "excuse" was a blessing in disguise for Nnenna.

    Nnenna didn''t want to return to that castle. For the first time in a long while, she felt peace, real, uninterrupted peace.