Pr

eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
..

Chapt
er1.

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.

Tenyear sagoIwasj ustanor dinarypoorgirl

!Never
i
nmywi ldestdreamshadIeverseenmysel fhaving
thebestt imeofmyl i
fe,t
hecl i
maxofmyl i
fe
mar ri
edt otheCr ownPr i
nce!Ialwayswant edand
prayedf orasi mpl ehappyl i
febutGodhadot her
plans.Her eIam, marriedtothishandsomeman.To
thewor ld,he'stheCr ownPr ince,tomehe'st he
reasonIwakeupever ydaywi t
habr oadsmi leon
myf ace.Thef atherofmyador ableand
troublesomeMuzi .HowIl ovetolookathiml ike
thi
swhi l
ehe'sfastasleep!Ican'tgetenoughoft hi
s
beauti
fulbodyofhis.Ifindmysel fki
ssingthescar
whichisfaint
lyvisi
bleonhi schest.Inhissleep,
he
putshisarm aroundmeandst rokesmyback.
"That'
screepy,
baby!"Heexclaims.Oops!I'
m
caughtintheact,Ihonestl
ythoughthewas
sleepi
ngbutitseemshe' sbeenpretendi
ngallal
ong.
"
I'
m sor
ry.
"Ibl
ush,
embar
rassed.
"I
t'
sokay.I'
m yours,ther
e'snoneedtofeelshy
aboutit
.Iknowt hatI'
m agoodcatchandittakesa
gir
lwithser
iousgut snottobetempted.
"Hewi nks,
I
l
ightl
ysmackhi sarm.
"Soful
lofyoursel
fMi st
er!Wholi
edt oyou?Ther
e's
nothi
ngextraor
dinaryorsotemptingaboutyour
body.Getoveryourself
."Iat
tempttoleavet
hebed
buthepull
smeback.
"Pl
easedon'
tgo.Staywit
hmei nbed.Ihaveafew
thi
ngsIwoul
dl i
ketoexperi
mentwit
hyou."He
naught
il
ysmilesandrunshist
ongueonhi sl
ower
l
ip.
"
Spha!
"Ir
epr
imandhi
m.Iknowwher
ehe'
sgoi
ng
wit
hthi
stopi
c."
I'
m sorr
ybutIcan'tst
ay,Ihaveto
wakeMuziupandpreparehi
mf orschool
."Thi
sis
t
heonlywayIcangetawayfrom him.
"Wehavemai dens,i
fIr emembercl ear
lytwoof
them wereassi
gnedt ot akecar
eofourson.Whyi s
i
tyouar etheonetakingcar eofeveryt
hing?Ifeel
neglect
ed,mygreatestf ear
sarebecomi ngreali
ty.I
knewyouwer egoingt of or
getaboutmewhenwe
havekids.
"Hurtisaudibl ei
nhisvoice.Helooks
awayhidinghistear
yeyes.
"Babe, I
'
m sor r
yyouf eelthatway, pleaseforgiveme.
Itwasnevermyi nt
enti
ont ohur tyou.It'
sjustthatI
feelobli
gedt obepar tofmyson' severydayl i
fe.I
don'twantmysont ostartfeel
inglikethemai dsare
theoneswhocar eforhim mor ethanIdo.Iwanta
soli
dr el
ationshipwithmychi l
dren.I'
m sorryIhurt
yourfeelingsindoingthis."Iplantasof tkissonhis
cheek.
"
Iunderst
andyourloveforMuzibutpleasedon'
t
makemef eell
eftoutandabandoned.Ineedyou
t
oo,babe.
"Hepul l
smecl oser.Hi
swarm body
t
ri
ggerssomealmostf or
gottenemoti
onsinmy
body.Hemoveshi sri
ghthanddownmyspi neandI
feeleveryt
hingdownmywai stti
ghtening.Ohdear
Spha!Thet hingsyoumakemef eel!"
Iloveyou
Nomt handazowami .
"Hear i
nghim callmynamei n
fullwarmsmyhear tandmycl it
orisagreestothat
.
"Babe,ngit
hengi yakuthanda.
(IsaidIloveyou
babe.)"Herepeatshisst at
ementinver nacul
ar.
"
Iloveyoumore,
dearpromotedboyf
ri
end.
"He
l
aughsmakingmesmi l
e.Thesoundofhi
slaughi
s
l
ikemusict
omyears.
"Idon'tknowwher eyouhear dt hatbuti
t'
skinda
cute,Ilikeit.
"Heflipstakingmewi t
hhim andnow
he'sont opofme." Whyi syourhear t
beat
accelerat i
ngbabe?Am It ouchingt heri
ght
buttons? "Hismiddlefingeristeasingmyni ppl
e,I
i
nvol untaril
yclosemyeyes." Openyoureyes
sweet hear t
,Iwanttoseeyou.Iwantt oseehow
goodImakeyouf eel
."Hesl i
ghtlymoveshishead,
kissesmyneckandbef oreIknowi the'
ssucking
mybr east.
"Spha!
"Imoan.Damn!Ihadal
mostf
orgot
tenhow
goodhistonguei
s.
"Ohbabe!Hear ingyouscr eam mynamel ikethat
j
ustsendsmet oanotherpl ace.Whereonl yyouand
Iexist,MyRose, myheavenonear t
h."Heposses
andl ooksdeepi ntomyeyesasi fsearchingf ormy
soul.Iusedt ofeeluncomf ortabl
eaboutt hisbut
now, Ireall
ydon'tcare.Ihavenot hi
ngt ohi de,I
alr
eadysur renderedmywhol ebeingtot hisGr eek
Godst aringdownatme.
"Whydidyoust
op?"Ican'
twai
tanyl
onger
,Iwant
him her
eandnow.
"Iwanttoenjoyever ymomentofit.
"Hepul l
smy
l
egswi deapartasheget si
nbetween." Youlook
splendi
d,babe."Ilookawayfeel
ingallofasudden
shy."Lookatme. "Heorder
s.Histonguef i
ndsmy
bell
ybutton.
..
..
...
..
...
..
"Thatwas.
..
.hotandawesome. "Hesayswi
ping
sweatfr
om myf ace."Thankyouhoney.
"Heplant
s
akissonmyf orehead.
"
Nothankstoyoudearhusbandforr emindi
ngme
t
hatdespi
tebei
ngamot herI
'm st
illyoursame
Nomthayouprof
essedyourloveto.Ididn'
tknowI
mi
ssedyouthi
smuch.
"Igi
vehi
m myonet
housand
megawat
tssmil
e.
"Iwishwecouldstayli
ket hi
sforever.Let
'sski
p
offi
cetoday,
babe.Idon'tthi
nkIwi llbeabl
eto
concentr
atetodayI'
m st
illhungr
y, Iwantmoreof
youhoney."
"
No.Getof
fme, wehaveafamil
ytofeed,
r
emember?"It
rytopushhi
m buthe'
sjusttooheavy.
"
Comeon,
dar
li
ng.Pl
ease.
"Hebegs.
"Fi
nebutIwillhavetoseeMuzibef
orehel
eavesf
or
school
."If
inall
ygivein.
"
It
'sseveno'
cl
ockal
ready.I
'
m sur
ehe'
saboutt
o
l
eave.
"Justt
hensomeoneknocksatt
hedoor
.
"Mommy, dad,openup!Iwantt
ogivemommya
kissbef
oreIleave.
"Muzishout
s.
"
Thiskid,
though.DoesheevenknowwhereIam
r
ightnow?"Sphamut t
ersunderhi
steet
h.
"
Mommy, thedr
iveri
shonkingcont
inuousl
yIwil
lbe
l
atef
orschool
.Openup!"Sphahesi
tantl
ygetsof
f
meandcoversourbodi
eswi t
habedsheet.
"
Thando,
comei
nson.
"Hecal
lsoutt
ohi
m.
"Goodmor ningmommy, dad.Whydi dn'tyouwake
upear lytoday?For getit,I'
mr unningl ate.Dad,my
creditcardi saboutt ogetmaxedoutdosomet hing
quick.Mommy, youf orgottosignmyhomewor kbut
don'tworr yaboutt hatSweetgr annyt ookcareofi t
."
That'sMuzif oryou!Het alksnonst op!Thedr iver
call
shi scel l
phone, heglancesati t,givesmea
quickkissandr unsof fshouting" l
oveyoumommy. "
Hesl amst hedoorbehi ndhi m andIhearhi s
footstepsr unningdownt hecor ri
dor.
"Thewayyoursontal
ks,
you'dswearhe'
sKayiseor
Nombulel
o'sson.Howcanamant al
knonstoplike
him?Iwil
lhavetodosomethi
ngaboutthi
s."Spha
says.
"Don'
ttr
oubl
emysonpl
ease.Lethim be,whatdo
youexpectmysont
obeli
ke?Afteral
l,he'
satrue
Tshabangu.
"
"Areyoutr
yingtosayt
hattheTshabangusar
e
tal
kati
ve?
"Het i
ckl
esmakingmegi ggl
eli
keaschool
gir
l.
Wepl ayaroundf oraboutthr
eeorfourhours,
we
fi
nallywakeupandt akeashower.It
'ssohotthese
dayssoacol dshowerisagoodst ar
tfortheday.
Afterappl
yingbodymoi st
uri
zerSphaputsonhis
tr
ackpants, vestandsli
ppers.
"You'r
enotgoi
ngout
sidewear
ingt
hosecl
othes?
"I
pointathi
ssweat
pant
s.
"Why?What '
swrongwithmyclot
hes?I
'm only
goingout
sidetomeetmom anddadthenwebot h
comebackher eandconti
nuewhereweleftof
f."He
absentmi
ndedlysays.
"Spha,don'
tinf
uriat
emet hi
searlyi
nthemor ni
ng!
Thosemai densoutther
earenotabouttoseemy
husband'ssixpackandbroadshoulder
s!Letmenot
star
tonhowyourboneri svisi
bleunderthose
pants.
"
"DoIsensejealousy?Huh?"Hehugsmef rom
behind."Ohdearwife,whatshouldwedowiththi
s
beautif
ulbodyofmi ne?"Hekissesmyneck.Yeah,
thi
sistheonlywayheknowshowt ocal
m my
t
emper
.Messi
ngwi
thmydamnemot
ions!
"I
'm notjealousy.Pl
easewearsomet hi
ngthatwil
l
coverallprivatecor
nersofyourbody.Icannotbear
toseewomendr ool
ingovermyhusband'syummy
body."Ifinall
yconfessmyinsecuri
ti
es.
"Fi
ne.Yourwishmycommand, YourMaj est
y.”He
salut
esmakingfunofmebef or
ewal ki
ngbackinto
thewalk-
incl
oset.“
Babe,canItel
lyousomething?"
Inodforhimtogoon."Ihadamant omanchat
withourson-
-"
"Howdoyoumean?Muzii sonlysevenyearsol
d,
howdi dthi
smantomanchathappen? "I'
m
confused.Howcanaf at
herhaveamant oman
chatwithasevenyearol
d?Sphai supt onogood.
"Thandoisachil
dyesbutt heboyissmar t.Hesaw
mesadt heotherday,heaskedifeveryt
hingwas
okay.Ili
edbutheinsist
edthatItel
lhim whatwas
botheri
ngme.Itoldhim Iwantanotherchil
d,ababy
gir
l,hewassoexcitedtohearthi
sandheal sotol
d
met hathewouldlovetohaveababysi ster.Wil
l
youmakemeandmysonhappy? "Ican'tbeli
eve
t
his!
"Honey,areyousur
eyouareokay?"Henods."
I
don'tt
hinkso.Whydoyout el
lmysonsuchthi
ngs?
Pleaselethi
m beachil
dthatheis,
somet
imesIfeel
l
ikeyoucan'twaitf
orhi
mt ogrowupsoyoucan
burdenhim wit
hyourtr
oubles.
"
"
Don'
tdodgethereali
ssue.Wi
llyoumakemeand
mysonhappy?"
*
***
***
***
*

Mot her-i
n-l
awisbusyi nthekit
chen.Shel ooks
happy, aft
eraverylongtimeIgettoseehersmi l
e.
She'sput t
ingonanapr onandabsent mindedl y
whiskingt heeggs.Therearevari
ouschopped
vegetablesont hechoppingboard,thear omaofher
signaturedishlambstewhi t
smynost ri
ls, Iinhal
e.
Ohdearmommy- in-
law!What'stheoccasi on?
Whosebi rt
hdayisit
?Weddi nganniversar y,perhaps?
"
Goodmor
ningmommy.
"
"
Mor
ningdar
li
ng.Ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
owor
ktoday?
"
Justt
henSphawalksi
n."Whyar
eyoubot
hher
e?
It
'sal
mostt
eno'
clock-
--
"
"Mom, comeon!Can'twetakeabreakf
rom the
off
iceandenjoyoursel
ves?Imissedmywi f
esowe
decidednott
ogot otheoffi
ce.
"Sphasays.He
att
empt st
oopenthepot sbuthi
smotherslapshi
s
hand.
"Don't
!Ican'
tbedeali
ngwi t
hyoursonandyout oo.
Getoutofmyki t
chen!"Sheorders.Heprot
estsbut
mommypusheshi m outsi
deanyway."I'
m gl
adyou
decidedtost
ayback,Iwasget t
ingworri
ed."
"
Wor r
ied?
"Idon'
tunder
standwher
eshe'
sgoi
ng
wit
hthis.
"Daughter-i
n-law,Iunderst
andyouar ean
i
ndependentwoman, aninspirati
ontomanyyoung
girl
soutt her
ebutyoushoul dn'tf
orgetyourot her
responsibil
it
ies.You'reagoodmot hertomy
grandsonbut , mydearsonl ookedunhappyf ort he
pastfewdays.Husbandsar emor elikechil
dren,
theyneedt enderlovingcare.Onceyoust ar
t
neglect
ingyourbedr oom dut i
es,that'
swhenyour
mar it
alproblemsbegi n.Mencannothi dethe
frustr
ationsofsexst arvati
on, theybecomemoody
andvul nerable.Somedot alkabouti tbutmostof
them seekt or el
ievethemsel vesout si
deandwe
bothknowt hatther eareal otofwomenoutt here
whoar ealwaysr eadyt owel comet hem withopen
war m arms.Don' tletthathappen, alwayskeephim
happyandyouwi l
lhavenomar i
talpr obl
emsatal l
."
That '
sdeepcomi ngf rom mymot her -i
n-l
aw.Ihad
mydoubt saboutheraf fectionbutnowI '
m sureshe
reall
ycar esforme.Howdi dInotr eali
zethatmy
husbandwasnothappy?Ican' tlett hi
shappen
again,Iwon' tbeabl etobeart het houghtofhi m
wi t
hanot herwoman.
"Thankyousomuchmommy.Igotcar ri
edaway,it
won'thappenagain."Ihugherfrom behi
ndandkiss
hercheek."You'
rethebestmother-i
n-l
aw!What's
theoccasion?Whyal lt
hesepreparedmeals?"
"
It
'sf
ormyhusband.Iwanthi mt oknowthatIsti
ll
r
ememberhisfavor
it
edi shes.If
eelli
keIneedto
r
emindhi
m ofouryouthfuldays,Iknowheloves
mebuti
tfeel
sliket
heflameofourl oveneedstobe
reigni
ted.Ourl
ovelifeislacki
ngthatspark,
ever
sincehemar ri
edthatwi t
ch.Ialsothi
nkheblames
himselfforal
lthemi shspsthathappenedinthe
past.Iwanttotryandshowhi mthatIfor
gavehim
andIst i
lll
ovehimlikebef or
eifnotmore.
"
"I
'
m surethiswi
llwork.Iwantyoutwotobehappy,
l
etmel eaveyoutoit
.Thankyouandal lt
hebest.
"I
giveherathumbsupandt urntoexi
tthekit
chen.

Thisdayhavebeenful
lofactiviti
es,
I'm happy,my
husbandishappyandwear ebot henjoyingeach
other'
scompany.Wearesit
tingbyt hepool si
de
whenSphapi cksmeupandt hr owsmei ntothe
pool.He'
slaughi
ngwhenIemer gefrom thewater
,
hejumpsinbutIswim awayf rom hi
m.
"
Youare.
..
..
"Ican'
tfi
ndt
her
ightwor
dtodescr
ibe
whathej
ustdid.
"
What?Tellmebabe.
"I'
m aboutt
orespondwhen
Muzicomesrunni
ng.
"
Mommy!Mommy!"He'
spant
ing.Iwonderwhyhe'
s
i
nsuchahur
ry.
"
Slowdownsonbefor
eyouf
allandhur
tyour
sel
f.
What'
sthemat
ter
?"
"
Haveyouseenthet
rendi
ngst
ori
est
oday?
"He
f
inal
lymanagest
osay.
"
No.What
'swr
ongwi
tht
hest
ori
es?
"
"
Yoursi
steri
str
ending.And..
..
..
..
"Hel
ooksdownas
i
fembarr
assedorsomething.
"WhatMuzi?Sneisal
waystrendi
ng,what's
dif
fer
entwit
htoday'
sstor
y?"I'
m annoyed.Aft
er
whatmysisterdi
dtomeandever yoneclosetoher
,
I'
m notr
eadytotal
kabouther.
"I
t'
snotgood.I nfact,i
t'
shorri
ble.
"Muzisayst ryi
ng
asmuchaspossi blenottosoundot herwise.My
hearti
spoundi ng,mymi ndisracing,Ihopei t'
snot
whatIthink.Sphagivesmemyphone, Ihave20
missedcal l
sfrom Micayla(
AnthonyandSne' s
daughter),
50mi ssedcallsf
rom Ant hony,75f r
om
mybr otherLucky.
..
..Somethingreallybadi sgoing
onhere.Sphai sabouttoshowmet het r
ending
stor
ywhenmyphoner i
ngs,i
tsLinda, myyounger
si
ster.
"Li
nda, what'
sgoingon?"Icannothidet hefeari
n
myvoi ce,I
'm shaki
ng.I'
m notreadytohearbad
newsaboutmysi ster
.Shewr ongedallofusbutwe
sti
llhavethesamebl oodrunningthr
oughourvei ns.
"I
t'
shorr
ible,
Sis,r
eall
ybad.Pleasedocomeher eas
soonaspossible-
--
"Hervoicetr
ail
soff.I
t'
sso
unli
keher,Meli
ndaisoutspokenandtough,she
doesn'
tcrackeasi
ly.
"What'swrongwithyouLinda?"Luckybasksinthe
background."Dadsaidweshouldn'tcal
lherbut
hereyouar e.Doyouknowhowmuchdamageyou
cancausebydoi ngthis?Givemethatdamn
phone!"Ohno!I'm sweati
ng,If
eelnauseous.Spha
real
izesthestat
eI'min.
"Babe,br
eathe.Snei snotdead. "Reli
efwashesal l
overmybody.Thet houghtofi twaspainfulenough
toremembert hatIstil
lgenui nel
yloveher.Lucky
call
smyphone, I
'
mr el
ievedt hatshe'
sali
vebut
whateveri
tisthat'
shappeni ngatmyf at
her '
splace
i
ssomet hinghuge,Icanf eelit
.
"
Brot
her
."Ianswermyphonewi
thashakyvoi
ce.
"
I'
m sor
ryyouhadtofindoutt
hisway,
fat
herdi
dn'
t
wantustocal
lyou-
--
-"
"I
'
m onmyway.
"Idr
opt
hecal
landgetoutoft
he
pool
.
"Mommy, pl
easedon'tlogi
ntoanynewssi t
e.What
thesepeopl earesayingaboutauntSnei s
somet hi
ngyoudon' twanttosee.I twillbeforthe
bestifyoucansomehowst opMi caylafrom seei
ng
thi
s,itwillbreakherevenmor e.
"NowIunder stand
whatSphasai dearl
ier,mysoniscl ever.Butit
'stoo
l
atetost opMi cayl
af r
om seei
ngt henews.
*
***
***
***
*

NARRATED.

Meanwhi l
e,att
heMahlangu'
s,Bab'
uMahlanguis
paci
ngbackandf or
th.He'
sfuri
ous,hehadwarned
them nott
ocallNomthabutLi
ndahadtodoi t
anyway.
"
Dad,
Idon'
tknowwhyyouar
eshout
ingatme.The
newsaboutSi sSneareallovertheint
ernetsit
es,
she'str
ending.Theyevenwentasf araspostinga
pict
urethatwascapturedtodayattheairport
.Sis
Nomt hawasgoi ngtoseeitanyway,youshoul dbe
thanki
ngmenotscol dingme."Lindadefends
hersel
f.
"Yourprobl
em i
sthatyoudon'
tli
sten!
"Luckyt
oo
scoldsher.
"Shutup, Lucky!Ididthisformysi sterNomt ha's
well
bei ng,ifyouarealltooblindtoseet he
goodnessi nmet henthat'
syourpr obl em!Don't
makeyourpr obl
emsmi ne,please!"Lindapushes
Kiaraoutofherwayandl eavealloft hem stunned.
Kiara,thealwaysqui etandyoungestbabyoft he
familyfollowshersisteroutside.Snet riest
osay
somet hingbutcoughsandvomi tsont hebedwhere
she'slying.
"Wow!BravoSnegugu!
"MaNkonjenicl
apsher
hands."
Mychi l
drenar
efi
ght
ingforthefir
stt
ime
becauseofyou!Whydoyoualwaysdot hist
oour
famil
y?Andnowwhoi sgonnacleanthi
smess?"
"IwilldoitMom. "Luckysays.Justt
henNomtha
comesi nr unni
ngbuti sst
oppeddeadinher
tracks..
..
..
..
.
*
***
***
***
[
07/
21,
13:
37]Goodmor
ningdeardar
li
ngs.

Ireceivedal otofquest i
onsassomeofyouar e
confusedbyt henewchar acters.Ont helast
chapterofPr eciousRoséseason1i twas
ment i
onedt hatAnt honyandSnehaveagi r
lchil
d,
thatchild'
snamei sMi cayla.Itwasal soment ioned
thattheMahl angusadopt edthr eechildr
en,oneboy
andt wogi rls.Thosechi ldrenar eLucky, t
heeldest,
MelindaandKi aratheyoungest .Thisiswher e
Nomt ha'syoungersi bli
ngsar ecomi ngfrom.Last l
y,
thereisNomt haandSpha' sson.Hi sfullnamesar e
Alwand' uthandoMzwandi leTshabangu.Ast he
storyprogr esses, youwi l
lcomeacr osshi sdif
ferent
shortenedver sionsofhisnames.Forexampl e,
Sphacal l
shi m Thando, Nomt hacal lshim Muzi
whilether estl i
kest ocallhim Al wande.Don'tget
conf
usedmydearr
eader
s.

Li
keIsai dbef
ore,t
heywayyoulike,comment,
shareandinvi
tefri
endstol
iket
hepagewi l
l
deter
mi newhenyougetthenextinsert
.IfI
'
m
i
mpr essedImightpostt
wiceaday.

Haveagr
eatandwonder
fulday.
[
07/
21,
13:
37]Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er2.

Nomt haisdumbf ounded, i

twasgoingt obebetteri
f
theyhadcal l
edhertoidentifyhersi
ster'
sdeadbody
notthis.SneguguMahl angu!Thetopdesi gner
whosedesi gnsadornedt hetopmodel sfortop
fashi
onmagazi nes,runawaysandever ythinghas
becomesomet hi
ngunr ecognizabl
e,she'snowa
movi
ngskel
eton!That
'si
fshecanst
il
lmoveatal
l.
"
Nonono!Thi scan' tbe!She'
snotmySne!"Nomtha
r
etreat
sbackwar ds,she'ssweati
ngasshehol
don
t
ighttothedoorframe.Luckyreali
zest
hatNomtha
i
saboutt of
allandcat chesher.
"Pleasedon' t!Youar eNomt handazo, myfather's
daught er,t
hepr i
deoft hisfami lyandyou' restrong.
ThinkaboutMi cayla, youcan' tfeelweaknow,Sne
needsyousodoesMi caylaandAnt hony.Iknow
youcanmast erthecour age."Luckysayshuggi ng
hert ight.Nomt hawi peshert ear sasshepul lsout
oft hehug, her sandSne' seyesmeet ,t
earsfall
freelydownt heircheeks.Bab' uMahl anguknows
howdi ffi
cultt hisisforhi sdaught er sbutit'
sf orthe
best .Hest rokesNomt ha' sbackandsi gnals
ever yoneel set oexi tther oom l eavi ngthetwo
sistersal one.Emot ionsar espi ralingoutofcont r
ol
forbot hoft hem, theirl astencount erwas
somet hingunf orgettabl e.Theybot hsaidhar sh
wor dst oeachot herbuti twasSne' swor dsthathur t
themost ."
Idon' tcar ehowyoual lthink,Idon'tneed
anyofyou, youcanal lgot ohel l!
"Shehadsai dt o
herfamil
y.Oncemor e,t
hei
reyesmeetand
Nomt ha'
smemor ytakesherbacktothatsad
unforget
tabl
eday,t
hedayheronl ydearsist
er
severedallt
ieswi
thher.

THREEYEARSAGO.
..

Ithadbeenacoupl eofyear ssinceSneguguand

herfami lyrel
ocatedt oLondonwher emostofher
cli
entswer ebased.They' dcommuni cat eusing
Skypeal mostever yday, Sne'sbusinesswasdoi ng
sowel landever ythingseemedokayunt iloneday
whenNomt hawokeupwi thabadpr emoni t
ion, l
ike
always, shecouldf eelthatnotever ythingwasas
glamor ousasi tseemed.Sheexpl ainedt oSpha
howshewasf eelingbuthedi dn'
twantt obel ieve
herdespi teknowingt hatsheneverl ies.Sphat ri
ed
toconf i
rmt hestor yfr
om hi sfri
endbutj ustlikeany
otherman, Anthony'segodi dnotal lowhi mto
speakup.Whatwer ethepeopl egoingt osayi fthey
l
earnedt hathewasbei ngabusedbyawomanhe
pai
dlobolafor,
awomanwhom heputaweddi ng
bandaroundherfingerwit
hsomuchpr ide,butthe
womanhef elli
nlovewithwasnolongerthere,Sne
hadtur
nedintosomet hi
nghecoul
dn'trecognize.
"Br
other-i
n-l
aw,youdon'
tlookokay,what
's
botheri
ngyou?"Nomthamast eredt
hecourageto
ask,Sphagaveheradeadl yst
arebutshedidn'
t
care,shewasreall
yworr
iedabouthim.
"I
'
mfinedearsi
ster
.I'
vebeenwor
kingext
rahour
s
andI
'
m exhaust
ed."Heli
ed.
"Whyareyoulyi
ngtome?Don'
tyoutr
ustme
enoughtoshareyourpr
obl
emswit
hme? "Shekept
pest
eri
ng.
"
Sist
er-
in-l
awpleasest
op!I'
mf i
ne,Ij
ustneedt
orest
t
henIwi l
lbef
ine."Hecont
inuedtoli
e.
"Daddy,Ithi
nkAunti
eistheonlyper sonwhocan
helpwiththatwi
feofyours,t
ellherthetr
uth."
Micayla,whowassevenyearsol dattheti
meur ged.
"Aunti
e,IknowyouthinkI'
mt hemostdespi cabl
e
chil
dGodhasevercr eat
edbutpl easedolistent
o
met hi
sonce, Mom i
sabusingmydaddy- --"
"Micayla,
whatar
eyoutal
kingabout
?Sincewhen
doyouspeakonbehalfofyourel
der
s?"Nomtha
scolded.
"Sincethesai deldersdon'thaveenoughcour ageto
sharethei rburdenwi t
hothers.Mom isgoi ngout
withsever almen, mydaddycr ieseverydaybecause
ofher ,
Idon' tevenremembert helastdayIspoke
withmymot herforamaxi mum oftwomi nutes.I
keptqui etbecausedaddyaskedmet obutIcan' t
staysilent,someonehast odosomet hingabouti t
!"
SphaandNomt halookedateachot her,st
unnedas
thetinyMi caylaspatwor dsthatsoundedsowr ong
comi ngf r
om herpi nkli
tt
leli
ps.
"Brother-
in-l
aw?"Anthonyr ai
sedhisheadwi pingoff
tearsfrom hisface."Soit'
strue?Youf abri
catedt he
storyonlytomakeal lofusfeelbett
er!Doyouknow
howmanymencommi tsui
cideonadai lybasis
becauset heyareaf r
aidofspeakingout ?Doyou
alsowantt ogot hatroute?Whatar eyout eaching
Mi cayl
a?Thati t
'sgoodt otol
erateabuseonl y
becausei t'
scomi ngfrom alovedone?I '
mr eally
disappointedinyou!"Theangert hatNomt haf eltat
t
het
imewassoi
ntense,
shewasshaki
ng.
"Dawg,wherei
syourwi
fer
ightnow?
"Sphaasked
hisfr
iend.
"
Idon'tknowman!If
eellessofaman---
-"hi
svoi
ce
t
rai
ledoffashedi
sconnectedthevi
deocall
.

Nomt hacal
ledSnebutshedi dn'
tpickupthecal
l.
Aft
eranumberofat t
empt samanwi thaRussi
an
accentansweredSnegugu'scell
phone.
"Snezzy'
sphone,unf
ort
unatel
yshe'
sbusyatthe
momentwoul dyouli
ketoleaveamessage?
"He
said.
"Gi
veSnet hedamnphone!Howi sshebusywhenI
canhearhergi ggl
ingonthebackground?Giveher
damnphone! "Nomt hascreamedattheinnocent
man.Snenot icedthatherPAwasunabl etohandle
whoeverwasont hephone,shesnatchedthe
mobilephonef rom hi
m andmovedaf ewf eetaway
hercompany.
"
Nomt
handazo,
Idon'
tknowwhi
chl
anguageyoudo
underst
and?Didn'
tyouhearwhatmyPAsai
d,I
'
m
busy!Stopdi
stur
bingme!"
"Idon'
tknowwhathashappenedtoyoubutIwant
youtoanswerthi
sonequesti
on.Doyousti
lll
ove
Anthonyoryouhavef
oundyoursel
fabett
erman? "
"Whatkindofquest i
oni st hat?Doesl ovingthat
l
oserpaymybi ll
s?No, sopl easest opi rri
tat
ingme
I'
m busywithmycl ients.Whyar eyouevenaski ng,
didhecomer unningt oyouwi t
ht earsr unni
ngdown
hischeeksl
ikeasi ssyt hathei s? "Shel aughed,her
l
aughwasf il
ledwithscor n,itpiercedt hrough
Nomt ha'
sheartandi tbrokef orAnt honyand
Micayla.
"
Whati
swr
ongwi
thyou?Whathasgot
teni
ntoyou-
-
-
"
"Oohplease!Saveyourser
monf ort
hosewhocar
e,
yourpuppets!
"Shedisconnect
edthecal
l.

Nomthacouldn'
tbeli
eveherearsbutt hatwasjust
t
hebeginni
ng!Snecontinuedwr ecki
nghavocin
Ant
hony'sl
if
euntilhecouldn'
ttakeitanymore.He
tookhi
sl i
tt
lePri
ncessandt heymovedoutoft he
househopingSnewoul dcomet ohersenses
soonerbutthatdidn'
thappen.Anthonycameback
toUmlazikingdom wit
hhislit
tl
ePr i
ncess,hetol
d
Bab'uMahlangueverythi
ng.It'
snotusualtoseea
manbr eaki
ngdowni nfrontofhisin-
lawsandhis
daughterbutAnthonydid.Thepainhehadbot tl
ed
i
nsideforaverylongtimeexplodedinthef or
m of
tear
s.
“Ifai
ltounder standwhati sitt
hatIdi d?MySne, my
sweetl it
tl
egi r
l,Idon'tknowwhatsi nIcommi tted
forGodt opunishmei nthemosthur t
fulway.I 'm
sorryfather-i
n-l
aw- --
-”hecont i
nuedt ocr y.Hef elt
defeated, hequest i
onedt hestrengt hofhi sl ove, hi
s
abili
tytoheadaf amilyasamanbutal lthatdi dn't
helpwi ththepai n.Itwast oomuch, hewi shedt o
sleepandwokeupt osomeonet ellinghi mi twasal l
abaddr eam.Hewi pedhi stears, lookedathi s
daught erwhoshowednoemot ionatal l
.Whathave
Idonet omydaught er?Hequest ionedhi msel f.Bab'
uMahl angul ookedathi m, hi
shear tbrokef orhi s
son-in-
law.
“Son, Idon'tknowwhatt osayt oyouexceptf or
tel
lingyout obest rong.Best rongforyourdaught er
,
sheneedst oknowt hatyouwi llbeherpi l
larof
strengt handt hatyouwi l
lalwaysbebyhersi de.I
wishIcansayIwi llconvi
nceSnegugut ocome
aroundbutIwi llbelyingtomysel f,youandmy
granddaught er.I'
mr eall
ysor r
yson, sometimesGod
doest hi
ngst hathur tthemosti nor dertotestusor
topr epareusf orsomet hi
nggr eater.OnlyHeknows
whyt hisishappeni ngr i
ghtnow. ”Bab' uMahl angu
saidwi t
hsomuchuncer t
aintyinhisvoi ce.Wasi t
reallyGod' sdoingsorSnegugu' sdevili
shwor ksli
ke
sheal waysdoes.
“
Thankyouf
ather-
in-l
aw.Ifeelmuchbet
teraf
ter
t
alki
ngt
oyou.”Anthonyli
ed.

Days,weeks, monthspassedwithoutheari
ng
anythingfrom Sne.Herbusi
nesswasati t'
scli
max.
Itwasbl oomingli
keneverbefor
e, shehadallt
he
moneysheeverdr eamedabout,thousandsand
mill
ionsoff ol
lowersonsoci
almedi a,someeven
bookedpai dappointment
sonlytomeetherj ustf
or
afewseconds.AnthonyandMi caylaweresl
owl y
l
earni
ngtoli
vewi t
houther,
itwasn'teasybutthey
werebot
htryi
ng.Snecameback, ever
yonethought
shehadcomet ohersensesli
ttl
edidtheyknowshe
onl
ycamet obreakti
eswithallofthem.
“
Snecanwet
alk?
”Nomt
hat
ri
edt
ogetherat
tent
ion.
“No.Ihavenot
hingtosayt oyou.I
'
mt i
redofyou
alwaystr
yingt
obet hejudgeofmyl i
fe!Ionl
ycame
hereformybusinessnottobequestionedbyyou.”
Shesnapped.
“
Andyourbusi
nessi
s?”
“Myl awyersser vedt hatimbeci l
ewi thdi
vorce
paper sI'
m waiti
ngf ortheconf i
rmat i
onthathehas
signedt hem soIcangett hehelloutofhereand
neverl ookback.Youknowwhat ?Ithoughtyou
wer ethebestsist erinthewor ldbutIwaswr ong,I
reali
zedt hatyouonl yenj oyitwheni tisyouatthe
topnotme.Butguesswhat ?I'm goingtooutshi
ne
yousooner ,
enjoyi twhileitlasts.”Snesaid
shocki ngandhur tingNomt haatt hesamet i
me.
“
WhathascomeoveryouSne?Doyour
eal
lyt
hink
thisfami l
yormedoesn' tcareaboutyou?Yout hink
yourf akefri
endsar et hebestt hi
ngt hathasever
happenedt oyoubutonedayyouwi l
lregrethurt
ing
thepeopl ewhol oveyout hemost .”Nomt hawiped
hertear sasshewal kedout .Therewasnouse
talki
ngt oher ,hermindwassobi asedt hatshe
didn'tevenr eali
zethatshewasbusydest royi
ng
whatwasl eftofhert ruerelat
ionships.
Snegugur ecei
vedamessagefrom herl
awyers,
she
screamedwi thj
oyasshepackedupherlit
tl
ethings,
l
ookedar oundtheroom andl
eftsl
ammingthedoor
behindher.
“Snemychildcanwet al
k?Iwon'
tstopyouf r
om
l
eavingordoinganyt
hingyouwanttodoIonl ywant
tohaveahear tt
oheartt
alkwi
thyou.”Zandibegged
herdaught
er.
“No.I
'
m averybusywomani fyouhadn'tnoticed.
Youshoul
dhavebookedyourappointmentl ast
monthbecauser
ightnow,Ihaveafl
ighttocat ch.
”
Shewasabouttoleavewhenherfat
herent ered.
“
Alwaysr
emembert
hatkar
madoesn'
tneedan
addr
esst
olocat
esomeone.
”
“Ohpl ease!Whoiskar mawhenyouhaveal lt
he
moneyi ntheworld?Youknowwhat ,fuckt his
'
per f
ectfamily'
,don'tyouevertrytocont actmeor
anything.I'
m sodonewi thallofyou!Idon' tcare
whatyout hi
nkorwantt osay?Thepoi ntis,Idon'
t
needyouanymor e,youallcangot ohel l
!”Nomt ha
slappedherhar dshef el
tdizzy.
“Don'
tyoueveraddr
essourpar
ent
swiththat
sti
nki
ngatt
it
udeofyours!
”Shewasfuming.Sne
l
ookedatherandsmiled.
“Youknowwhat ?I '
m gladyouf inallyremovedyour
ri
ghteousnessmask.Youhaveal wayswant edt o
slapme, beatmeup, makemef eeli nf
er i
orand
uselessbutnowt hatI'
m aboutt ot akeyourshi ne,
youf eeljealousandpai ned. ”Shepaused, opened
herhandandr etr
ievedar azorbl ade.Shecuther
fi
ngerandbl oodst ai
nsf ellont hef l
oor.“Thisist he
onlythingt hatjoi
nedust ogether ,Iher ebyr eli
eve
youf rom anydut iestowar dsme, from anyemot ion
youmi ghtfeelformeandever ythi ngthatconcer ns
me.I '
m nol ongeraMahl angu! ”Shespi tont he
bl
oodst
ainsandl
eftt
hem st
unned.
..
..
..
.
"
W- whathappenedt oyou?"Fi
nall
y,Nomt
habr
eaks
t
hei ce.Thesil
entbetweenthem wasget
ti
ngt
oo
i
ntensef oranyofthem t
ohandle.
"
I'
m-I
'
m sor
ry.
"Snest
ruggl
est
osay.
"Whathappenedt
oyouSne!I
'm notr
eadyfort
he
apol
ogies,
Iwanttoknowwhyyoulookli
ke.
..
..
"
"What?Amovi ngskelet
on?"Snet ri
estobe
sarcasti
cbutf ai
lsmiserabl
yasr eali
zationhither
hard,sher eall
ydoesl ookli
keamovi ngskeleton.
There'snosar casm inthatstatementbutt hetruth.
"Li
fehappened.It houghtIwashavi ngt hebesttime
ofmyl ifebutIwaswr ong.Idest royedmyownl i
fe
withmyownbar ehands.Af terdivorcingAnt hony,I
gotmor eoppor t
uniti
esthanIeverdi d, t
op
celebri
ti
escal ledeverysecond, mydesi gnswer eon
demandal loverthewor l
d.Fort hef i
rsttimeIfelt
ali
ve,Ifeltmor eli
kemysel f
.Peopl ehadf i
nall
y
recognizedSnegugunotNomt ha'ssisteror
Anthony'swi fe.IthoughtIwasgoi ngtohandl ethe
pressurebuti tgottome, Iendedupdoi ngcheap
drugst hatmynewf ri
endsr ecommended.Atf i
rst
theykeptmegoi ng, i
twasf unwor kingt wentyf our
sevenwi thoutfeelingsleepyorpr epar ingapr oper
meal .Il atergothooked, Ididmor edr ugs, my
designsbecameaf l
opandIl ostanumberof
cont racts.Fr i
endsst art
eddi stancingt hemsel ves
from meexceptmyt wot rustedpeopl e, mymanager
andmyPA.Theyst oodbymebutIhadnomoney
topayt hem.Themanagerunder stoodmy
predi camentandl eftbutmyPAdi dn't.Theguy
stayedbutt hi
st imear oundIhadt ol i
vemyl if
eby
hisr ules.Ihadt hename, hehadt hemoneysoI
becamehi smoneymaki ngmachi neandhi ssex
slave.Mynamegener atedmoneyf orhi m whileI
satisf i
edhi ssexualneeds, hel atert ol
dhi sf r
iends
abouti tandt heyal lwant edt otastet hecake.They
didbecauseIhadnoot herchoi ce.Iwant edtol eave
butIhadnowher etogo, Ialsocoul dn'treachoutt o
anyonei nmyf ami lyaf t
erever ythingIdi d.I
cont inuedunt ilIfoundoutt hatoneoft heguys
i
nf ect edmewi thHI Vandsyphi l
is.Iwasso
ashamedt oevenvi sitthecl inic,theguyl aterfound
outandt hingstookat urnf ort hewor st.Hef ounda
cheapcorruptdoct
ortohelpme, If
eltbetterbut
karmahadani celi
tt
lesurpr
iseforme.Iwas
pregnant
--
-”hervoi
cetrai
lsoffandshef eelsalump
blocki
ngherthroat
.
“Thenwhathappened?Asf arasIknow,HIVisnot
curabl
ebutisn'
tdeadly.Ther
eismedicat
ionthat
suppressest
hevirus,
whyar eyouli
kethi
s?Isitt
he
drugsorwhat?”
“IwishIhadananswert oyourquest ions,
unfortunatel
yIdon't.AllIknowi sI'
m dyi ngandvery
soon.”Snepeel sofftheduvet ,Nomt ha'seyesland
ont hewoundst hatar escatt
eredal loverSne's
chest.Theyar enottreatedandbl eeding!Nomt ha
can'thelpitbutruntot hebathroom asshevomi ts.
Nomt hai sabravegirlbutnotwheni tcomest o
uncover edbloodywounds.Mi nuteslatershe
comesoutoft hebathr oom wipingherhandswi t
ha
toi
letpaper .
“
I'
m sorr
y.”Sneapologi
zesonceagai
nbutNomt
ha
i
gnoresherapol
ogies.
“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?Di
dyout
ryt
ohaveabr
east
i
mpl antorsomet hing?”That'sr
ight!Af
tert
he
aborti
on,Sne'sheal t
hdeter
iorat
edsowasher
weight.Shet r
iedtofixherbodybyhavingabr east
i
mpl ant.Notonlythat,shealsotookalotof
i
njecti
onst hatweresaidtobewei ghtbooster
sbut
theydidn'twork,shegotwor sei
nstead.
“
I'
m sor
rySi
s--
-”Sneapol
ogi
zesonceagai
n.
“Youneedt oseeadoct or,thi
sis...
.Idon'tknow.I
willmakear r
angementsf oryoutogot othehospit
al.
Youwi llbefi
ne,Ipromise.”Nomt hal ooksather
sisterandwalksout.Shei swalkingawaynot
becauseshe'sstil
langryathersi sterbutshecan
nott ol
erat
etoseeheri npain.Shedoesn' twantto
breakdowni nfrontofherandl etherl oseanyli
tt
le
hopeSnehast orecover.

“
Whatdi
dshesayhappenedt
oher
?”
“NotnowMom, Ineedfr
eshair.Ineedt opr
ocess
ever
ythi
ng,makethearr
angement sforhertogoto
thehospi
tal
.Iwil
lcal
lMicayl
a,Idon'tknowwhatto
saytoherbutsomeonehastoanswerher
questi
ons.”Nomt
haexit
sthehouse,
sunraysbl
ind
hereyesandsheusesherhandt
oblockt
hem.She
getsi
nhercaranddri
vesoff.

“
Doyouthi
nkshewillbef
ine?”Ki
araasksLindaas
t
hepar
amedicsputSneintheambulance.
“Idon'
tknowandIdon' tcareabouther.Aft
er
everyt
hingshedidtot hisfamil
yIdon'tthi
nkIwill
everforgi
veher.Sneisonesel fi
shbastard,you
knowwhathur t
smet hemost ?”Lindalooksather
youngersist
erasat earescapesherl ef
teye.
“What
?Whyareyoucryi
ng,youjustsai
dyoudon'
t
car
ewhathappenst
oher?”Kiar
aisconfused.
“SisterNomt haistheonewhoishurti
ngthemostin
allthis.Shetri
essohardtohideheremoti
onsand
that'swhathur tmethemost.Idon'
tknowwhy
Snegugut hi
nksthatNomthadoesallthet
hingsshe
doesbecauseshe' sselfi
shwhenonlysheever
doesistrybyherwholebei
ngtoprot
ectallofus.
”
Lindafi
nall
ybreaks,
Kiar
adoesn'
tknowwhatt osay
toher.Shedecidest
ohugherandlethercry.
..
..

*
***
***
***
Remembert
oli
ke,
commentandshar
ethei
nser
t.
[
07/
21,
13:
38]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er3.

Thedoct orsarebusydoi ngbloodt estsandall

that'
sneededt odet er
mi nether ealproblem.Sne
remember showNomt hat ur
nedherbackonher
whensheneedshert hemost , t
hepai ncutsdeeper
thanshehadeveri magi ned.Shet houghtherfamil
y
wasgoi ngt oforgi
veherseei ngheri nt hest
ate
she'sinbutno, theysti
llvivi
dlyrememberwhatshe
didandbyt helookofthet urnofevent s,nooneis
goingtof orgi
veheranyt imesoon.Tear sstr
eam
downhercheeksandshel
et'
sheremot
ionst
ake
overherwhol
ebeing.
“
Areyouokay?
”Themal
enur
seasks.
“
I'
mfi
ne.
”Snegugul
ies.
“Final
lyIgett
omeett hefamousslayQueenwho
sleptherwaytothetopandbackdownt owhere
she'ssupposedtobe.”Afemalenursewhoisi
nher
mi dtwenti
essaysmockingly.
“Canyoubel i
evet hatthewomanwhom Iwas
crushingon,hadwetdr eamsbecauseofher ,i
shere
i
nf rontofmel yi
nghel pless.Li
fe!So
unpr edi
ctabl
e.”Saysanot hermalenur seshaking
hishead.Snegugupr aysf ort
heeartht oopenup
andswal lowheratonce, t
hehumi li
ati
onisjusttoo
much.
“Guys,that
'sunpr
ofessional
!Whateverper
sonal
i
ssuesyouhavewi ththisladyshoul
dn'taf
fecthow
youtreatherasapatient-
--
-”
“Lookathi
mtryingtobethehero.
”Thefemale
nursel
aughsclappingherhandsandtheothermal
e
nursej
oinsi
n.“List
endude,herexhusbandtri
edto
pl
ayt heher
obutl
ookatwhathappenedt ohi
m?
Thepoorguyalmostlosthissani
ty,
youknowwhy?
Becausenoonewilleversavethi
sgirlf
rom
herself
.”
“St
op!”Nomthabasksf r
om thewar dent
rance.“I
f
youdareutt
eranotherwordagainstmysi st
er,
bel
ievemeyoudon' twanttoknowwhatwi l
lhappen
tot
hatfaceofyours.”ThenurselooksatNomt ha
andquiet
lyexi
tfol
lowedbyt heothermalenurse.
“MyPri
ncess.
”Theki
ndhear
tednur
sebowshi
s
headgr
eeti
ngher.
“Hi
.Howi sshedoing?”Nomthalooksathersi
ster
,
hereyeslandontheintr
avenousdri
p,herbody
cri
nges.She'
sscaredofneedlesandcanonlytr
yto
i
magi nehowhersistermustbefeel
ingri
ghtnow.
“Iwi
llbelyingi
fIsayIknowhowshei s.The
doctorsaresti
lldoi
ngtestsandweawai tt
her esul
ts
toseewhatneedst obedone.MyPr i
ncess,don't
cryI
'm sureshewi l
lpul
lthrough.”Nomthawi pes
hertearsandscoldsherselfforcryi
nginfrontof
hersister
.
“
Thankyou.MayIhaveamomentwi
thher
?”
“Sure.Callifyouneedanything.”Hesaysfixi
ngt he
pil
low, bowhi sheadonceagainandexi t
s.Nomtha
pullsachai randsitsnextt
ohersister
.She'st
rying
withever ystrengt
hofherselfcontr
olnottoburst
i
ntot ears.
“Hi
.Howareyoufeel
ing?
”Shef i
nall
ymasterst
he
cour
agetoaskt
hequestionthatsoundsso
i
nsensi
ti
veandemoti
onpr ovoki
ng.
“Idon'tknowhowIr eall
yfeel.Thephysical
painI
feelonever ypartofmybodyi snothingcompared
towhatIf eeldeepi nsidemyhear tandsoul
.IthinkI
nowunder st
andhowyouf eltallt
hoset i
mesIlet
youdownandr ejectedyourlove.MaybeIdeser ve
allt
hispain, agony,loneli
nessandal lthemocking
staresIgetal lt
het i
me- -
”
“Sis,canyoupleasef ocusonhealingandf or
getal
l
thoset hi
ngsyoukeepi magini
ngandhur t
ing
yourselfevenmor e.Iknowhowbadyouwantt o
apologizetoeveryone,youthinkonlyyourwords
willmakeeverythingrightandallwil
lbebackt o
whatitwasi nthepastbutt heuni ver
sedoesn't
workli
ket hat.Peopledon' tforgivebecauseyou
wantthem to, t
heyf orgi
veont heirowntermsand
ti
me.Bef orethat,youhavet of reeyoursel
ffrom al
l
theguiltbyforgivi
ngyour selffir
st.Youcan'tdo
muchl yingont hisbed,focusonget ti
ngbetterand
ever
ythingelsewi llfal
lint
opl ace.”
“Ifyoucannotfor
givemet hennoonewi l
l.I
'
m sor
ry
Nomt ha.
”Tearsr
olldownSne'scheeksasshe
desper at
elyawai
tsNomthat otel
lhert
hatshe'
s
forgivenherfr
om thebot
tom ofherpureheart
.
“Idonothavet hepower st ostoporf orceanyoneto
forgiveyou.Gi veittime, everyonewillsooncome
around.If orgaveyoual ongt imeagoyouknowI
cannotst ayangr yatyouf orhours.IloveyouSis
despi t
eallthest upidthingsyoudot imeandt i
me
agai n.
”Snechokesonhersal i
vaandcoughs
repeatedlybef oreempt yingt hecontentsofher
stomach.Nomt hapr ayst oGodt ogiveherstrength
andnott oal lowhert ovomi tinfr
ontofherdyi ng
sisterasthatwi l
lonlyaddt oSne'swor ri
esabout
herdet er
ioratingheal t
h.Nomt hatakest her
efuse
bagandcleanshersisterwi
thoutut
teri
ngasingle
word.Shecall
sthenurseandasksf orcl
ean
beddi
ng.Thenursecomesbackwi t
hneatlyf
olded
l
inen,shewantstohelpNomt haoutbutshepoli
tel
y
ref
usesasshewant stodoithersel
f.
“Thankyou.
”SaysSnequiet
lyasNomt
haadj
usts
herpil
lowandchecksi
fthedri
psar
est
il
lwor
king
astheyshoul
dbe.
“Areyousur
eyour
eal
lyqui
tdr
ugs?
”Nomt
ha
prompts.
“Don'
tyoubel
ieveme?You?Outofal
lpeopl
e,you'
re
doubt
ingme?”Snecri
es.
“Quitthedr amaSne!Iknowyouver ywellmor ethan
youknowyour self.Thevomitingandshi veri
nghas
nothingt odowi t
hyoubei ngHI Vpositi
veandt he
fail
edbr eastandbut ti
mplants!Youar esweat i
ng
andvomi ti
ngbecauseyouar ehookedandyour
bodyi sinneedofaqui ckfi
x.”Snesobsbutt he
cryi
ngdoesn' tstopNomt hafr om sayi
ngt hetruth.
“Youcannotal waysdobadt hings,whent hey
backfireyouplayavi cti
m.Gr owupSne, ownupt o
yourmistakesandremembert el
lingt
het r
uthasitis
real
lyhelpsalot
.Howwi l
lIandt hedoctorshelp
youifyoukeeplyingtous? ”BeforeSnecansay
anythi
ngelseAnthonyandMi caylawalkthrough
thedoor.Micayl
a'
sf acelookscoldwhileAnt hony
l
ookslikeheisaboutt obreakdown.
“Aunt!”Micaylacheerful
lyrunst oheraunt '
sopen
armsandhugshert i
ght.Nomt hacannotkeepon
holdinghertears,shelet'
sthem f al
lfr
eely.Mi cayla
pull
soutoft hehugandwi pesNomt ha'stears.“If
youcr ythenwhowi l
lwipemi neanddad' st ears?
Youar ethepill
arthatholdsal lofustogetherpl ease
don'tbreakbecauset hatwillspellt
heendt oal lof
us.Besides,this.
..
..
.womanl yingalmostl i
felesson
thi
sdeat hbeaddoesn'tdeser veyourtears--
”
“
Kayl
a!”Ant
honyscol
dshi
sdaught
er.
*
***
***
*

Meanwhi
leattheRoyalPal
aceSphai
spacingup
anddowninhisroom.Samke,t
hemaidenent
ers
hi
sroom wi
thoutknocki
ng,
Pri
nceSphatur
nsand
seesherst
andi
ngwi
that
rayandsmi
li
ngt
oher
sel
f.
“
Whot
oldyout
oent
ermyr
oom?
”
“
I'
m sor
r-
--
”
“Gett
hehelloutofmyroom!Now!”Hebasks.
Samketri
estosaysomet hi
ngbuther
aiseshi
s
handtosi
lenceher.Sheshamef
ull
yexi
tsbumping
i
ntoQueenMot heronherwayout.
“Ever
ythi
ngokayson? ”AskstheQueenwitha
shakyvoice.Judgingbyt
helookonthePrince'
s
face,
he'sreall
ypissedof
fandcanexplodeanyti
me.
“
Mot her
,myroom isaprivat
espacef ormeandmy
wif
eIdon'twantstr
angersloi
ter
inginmyr oom asi
f
t
hisroom i
ssomesor tofapubli
cbar .IDONOT
WANTTOSEEAMAI DNEARMYROOM.Iguess
I
'vemademyselfclear,
onemor ethi
ng, onl
yyou,my
wif
eandmysi ster
scansavemef ood--
”
“Ar
eyousurethi
sisallt
hatpissedyouoff?
”A
mothercanal
waysreadbetweent hel
ineswhenit
comestoherchi
ldr
en.Sphalooksatherandsighs
bef
oresit
ti
ngontheedgeofhi sbed.
“I
'm scar
edMama.Nomt ha'ssisteri
sreal
lysi
ck,
she'
snotjustasisterbutNomt ha'suni
ver
se.
Nomt hacandoanyt hi
ngjusttoseeasmi l
eonher
si
ster'
sfaceevenifitmeansshehast ogi
veherli
fe
i
nexchangef ori
t.
”
“
Youar
espeaki
ngi
nri
ddl
es,
expl
ainyour
sel
fSon.
”
“WhatImeani s,aslongasSnegugui sinpai nit
meansmywi f
eiseveni nmor eagonyt hanher
sist
er.Shewon' tbreakinf r
ontofever yonebutI
knowshe' sdyingat housandt imesi nsideandI
can'tbaretoseeherl ikethat.Iwouldr athershe's
madatme, screamsatanyonet hatcomescl oseto
herthanhaveherwi thmeonl yphysically.She'st
he
typethatdisconnectsf r
om ther ealwor l
dar ound
her,notonlythatbutint i
mesl iketheseshef i
ghts
thespiri
tualfi
ghtsaloneandIcandonot hi
ngto
helpher.”AtearescapesSpha' seye.
“Daughter
-i
n-l
awi sonestrongyoungladyI'
veever
met.Wecannotdenyt hefactt
hatshe'shumanand
shetoodoesf eelt
hepainbutIknowshewi ll
conquer.Youar eworr
iedandsadbecauseshe
won'taskyout ohel
pherthereissomethingyou
candot ohel
pher.Bether
eforher
,makeherf eel
thatyouunder
standherpai
n,behershouldert
o
l
eanonandbet heonetogi
veherthatcomfort
ing
hugwheneversheneedsit.
”
“
Doyour
eal
lyt
hinkt
hiswi
llhel
p?”
“YesSon,ever
ywomanneedsast r
ongmant o
standwit
hheri nal
ldi
ffi
cul
ti
es.Youcanevenhel
p
bycontact
ingthebestdoct
orsyouknowinthe
worldandpayingthebi
--
”
“Nomom.Nomt hahaspr i
deandherpr i
dewi l
l
neveral l
owhert oacceptf i
nancialhel
p.She'sa
proudwomanwhoear nsherownmoneyandmy
father-
in-lawalsodoesn'tlikepeopletreati
nghim
l
ikeachar i
tycase.That'
showt hefamilyis,t
heir
dignit
yi sver yi
mpor t
antt othem.Iwi l
ldoasyou
sayandl eavethef i
nancialpart
.Thankyoumom,
you'rethebest .”Thetwohugandsmi letoeach
other.

“
Dad,
canIpl
easecomewi
thyou?
”
“
Noson,
chi
ldr
enar
enotal
lowedi
nhospi
tal
s.”
“
Publichospi
tal
s.Thi
sisapri
vatehospi
talwear
e
t
alki
ngaboutandasfarasIknow,noonecanstop
mefrom vi
sit
ingmyaunt.Pl
easedad.”
“
Okayf
inebutononecondi
ti
on.”
“
Whatcondi
ti
onnowdeardaddy?
”
“Youdon'tmakef aceswhenyouseeyourauntand
youdon'tquesti
onherl i
keyoualwaysdo.She'
sin
painandthisisnottherightt
imetobombasther
withyourheavyquestions.”
“
Iwi
llt
ry.
”
“
Don'
ttr
yjustdoasIsay.
”
“
Okay.Let
'sgot
henI
'
m sur
emom needsyout
her
e.”
*
***
***
*

AssoonasNomt haandMi cayl

aexitther oom,
Anthonysi
tsnexttothebedandwi pesSne' stears.
Micayl
alookson,disgusti
swr i
tt
enal loverherface.
Ifl
ookscouldkil
l,
Snewoul dhavebeendeadby
now.AnthonytouchesSne'shand,allthegoodol d
memor i
esfl
oodhi smind.Hismemor yt akeshim
backt othatverysamedaywhenshemett hefeist
y
Sneguguwhot ooknononsensef rom anyone.It
wasal mostpastt welvemi dni
ghti noneoft hefancy
barsi nUmlazi,li
keal waysSnewasdanci ngwhi l
st
holdingabeerbot tl
eonherl efthand.Mesmer i
zed
byherbol dness, Anthonycoul dn'thelpbutsmileto
hi
msel fashewal kedcl osertoher .Ever
ythi
ng
happenedsof astandal lhesti
llremember sisthe
hotslaphegotf rom her.Thatdi dn'tst
ophimf rom
admi ri
ngherfrom adi stanceunt i
lthedayhef i
nall
y
professedhislovet oher .

Wecanal waysr ememberal lthegoodtimesaswel l

asthebad.Al lofasudden, Anthony'
smindt akes
him backtot hosedayst hatstil
lmakehisbloodboi l
.
Thef eel
ingofangerqui cklyovershadowshi slove
forher,t
hehel plessnessonhi sdaughter'
sface
whenshebeggedhermot herfortheverylasttime
nottodest royt heirfamily,allt
hesleepi
nessni ght
s
whenKayl awoul djustscream andsobunt i
l
dayli
ghtbr eaks.Al lthehar dquestionshehadt o
answert otryandmakehi ssmar tdaughter
under st
andthatnotal
lfamil
yl i
vetoseethe
fairyt
aleofhappi
lyeveraf
ter.Theinsul
ts,
thehar
sh
treatmentherecei
vedfrom hisoncedearSne.
..
“Doyour eall
yt hi
nkyouar eaman?Youar enot hing
butawast edsper m andegg!Yourparentsshoul d
havebeenwi seenoughnott owastetheirprecious
ti
meorbet teryet,theyshouldhaveusedpr otecti
on
topreventgivingbirt
htoaf l
opofahumanbei ng!”
Snespatpoi sonwhenAnt honytr
iedt
ot alktoher
aboutgoingoutwi thseveralmenwhilest i
llmar r
ied.
“
Mylove,whathappenedtothesweetyou?Tous?
”
Ahotsl
apcrossedhisface.
“Don'tyoueveragaincallmet hat!I
'm notyourlove
andyou' r
enotevenwor thytobel ovedbyanyone.
Sinceyouwantt oknowwhyIchangedt hi
smuch,
hereisthetrut
h.Youar enotamanAnt hony.You
arenotwhatIwanti naman, Iwantast rongand
toughmannotasof ti
elikeyou.Iwantamanwhose
voicecanmakemyi nsidesturnandt remble,aman
withar oughyetsoromant i
ctouch.Amanwhocan
touchther i
ghtbut
tonsonmybody, amanyouwi l
l
neverbeeveni nyourwi l
destdreams.”Hecoul dn't
holdbackhi stear
s.Thatver
ysamedayheknew
theirr
elat
ionshipwasbeyondrepai
r.Wit
htear
sstil
l
streamingdownhi scheeks,
hegrabbedtwo
travel
ingbagsandpackedhi sandMicayl
a'
sclot
hes.
Snel i
tacigarandst oodbyt
hewindowsmoking
wi t
hnothingtoregretorwor
ryabout.
Anthonywi pedhi stearsandspoke, “
Whenal lthi
s
fai
rytal
ei soverandyouf i
nallycometoyoursenses,
Ihopeitwon' tbetool at
ebutr ememberIl ovedyou
andst i
lldo.Maybedest inydoesnotappr oveofus
ormaybei t
'struethatI'
m notamanl ikeyousai d
I'
mt aki
ngwi t
hmet hepreci
ousgi f
tyougavet ome
andIknowourdaught erwillgivemeanewpur pose
toli
vefor -
-”
“I
'm sorr
y.”Anthonyisbr
oughtbacktowhereheis
byal owt onevoi
ceofSne.Helooksather,f
eel
sa
l
umpr i
singinhisthr
oatandwalksoutwit
hout
sayi
ngawor d.

NomthaseesAnt
honyl
eavi
nginahurr
yandcan
onl
yimagi
newhathemustbegoi
ngthrough.No
onedeservestogothroughwhatAnt honywent
thr
oughbecauseofl ove.Hebumpsi nt
oSphaashe
quickl
yrunsoutofthehospitalnotl
ooki
ngback
evenonce.Spharunst ohisRoseandhugshertight
,
shecries.
“I
t'sokaybabe.Everyt
hingwil
lbef
ine,
shhhst
op
crying.
”Hesaysstrokinghi
sback.
“Areyousureit
'sal
lgoingt
obef i
ne?”Sheasks
pull
ingoutthehug.Sphawipeshert
earsandlooks
str
aighti
ntohereyes.
“
Yesbabe.Don'
tdespai
rGodwillmakeever
ythi
ng
r
ight
.”He'
saboutt
okissherwhenMicayl
aand
Muzipul
lhi
m away.
“Youcannotbekissi
ngmymommyi npubl
icit
's
embarrassi
ng.”Muzisayswi
thaf
rownonhis
smallf
orehead.
“Youarebot
hcrazy.NowI 'm notal
lowedtoki
ssmy
wife?”Nomt
halooksathersonandsmi l
es.No
mat t
erhowbadthesituat
ionmaybeherson
alwaysmakehersmile.
“
Mommy,
Iwantt
oseeauntSnei
fthat
'sokaywi
th
you.Ij
ustwanttogiveherahug,Iknowi ti
sn'
t
mucht oof
ferbuteveryper
soninpainneedsa
warm hug.
”Nomt hasaysnothi
ngbuthugshi m
i
nstead.Micayl
aalsoinf
ormsthem thatshewoul
d
l
iketohaveapr i
vatemomentwithhermot her
.
“MyPr i
nceandPr i
ncess,Iwouldli
ketot al
kt oyou
i
npr i
vate.”Thedoctorinfor
mst hem.Theybot h
fol
lowhimi nsil
encethei
rhear t
svigor
ously
poundingi nthei
rchest.Nomt hacanfeelit
, she'
s
beentryi
ngsohar dtoshutitdownbuti tkeeps
comingbackst r
onger.Sheknowst hedoct orisnot
beari
ngt hebadnewswi thhim.“Youmaysi t.
”The
doctormot ions.
“
Howbadi
sitdoct
or?
”Nomt
hacannotwai
tany
l
onger
.
“
Notal
lhopei
s--
”
“I
'm sor
rydoct
orbutri
ghtnowIdon'
tneedthehope
speechwhatIneedisyoutot
ellmethest
ateofmy
si
ster'
sheal
th.
”
“Okay.Mi
ssSneguguheal
threpor
tdoesn'
tlook
good.Wedidalotoft
est
s,herCD4counti
svery
verylow.Weal
sof
oundt
racesofcocai
nei
nher
system--
”
“HowlowisherCD4count?
”Nomthaignoresthe
drugpar
tbecausesheknewver
ywellthatSneison
somedrugs.
“3.Andwecan' tevenst
arthertreatmentbecauseit
willbeawasteoft i
meandr esources.Shehast obe
rehabil
it
atedfi
rst
.Thisi
sgoingt obehar dforher
sincehersystem i
sweakandver yfr
agil
eatthe
moment .”SphasqueezesNomt ha'ssweatyhand.
“Thereismore.”
“More?
”Nomtha'
seyespopoutinshock,
she'
s
sweati
ngandaboutt
oloseherbr
eath.
“Babe,
breat
he.Ever
ythingwi
llbef
inemyl
ove.
”
Sphatri
estocomforther.
“
Shehasbr
eastcancer
..
..
.”
*
***
**
[
07/
21,
13:
38]Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
.
Chapt
er4.

Somet i
mespeoplethinkthatmoneyi sthesourceof
happinessbuthonestl
y,moneyisnot hi
ngwi t
hout
yourlovedones.Theonlypeoplewhocar eforyou
l
ikenooneel secaneverdo.Weal ldeservetobe
fi
nancialst
ablebutourworldsshouldn'
tevolve
aroundmoney.Moneycanbuymat eri
althi
ngs
thi
ngsbutnotlove,peaceofmindandhappi ness.
“Oohdearmommydear est.”Kaylasmil
eslooking
deepintoSne'seyes.Hersmi lesendschil
lsdown
herspine.“
Youlookl i
keyouj usthadareturntr
ipto
hell
,whathappenedt othemi ghtySneguguwho
hadthewor l
dunderherf eet?”Therei
ssomet hi
ng
aboutthisl
it
tl
eMi cayl
akidsomet i
mesthelookon
herfacecanmakeanygr ownper sonshiver.
“Mi
cayl
apleaseforgi
ve-
-”Thet
enyearol
dMi
cayl
a
bur
stsi
ntolaught
er.
“Nodearmommy.For gi
venessdoesn'tcutit,don'
t
eveninyourdreamst hi
nkthatIwi
lleverforgiveyou
fort
hepain,t
het ear
sandhur t
ingmyf athertheway
youdid.Idon'thateyoubuttomeyouar easgood
asdead.Youdi edthatverysamedaywhenyou
all
owedourf amilytobreakl
ikei
tnevermeant
anythi
ngtoyou- -
”
“
Kayl
--
”
“Shh!I '
m notdonet alking.Icameher etotellyou
twoi mpor tantthings.Fi rst
ly, don'
tyouevertryto
mani pul
atemyf atherusi ngyoursi cknessinto
givingyouanot herchancebecauseyoudon' t
deser vetobel oved.Secondl y,Icannotbaret osee
mydearl ovingaunti ntear s.Thismeansyouwi ll
havet odecidefasti fyouwi llgetbett
erordievery
soon.Auntanddadwi llcrybutevent uall
ytheywi l
l
moveon.Youcandar etellmydadwhatIsai dbut
trustme, ifyoudot henber eadytoseewhat
Mi caylaiscapabl eof .Remember ,I'
m yourdaughter
'
mot her'
”Mi caylawi nksathermot herandturnsto
exit.
*
***
**

“
What
?”Zandif
aint
suponhear
ingt
henewsonhow
badSne'sheal
this.Nomthalooksathermother
l
yingunconsci
ousont hefl
oorthenbacktoher
fat
her
,sheturnsandrunstotheroom whereSneis.
“Nomtha,
youdon'
tlookgood.What
'st
hemat
ter
?”
Sneasks.
“I
'
m sorrysi
ster
---
”Hervoicetrai
lsof
f.Snelooksat
heri
nut t
erconf
usion.SphaandBab' uMahlangu
arebusyatt
endingtoZandiwhenNomt hastor
ms
outofthewardroom runningasfastasshecan.
“Idon'
tthi
nkthatdoctorgavethem anygoodnews.
Somethingbadisreall
yhappeninghere.”Alwande
l
ooksatMi cayl
atryi
ngt ogaugeherreacti
on.
“I
fyouaresearchingforanyanswersoremot i
ons
i
nmyeyes, forgetitCuzbecauseIdon'
tfeel
anyt
hingaboutanyoft hi
s.Thatwit
chcandieor
l
iveforIcar
e!”Kaylaspit
svernom l
ikeal
ways.
“Kayla,
shei syourmot her
.Despit
eallt
hebad
thingsshemi ghthavedoneinthepastwecannot
changet hefactthatshecarr
iedyouinherbel
lyfor
ninemont hs,shetookcareofyouwhenyouwer e
young.Sheneedsyout hemostinthesehardti
mes.
Youtooneedher,
Iknowyouar eact
ingal
ltough
butdeepdownyousti
llcar
eforher.
”Muzitri
est
o
soft
enherhear
t.
“Thistimeyouar ewrongMr .Know- it-
allIdon'tf
eel
anythingforher.Haveyoueverf eltshar ppainstoa
pointwher eyourwholebodyget susedt oit
.You
startembr aci
ngthepain,youacceptal lthe
heartacheaspar tofyou,yourbodyadj ustsunt i
l
youdon' tfeeli
tanymore.Thepainsl owl ygoes
awayt akingwithitt
heinneryoui ncludingallthe
emot i
onsyouoncehad? ”
“OkaymaybeI'
veneverbeenhur tbef
orebutwhatI
knowisholdi
nggrudgesi snotagoodthi
ng.As
l
ongasyoudon'tforgivethosewhohurtyou,
you
wil
lneverbecompletelyhappy.
”
“Easyforyoutosaybecauseyouhaveal ovi
ng
famil
y!Ibelongtoabrokenbeyondrepai
rfamil
y
becauseofher !Don'
tyouf
uckin'
tel
lmeabout
forgi
veness!”
“
LanguageCuz,t
hisisnotLondonwhereyousay
t
hosewordsli
ketheyarenormal.Okay,
let
'snot
fi
ghtaboutt
hisi
ssuebutthinkaboutwhatIsai
d.I
l
oveyoumycr azi
estsist
er/
Cuz.”Muzifor
ceful
ly
hugstheenr
agedMi cayl
a.

SneguguPOV.

Ihadever ything,al ovingf ami l

y,yest heyal ways
scol dedmebutt hat'sbecauset heywant edt hebest
forme.Theyr eprimandedmebecauseIwas
strayingf rom thepat handl ikeanyot hergood
par entst heywer et r
yingt opr otectmef rom t he
danger ouswor ldt hatisf ul
lofhungr yvul tures.My
dearsi st eralwaysgavemeever ythi
ng, shedi dn'
t
mi ndspendi ngthewhol enightr esearchi ngf orme
orwor segoi ngar oundever ycor nerofUml azi
sear chingf ormewhi lstIwasbusydest royi ngmy
l
ife.Ant honydi dever yt hingtoshowmet hatGod
reallygr ant ssecondchancesbutwhatdi dIdo?I
becamet hedevilmysel fandl i
keal waysIdest r
oyed
ever ything.Now, her eIam sl eepingont hisbednot
knowi ngwhatt omor rowwi l
lbr i
ng.
“
Hey.
”Dadsaysst
andi
ngbyt
hedoor
.
“Comei ndad.”Iknowhest il
lfeelsthepai
nI
personall
yinf
lictedonhi
m.“ Father,fr
om the
bottom ofmyhear tIwouldli
ket oapologi
zeforal
l
thebadt hi
ngsIdi dandsaid.Idon'tknowwhat
cameoverme. ”Tearsst
ream downmycheeks.Dad
takesmyhandi ntohi
sandsl i
ghtlysqueezesit
.
“I'
m yourf atherandyouwer ethef i
rstpersont ocall
medad, howcanInotf orgiveyou?Iwasnever
angryatyouIj ustwant edyout oreali
zewhatyou
weredoi ngwaswr ong.Yousai dyoudon' tknow
whatcameoveryou?Iknow, youwer eal ways
j
ealousofyoursi ster.Yourj ealousycloudedyour
j
udgmentt oapoi ntwher eyoucoul dn'tseet hel ove
shehasf oryouandyoubecameabi t
terper son.
Thati sallyoudi dwr ongandIf orgi
veyouf oryour
stupidit
y.”Hesmi lesandki ssesmyf orehead.For
thefirstt
imeeversi nceIdest royedmyf ami l
yIcan
saythatIf eelsomet hingmovi ngdeepdowni nmy
heart.Myf ami l
yr eal l
ylovemebutIwasj ustbl i
nd
toseebeyondt heireyes.“ Ialsowantt oapol ogize
toyoumybabywhenIsai dkar madoesn' tneedan
addresstolocat
esomeoneInevermeanti tasa
curse.IwasangryandIforgotwhattheysayabout
spokenwor ds.I
'
m sorrymywor dslandedyouon
thisbed.
”Dadwi pesatear
,IwishIcanwi pehis
tearsorjumpathim andgi
vehimt helongesthug
butI'mtooweakt odothat
.
“
It'
sokayfat
herIguessIdeser veit
.Lif
egavemeso
manychancesbutIruinedallofthatnowhereIam
wait
ingf
orthefat
eGodt odecidemine.”Dadl
ooks
l
ikehe'
shidi
ngsomet hingfr
om me.
“Godi
salovi
ngGodandneverwi
shesil
ltoanyone.
Yourl
if
ewil
lber
est
ored,
havefai
thanddon'
tlose
hope.
”
“I
smom stil
lmadatme?Kayl ahatesmef ather
,she
sai
d--
”Myvoi cet r
ail
soffasIburstint
ot ears
Kayl
a'swordsl oudlyechoi
nginmymi nd.Shewas
cl
earandstraighttothepoint
.Likealwaysher
wordswereunf il
ter
ed,hatr
edandpai nwer eaudi
ble
i
nhersmallbutshar pvoi
ce.Herfacegaveno
emoti
onatall,whathaveIt ur
nedmyonl ydaughter
i
nto?
“It
'sokay.Yourmot herisnotangr ybutshe'ssti
ll
hurtandKayl awi l
lbefine,givehersomet i
me.You
willhavetof ightthi
sailmentandconqueri t.Doit
foryoursi ster,
yourmot her, meandyourdaught er
.
Fight,summonal lt
hest r
engt hyouhavei nyouand
fi
ght .Remember ,dadneverr aisedcowar ds,make
mepr ouddar li
ng.”Heki ssesmyf oreheadonce
again.Ican' thelpbutfeel l
ikehiswor dsarelaced
withuncer taint
y.Iwonderwhatt hedoctorsaidto
them?Am Idyi ngver ysoon?Howmucht imedoI
havel eft
?Nomt hast or
medouti ntears,i
sit
becauseofwhatt hedoct orsaid?
“
Dadbehonestwit
hme,howmanydaysdoIhave
l
eft
?Am Idyi
ngsoonert
hanIhadi
magi
ned?
”
*
***
**

Zodwai sbusyr
esearchi
ngsomet hi
ngont he
i
nternetwhensomeoneknocks.Shel ooksupand
fr
ownswonder i
ngwhocoul ditbewhenshemadei t
cl
eartotheemployeesthatshedoesn'twantt
obe
di
sturbed.
“Thesignont hedoorclear
lyst
ates"
DONOT
DISTURB. "isthatsohardt
ounderst
andoryoujust
pretendi
ngt obedull?
”Shescreamstowhoeveris
atthedoor .Sheisnotinagoodmood,she'
sbeen
moodyf orsomedaysnow.
“Youlitt
lebast ar
d!Ididn'trai
seyout obea
disr
espect f
ulchild,whatdoyout hinkofyour self?
Opent hisdoororIwi l
lbreakitdown!Don' ttest
me!”Adeepmal evoiceshout sfrom theout side
makingherdr ophernot epadinshock.Shequi ckl
y
pull
sher selft
oget her,
breathesinandoutt hen
rushest othedoorandunl ocksit.Theangr ymi ddle
agedmanf orcefullypushesthedooral most
sendinghercr ashingont hefloor.Shebal ances
herselfbythechai randcomesf acet ofacewi thher
enrageduncl e.
“Goodaft
ernoon,
Uncl
e.”Shegr
eet
shi
m wi
tha
shakyvoi
ce.
“What'
sgoodaboutit
?Huh?I t
'sni
cebeingyou,
ri
ght?Irai
sedyouwithmyownmoney, myhar d
earnedcashbutnowthatyouhaveyourown
moneyyoucan'tevenhel
pmeandmyf amily?What
doyout
hinkofyour
sel
f-
-”
“
Uncl
epl
easesi
tdow-
-”
“Idon'
twanttosi
tdown.Iwantmoneyt
henIwi
ll
getthehel
loutofyourf
ancyoff
ice.
”
“
Please.
”Shebegs.Theuncl
elooksathersi
ncer
e
f
ace,pul
lst
hechairandsi
ts.
“
Okay.Howmuchareyougivi
ngme?Idon'thave
t
hewholedayandIdon'
twanttobegyouf
orit.
Makeitf
ast
.”
“Iwi
shIcangiveyouthemoneybutIdon'
thave
evenasi
nglepennyinmyaccount
.”Theuncl
e
l
aughsoutl
oud.
“Youar
ejoki
ng,
right
?Howcanyoubebankr
upt
whenyouownabusinessandmar
ri
edtothe
pri
nce?
”
“Mycompanyi snotdoi
ngwel
latt
hemoment
.”She
honest
lyst
ates.
“Don'
tinf
uri
atemeZodwa!Idon' tcar
eifyour
companyisdoingwellornot,Iwantmoneythat'
s
all
.Tal
ktoyourhusbandI'm surehehasloadsof
cashst
ashedawaysomewher
e.”
“Ican'
tdothatI'
m sor
ry.
”Themanisaboutt
ohi
t
herwithhi
sstickbutPri
nceSbugr
abshisar
m.
“Don'
tyoudarel
ayahandonmywi fe.Idon'tcar
e
whoyouareandwhatyouwantf r
om herj ust
remembershe'
sthePr
ince'
swife.
”Sbupusheshi m
awayandhugsZodwa.“Areyoualri
ghtbaby? ”She
nods.“
Whatdoeshewant?”
“
He'
smyuncl
e,t
heonewhor
aisedme-
-”
“
Iknowal
loft
hat
.Myquest
ioni
swhyi
sheher
e?”
“Iwantmoneymyf amil
ycannotbedyingofhunger
whenmyni ecehaslot
sofmoney!”Theuncl
e
hisses.
“Youarenotget t
inganycent ,getthehelloutof
hereandnevereveragai nhar assmywi fe.You
don'twanttofindoutwhat '
sbehi ndthi
scut eface.
Getlost!”Pr
inceSbur et
rievesa$100not efrom hi
s
pocketandshovesi ti
ntheman' stornpocket
beforepushinghim outandl ocki
ngt hedoor.
“
Thankyou.Act
ual
ly,
whendi
dyouar
ri
ve,
youdi
dn'
t
event
ellmeyouwer
ecomi
ngback?
”
“Iwantedtosurpri
seyoumydearwi febutthenyour
crazyunclerui
nedmymoodandmysur pri
se.”He
hugsherf r
om behindandpecksherneck.“Youfeel
tense,
what '
sgoingon? ”Heaskswhenhefeelsher
bodysot enseandr i
gid.
“
It
'snot
hingI
'
mfi
nej
ustal
it
tl
eti
red.
”
“Idon'
tli
kei
twhenyouli
etome,whatisgoi
ngon?
Didmyf ami
lyt
roubl
eyouinmyabsence?”
“No!It
'smycompany, wear ebankr
uptandIdon' t
knowhowt ogetmycompanyoutoft hismess.I
thoughtmyaccount antwashandl i
ngal lthebooks
verywellunti
llastweekwhenIr ecei
vedanot i
ce
from t
hebankandt heombudsman.Ioweal otof
moneyt othem andIdon'tknowhowi nt hehellt
his
happened.”Shesi ghs.Sbupullsherclosertohim
andmakeshersi tonhislap.
“Andyoudidn'
ttel
li
ngmeaboutt hishowwer eyou
planni
ngtorai
sethemoney?I sther esomeone
who'ssupport
ingyoufinanci
all
ythatIshouldknow
of?”Thel
ookonhi sfaceissointenseandyoucan
seehe'
str
yingt
ocont
rolhi
stemper
.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”Shel
ooksdownal
lofasuddenf
eel
ing
t
heurgetocr
y.
“Lookatme, Idon' twantyout ot hinkt hatI'
mt ryi
ng
tocontrolyourl ifeandyourbusi ness.Weagr eed
nottomeddl ei nt oeachot her'
sbusi nessbutt hat
doesn'tmeanIwon' thelpyouf inancial l
y.I'
m your
husbandandi fnotmet henwhowi l
lhelpyou?Send
meyourbankst atementsandt heaccount sof
thoseyouoweIwi llseewhatIcando.Nextt i
me
hireacompet entaccount ant.Now, canIgetmy
kissIreal
lymi ssedyou. ”Zodwabl ushesbef or e
Frenchkissinghi m.Theki ssgrowsmor eandmor e
passionate,fullofneedandwantunt iltheyfind
themselveshal fnaked...
.

“Hey,
Ididn'
tseemybrot
hernorsi
ster-
in-
lawat
homewher earet
hey?
”Sbuaskswhi l
stbutt
oni
ng
uphisshir
t.
“
Youhaven'
thear
d?”
“
Hear
dwhat
?”Hi
sfacei
spani
cst
ri
cken.
“Snegugucameback,she'
ssi
ckandf
rom whatI
heardshe'
snotgonnamakeit
.”
“What?Wher
eisNomtha?I
sshealr
ight
?”He's
sweati
ngandshaki
ngashest
ruggl
estoputonhi
s
bel
t.
“Sbu-
-”Zodwacal
lsf
rom behi
ndbuthe'
salr
eady
outandhismindi
snowtoooccupiedtol
ist
ento
anyone.
*
***
***
***
**
“Whygrandpa?Whymysi st
er?
”Nomthasobs.
Grandpahugsherunt
ilshecal
msdown.
“RememberwhatIt oldyout heotherday? ”Nomt ha
nods.“Youcansaveaper sonfrom anythinginthis
wor l
dbutnotfrom her self
.Ihatetosayt hisbut
yoursist
erbroughtthi stoherself
,noone, Imeanno
onehast heri
ghttoi nsultherbloodl
ine.Doi ngthat
i
st hesameasi nsultingyourancestors.I'm sure
Godi sonlymakingitcl eartoyoursist
ert hatonly
Hehast hepowert omakeorbr eaksomeone. ”
“Youarenothel
pingi
nsteadyou'
readdingt
omy
pain.Don'
tyouunder
standthatt
hepersonwear
e
t
alki
ngabouti
smyever
ythi
ng,
myl
if
e?”
“Iunderstandal lofthatandI '
m sorr
yf orsounding
i
nsensitive.Nothingwi llhappentoher ,shewillgo
throughsomuchpai nbutshewi l
lpullthrough.Just
bet her
ef orherever ystepoft hewaybutl ether
l
eadt hewayi nor dertolearnsomeval uable
l
essonsofl i
fe.”
“Sist
er-
in-
law?”Sbu'
svoi
ceisheardfr
om behi
nd,
grandpadisappear
s.Nomthawipeshert
earsand
slowlyt
urnstolookathi
m.
“
Hey.Idi
dn'
tknowyouwer
ebacki
nthecount
ry?
”
“Landedafewhoursback.Whydi
dn'
tyoutellme?
Am Inowast r
angert
oyouandSne?”Hefeigns
sadness.
“
I'
m sorryI'
m st
il
ltr
yingtoprocessthewholethi
ng,
i
tdi
dn'tcrossmymi ndthatIshouldletyouknow.
I
'
m sorry.”
“
It
'sokay.Howar
eyouandt
hef
ami
lyhol
dingup?
”
“Idon'tknowaboutt
hem butI
'
mr eal
lyshaken,
I'
m
scared.”Sbupul
lsheri
nforahug.Hehugsherf or
aqui
tel
ongt
ime.
“Nothi
ngwi l
lhappentoher .
”Hewi peshertears.
“Yourfacedoesn'
tlookgoodwi thtears,smil
e,it
real
lysuit
syou.”Shefaintl
ysmi l
es.Sbumi ghtbe
theconstanttr
oublemakerbutwheni tcomest ohis
l
ovedonesheknowshowt omaket hefeelbett
er.
“Youneedt ogetsomer estbecauseyoul ookreall
y
awful.
”
“Thanks.
”Theybot
hlaugh.“Ihavet
opi
ckupmy
chil
drenfr
om t
hehospit
alandseemysist
erbef
ore
Igohome. ”
“Thosetwolit
tl
ebratsar
ealr
eadyhome.Icall
eda
dri
verfort
hem alt
houghtheylookedli
ket
heyhad
beenfight
ing.Youknowhowt heyare.
”
“Mychil
drenarenotbrat
s!Theywi
llki
llyouifthey
hearyousayi
ngthat.”Nomtha'
sphonevi br
atesin
herpocket
.
***
**Babe, Iknowyouwenttotheriverpl
easedo
comehomeyoursoni st
hrowi
ngtant r
umsandhe's
notli
steningtoanyone.Mom r
egained
consciousnessandIfedSnebeforeleavi
ngthe
hospi
tal
.Il
oveyou.
***

*
***
***
**

Pleaselike,
comment ,i
nvi
tefr
iendsandshar ethe
i
nsert.Everywr i
terneedsmotivat
ion.Howwi llI
knowi fyoulikemyst orywhenyoudon' tl
ikeor
comment ?CanIget200l i
kesatleast,100
comment sand80shar es?Iguessthisisnottoo
mucht oaskf or.
*
***
**

Busyt
omorrowexpectt
henexti
nser
tonSat
urday.
Haveagoodnight
.Loveyou
[
07/
21,
13:
38]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone

Chapt
er5.
Nomt
ha'
sPOV

It'
sbeentwodayssi ncethedoctorbr okethebad
newsaboutmysi st
er'
shealth.She'sbeenvomi ti
ng,
shiver
ingandherbodyi sbecomi ngweakerand
weakereachandever ypassingsecond.Youcan
tel
lbyonlylooki
ngathert hatshe'sreall
yinpain,I
prayandhopesheconquer s.Whenwewer eyoung
dadmadeuspr omisehimt hatwewi llalwaysfi
ght,
notonlyfi
ghtbutbevi ct
ori
ous.Oneoft hethi
ngs
thatmydadi sproudofisheneverr aisedcowar ds.
“Goodmorningdaught
er.
”Mot
her
-i
n-l
awst
art
lesme
andIqui
cklysnapoutofi
t.
“
Mor
ningmom.Howar
eyou?
”
“Ican'
tcomplain.Ibroughtyousomet hingt oeatI
knowyouhavenothadanyt hingtoeatsincet hat
day.Chil
d,youneedt hestrength,yoursisterneeds
youtobest r
ongf orher.Pl
easeeatsomet hing.”
Sheputsthetrayont hecof f
eetableanddr agsme
tothecouch.“Sit
,Iwillf
eedyou. ”I'
mr eall
ynot
hungrybutatt hesamet i
meIcan' tref
useher .She'
s
j
ustl i
kemymot herwhodoesn' ttakenof oran
answer .Ial
lowhert ofeedme, shemademy
favori
tebreakfast.Toast,scrambl edeggs,avocado
andwar m mil
k.Mymot her-i
n-l
awi saverygood
cookandever yt i
mewhensheent ersthekit
chen
shemakessur etodot hemostwi thhercooking
skil
ls.
“MyPr
incess,
youhaveacallf
rom t
hehospi
tal
.”
Themaidengi
vesmetherecei
ver.
“Nomthandazo,hell
o.”Myvoicebetraysmeasi t
comesoutshaky.Ihaveal lt
hesuppor tt
ost ay
str
onginsucht r
yingtimesbutIjustcan'tbestrong
enoughnottobescar edforher
.Ever ypassing
minuteIprayforami racl
e.
“
Goodmor ningMa' am.Wouldyoupleasecomet o
t
hehospitalrightawaywehaveasi t
uationhereand
weareindi r
eneedofyour sandfamil
yhelp.”The
l
inegoesdeadbef oreIcanaskthedoctorwhatis
wrong.Mom askswhati swrong,It
ellherexactl
y
whatthedoct orsaid.Sphacomesinf r
om dropping
Muzioffatschool .
“
I'
m comi
ngwi
thyoubabe.
”
*
***
***
*

Appar ent l
y,Snef ai
nt ed.Thedoct orsransomet est
s
andr ealizedsheneedsbl oodbutherbl oodgroupis
alwaysshor tinsuppl ybecauseofi t
'shi ghdemand
percent agesi nceitist heuniversalt
ypeofbl ood
wheni tcomest otransf usi
on.Everyonehashad
thei
rbl oodcheckedexceptKayl aandme.Ther eis
notevenasi nglemat chi nallofthem.Iknow
everyonei ncl
udingt hedoct orsarepr ayingand
hopingf oroneofust obeamat ch.I'
m scaredof
needlesbutf ormysi sterIcandoabsol utel
y
anything.
“Youcanhaveminechecked.”Isayt
othedejected
doctor
.Thewaythismaniswor ri
edsi
ckfor
someonewhom hedoesn'tevenknowpersonall
y
showsthathe'
sreal
lydoi
nghi sj
obwholeheart
edly
notfort
hemoney.
“
Babe,ar
eyousur
e?”Sphal
ooksuncer
tai
n,soi
s
mydearfat
her
.
“Icandothismuchf
ormysi
ster
,ri
ght
?”Thedoct
or
quickl
ytakesmetot
hel
ab.Myhearti
svigor
ousl
y
pounding.
Theprocessi snotasbadasIhadi magined.Itt
ook
aboutfivemi nutesandwewer edone.Nowwewai t
toseeifI '
m amat chornot.Dadl ooksscared
alt
houghhe' st r
yingsoverymucht oremaincalm
andhopef ul.Lindagoestohim, whispers
somethingi nhisearandIcanseehi seyes
becomingt eary.Lindahugshimt ightashesecretl
y
wipeshi stears.Thedoctorcomesback, everyone
quickl
yt urntheirheadst
owar dshim.
“She'samat ch!
”Heannounceshappi ly.Everyone
sighsasi ghofr el
iefexceptMi cayla.“MyPr incess,
pleasecomewi thme. ”Iquietl
yf oll
owhi m ashe
l
eadt hewayt oar oom withonl yonehospi t
albed, a
couchandanumberofchar t
sont hewal l
.I'
mt old
toremovemyshoes, j
acketandl ieont hebed.Two
nursesent ertheroom carryinghospi taltr
ays.The
doctorwear shisgl oveswhileexpl ai
ningt omehow
Iwillfeelaft
erthisandwhathadt obedonei nor der
toregainmyst r
engt handnott of eeldizzy.“Okay,
ready?
”Inod.He'
sabouttoinsertt
hester
il
eneed
whenthere'
sasuddenthunderoussoundwhich
sendsthethr
eeofthem cr
ashingonthefl
oor.
..
..

NARRATED.

“
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
”Ant
honyasks.
“Somethingiswrong.I'
m goi
ngtocheckonmywi f
e.
”Sphaat temptstoleavebutBab'
uMahlangupul
ls
him back.
“Si
tdownson-
in-l
aw.Thegodsaresaying
somethi
ng,
don'twor
ryabouthershe'
sperfect
ly
fi
ne.
”Hesayswi t
hasadsmileonhisface.
“Daddy,Idon'tunder
stand.Whatdoessister
Nomt hahast odowiththeGods?”Luckyis
confused,soisLindabutnotKiar
a.Beforehecan
respondtoLucky'squesti
onthedoctorcomes
runningtothem.
“She'
sunconsci
ous--
”Thedoct
orispanti
ng,t
het
wo
nursesar
ehorri
fi
ed.Whatj
usthappenedis
somet
hingt
heyonl
yseei
nNi
ger
ianmovi
es.
“What
?How'st
hatpossi
ble?Whatdi
dyoudot o
her
?”Sphai
sfur
ioussoisSbuwhojustj
oinedthem.
“
Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?HowcanNomt
haf
aint
--
”
“Cal
m downbot hofyou.Weshouldbewor r
ying
aboutSnenotNomt ha.Nomthawil
lbefinebutwe
can'
tsaythesamet hi
ngaboutSnegugu.Whatwe
needisablooddonortohelpSnegugu.”Shouts
Bab'uMahlangu.
“
But
--
”
“Nobut
s.Noonei sgoi
ngtofighther
e,wearenot
her
etoshowcaseourhightempersbuttohel
pSne.
Iwoul
dappreci
ateiti
fweallcoll
abor
ate.”

Thej uni
ordoctor
swentt owhereNomthaislyi
ng
unconsciouswhent heyover
headthemysteri
ous
storyaboutthegods.Theyarebothsoeagertofi
nd
outifanyhumanbei ngisabl
et ocommunicatewit
h
thegodsast heyarealr
eadyplanni
ngthei
rnext
research.
“Wecanuset hi
syoungl ady.Wecanof ferher
mill
ionsandI'm sureshewon' tsayno.”Theot her
j
uniordoctorsays.Het r
iestoseei fshe'
sr eal
ly
unconsciousorpretending.Heaboutt oopenher
eyeswhenascar ycreatur
espi t
sfireont hem.They
bothscream aler
tingthewholebuilding.Theytryto
runbutthecreatureisnotplayingaround.The
Pri
nces,doctorandt heMahlangur ushtot heroom
toseewhati sgoingon.
“Fir
e!Fi
re!Fir
e!I'
m bur
ning!Pl
easesaveme!
”The
otherdoctorshout
s.
“Whatfi
reareyoutalki
ngabout?”Sbuisconf
used
soiseveryonebecausetheyareunabl
etoseethe
sai
dfir
e.Thet wodoctorscont
inuetoscr
eam.
“Stop!
”Nomt hawakesupandscr eams.She' snow
coveredinsweat.“Gr
andpa,Iknowi t
syoupl ease
stop.Theygetyourmessage,Iapologizeonbehal f
ofthem.”Shefoldsherhands,thescarycreature
suddenlybecomesourdeargr andpawear efami l
iar
with.“Whyareyousoangr y?WhatdidIdowr ong?”
“
Youcannotdonat
ebl
ood!Nott
oyourdearsi
ster
,
yourchildr
enoranyone!Thesooneryougett
he
factthatyouarenotanordi
naryhumanbeing
throughyourthi
ckskullt
hebett
er!Youdon'
twant
peopletogethurtwhil
eyouaretryi
ngtohel
p.”
“
Grandp-
-”
“BehaveNomt ha!I
'm notreal
lyinthemood.”
Grandpaisfuri
ous.Whycan' tNomt hadonat
eher
blood?Issheevenahumanbei ng?Hel ooks
strai
ghtinhereyesbeforedisappeari
ng.
“
Whati sgoingonhere?Whoareyou?Whoareyou
t
alki
ngt oandwhywer ewestr
uckbyastr
ange
l
ight
ningwhenwet ri
edto-
-”
“St
op!Youhavenor ighttoquesti
onmywi fe,
not
younotanyone.Eveni fsheanswersal
lyour
questi
ons,youwon'tbeabl et
ounderst
and.I'
m
sorr
ybutshe'snotdonat i
ngbloodwewillf
ind
anotherdonor.
”SphasavesNomt haf
rom
answeringthedoct
or'squesti
ons.
“I
'
m sor
rymom I'
m unabl
etosavemysi
ster
.”
Nomthacr
ies.
“
It
'snotyourf
aul
tSunshi
ne.Kayl
a,you'
reourl
ast
hope,
please.”Zandikneel
sbef
oreher
.
“I
'm sorr
ygrannybutIcan't.Iwillnevereverdo
anythi
ngt osavethatwoman.Tomeshe' sdead!
Shemi ghtaswelldietosaveever yonethet r
ouble.
Shemessesup, i
nnocentpeopl esufferwhil
eshe
l
iescomf ort
ablyonherdeat hbed.”Kaylaresponds
withnoemot ionatall
.
“
Kayl
a!”Ant
honybar
ks.
“YoucanshoutallyouwantbutIwon' tchangemy
mi nd.Whatwil
lyoudo?For
ceme?Ibetnot
becauseyou'r
eallsofami
li
arwiththel aw.Onecal l
tomygr andf
atherandwhoeverhast hegut sto
forcemybloodoutofmewi l
lrotinjail
--”Anthony
slapsherhardbefor
eshecanf i
nishherst atement.
*
*
*
*
*
*
Mydearr eaders,Iknowthei
nserti
sshortandhas
mistakesand/ ormaybesucks.Forgivemedarli
ngs
Idon'tknowwhybutIf eeldr
ainedandI'
m unabl
eto
thi
nkcr eati
vely.Ihopetobefi
nesoonandIwi l
l
makei tupt oyou.

Haveagr
eatweekend.
[
07/
21,
13:
39]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er6.

“Anthony!St op!”Sphar ushestoKaylawhoseface

hast urnedbl oodyr ed.Bl
oodisoozingfr
om her
mout handnose.“ Whathaveyoudone?I sthi
show
yout reatyouronl ydaughter?Yes,shesounded
rudebutshe' st ell
ingthetrut
h.Wecannotf or
ceher
todonat eblood! ”Nomt hawipeshertear
sandhugs
herni eceti
ght l
y.Sphar unstothedoctor'
soff
icet
o
askforaf i
rstaidki d.
“Son-i
n-law,youj ustmadet hebiggestmistake.
Everyonehast herightt odowhatt heywantwi t
h
thei
rbodi es.Wecan' tf orcemygr anddaughtertodo
somet hi
ngshedoesn' twantt o.I
fyouwantt oraise
chil
drenwhowi l
lforeverobeyyouror dersdon't
slapachi ldanddon' teverscol dherinpubli
c.”Bab'
uMahl angur epri
mandqui et
ly.
“Butdar
li
ngweneedhert
osaveourSne.
”Zandi
says.
“I
t'snotherresponsibi
li
tyt osaveourchild.Shehas
hervalidreasonswhyshedoesn' twantto.Lether
beandt hisdiscussi
onisover .”Bab'uMahlangu
stormsoutoft hehospital.Nomt hafol
lowshim.
He'samanwhoneverbr eaksinfrontofhischi
ldr
en,
he'salwaysst r
ongforthem.
“Dad,Iknowyoufeel
li
kecryi
ngr i
ghtthi
sinst
ant.I
knowt hepai
nyouaregoingthr
ough,Iknowyou
havesomanyunanswer edquesti
onsbutli
keyou
alwayssaysomequesti
onswi l
lonlybeanswered
byGodhi msel
f.
”
“
Onceagai
nI'
mfai
li
ngmydaught
erandmyf
ami
ly.
”
Hefinal
lybr
eaks.Nomt
hahugshi
m ashepai
nful
ly
sobs.
“Youarenotfai
li
nganyone.It
'snotyourf
aul
tstop
blamingyour
self
.IfGodwantshertobewell,
she
willbe.
”Bab'
uMahl angul
ooksathisdaught
erin
shockandconfusion.
“Areyoureal
lysureaboutwhatyoujustsaid?”It
's
sounl i
keNomthatogiveupsoeasily.Forgetabout
givingup,
thepersoninquesti
onisherdearsister
whom shespentyearsprotect
ingfr
om allthebad
things.
“
Whoam Itochal
lengeGod?IfHesai
dyest
othi
s,
whoam It
ostopi
tfrom happeni
ng?”
*
***
***
*
ElsewhereinUml azikingdom there'
samyst er
y
familythatj
ustreturnedfrom abroad.Accordi
ngto
closesourcestheyhavebeenl ivi
nginAustral
iaf
or
aboutfift
eenyears.Theymi ghtbeamyst er
ybut
damn! ,
thefamilyisfil
thyrich.
“
Goodmorni
ngMrsNgcobo,
myf at
her
'spr
ide.”The
f
ir
stbor
nsonoft
heNgcobosgr
eetshi
smot her
wi
thapeckonhercheek.
“Morni
ngdar
li
ng.Youl
ookl
ikemyson.
”Smi
lesMr
s
Ngcobo.
“Hetookaft
erme.I tr
unsinthefamil
y,sweethear
t.”
MrNgcoboboast s.Whocanbl amethisfel
low?I
mean,holycow!Theirsonisthecombinati
onof
yummyness, handsomenessandcuteness.Who
wouldn'
twanthi mforasnack?Forgethavi
nghim
forasnack,he'
sawhol emeal!ImeanIwoul d
defi
nit
elyj
umpt otheopportuni
tyi
fgivenanybut,
unfor
tunat
ely,Idon'
tevenknowhisname.
“
Stopflat
ter
ingyoursel
fMist
er!
”MrsNgcobo
l
aughs.Theirsoni
sbusycheckinghi
mselfont
he
mir
rorandfixi
nghislonghai
r.
“Morningbrother.Missi
onimpossi bl
e
accompl i
shed,mymoneyf ir
stthenIwi l
lpersonall
y
deli
verthereporttoyourdeskinl essthanfive
minutes.”Oohooh!Seemsl i
kethere'sactuall
ya
si
sterinthisperf
ectfamily.Shelooksbeaut if
ul,
alt
houghherbeaut yseemst obemanmade.Imean,
herskinglowisasi fsheswal l
owedgl assor
something.Shehasgi
gant
ichips,
aper
fecttoned
roundbigass,afl
att
ummy...
.Ohboy!I
'm sure
she'sabouttodr
awtheatt
enti
onofal
lthemeni n
thi
skingdom.
“Ar
eyouseri
ous?”Theguy'
sfacel
ight
sup,
he
smil
esr
eveal
inghisper
fectwhi
tet
eeth.
“Li
keaheartat
tack.
”Hequickl
ytapsthescreenof
hissmar
tphone.Thegi
rl
'sphonevibr
atesandshe
beams.
“
Whatar
eyout
woupt
o?”Quest
ionst
hei
rfat
her
.
“Shewasdoingr esear
chonmybehal
f.Ihavealot
onmyplaterightnowsoIaskedf
orhelp.
”Helooks
l
ikehe'
slyi
ng.
“Bet
terbetel
li
ngthetr
uth.Honey,
I'mleavingsee
youlater
.Loveyou.
”MrNgcoboki sseshiswifeand
l
eavesherblushi
ng.
*
***
***

Thedoct
orsar
estil
lrunni
ngar
oundcal
li
ngeach
andever
yhospi
talt
ot r
yandfi
ndbl
oodtosave
Sne'
sli
fe.
“Kayl
a,whyareyousoangr
y?”Sphadeci
dedtotal
k
toMicayl
ainpri
vat
etoseeifhecansof
tenher
heart
.
“Angrydoesn'texplainwhatI 'mf eeli
nginside.That
womandest royedever ything!Shedest royedour
family,
youalmostl ostyourwi febecauseofher ,my
dadat t
emptedsui cidebecauseofher ,great
grandmotherdiedbecauseofher !Nowshe' sback,
everyoneisreadyt oforgiveandmoveonl i
ke
nothingeverhappened!Youcanal lf
orgiveherbutI
won't!I
'drat
herdi eandgot ohellthangi vemy
bloodtothatwitch!Iknowper fectlywellthatmy
bloodisO-positive,I'
mt herightmat chbutI '
m not
abouttobehersavi or!”Kayl a'
sangerr unsdeeper
thananyonecaneveri magi ne.
“Iunder
st andshehur tyouthemostwhenshewas
supposedt obetheonet oprotectyou.Iunder st
and
yourpain, angerandhatredbutcanyout hinkabout
yourauntf oramoment ?Youcl ai
mt oloveheral ot
butyour efusingtohelphersisteri
spr ovi
ng
otherwi
se.Shel oveshersistersodear lythatshe
candieforher.Pl
ease,
ifnotf
oryourmother
,doit
foryouraunt
.Shewon'tbeablet
osurvi
vewithout
Sne.”
“Youarewronguncle!Myaunti sastr
ongwoman,
shewillsur
vivet
his.Iactual
lywishmymothercan
diesoshecanl i
vepeace--”Sphaput
shishandon
herli
tt
lemout ht
osilenceher.
“Don'tt
alkl
iket
hat
.Spokenwordsareli
kea
prophecyandwealldon'
twantwhatyoujustsai
d
tohappen.”
“Cam Ibehonest?”Sphanods,Kayl
alowersher
voice.“
Bel
ieveme, Iwoul
dbet hehappi
estper
son
everift
hathappens.”Heshakeshisheadreal
izi
ng
thatnowordsofhiscansoftenKayla'
sstoneheart
.
*
***
**
“Ihadadri
nkortwo,i
sitpossi
blef
ormet
odonat
e
blood?
”Sbuasksthedoctor
.
“Noyoucan' tdonatebloodwhi l
ealcoholi
sstil
l
muchpr esenti nyourbloodcell
s.I
twillt
akeabout
24t o48hour sdependingonhowyoursyst em
respondstoal coholtobeeli
gibl
etodonat ebl
ood.
”
Thedoct
ori
nfor
mshi
m.
“
Fuck!Canshehol
donf
ort
hatl
ong?
”
“
Herbodyisgett
ingweakereachandeverymi
nut
e.
Weneedhertowakeupsowecancont i
nuewi
th
t
hetr
eatmentbefor
eit
'stoolat
e.”
“Wecandosomet hingdoct or
.Wecanbr i
be
someoneorevenbet ter
,wecanki dnapanumberof
people,testthem andseei fwecanf indamat ch.”
Thedoct orlooksathi minshock.“ Beli
eveme
doctor,
”Hel ower shi svoice.“
ForthatAngelcrying
outthere,Icanwal kthroughfire.I
tkil
lsmet osee
hercryi
nghel pl
ess, IwishIcanwi peawayal lher
sadnessandbr ingbackherbeaut i
fulsmile.
”He
smil
essadl y.
“
Arewest
il
ltal
kingaboutt
hepat
ienther
e?”
“Youwon'tunderstandMr.Doc.Givemecont act
detail
sofwherewecanf i
ndatl eastenoughpints
ofbloodtosaveourdearSne.Eveni fit
'sthe
government'
sbloodbanklocation,weneedt oact
fast.Onemorething,mybrotherandotherscannot
fi
ndoutaboutthis.”Hewinksatthehorrif
ieddoctor
.
Tr
ustSbut
othinkofsucht
hingsandsayt
hem out
l
oudli
keheseesnothi
ngwrongwithi
t.

THREEMONTHSLATER.
..

“Hey,howareyoufeeli
ngbeauti
ful
?”Ant hony
greet
sSneasshewakesupf r
om herdeepsl umber
.
He'sbeenaconstantvi
sit
orsi
nceSnest artedwi
th
hertr
eatment.He'
sbeenverysupport
iveofher.
“
Bet
ter
.Youshoul
dst
opcal
li
ngmebeaut
if
ul.”
“Why?”Herai
seshi
seyebr
ow.He'
ski
ndacut
ewi
th
hiseyebr
owrai
sed.
“Idon'
tthinkit'
sappropr
iat
e.I
'
m nol
ongerbeaut
if
ul
Anthony,it'
sthetr
uthwehavehavet
oaccept.
Anyway, howi sMicayl
a?”
“She'
sfine.Shewentt
oaboatcr
uisewi
thher
grandparent
s.”
“Oohokay.Iwashopi
ngshe'
schangedhermind
aboutme.Ihaveapol
ogi
zedmill
iont
imesbutshe
sti
llhat
esme.Iknowsheref
usedtosavemylif
e
whenIneededbl
ood,I'
veheardhersayt
hingst
hat
ar
enotevenofherage,she'
sangryandIdon'
tthi
nk
i
t'
sgoodforher
.”
“Shewi l
lbefine.Don' tworryaboutherbutyour sel
f.
Youwer egivenanot herchanceut i
li
zeitandbet he
bet t
eryou.Speaki ngoft hebl ood,wheredidi
tcome
from?Imeanonl yNomt ha,Mi cayl
aandSbuwer e
mat chesbutNomt hacoul dn'
tdonate,Micayl
a
refused, Sbuwaski ndofdr unkofwhi chhehadt o
wai tforatleasttwent yfourhour sbefor
edonating
buti ttooklessthananhourt ogetblood,am I
mi ssingsomet hing?”
“
Whatdoyoumeanmi
ssi
ngsomet
hing?”
“
Imeant
hebl
oodt
h--
”
“Youbot hwon'tunder stand.”Sbusaysf r
om the
entrance.“Heybuddy, canwet al
kinpri
vate?
”Sne
glancesupatAnt honythenbackt oSbubutsays
nothing.“Okayfine.Istolebloodfrom t
he
governmentbl oodbank, howisthat?
”
“
What
?”Ant
honyandSnecannothi
det
hei
rshock.
“
Exact
ly!Thi
sist
her
easonwhyyoushoul
dn'
t
quest
ionhowthi
ngshappenedwhenyoucannot
handl
ethetr
uth.
”
“
Sbu,
that
'si
ll
egalandaver
ypuni
shabl
ecr
ime.
”
“Iknowallaboutthat
.Canyoustopjudgi
ngme?
Youbothshouldbet hanki
ngmei nst
ead.Isaved
yourli
feSne,stol
enbloodornot
!”He'sgett
ing
annoyed.
“Youcan'
tdef
endyour
sel
fli
keyou-
--
”Ant
honyi
s
cutshor
t.
“Don'tyoudarequestionmychar acter!I'
m amanof
i
ntegrit
y,amanwhopr otectshi slovedonesand
cangot oanyl engt
hsf orthosehel oves.Oneday
youwi l
lfal
linloveandyouwi llreali
zewhatI '
m
tal
kingaboutandt hen,ever ythingincl udingwhat
peopleterm nonsenseorr idiculouswi llmakesense
toyouandonl yyourtwi stedmi ndwi llunderstand.
”
Atearescapeshi seye.
“Idi
dn'tknowyoul
oveSneguguthatmuch?
”
Anthony'svoi
cedi
slacedwi
thj
ealous.
“Di
dImentionhername?Buddie,
Iwantedtotal
kto
youaboutsomethi
ngimpor
tantbutIj
ustfor
got
whatIwant edtosay.Youbothruinedmymoodand
r
ightnow, Ineedtoblowoffsomest eam.I
'
m sure
wifeycanhelpwiththat.
”HekissesSne'sf
orehead,
winksatherandl eavesherbl
ushingli
keateenager
who'sjustbeenkissedbythecoolestguyi
nthe
wholeneighborhood.
“There'
ssomet hingodd..
..
myst
ery.
..
.andscary
aboutthisguy.Idon'tknowwhybutIdon'tli
ke
him.”Anthonyfinall
ysayswhathethinksabout
Pri
nceSbu.
“He'
sacoolguyi fyoutaket
imetoknowhi m.Just
doesn'
ttakeanyone'sshi
toropi
nionsabouthi
m.”
Anthonysighs.
*
***
**
Nomthaisbusychangi
ngherbeddi
ngwhent
her
eis
aknockonthedoor.
“Coming!
”Sheshout
s.Ki
araopenst
hedoorand
getsi
n.
“I
'm sorr
ybutIcan'
tkeepst
andi
ngout
side,
I'
min
dir
eneedoftheloo.”Ki
arai
scover
edi
nsweatand
shaking.
“Isever-
--
”Nomt haquest i
onsbutKi ar
ai salr
eadyi n
thetoil
etvomiting.“ Oops!Iwonderwhati swr ong
withmyl i
ttl
esist er.Afteraf ewmi nutesNomt ha
knocksont hebat hroom door ,Kiar
akeepsqui et.
“Areyouokay? ”She' snowsi t
ti
nginat ubf ul
lof
coldwaterwi t
hherheadsl ightlyti
lttothebackand
eyesclosed.
“Al
mostdiedoutther
e!Howdoyoumanagetol
ive
wit
hsomanypeopl ebutst
il
lbef
il
ledwi
thsomuch
posi
ti
veenergy?
”
“Youmeanyouwereshakingandvomiti
ngbecause
youri
ntr
over
tsel
fcoul
dn'tst
andpeopleoutt
here?
Areyouforr
eal
?”Nomthalaughsather.
“Thi
sisnotal aughi
ngmat t
er.Ihadtogr eetmor e
thanthirt
ypeoplebefor
eget ti
ngt oyou,forgetthe
peopl
e, Ihadtocomef acetof acewiththeKi ng
himselfandtheQueenMot her!Ialmostpeedon
myself.”She(Ki
ara)splasheswat eronherf ace.
“Youreal
lyneedseri
oushelp.Imeanyou'
refi
ft
een
butyoustil
lscar
edofpeopl
e.Whatreall
yhappens
whenyouar earoundpeopl
e?”
“Ifeelmywhol ebodyget t
ingweak, mymi ndgoes
blank,myintesti
neschur nleadingtoarunny
stomachandt henost algi
atakesover.Ionlyfeel
safewhenI '
m athome, wit
hf amil
ymember sonly.
”
PoorKayla!Sher eal
lylooksdr ai
nedandst r
essed.
“OkayIwil
ltal
ktothepsychol ogistandseeifwe
cansomehowmanaget hisfearofyours.I
'm sure
therear
emanyi nt
rovertsoutt her
ewhoar e
somehowmanagi ngt heiri
ntroversi
on.Letme
fi
nishcl
eaningmyr oom befor eyourbrot
her-
in-l
aw
comesback.”Nomt hawal ksoutoft hebathr
oom.

Aftertakingal ongmuchneededcol dbat h,

Kiar
a
asksNomt hat ohel pherpr act i
cefortheupcoming
chesst our nament .Kiaraisaver ybraveand
i
ntelli
gentgi rlbutnotbr aveenought ostand
people'sst ares.Si nceherchi ldhood,she'sbeen
goodwi t
har ithmet i
csandchess.Shewasawar ded
aschol arshipaf terr epresentingtheUml azi
ki
ngdom i nthepr ovincialchesst our
namentwher e
shewonandbecamet hef i
rstwomani nUmlazito
winthepr ovincialchesst ournament.
“Si
ster
,whatdotheymeanwhentheysayyouare
notanordi
narychi
ld?
”Kiar
aasksmakingherf
ir
st
move.
“
Iwasbornunderaber
rantci
rcumst
ances.
”Nomt
ha
makesherownmove.
“Howso?”Theconver sati
ongoesonuntil
Nomt ha'
slastmovewhenKi ar
atri
estodist
racther
wit
hadi ff
icul
tquest
ionthatNomthaalwaysfi
nd
hardtoanswer .“
Whenpeopleaskwhoyouar e,do
youtellt
hem thewholemyster
ystory?
”
“No.IknowwhoIam andthati
sI'm myfather
's
daughter
.”Shesmi
les,
Kiar
alooksatherinawe.
“
Dadr
eal
lyl
ovesyou.
”
“Helovesal
lofus.List
en,
Ibeatyouatthisgame
becauseyouseeitasagame.Tobecomeapr oin
chess,seet
hisboardasyourwholeli
fepresented
befor
eyou.Don'tj
ustmakeamove, thi
nk,focus
andmakeamoveasyouwoul ddoi nreall
ife.
Remember ,
yourmovesdetermineyourfuture.
”
“
Beli
evemedearKiar
ayouwi
llneverbeatheri
n
t
hischesst
hing,
someti
mesI
'
mt empt edtothi
nk
thatshe'sabl et
oseeallyourmovesbefor
ethe
gamest arts.”Sphacomesf r
om behi
ndandhugs
Kiara.BeforeNomt hacanrespondtohi
scomment
herphoner ings.
“
Nomt
handazo,
hel
lo.
”
“GoodmorningMa'am,wehavebeent r
yingt
oget
holdofMrTshabanguwithnoluck.Someoneis
heretoseehim.
”Therecept
ioni
stsays.
“
Doyouper
hapshavet
henameoft
heper
son?
”
“
NobutIcant
ryandgethi
m ont
he-
-”
“Hel
lobeautif
ulPr
incess.I
t'
sapleasur
etofi
nall
y
tal
ktoyou.”Adeephuskyvoicesaysontheother
endoftheline.
“
MayIpl
easeknowwhoam It
alki
ngt
o?”
“
TheMayorhi
msel
f.
”
“
HowcanIbeofhel
pMrMayor
?”
“Iwoul
dli
ketoschedul
eameet i
ngwithyour
husband,
youandtheKing.Themeeti
ngmusttake
placei
nnotmorethanthr
eedays,i
t'
surgent
.”
“Iwi
lll
etmyhus-
-”Sphasnat
chest
hephonef
rom
her.
“Staythehellawayfrom mywifeyoubast
ard!
”He
hisses.“I
fyoueveragainhavethegutst
ocallherI
willbreakyourbones!”Hedi
sconnect
sthecall
.
“
O-okay?
”Nomt
hagi
veshi
m apr
obi
ngst
are.
“No.I'
m notsayinganythi
ngandyouwillnott
alkt
o
mydadaboutt hisstupidcal
l
.Thatbast
ard
disgui
sedasamayori sbadnews,pl
easestay
awayf r
om him.”Heisfuri
ous.
*
***
***
*

Pri
nceSbuwal ksi
nZodwa'soff
icewit
hout
knocki
ng.Zodwai shavi
ngameet ingwit
hher
suppli
ersandsomeofherst af
fmember s.Theyal
l
l
ookathi m butsaynot
hing.
“Ladi
esandgent lemen,sor
ryt oi
nterr
uptyour
meeting.Ineedamomentwi thmywi fe,
it'
sreal
ly
i
mpor tant
.”Whatcant heysay?Alltheycandoisto
granthisrequestwit
houtprotest
ing.He'
sapr i
nce
af
teral
l.
“Andthen?Whatissoimportantt
hatyoucouldn'
t
waitformyme- -
”Hegrabsherbythewaistand
pull
sherclosert
ohim.Shefeelshi
sbulgeand
gasps.
“Yesbaby, Ineedyouandnow. ”Helockst hedoor
beforeFrenchki ssingandl eadinghert othedesk.
Thereareal otoff il
es,papersandever yt
hingyou
canfindint heof f
ice,heswi f
tl
ypi cksherupand
makeshersi tonthet abl
e.Hest opsforawhi le
admiringhercl eavage,li
ckshi slipsandqui ckl
y
undressesher .“Niceunderwearbaby. ”Hepul l
sthe
elast
icofherl acepant s.
..
..
.

“AreyouokaySbu? ”Zodwaasksaft
errecover
ing
from t
hehotsteamysex.She'
sfloat
inginher
bubbleofhappiness.
“Ver
yfi
neandf
ullofenergy,
doyouwantmet
o
showyou?
”Hesmi l
eshisnaught
ysmil
e.
“
Thisisanoff
icenotabedr
oom wher
ewemake
l
ove-
-”Theyarebot
hlyi
ngonthefl
oorlooki
ngatt
he
cei
li
ng.
“
Pointofcorrect
ionbaby,
wejusthadsexnotl
ove
making.
”Likealwaysheburst
sZodwa'sbubbl
e.
“
Whydoyoual waysdot hi
stome?Whycan' tyou
l
ovemeback?Whycan' tyoumakef eelhowitfeel
s
l
iket
omakel ove?Doyoustil
lseemel ikeoneof
t
hosegir
lsyoupaytohavesexwi t
h?I sthatwhat
i
'
m onlygoodat?”Hereyesarenowt eary.
“No.Idon' tregar dyouasasexwor kerbecauseifI
did,Iwouldn' thavegonet hrought hetroubl
eof
forepl
ay.Youar eagooddaught er-in-l
aw,avery
goodmot hert oourchildren,averygoodand
obedientwi febutnotgoodenought orepl
ace
someoneIl ovewi t
hmywhol ebeing.Youcannever
compet ewi thher ,noonecan.Pl easest ophurt
ing
yourselfbyt ryi
ngt owinmeoverbecausei twil
l
neverhappen, let'
sjustkeepont olerati
ngeach
otherandst opt r
yingtoinsultt
hesacr edmeani ng
oflove.
”
*
*
*
*
*
Hidarli
ngs.Ihopeyouareallhavi
ngaver y
producti
veMonday.LikeIsaidonSaturday,Iwasn'
t
feel
ingtoogoodbutI'
mf i
nenowandf r
om t he
bottom ofmyheart
,averybigthankyouf oral
lthe
messages.

Youwi llnowgeti nsert

sat1pm ever yMondayto
Thursday.Iwon' tbepostingonFr i
daysbecauseI
haveot herbusinessestot akecareofbutwor r
ynot,
youwi llgetaninsertonSat urday.Thankyouforthe
l
ove, supportandbei ngpar tofmyj our
neyIreal
ly
appreciateyouguys.Ngi nithandathandi,
Iloveyou
darl
ings..
[
07/
21,
13:
39]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er7
Nomt
ha'
sPOV.

It'
sbeenqui t
eahect icyearf orme.Ial mostl ostmy
sisterbutI'
m gl adshef oughtlikeat rueMahl angu.
She' sstr
ongnowandsl owlyhersmi leisreturni
ng
toherbeaut ifulface.I twashar dseei nghergo
throught hehar shsi deef f
ectsofchemot herapy,
tryi
ngt ogetusedt ot akingHI Vmedi cati
onand
accept i
ngthet hingst hewayt heyar e.Somet imes
shewoul djuststar eintospace, tearsrunningdown
hercheeksbutdi dn'tfeelli
keopeni ngupt o
someone.It ri
edmyl evelbesttomakeherf eel
betterbutsomet i
messhewoul dchasemeaway.
Wi t
haheavyhear t
,Igavehert hespacesheneeded.
“Wel
comeback, bossl
ady.”Anelegreet
smewi tha
smil
e.It
ookunpaidleavetobewi thmysi steri
n
ti
mesofneed.I
'vebeenawayf r om t
heofficefor
oneful
lyear
,Ir
eallymissedmi ssedmyj ob.
“
Hi,Anel
e.Howhaveyoubeen?”Isur
pri
seherwi
th
ahug.Otherwor
ker
slookl
iket
heyjustsawaghost
.
Mostpeoplet hi
nkIbehavelikeoneofthose
pri
ncesseswhoseest hemselvesspeci
aland
dif
fer
entfr
om ot herhumanbei ngsbutI
'm not.I
evenhatethatbymar ryi
ngSphaIaut omatical
ly
becameapr incess.
“
I'
m goodandyoul ooksuperfi
ne.I
'm gl
adyou'
re
f
inal
lybackwereall
ymi ssedyouandyour
l
eadershi
pski
ll
s.”Shebeams.
“I
'
m gladtoknowt hat
.Igotyouremail
,cometomy
off
iceat9.
30rightnowIhavet oset
tl
ein.”Shenods.
Theyal lgreetmeandIf inall
yclimbt hestepst omy
off
ice.Inowhavemyownof f
ice,mydearhusband
couldn'tkeephi shandst ohimsel fandoneday
mother -
in-l
awwal kedi nonus.Shescol dedusf or
l
ackingpr ofessionalism andfrom thatdaywe
decidednott oshar eanof fi
ce.Igett omyof f
ice,
opent hedoor ,tomysur pr
iseit'
sunlocked.Ist ep
i
nsidemyof f
ice,i
tlooksdi f
ferent,i
tisnicely
decorated, t
hewal lpaintischangedi ncludingthe
setup.I '
m stil
lmar veli
ngatthisbeaut i
fulsetup
whenmydeardar l
inghusbandcomesbef oreme
wit
habunchofyel l
owr osesinhi shand.
“Mybeaut
if
uldeargor
geouswife,wel
comeback.
Workwassoboringandenergyconsumi
ngwithout
you.
”Ibl
ushashebabykissesmycheek.
“Thankyousomuc- -
”If
ailt
ocontr
olmyt
ear
s.Il
et
them r
olldownbothmycheeks,
hecupsmycheeks
andlooksstrai
ghti
ntomyeyes.
“Iknowbabe, Iunder standt heroll
ercoasterof
emot ionsyouhave, it
'sokayt oreleasethem and
freeyoursoul .Everythingi sfi
nenow, pl
easestop
crying.”Hepul l
smecl oserandl et'smer estmy
headonhi schest .“ Youknowyouar eallowedto
extendyourl eavei fyouar enotr eady.AsmuchasI
mi ssyouatwor k,Iwoul dn'twantt ori
skyour
psychol ogicalheal thwi t
hal lt
hest r
essthatcomes
wi t
hwor k.
”Hesaysst rokingmyback.
“I'
mf i
nebabe.Idon'tknowwhyIf el
tso
overwhelmedallofasudden, Ij
ustcouldn'
tcont
rol
myt ears.Thankyou.”If
aint
lysmil
ewi pingmy
tears.
“
Forwhat?”Hebi
teshi
slowerli
p.OhGod!Doeshe
r
eal
lyhavetodot
hisonpurpose?Isuddenl
yhave
goosebumpsal lovermybody.Iknowwehavebeen
toget
herforalmosttwelveyearsbutIcan'
tget
enoughofthisman.If alli
nlovewit
hhim overand
overagai
n...“
Heello?”Isnapoutofiti
mmedi at
ely.
“Forbeingacar i
ng, lovingandaver ysuppor ti
ve
husband.Al so, f
orthenewl ookofmyof fice.Ilove
i
t.”I'
mt empt edtoki sshi m butt hatwi l
lleadt o
somet hingI'mt r
yingt oavoi d.Asi freadingmy
mind,If eelhisli
pssear chingf ormi ne,hishands
caressingmyback, ever ythi
ngi nmegi vesint ohis
touch.Theonl ytouchmybodyknowsand
respondst over ywel l.Theki ssdeepens, Ifeelhis
handmovi ngt othezi pperofmydr ess, i
nmymi nd
I'
m screami ngathi mt ost opbutphysi cally,I'
m
doingtheopposi teasIf i
ndmyl efthandgoi ngf or
hisbeltaf t
erremovi nghi sjacket.
..
...

NARRATED.

“
Comein.
”Sphacall
souttowhoeveri
satt
hedoor
whi
leNomthaf
ixeshi
sti
e.
“
Ummm...
.CanIcomebackl
ater
?”Anel
eisabout
t
otur
nandleave.
“No.Mywifeisreadyforyou,Iwasonmywayout
.”
Hekisseshercheekandleaves.
“Ma'am,Iwasaskedtogooverallofthe
Tshabanguspersonalaccount
sthatarel
inkedto
thecompany.Icameacr osssomethi
ngalarming
butIwasscaredtotellMrTshabanguthetrut
h--
”
“
Youarescari
ngme.Whati
sitthatyousaw?I
s
t
hereafamil
ymemberwho'
sinvolvedi
nmoney
l
aunder
ingschemes?
”
“No.It
'sMrMuzi'scr
edi
tcardthathadmewor ri
ed.
”
Anelebri
efl
ylooksatNomtha.Shelooksscar
ed
andiswonderingwhatNomtha'sreact
ionwil
lbe.
“OkayAnel e,t
ellmeexact
lywhatiswrongwit
hhi
s
creditaccount.Youweredoi
ngwhatthecompany
paysyout odoandyoudon' thavetobescar
edto
tel
lthetruth.
”
“Heusedalmosthalfamill
ioni
nthepastyear.I
knowthisiswrongbutIhadtocheckwheremostof
thet
ransacti
onstookpl
ace.Tomysurprise,
his
cardwasusedmostinhardwar
estores.Iaskedthe
ITguytochecki
fhiscar
dwasclonedbutwef ound
nothi
ngalar
ming.
”Nomthaisshocked.
“
Idon'tknowwhatt
osayaboutthi
s.Thankyoufor
l
ett
ingmeknow,Iwil
ltal
ktohi
m andthebank.
”
*
***
***
***

“Oneful
lf ucki
n'year
!Imeandoyoueven
underst
and?365dayspl us!”Hisphonesmasheson
thewall
.Hepi ckshislaptop,he'
sabouttosmash
butreal
izessomet hi
ng.
“What?Goaheadandsmashi tbrother.”Hi
ssister
l
aughsathi m.“YouarereallycrazyMrNgcoboJr .
”
Shethrowsherselfonthebedandr elaxeslooki
ng
atthechandel
ier.“
Whati sthemat terdear-
love-
str
uckbrother
?”Shecannothi dethemocker yin
hervoi
ce.Herbr ot
hersighsinexasper ati
on.
“I
t'
simpossi
blet
omeether
.It
'sl
iket
ryi
ngtomake
fi
reonwater
!”Hewi
peshisfacewit
hbothhi
s
hands.
“
Andsmashi
ngyourphonewi
llmakei
tpossi
ble?”
“St
opmaki
ngfunofme!Youshouldbehel
pingme
notwat
chmedyingeachandever
ysecond!
”He
scr
eamsathi
ssist
er.
“Stopshouting!Youhaveki l
ledbeforeandt hattoo
i
ncol dblood.Youevenki l
ledyourownchi ld,
blamedyourwi feforitonlysoyoucanbewi t
hthis
woman, whydoyouwantt ogi veupnow?Youar e
closertoherthanyout hink, youhaveal lthemoney
i
nt hewor l
dt ohaveanywomanyouwant ,keep
fi
ghtingforwhatyoul ove.”Sayst hesi ster.“But,it
won'tbeeasybecauseshe' smar ri
edtot hepr i
nce,
notjustanor di
naryprincebutabr othert oa
dangerousgangst erwhowon' tl
etanyonehar m hi
s
brother
.”
“ThenIhavet
odealwit
hhimf i
rst.Gethi
m outof
mywayt henmydream wi
llf
inall
ycomet r
ue.”He
smileshi
smostdanger
oussmi l
e.
“
I'
mreal
lyscar
edr
ightnow.
”
“
Hahaha!
”Theybothbursti
ntol
aught
er
r
ememberingsomethi
ng.
*
***
***

“
YourMaj
est
y.”Chi
efSokhel
egr
eet
stheKi
ng.
“
Myf r
iend,
howareyou?
”TheQueenwal
ksin
f
oll
owedbyt hemai
denwho'
scar
ryi
ngatr
ay.
“MyKing,ther
e'st
roubl
e.”Both,
theKingandhis
wifel
ookathim.“TheMayori smakingri
dicul
ous
demands,hewantshalfoftheTshabangu
enter
pri
sestokeephismout hshutaboutt
he
diamond.That'
snotall
,theNgcobosarebackin
town--
”
“
What
?”TheKi
ngf
aint
s.
“
YourMaj
est
y!”Queenmot
herr
ushest
ohi
m.
ChiefSokheleispaci
ngupanddownwai tingforthe
doctortotel
lthem whati
swr ongwit
htheKing.
QueenNozi zweissit
ti
ngalonesil
entl
yprayi
ngfor
theKing.Nomt haandSphawal ki
nandtheybot h
runtoher.
“
Mom,
whathappenedt
ohi
m?”Sphaasks.
“
TheMayori
sback-
-”
“Shit!Di dthatscoundr elcomet oseehi m?Ihope
andpr aynoonet oldhim aboutt heNgcobos. ”The
l
ookonChi efSokheleandhi smot heranswer shis
quest i
on.“ No!Howcoul dyoudosuchat hing?I
personal lyaskedyoual lnottotellhim, whydi dyou?
Iwillkillthatidiot
!”He'sfumi ng.Nomt hai
s
confused, she'sthereli
steningtot heirconversati
on
butf eelslikesomet hingi smissing.Shedoesn' t
knowt hest orybehindt hisi
nf amousmayor .
“Whoa?Whatisgoi
ngonher e?Whydi dtheKi
ng
suddenl
yfai
ntuponhearingaboutt
hismayor?
Spha?”Shef
oldsherhands.Hermoodhaschanged
andSphaknowsbetternottoli
etoher.
“I
'mtr
yingtopr
otectyoubabe.Youdon'
thavet
o
knowallt
hedetai
lsaboutt
hismanandthe--
”
“
Sphamandl
a!”Nomt
hahi
sses.
“Youdon'
thissatmeNomt ha!Don'
tte--
”Forthe
fi
rstt
imeSphaisreal
lyangrytoanextentof
shouti
ngathisdearwi
fe.
“Sonstop!I
t'
snotherf
aultyourfat
heri
ssleepi
ng
onthatbed!
”QueenNozizwet r
iest
ocalm hi
m
down.Nomt hast
eal
thi
lyl
eaves.Sheasksthe
recept
ioni
stwher
eshecanfindtheKing.
“YourMaj
esty.
”Shebowsherhead.Sheremember s
howSphashoutedather,
shefight
stheurgetocry
andputsherhandontheKing'
sfor
ehead.TheKing
wakesup.
“Irespectyoual otYourMaj esty,
Idon'tknowt he
storybehi ndt hisinfamousmayorbutIcanf eelhe's
trouble.Ipr acti
callybeggedt heancestorsnott o
allowmet oseeever yt hi
ngt hathappensint he
ever ydaylivesofmyl ovedoneswhent heyar enot
i
ndangerbutnowI 'mr egretti
ngmydeci sion.Why
areyoukeepi ngsecr etsfrom me?Whati sgoing
on? ”At earescapest heKi ng'seye.Nomt haf i
ghts
theur getowi peitassher emember she'sherf ather
-i
n- l
awandt r
aditi
ondoesn' tall
owhertobet oo
closet ohim.
“Mychi l
d,I
'mreal
lysor
ryforkeepingthisasecret
.
Themayorwant stobepartofTshabangu
enter
prisesi
nordertokeephismout hshutabout
thediamondthatwasfoundinmyl and.Our
ancestorswon'
tall
owtobedi st
urbedbymi ning
activi
tiesandwor stpart,t
heywon'tall
owt he
gover nmenttotakeoverourl and.Therewer er
oyal
chiefswhot ri
edtost ealthediamondandt heywere
allstruckdeadbyt helightni
ng.Idon'tknow
whet hertogiveintohisdemandsorgot owarwith
thegover nment.Themayori snotmybi ggest
problem buttheNgcobof amily.
”Hesighs.
“Whoar ethey?Whyisthecommuni t
ysuddenl
y
shakingbecauseofthei
rarri
val
?”She'
ssti
ll
confusedaboutthi
smyst er
yfamil
y.
“
Theyar
eAna'
spar
ent
s--
-”
“What
?”Nomtha'seyespopoutinshock,
herhear
t
al
mostfal
lsoutoftheri
bcage.
*
***
***
**

Snegugu'
sPOV.

Anthonyi
soneinamilli
on!Idon'tt
hinkanynormal
bei
ngwouldhavefor
givenwhatIdi d.Myparent
s
havebeenver
ygoodandat tent
ive,
theygavemeall
theloveandcar e.Nomthawast her
eever ystepof
thewayal t
houghIsomet i
mesf eltl
ikethesenew
foundsi bl
ingsofher salwaysdisturbedourpr i
vate
moment s.Don'tgetmewr ongbutIr eal
lydon'tl
ike
thefactmypar entshadt ogoandbuysome
homel esschi l
dren,br
ingthem intoourhouseand
nowwehavet oshareourparents'l
ovewi ththem
onlybecauset hei
rparentsdiedorwhat ever
happenedt othem.Nowourhousei scrowded
becauseoft hem.
“Sist
er,
Anthonyisheref
oryou.
”Justgr
eat
!The
bratdoesn'
tevenknock.
“
Heyheyhey!Youdon'tj
ustbar
gei
nmyr
oom l
ike
i
t'
sapubl
ictoi
let
,getout
!”
“
Sist
--
”
“Justshutup!Li st
enhereLindaniorwhat everyour
namei s,don'
tyoueverinsul
ttherelati
onshipofa
sister.I'
m notyoursi
ster,
youar ej
ustahungr ykid
whomypar entssawandpi t
ied.Don'tt
rytof orge
relati
onshipsplease.
”
“
I'
vehadenoughofyournonsense!Youcal
l
your selfasi stert oNomt ha, ri
ght?Whatdi dyout o
her, youbr okeal lti
eswi t
hherandl efttochase
aftermoneyandf ame.I ,thesocal ledst rangerwas
theref orher ,Iwast heshoul derforhert ocr yon
andoh, Iwast herewi t
hherathospi t
alwhenshe
coul dn'tbreat he, Iwasther ewhengr andmot her
collapsedanddi edinherar ms, allthisbecauseof
you!I ftherei ssomeonewhoi nsult
edsi st erhood,
i
t'syou!Yout hi nkyouar especi alonl ybecause
peopl ear ef eelingsor r
yf orthepat heticlifeyouar e
nowl i
ving, getoveryour selfSnegugu! ”Shesl ams
thedooronherwayout .What ?Didt hisgi rlj
ustsai
d
thatt ome?Me?Snegugu?I '
m goingt ot eachhera
verygoodandbef i
tt
inglesson.
“
Heybeauti
ful
.”Ant
honygr
eet
smewi
thaki
sson
myf
orehead.
“
Heyhandsome.Whyar
eyouher
e?”
“Icamet otakeyououtf oricecream.AndI '
m not
alone,
ourdaught eriscomingalong. ”Myheart
skipsabeat .Idon'tknowhowt ofeelaboutthi
s,
doesthismeanmydaught er'
sfi
nallyfor
givenme?
I'
m nervous, Idon'tknowwhatIwi l
lsaytoheror
whatshehast
osayt
ome?
*
***
***
**

Sphastor
msinsomeone'
soff
ice.Behi
ndhim area
coupl
eofbodi
eslyi
ngfl
atont
hef l
oor,
hisknuckles
arebl
eedi
ng.
“Sir
,youcan'tgointhere-
-”Thegirlbehindthedesk
says.Heswi f
tl
yturnstoher, hi
seyesbl oodshotand
hisbodyshakingwi t
hanger .Thegirll
ooksupat
him,shefeelswarml i
quidrunningdownhert hi
ghs.
Poorlady,shejustpeedonher sel
f.
Sphai salr
eadyinsidet hemayor'soff
ice.Bef
ore
themayorcoul dsayanyt hing,af
istl
andsonhi s
cheek,hebli
nksrapidly,anotherf
istl
andsonhi s
othercheek,hetr
iest opullthedr
awerbutSpha
grabshim byhiscollar.Themayorcoughsbl ood.
“Youlistentomeyoubastar
d!St
ayt hehel
laway
from myf amil
y,mywi
feisoutofreachwhenit
comest oyou,mymother,myin-
lawsandeveryone
elseclosetome!”Hel
et'
sgoofhi sneck.
“I
'
m notscaredofyouandyourfather!Iwantt
hat
moneyorthegovernmentl
earnsaboutt he
di
amond!”Themayortri
estobebr ave.Sphaputs
hi
sfootthechai
randlooksst
raightintohi
seyes.
“Youbet t
erbescar ed.I'
m notjustapr i
nce,Icanbe
yourwor stnightmareifyoudar eme.Yourchi l
dr en
i
ndi ff
erentcountri
es,mot herandwi f
ewi l
lall
disappearthesamemi nutewhi l
eI'm havi
ngal ive
broadcastconf er
ence.Mywhol efamilyandf r
iends
willbepresentandyouwi l
lneverknowwhat
happenedt oyourpr eci
ousf amily,
don'tdaremeMr
mayor .
..
...
.”
*
*
*
*
*
Iknowyouareallcur
iousaboutthenewfami
ly,
be
pati
entyouwil
lsoonlear
ntheirnamesandwhat
theyareal
lupto.Al
so,youwil
lseesomeofyour
favor
itechar
act
ersf
ort
hel
astt
imei
nthenext
chapter.
*
***
*

Let
'scont
inuegr
owingthepage,
li
kingcomment
ing
andshari
ngthei
nsert
s.Loveyoual
l.
[
07/
21,
13:
39]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
.

Chapt
er8.

Nomt haisdri
vingtoherfat
her'
splacewhenshe
suddenlyfeel
slikeoneofthePri
ncesisindanger.
Shequicklydi
als,Spha'
snumberbuthedoesn' t
pickupthecall
, shest
art
stosweatandi soutof
breat
h,shepullsoverwit
hsomuchdi ffi
cult
y.She
dial
sSbu'snumber ,heanswersonthesecondring.
“Whereareyou?
”Shedoesn'
tgi
vehi
m achancet
o
sayanythi
ng.
“Dr
ivi
nghome.I
sther
eapr
obl
em?Youdon'
tsound
good?”
“Yourl if
eisindangerSbu,getoutoft hatcarnow. ”
Shedr opsthecall
s,gather
senoughst rengthand
cour agebef or
emaki ngasharput urn.Sheal most
hit
sachi ldbutmissesbyaf ewi nches.People
scream i nfearbutshedoesn'tstop,savingSbu's
l
ifeisherpr iori
tyr
ightnow.She'sdr i
vingat
220km/ hwhenshespot st
raffi
cof f
icersjustafew
met ersahead.Shesl owsdownabi t.
“
Princess,
youareoverspeedi
ngi
ssomet
hing
wrong?”Theof
fi
cerpoli
tel
yasks.
“Mybr other
-in-
law'
sli
fei
sindanger
.Ihavet
osave
him beforetheenemygetstohi
m.”
JustthenSbu'scarapproaches.Nomt haalmost
fai
ntswhensher eali
zeshedi dn'tli
stent oher.Sbu
tri
estost opt
hecarbutt hebrakesar en'tworking.
Hepani cs,hi
smindgoesbl ankashescr eams
Nomt ha'sname.Nomt ha'shandi nvoluntarydoes
themagi candSbu'scarcomest oahal t
.Sher uns
tothecaranddragst hepanicstrickenSbuoutof
thecar .Thet raff
icofficersandsomeot herdrivers
arestilltr
yingt of i
gureoutwhati sgoingonwhen
thecarexpl odesi nfl
ames.Sbu' sisaboutt ofallbut
Nomt hacat cheshi m.Theshocki ssuddenly
overpower edbyt hefeelinghe'sbeenf i
ghtingever
sincehemett hePr eci
ousRose.Hi smi ndknows
i
t'swr ongbuthi sbodyandsouldi sagrees.The
feeli
ngi ssoi ntenseandi tknockstheenergyoutof
him,hecan' tr esistbutbeatt hemer cyofit.He's
l
osti nt hi
sbeaut ifulworldanddoesn' twanttobe
found, he'dr atherbel ostf or
ever.Peopleare
gatheredandwat chinginshockast hevehicleturns
i
nt oashes.
“
Youareanidi
ot!”Nomthadr
opshim ont
het
arr
ed
r
oad,
hisbackhitsont
hehardsur
face.
“
Sist
er-
in-
law?
”Hecal
lsout
.
“Idon'tj
okewithpeople'
sli
ves!Itol
dyout ogetout
ofthecarbutyoudi dtheopposit
e,doyouwantt o
dieSbu?Doyouknowwhatwi l
lhappenwhenyou
die?Yourfatherwil
lhaveaheartattack,your
brotherwil
ldefi
nit
elygogaga,yoursisterwon'tbe
abletotakeit,
yourwifewil
lbelostwithoutyouand
yourchi
ldr
enwi
thbef
ather
less!
”She'
sfur
ious.
“Andyou?Whatwil
lhappentoyouwhenIdi
e?”The
wordsescapehi
smouthbeforehecoul
dthi
nkthem
over
.
“Wha--”She'sdistur
bedbyt heinvestigati
ngoffi
cer
s
whoar easkingwhatj usthappened.“ Hiscarcaught
fi
re,youcangoaheadandi nvesti
gatewhatcaused
thefir
eaf t
erallthat
'swhatyougetpai dfor.
”She
pushesever yoneinfrontofher.Shet urnsandsees
Sbubei ngquestionedbyther eporters.Swif
tl
y,she
turnsanddr agshim awayf rom everyone.She'
snot
herlovingself,
somet hi
ngisabi toddabouther .
“I
'm sor
ryfornotli
steni
ng.It
houghti
twasoneof
yourepisodes-
-”
“Itakelif
eser i
ouslySbu!Idon' tj
okewi t
hsuch
thingsandbecar efulnott
oi nsultmypower swhil
e
tryingtobef unny.”Aguyi nashi nysuitknockson
thewi ndscreen.Nomt hareluctantl
yroll
sdownt he
wi ndow,hisfacelooksf amili
ar.She'sseenhim
bef or
e,ther
e'ssomet hingabouthi m,shecan'tput
herf i
ngeroni tbutit'
sthere.
“Hel
logorgeous.
”Theguysays, Sbucl
encheshi
s
j
awashef eel
shistemperr
ising.Hegi
vestheguya
deadl
ystarebuttheguysmilesanyway.
“
Hi.
”Nomt
har
espondsbr
ief
ly.
“Si
yabongaNgcobo. ”Hebr ingshishandf orwardin
anattemptt oshakeher sbutt hevoicesi nherhead
doesn'tlether.Theyar escr eamingt ooloudand
confusingher, Sburealizeswhati shappeni ngto
herandcl osest hewi ndow.Het akesheri ntohis
armsunt ilshef al
lsdeepasl eep.Heknowst his
becausehe' sseenhi sbr otherdoingi teverytime
Nomt ha'sbodyf i
ght
swi t
hherspi ri
tualbei ng.
*
***
***
*

“MyRose!”Sphawakesupf rom hissleepthesame

ti
meBab' uMahl anguf eel
schestpai ns.Hequickl
y
putsonhisshi r
t,r
eachesf orhismobi lephoneand
dial
shernumber ,
itgoesstraighttovoicemail
.He
thenseesmi ssedcallsfrom her.“Shit
!Howcoul dI
besocareless.”Her ushestohi scaranddr i
vesoff
.
“Mama!Mom!Dadi schoki
ng!Somebodypl ease
help!
”Kiar
ascreams.Zandiwho'ssit
ti
ngout side
withhernosyf
riendMaNcuber ushesinsi
det ofi
nd
bloodoozi
ngfr
om Bab' uMahlangu'
smout h.
“
WhathappenedKi
ara?”
“Idon'
tknow,Mom pleasehelphim.Hi
sheart
beat
i
sver yf
aint
!”Shecr
ies.Zandirememberswhat
happenedwhenNomt hawentt osavet
hetwins.
“Okay.Don'tpanic,somet hingmustbewr ongwith
Nomt hagoandbr i
ngt hesnufffr
om hisdr awer
.”
Sherunst othemast erbedroom andr etur
ns
i
mmedi atelywiththesnuf f.LuckyandLi ndastorm
i
nt hehouser eadytoi nformt hei
rparentsaboutthe
tr
endingstoryofPr inceSbu' scarbutar et
aken
abackseeingt hei
rfat herl
yingont hefloor
unconscious.
“
Fat
her
?”Luckysl
owl
ykneel
sdownnextt
ohim,
f
eel
shi
spulseandor
der
sKiarat
obr
ingwater
.
“Youcan'tdoanyt
hingtohel
phim,youracademic
knowledgeofmedicinei
snotenoughtosaveyour
fat
her.OnlyNomthacansavehim.”Zandii
nfor
ms
him.Ki
ara'
smindtakesherbacktothe
conver
sati
onshehadwithhersist
er,Nomt
ha.
“Butmom si
sterNomthaisnother
e,dowel
ethi
m
diethen?
”Li
ndaalsocri
es.
“Let'
st akehimt othehospi t
al,
atleasthewi llbe
undert hedoctor '
sobservati
onstillwegethol dof
sist
erNomt ha.Mom, ourfat
hercannotdi epl ease.
”
LuckyandLi ndahelpeacht ocarr yBab'uMahl angu
tothecar .Kiaraopenst hedoorfort hem while
Zandi getsont hedriver'
sseatdialingSpha's
number .Sphaanswer simmedi atelybut
unfortunatelyhe'sal
soi nsearchofhi swifeandhi s
brother.Theyal lagr
eet omeetatt hehospital.
Someonet apsSpha'
sshoulder,
hehesi
tant
lytur
ns,
he'
snowf acetofacewiththegi
rlwhohasthemost
al
lur
ingeyeshe'severseen.
“Heyhandsome.
”Itt
akeshi
m mi
nut
est
ofi
ndhi
s
voi
ce.
“Ummh...
hi.
”Thegir
lbri
ngsherhandforwar
d,they
havethel
ongestawkwardhandshakeever
.“I
'm
rushi
ngsomewhere,i
fyouwouldexcuseme
pl
ease.
”Het
ri
est
opul
lhi
shand.
“EasyMr .Isawyouaski ngar oundaboutyourwi fe
gorgeouswi feandyourcut ebr ot
her.
”Sphaf eel
s
hisbodycr awli
ng, hestartstosweati magini
ngt he
wor st
.“Relax,abeautif
ulgi r
llikemecannotbea
bloodsucker ,
Ididn'tki
llorhar mt hem i
nanywayI
j
ustsawt hem onthenews.Appar ent
lyyourwi f
e
j
ustsavedyourbr otherfrom themostbi zarr
e
accidentever--
”
“
Wai
t?Whatar
eyouonabout
?”
“I
'm notsurewhatreal
lyhappenedbutyourbr
other
overtherecanexpl
ain-
-”Sphaisshockedtoseehis
brot
hercomi ngoutofthehospit
al.
“
Brother
?What'sgoi
ngon?Wher
eismywi
fe?
”He
r
ainsquest
ionsonhim.
“I
nsi
de.Unconsci
o--
”Hefor
cef
ull
ypull
shishand
fr
om t
hegirl
'
sstronggr
ipandr
unsinsi
de.Thegi
rl
al
mostfal
lsbutSbucat
chesheri
nhisarms.
“Watchyourst
epsweet
hear
t.”OurdearSbui
s
al
readyfl
ir
ti
ng.
“Wi
lldoi
tagai
nandagainifsuchstrongarmscat
ch
mewheneverIfal
l.
”Shebi
testhecornerofher
l
owerli
p.Damn!Herli
psar
eever yt
hingtodief
or
andmore.
“Sor
ryt
hesestr
ongar
msbel
ongt
osomeoneel
se.
”
Hewhisper
s.
“Oohwhatashame. ”Shebalanceshersel
f.
“Ummm. .
..
Ihavetogo.Seeyouar oundcutepieand
yeah,Il
ikethem taken.
”Sbusmi l
esatthis
volupt
uousgor geousgir
ltryi
ngtoseducehi mi
n
broaddaylight
,notonlythatbuti
ntheparkingl
ot.
“What'
syourname?
”Sbuquest
ionsassheunl
ocks
hercar
.
“
Nel
isi
webutt
hosewhoknowmecal
lmeEmer
ald.
”
*
***
***
*

Sne,AnthonyandKayl
aar
ehavi
ngt
hebestt
imeof
thei
rli
ves.
“
Canwegoi nt
her
eandgrabsomethi
ngtoeat,
I'
m
r
eal
lyst
arvi
ng.
”Ki
aradr
agshisf
athert
owardsthe
Chineserest
aurant.Theyal
lagreet
ohave
somet hi
ngtoeat.Anthonypul
lsachai
rforSneand
Kayla.
“Wearehavingmom' sfavor
it
e!”Kaylaannounces.
Snelookson, perpl
exed,Ant
honychuckles.“What ?
Whyar eyoubot hlooki
ngatmel ikethat
?Comeon,
weagreedt oenjoythisdaytothefull
est,
don'tspoil
i
tformepl ease.”Shecall
sthewai t
er,or
dersforthe
thr
eeofthem.
“
Thankyou.
”Snet
ear
ful
lyt
hanksherdaught
er.
“NoneedtothankmeI '
m yourdaughteraf
teral
l.
Okay,wher
etofrom her
e?”Micaylachangesthe
subj
ect.
“Wecouldhavebeenaperfectsmallf
amily.
”Sne
saysoutloud.Theat
mosphereisnowf i
ll
edwit
h
thi
cktension.
“
West i
llare.
”Anthonybr
eakst
hesi
lencewi
tha
r
eassuringsmil
e.
“Nowear enot
!”Mi
caylablur
tsout
.“Ihaven'
t
for
gottent
hehumil
iati
onmydadwentt hrough
becauseofthi
swhore!
”Alleyesar
eont hem now.
“
Thewhol
ewor
ldcanf
orgetever
ythi
ngbutnotme-
-
”
“Micayla!Pl
easestoppeoplearest
aring,wecan
solvethisathome.”Ant
honyt r
iest
or easonwit
h
her.Snei si
ntear
s,peoplehavegatheredandthey
arefil
mi ngt
hewhol edr
ama.
“No!Shel i
kespubl i
caffairs,shestartedi tpublicly
andwewi llendi tpubli
cl y.IhateyouSnegugu,
othersprayedf oryourr ecoverybutIal waysbegged
Godt otakeyouawayf rom us!Isodesper ately
wantedyout odi ebutno, notevent hel andoft he
deadwantt owel comesomeonesodi sgustinglike
you!Yout hinkwecoul dhavebeenaper fectfami l
y,
ri
ght?Wel l,resteasyknowi ngthatyoudest royed
thatfamilywi thyourownt wohands!Youwer eso
thi
rstyformoneyandf ameyouf orgott hatyou
neededpeopl et ocheerf oryouwhenyoumakei tto
thetop.Youar eher esittingandt hinkingyoucan
haveahappi lyeveraf t
erwi thmydadbutt hat'snot
gonnahappenunl esshewant stoloseme.Ican' t
bepar tofthisdr amaandi tendsr i
ghther e,right
now!Dad, isi tmeorher ?Youhavef ivesecondst o
makeyourchoi
ce.
”Kayl
afol
dsherarmsnot
budgi
ngandwaiti
ngf
orherf
athert
omakethe
choi
ce.
“
Kayl
ababe-
-”
“Nodaddydear est,I'
m donepr etendingt obehappy
whenI'm not!Icameal ongwi thyousoshecan
haveherlastwi shfulf
il
led.Isawyourdi ary
'
mommy' youhadpl annedever ything,yourbucket
l
istandall.Iwast heonlystoppingyouf rom
movingonwi t
hyourpat heti
clife,nowt hatI'vehad
themostamazi ngdaywi thyoucanyoupl ease
l
eavemeandmydadal one?Please? ”
“I'
m sor r
yf orhurti
ngyouMi cayla.IknowIdon' t
deser veyourf orgi
veness, Iwil
lleaveandyouwi l
l
neverseemeagai n.Thankyouf orthewonder ful
day, Anthonyt hankyouf orholdingmyhandeven
afterallthepai nIputyout hrough.Mi cayl
aislucky
tohaveyouasaf ather,t
akecareofherandof
yourself.”Shet earful
lykissesAnthony'scheek,
hesitantl
yhugsMi caylaandwal ksoutofthe
restaurant.
Peopl earebusyt akingshot sandvi deosbutshe
doesn'tcareanymor e.Micaylasighs,sitsdownand
ordersadr i
nkwi thabr oadsmi leonherf ace.
Anthonyst ormsoutoft herestaurant,callsoutto
Snebutsheal readyboar dedthet axiandl eavi
ng.
Her unsbehi ndthet axiunawareoft hespeedi ng
vehicl
eappr oaching.Mi cayl
ahear sastrange
sound, shelooksout sideonlytoseeahumanbody
fl
ying.Herhear tstartspounding,af ewseconds
l
aterpeoplear egat heredaroundadest royedbody.
Micayl
afi
ndsher
sel
flooki
ngatherf
ather
's
cr
ashedbody.
“
Daddy.
..
..
.!
!!
!!
”

*
***
***
**

“MyRose, pl
easewakeup.I '
m sor r
yforyell
ingat
you,I
'm sorr
yforkeepingsecretsIthoughtIwas
prot
ecti
ngyouandmyson.Idon' twantbadpeople
toharm youbecauseofmyf amily'
sproblems.I
knowyoucanpr otectyourselfbutasahusbandi t
's
myrightt
oprotectyou.
”Sphasobs.“Babe,your
si
bli
ngsareworriedaboutyourf
ather
,justl
ikeyou
he'
salsounconscious-
-”
“Brother
-i
n-l
aw?Theywantt oinj
ectmyfather
.”
Kiaraisoutofbr
eath.“Sist
ertol
dmet heycannot
doi t
,youhavetost
opt hem!”Shesaysinbetween
pants.
“Cal
m down,noonewil
lharm yourfat
herandyour
sist
er.I
'
m her
e,Iwi
llmakeeveryt
hingri
ght.
”He
wipeshist
ears.
“Sisterwoul
dn'twanttoseeyousheddi ngt ears,you
willhavetobet hest
rongerone.Besides,af utur
e
Kingshouldn'tshedtear
sinpublic.
”Hef aintly
smi l
esather.Kiarai
sapuzzl et
omostpeopl ebuta
darli
ngt ot
hosewhounder standher.

Sbui
sscr
eami
ngt
othedoct
orsi
ntheot
herr
oom.
“Youcan'ti
njectt
hisman!Justlethi
m be!”Sbuis
tryi
ngbyallmeansnottorevealthesacredsecr
ets
behindNomt haandherfather
'smyster
ious
sicknessi
nhi sst
ateofanger.
Sphai saboutt
oexitt
heroom whenNomt hagr
abs
hishand,hetur
nsandseestearsrol
li
ngdownher
cheeksbuthereyesar
estil
lcl
osed.
“Babe,
whati
swrong?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”Her
stat
eiswor
ri
some.
“
Snegugu,mysi
sterSpha.
”Hervoi
cecomesoutas
awhisper
.
“
Whatabouther
?Whati
swr
ongwi
thyoursi
ster
?”
“
Takemet
omyf
ather
,now!
”
“Butbabeyourbodyissti
llweakpleaser
estabit
I'
m sureyoufat
herisfi
nenowt hatyouareawake.
”
Hetriest
ocalm herdown.Ashar ppaini
nherchest
hasNomt hascreaminghersist
er'
sname.
“
Sne.
..
..
..
..
!!
!!
”
[
07/
21,
13:
39]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er9
Themayorishavingameetingwiththecounci
lor
s
andMrNcube, t
heMemberofPar li
ament.Theyare
di
scussi
nghowt oimplementthei
rdevel
opment
i
deaswithoutusi
ngtoomuchmoney.
“IhatethattheKinghastoapproveofallour
decisi
onsbef orewecanproceed,i
sn'
tthereany
waywecanover l
ookthi
smananddoourj obsi
n
peacewi thouthim al
waysonourcases?”Saysthe
mayor .
“Yousoundli
kesomeonewhohasapersonal
vendet
taagai
nsttheKi
ngMrMayor
,ist
here
somethi
ngyouhavetotel
lus?
”MrNcubequesti
ons.
“NoSir.I
t'
sjustt
hatIthi
nkthegover
nmenti
sgi vi
ng
himtoomuchi mport
ance.What'
stheuseofthe
presi
dentwhenweal r
eadyhavesomeonedictati
ng
tous?”Themayorcont i
nues.
“
Becarefulnottofi
ndyourselfonthewrongsideof
t
hosewhoar einsupportoftheKing.Besi
des,King
Mel
usiTshabanguisn'
tabadman, heisa
r
easonableandverywiseman.Ourconst i
tut
ional
l
awiswhati ti
sforagoodr eason.Don'
ttr
yto
changethi
ngsthatarenotmeanttobechanged.”
Warnsthecouncil
or.Themayorreal
izesthati
t'
s
i
mpossibletot
urnthesepeopleagai
nsttheKingbut
he'
snotgivi
ngupwi thoutaf
ight
.
“Okaythen,t
hismeeti
ngisover.Wewillseeeach
othernextt
imegentl
emen.”Theyal
lstandand
shakehandsbefor
eexiti
ngtheconfer
encer oom.
Themayor'
ssecr
etar
ybr
ingsaneat
lywr
appedbox
tohi
sdesk.
“Si
r,t
hedel
iver
ymanleftt
hisforyou.
”Shei
nforms
him.Hewonderswhocouldhavesenthi
m agif
t.
“
Whosenti
t?Di
dyouseewhat
'si
nsi
de?
”
“NoSirandthere'
snonamewr itt
enoni t
.Whydon' t
youopenit,
maybet her
eisanoteinsi
de.”She
advi
ses.Hereluctantl
ytear
sofft
hewr appingpaper
andthenopenst hebox.
“Myfavor
it
ebrandy?
”He'
sst
il
lbemusedwhenhi
s
phoneri
ngs.
“
Hello,
Mrhot shotMayor!”Thevoi
ceofthecal
leri
s
f
il
ledwithnonchalance.“
Ooh,don'
ttel
lmeyoudon't
knowwhoIam?ComeonMrMayor
,takeawi
ld
guess.
”Thecal
lerl
aughs.
“Whoar eyou?Howdoyouknowmyf avor
it
e
brandy?”Hismindst
artspl
ayingtr
ickswit
hhim.He
thi
nksitcanonlybetheTshabanguboysorthe
Kinghimselfpl
ayi
ngdirt
ymindgameswi t
hhim.
“
IknowbecauseI'm yourfr
iend.Letmesaveyou
t
hetroubl
eofguessing,i
t'
sme, SiyabongaNgcobo
t
hesonoft hegr
eatPhili
pNgcobo.”
“
Sonofa-
-”
“EasyMr .Iknowyoudi dn'texpecttohearfr
om me
butwhywoul dn'
tyou?Ihel pedyousitonthatchai
r.
Opent hebot t
leandlet
'stoasttoeternal
partner shi
p.”Thesmi l
eont hemayor 'sf
acehas
bri
ght enedt hewholeoffi
ce.Hepour shi
mselfa
dri
nkandt akesasi p.
“
Excel
lent
,matur
eandoneofthebest
.Cheer
s.”The
mayorsaysr
aisi
nghi
sglass.
“Iwantyoutoli
stenverycar
eful
ly,”Si
yabonga's
voicehaschangedfrom bei
ngsweettocold.“You
cankil
lever
yoneyouwantt o,i
ncludi
ngtheKingbut
i
fyoudar etouchthePr i
nce'swif
eandhersonyou
areadeadman.Idon' tcar
eaboutourpart
nershi
p
andallthecrimeswe'vecommi tt
edtoget
herj
ust
don'
tevent hinkabouthurt
ingthem.Youknow
bett
erthananyoneel senottoobeytheNgcobos.”
WarnsSi yabonga.
“Whydoyoucar
esomuchaboutwhathappenst
o
her
?”
“Noneofyourbusiness!Andyes,herf
amil
y
i
ncluded.IhopeyougetmymessageMrMayor ,
enjoyyourdri
nk.
”Siyabongadropsthecal
lleavi
ng
themayorbaffl
ed.
Nelisi
wewal ksi
nherbrot
her'
soffi
ceholdi
ngher
satchelandphoneontheotherhand.Shel
ooksat
him andfrowns.
“Youlookl
ikeyoujustcamebackfrom war
,what
's
up?”Shethrowshersel
fonthecouch.
“Ij
usthadawor dwit
hthatuselessmayor,canyou
beli
evethener
veofthatusel
essman?He
thr
eatenedher
,thewomanIdr eam abouteachand
everyminut
e,t
heloveofmyl i
fe,howdarehe?”He'
s
f
umi
ng.
“Calm downbrother
.I'
m sureyouwillpr
otecther,
I
haveaquestionthough,whyher?Outofal lt
hegirl
s
i
nt hewholeworldyouchoseher ,awholemar r
ied
Pri
ncess?Herhusbandi sagoodmanwhoseems
toloveherwholeheart
edly.”Nel
isi
wepointsout.
“Becauseshe' sbeaut iful,she'samyst eryanda
challengeI '
m wi l
lingtowi nbyanymeanspossi ble.
Iwillneverf orgett hefirsttimeIsawheront hat
arti
cle,thewayt heydescr ibedher, t
hewayshewas
capturedseduct i
vel ylooki ngintothePr ince'
seyes,
thatverysamedayIknewshewast heone.Iknow
mymi ndi stwi stedandal lbutwhatIf eeleverytime
Iseeherpi cturei st hefeel ingI'
m notwi ll
ingtol et
go.Andt odayi twast hebestdayofmyl ife,
Ifinally
mether .Shel ookedsadandangr ybuthervoi ce
wasst il
lsexyandsweetl ikeonl yshecanbe.I fI
knewt hatat tachi ngabombonSbusi so'scarwas
goingt obeabl essi ngindi sguiseforme, Iwoul d
havedonei tear lier.”Thesmi l
eonhi sf aceisscar y.
“Butyoudon'tknowherbrother
.She'
sthedaughter
ofthegods,don'tyout
hinkshewil
lseeyourdark
si
debef
oreyouevencour
ther
?”
“Idon'tcareaboutal lofthat
,al
lIwantisforhert
o
bemi ne.”Hismi ddlefingeri
smovingincircl
eson
theglassbr i
m.“ Youknowwhat ?I'
m gl
adshe
savedPr inceSbu'slife,nowthefunbegins.
”He
spinshischair,picksadar tandthr
owsi tt
othe
board.
*
***
***
*
<<<<Death!Unti
melyornot,iti
sneverfri
endlynor
doesithurtanyless.Thepain,t
hevoid,the
memor i
est hedeceasedleavebehi
ndt hatnever
fadewithtime.>>>>
“Howcoul
dyoudothistome,Sne?Whydidyou
comeback?Whydidyoufi
ghtyourai
lmentonlyf
or
youtot
akeyourownli
fe?Why?”Zandiwai
ls.
“Calm down,darl
ing.Wehavet obest r
ongf or
MicaylaandNomt ha.Justi
magi newhattheyare
goingthroughri
ghtnow.Best r
ongmyl ove,God
gaveandHe' stakenwhatbel ongstohim.There'
s
nothi
ngwecandoexceptaccept ingHi
sways- -
”
“
Don'
tyoudar
ebr
ingGodi
ntot
his!Youspoi
ledher
,
youalwaysscoldedmewhenIt ri
edt obet oughon
her,
shealwayshadt hingsherownway, shenever
l
earnedtostandonherownt wof eetbecauseyou
werealwaystheretocarryher,
it'
syourf ault
!It'
s
yourfaul
tmydaught ertookherownl ifebecause
she'
snotstrongenought ofacethecr uelworld,you
ki
ll
edher!”Zandiconti
nuouslyhit
sherhusband.
“St
op!Getagr
iponyour
sel
f!”Hehugsher
,she
sobs.

Thepol
iceof
fi
cersar
etaki
ngpictur
esofwhatt
hey
cal
lacri
mescene.Oneofthem.i
squest
ioni
ngt
he
fami
lymembers.
“
Didshehaveaf
ightwi
thanyone?
”
“Howwi l
lthathel
p?Wi
llyourquest
ionsbr
ingmy
sist
erback--
”
“
Pri
ncess,
thi
sisapr
ocedur
ewehavet
ofol
low.
”
“Youcanallgotohel
lwit
hyourpr ocedur
es.Your
ti
mei sup,
you'vehar
assedmysi bli
ngsenough,
pickyourt
hingsandgetthehel
loutofhere!
”
Nomt
hai
sredwi
thf
ury.
“
Babe-
-”
“NobabeI '
vehadenoughoft hesepeople!You,get
outbeforeIlosemyt emper!
”Shescreamsscar ing
hersibl
ings.They'
veneverseeherthi
sangr y,she'
s
alwayssmi l
ing,l
aughingandjoki
ngaroundbutnot
today.
“Si
ster,doyouwantsomet
hingt
odr
ink?
”Ki
araasks
Nomt ha.
“Nodar
li
ng,Iwantt
obel ef
tal
one.”Theyal
llookat
eachot
herbefor
equiet
lyexi
ti
ngtheroom.
“She'
sreal
lyhurti
ng.IwonderifMicayl
aand
Anthonyhavebeeni nf
ormed?Mommyi seven
worse,Dadistr
yingtocalm herdown,dowecall
Anthonyornot?”Luckysighs.
“Itr
ied,hi
snumberi snotgoingthr
ough.Mi
cayl a'
s
numbergoesst rai
ghttovoicemail
.”Li
ndawipesa
tear.SheandSnewer eneverfri
endsnordi
dt hey
event r
ytobondassi st
ersbutthepaini
ssti
llthe
same, itr
eal
lyhurt
s.
NOMTHA'
SPOV.

Inevert houghtIwoul dl i
vet oseet hisday, whySne?
Whydi dyout akeyourl if
ei nsuchapai nfulway?
Whydi dyouactwhi l
eyouwer estillemot ional?I
wonderi fIwi l
leverbeabl etoer aset hishor ri
ble
picturefrom mymi nd?Seei ngmysi sterlying
l
ifelessinapoolofbl ood, Irubbedmyeyesasi tfel
t
l
ikeadr eam.Adr eam Isowi shedanyonecoul d
wakemebef oreIl ostmymi ndbutt hatdidnot
happen.Mom' sshr il
li
ngvoi ceassur edme, itwasn't
adr eam butshewasr eall
ygone.Iknel tnextt oher,
shehadaf rownonherf orehead, tearsst il
lvisibl
e
onhercheeksandasmi lethathadagony, painand
regretwr it
tenal loveri t.Itri
edt osmoot hher
foreheadbuti twasawast eoft ime, herbodywas
coldandl i
feless.It ri
edt of i
gur ewhatsheusedt o
takeherownl ifejustt henIsawanumberofwi re
nails.Mybodycr ingedasmymi ndpl ayedal lthe
possi bl
ewor stscenar i
os, Ireali
zedt hedeepopen
cutsonherwr i
sts,itwast henwheni tallmade
senselesssenset ome.Shetargetedherveins,
usingar ustynai
lshecutherskin,thentheveins.
Shedi dthiscountl
esst
imesunt i
lherbodycoul dn'
t
takeitanymor eandshebreat
hedherl ast.Justli
ke
that,
shewasgone.
“Mybab- -
”Dadtri
edtosaysomet hingbutIsi
lenced
him.Iwantedtotry,
totryandconnectwi t
hhersoul
butIfai
led.Ipl
eadedwithallt
heMahl angustolet
mebutt heydidnotall
owit.Theytoldmeitwasnot
possi
bletoconnectwithamur der
er .Howisshea
murderer?
Idon'tknowwhathappenedaf terthat,
Ionl yj
ust
wokeupi nSpha'sarms.Hetoldmet hepol i
cetook
herbodyandcl eanedupthemess.Themess?I t'
s
mysi ster'
sbloodwear et
alki
ngabouther e,how
thenisittermedamess?That 'swhatitis,onceyou
aredeadpeopl esaywhatevertheywantaboutyou
andther e'
snothingyoucandobecauseyouar enot
aroundt odefendyoursel
f.
Mymindtakesmebacki
nti
me,
waybackwhenI
was5andshewas7.
“
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
”Iasked.
“Thatboyt
ookmylunchboxandt hr
ewawaymy
food.
”Mysist
ersobbed.Il
ookedatherandf
elther
pain.
“OkayI'
m sorr
y,st
opcryi
ng.Youcanhavemyl
unch
box.”Shefai
ntl
ysmil
ed
“Thankyou.Whatwi
llyoueat
?Ar eyounothungr
y?”
Sheaskedstuf
fi
ngbakedpotatoesinhermouth.
“
No.Iwi
lleatathome.
”Il
ied.
“Youalwaysputmefi
rst,yougivemeyourf
ood,
clot
hesandevenvol
unteertoreceivemom'
s
punishmentonmybehalf,wil
lital
waysbel
iket
his
evenwhenwear eol
der?”Sheasked.
“Yes.Iwi
llal
waysputyouf
ir
standIwil
lal
ways
sharemyhappinesswit
hyou.
”Ismil
ed.
“
Pinkypr
omi
se?
”..
..
..
Ibrokemypromisetomysi st
er.Iletherdown, I
shouldhavebeenthere,
Ishouldhavepr evented
thi
stragedyf
rom happening.Shewoul dst i
llbe
ali
vehadInotacceptedSpha'spr oposal,maybe
shewasnotgoingtofeeli
nferi
ori
fIwasnot
marri
edtoarichPri
nce,maybethenshewould
neverhadgoneinpursui
tofmoneyandfameonl y
toacquir
eHIVandmi ser
y.I
t'sal
lmyfaul
t!Iki
ll
ed
her!
Ifi
nall
ybr eakdown, t
hepainisjusttoomuchfor
met ohandl ealone.I
tcutsdeepinsi
deandstraight
tomyi nnerfragil
eself
,Idon'
tthinkIwil
lbeableto
l
ivewithouther .Why?WhyGod?
“Sne.
...”I
nvolunt ari
ly,Iscream.Idon' twanttobutI
cannotst opei ther.“Sne,pleasecomebackt ome,I
wil
ltradeever ything,I'
mr eadyt ogiveyoumyl i
fe,
thePrinceandal lthemoneyi ncluded,pl
easecome
backt omesi ster .
..
..
.”Ifeel airleavi
ngmyl ungs,I
'
m
goingfaintanyt imesoon.“ Sister..
..
..
”Icoll
apseon
thecoldtil
edf loor,Igrabherpi llow,i
tsti
llsmellsof
her.“
Sneeee. .
...”Sphast ormsi nt heroom.
“Babe,pleasedon'
tdot
histoyoursel
f.Iful
ly
understandyourpai
nmyl ove,I
'
m sorry,
please
calm down.”Myhusbandt ri
estoconsolemebutI
feell
ikehe'saddi
ngtomypai n.
“
Ithur
ts!I
treal
lyhurt
sSpha!
”Thelumpinmyt hr
oat
r
isesagai
n,Ichokeonmybreathandcoughs
r
epeatedl
y.Hetakesmeinhisst
rongarms,r
ocks
mebackandf ort
hli
keababy.
“I
twil
lbefi
ne.Youwillfeelbet
terwi
tht
ime.
Shhhh.
..
..
it
'sokayhoney--”
“I
t'
snotokay!I
twi
llneverbeokayunl
essshe
comesbacktome!”
“Sheneverlef
tyou,she'
sthepermanentresi
dentin
yourheart
.Lookcloseryouwil
lseeher,st
opcrying
babe.Icanbearanythi
ngelsebutnotyourtear
s.”
Hekissesmyt ear
saway.
*
***
***
***
**
AttheRoyalPal
ace,Sbuhasdest
royedalmost
everyt
hingi
nhisroom.Thepi
ctur
es,thegui
tar
,
vases.
...
“
Sonpleaseopent
hedoor
!”QueenMot
herpounds
t
hedoor.
“Leavemealone!Youallgoaway!”Somet
hing
crashes,
theKingcri
es.Zodwaisscar
edtr
yingto
i
maginewhathewi
lldoi
ftheykeepf
orci
nghi
mto
openup.
“
Ifyoudon'
topent
henIwi
llki
llmysel
f!”TheKi
ng
t
hreat
ens.
“Goaheadandkillyour
self
!Thati
sallmyloved
oneseverdo,mymot herki
ll
edhersel
f,mybest
fr
iendj
ustdidexactl
ythat,
youcandoi tt
oo--
”His
voicet
rai
lsoff
.
“Pleaseson!
”TheQueenconti
nuestobeghim.One
oftheguardscomesandbreaksdownt hedoor.
Ther oom i
sacomplet
elymess,Sbuiscoveredin
blood.Zodwawantstohel
phim butknowsbetter
nottoevengonearhim whenhe'
sinthisst
ate.
“Whathaveyoudonet oyourself
? ”Queenmot her
kneelsnexttohi m.Shetakeshi shands, lookslike
he'sbeenpunchi ngwal l
s,hehasdeepcut sonhi s
knuckles.“Br
ingwar m saltwaterandt hef i
rstaid
ki
t!”Sheshout s.Zodwar unsoutandcomesback
almostimmedi atel
y.Hisst epmot hercleanshi s
wounds, theKinglooksathi sdejectedsonand
i
magi neshowNomt hamustbef eeli
ng.
“Youshouldn'
thavebothered,mom.Youseet hese
woundsar enotevenpainful
,therealpainisi
nside.
Whymom?Dad, why?”Tearsrollf
reelydownhis
cheeks.“
Isn'
tli
fesupposedt obepr eci
ous?They
whydidshet akeherownl i
fe?Whymom? ”Hesobs.
“Iwi
shIhadanswerstoallyourquesti
onssonbutI
don'
t.I
'
m hurtasmuchasyouar e,Ihavequest
ions
too.
”TheKingsaysqui
etl
y.
“Il
ovedherdad, Ist
il
ldo.Iwasalwaysr eadytogo
toanylengthstoseehersmile,Ichall
engedmysel f
tobeabet t
erpersonforherbutshej ustleftwit
hout
evensayingagoodbye--”Thepainisj usttoomuch
forhi
mt ohandle.Hefeelshi
shear tbr eaki
nginto
smallt
inypieces.“Whydad?”
“I
t'
sokayson.St
opcr
yingnow.”Hi
sfat
herhugs
hi
m.
“
IwanttostopbutIcan'
t.Whowi l
lfi
llt
hevoi
dshe
l
efti
nmyhear t
?Whowi lloccupythi
sspeci
alpl
ace
i
nmyhear t
?Why?WhySne?Whydi dsheall
owme
t
olovehet
,careforher
,onlyforhertol
eaveme
wit
habrokenheart?
”Hecol l
apsesonhiskneesand
screamshislungsout .Zodwawalksoutintearsas
hismindwander s,shewondersifshealsohaveat
l
eastasmal lspaceinPr i
nceSbu'sheart
?Hiswor ds
theotherdayechoi nhermind“Youwi l
lnever
compet ewit
hher ,
noonecan. ”

*
***
***
***
Muzi
'sdri
verparksinfr
ontofthehospi
tal'
s
emer
gencyent r
ance.Heagaindial
shismom' s
numberbutit
'sswit
chedoff,
soishisfather
's.
“
Hey, canyoupleasedomeaf avor?Fi ndmydador
mom andbr ingt
hem here.Makeitsnappy.”He
t
akeshi sbackandrunsinsi
desear chingf
or
Micayla.Hespotshergr
andparents,runstowar
ds
t
hem.
“Hell
ograndpa,grandma.WhereisMicayla?”
Micayla'
sgrandmotherpointst
othefarendofthe
benchwhereMi caylaiscurl
edupli
keabal l
.Muzi
rushestoherandgi vesherahug.
“
Cuz,whathappened?”Kayl
ahadt ocal
lhi
m af
ter
t
ryi
ngtocallherauntwi
thnoluck.
“
Iki
ll
edhi
m Cuz.
”Sher
espondswi
thashakyvoi
ce.
“Noyoudidn'
t,
itwasj
ustanacci
dent
.Whatexact
ly
didyoudo?”
“Icreat
edasceneatther est
aurant.Mom
apologi
zedtomeandl eftinahurry,It
houghtdad
wasgonnachoosemebuthef oll
owedherandgot
hitbyacar.Iki
ll
edhi
m! ”Shecries.
“No,
it'
snotyourfaul
t.Itri
edcall
ingmom anddad
butt
heirphonesareoff.Idon'
tknowwhybutIhave
abadfeeli
ng--
”
“Ihopeit'
snotthatwit
chwi t
hherdramaagain!Why
didGodgi vemeaheadacheasamot her
?Nowmy
fatheri
sfight
ingforhi
slif
ebecauseofher!Ihat
e
her!”Herl
ipsaretrembl
ing.
“Hateisaveryst rongwor d.Youshoudnebeget t
ing
i
nt hewayofyourpar ents'happinessbecause
somedayyouwi llregretal
lofthis.For
givemef or
beingblunt,t
hisist heonlylanguageyou
understand.Yourmot herdeservesasecond
chancel i
keeveryoneel sedoes.”Nomt hapauseson
theentranceli
steningt oherson.Tearsstream
downhercheeks,
Sphawi
pest
hem andhugsher
ti
ght
.
“CanIt
akeyoubackt
othecar
?Iwi
llhandl
ethi
s.”
Hesuggest
s.
“NoIwillbefi
ne.Micayl
aneedsme. ”Shesi
ghsand
wipesherfaceusi
ngSpha'sT-shir
t.Onanormal
daytheycouldhavefoughtabouti
tbutnott
oday.
“Mom--my”Muzinot
icessomet hi
ngdif
fer
ent
.“Who
died?Whyismymotherl ooki
ngli
kethi
s?Whatdi
d
youdotoher,
dad?”Her ants.
“Hedi
dnot
hingson.Comehere.
”Herunsint
oher
openar
ms,Nomthacri
es.Muzipul
lsoutoft
hehug.
“Thenwhyareyoucr
ying?Whohur
tyou?”Hi
seyes
arebecomi
ngtotear
.
“Youraunt.Shereal
lyhur
tmebadl yandIdon't
knowhowt odealwi
ththi
spain.”Hisheartski
psa
beat.“Youaremommy' sstr
ongboy, r
ight
?”Henods
asat earescapeshi
seye.He'sneverseenhis
motherlikethi
s.
“
Whatdi
dshedo?Howbadi
sthesi
tuat
ion?Can'
t
yousolveitassi
ster
s?”PoorMuzi
.Het hi
nks
ever
ythingcanbesolvedi
fpeopl
esitdownandt
alk
aboutit
.
“
Noitcan'
tbesolved.Mysist
erisnomore.
”Fora
momenthef r
eezesbutr
ecoversandgi
veshis
mot
heratighthug.
Sphabr
eakst
henewst
oAnt
hony'
spar
ent
s.
“Goodnewsaf teraveryl
ongti
meofpr ayi
ngand
fast
ing.Maybenowt hatwhoreisdeadoursoncan
t
hinkstraight
,that
'si
fhesurvi
vestheacci
dent
.”
Anthony'smothersaysscor
nfull
y.
“
Wedon' tt
alki
llwhenref
err
ingtot
hosewhoareno
l
ongerwithus.
”Hisfat
herquiet
lyr
epr
imands.
Micayl
arunstoherauntandhugsherti
ght
.
“I
'
m sorryyouaregoingthr
oughthi
spainbecause
ofmebutI '
m notsor
ryItol
dyoursist
ert
hetrut
h.
Shehadachoi cetol
ivebutshechosedeat
h
i
nstead.”
*
*
*
*
*
Imustadmi t
,thi
swasthehardesteveri
nsertto
wri
te.Icr
iedmor et
hanIwassupposedt o,don'
tbe
angryatmebecauseIdofeelyourpaintoo.
Let
'scont
inuegr
owingthepage.Li
ke,invi
tef
ri
ends,
commentandshareinser
ts.Lot
soflove.
[
07/
21,
13:
40]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er10.

THREEDAYSLATER.
..

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.

Mysi
steri
slyi
ngpeacef
ull
yinhercof
fi
n.Auntdi
d
herbesttomakesur eherf i
nallookishowshe
al
waysl ookedli
ke,beforeshef el
lsick.Idon'tknow
howshemanagedt odot hi
sbecausemyauntand
makeupcanneverbei nt hesamesent ence.Maybe
shehiredmakeupar ti
sts.Shelooksbeaut if
uland
soserene,thi
sisthefirstti
meI '
m seeingmycr azy
si
steratpeace.Iwonderi fther
e'speaceatt heland
ofthedead?Isthereafterli
fe?Ifiti
s,doesshe
deserveoneaftert
akingherownl if
e?
Ican'thelpbutfeel
li
keapar tofmei smi ssi ng?It
's
l
ikeshet ookahugepar tofmewi thher,If eel
diff
erentandIwonderi ft
hiswil
lnegat i
velyaf fect
myl if
emovi ngon.I'
mt emptedtokissherf orehead,
Idon'twanthert ol
eavebutIwillhavetol etgo.She
chosedeat hoverme, maybeshewi llbehappyover
there.
“Youreal
lyhur
tme,Sis,
butthen,
what'sdonei
s
done.Farewel
lmydearsist
er.
”If
inal
lyki
ssher
eyel
ids.
“Hi.
”Sbuhugsmebef or
ekissi
ngmyf orehead.He
l
ooksdi f
ferent,
he'swearingal
lblackandhi seyes
arebloodshot.I'
veseenhim wit
hr edsleepyeyes
whenhe'sdr
unkbutr
ightnowhe'si
npai
nand
mightbesuf
fer
ingmorethanIam.
“Idon'tl
ikeseei
ngyoul ikethis,weshoul daccept
she'sgoneandst ophur ti
ng.”Ijustmadeabi g
mistakebyt hi
sstatement .Tearsrolldownhis
cheeks,hef r
ustr
atedlywipest hem.Icanonl y
i
magi newhathe'sgoi ngthrough, Iknowhe'snot
thetypet oshedtearsinfrontofpeopl ebuthecan't
helpit
.“Comeher e.”Igivehimt helongesthuguntil
hecalmsdown.
“Thankyou.MayI?”Hi
sli
psaredryandcracked.I
wonderifhe'
severhadanyt
hingt
oeatsincethat
day.
“Yeahonlyifyouwon' tstartcryi
ngagai n.Itbreaks
myhear ttoseeyoucr yi
nglikethis,I'
m usedtot he
machoSbunott hisfragil
eandhear tbr
okenone.Go
ahead,youneedi t
.”Ipathi m ontheback.My
husbandkeepsl ookingatmeandsmi l
ing.Ihavea
feel
ingtheyaretalki
ngaboutme.Il ookaroundf or
MuziandMi caylabutIcan' tfi
ndt hem.Theyar e
fi
ghtingwherevertheyar e,cert
ainly.
Peopl earenowgat her edundert het entwher ethe
ceremonyi stakingpl ace.Iseeal otofpeopl ewho
aresitti
ngont hef ami l
y'
ssidewhoIdon' teven
recognize.HisMaj est yandQueenMot herareal so
presentwi t
htheirent ourage.Theydi dn'tknowmy
sisterli
ketheirsonsdobutt heycameanyway.
Maybei t
'sbecauset heMahl angusandt heroyal
fami l
yarenowr el
at ed.Noonef r om Ant hony's
fami l
yspoket omypar ents,theyar rivedi nt
heir
fancycar sandwal kedst rai
ghtt ot hevenue.I t'
s
cleartheyneverf orgavemysi sterf orthe
humi li
ati
onshecausedt hei
rf ami l
y.
Mom, dad, Anthony'
sf at
her ,LuckyandAunthave
sai
dt heirfinalgoodbyes.Idon' tknowi fIwantt odo
thi
sinpubl i
c,myf amilyinsistedIdoitsoIcanl et
herspiritrestinpeacebutIr eal
lydon'tfeell
ikeit.
MydearSphaunder st
andsmysent i
ment shet old
met of oll
owmyhear t
.Adi spiri
tedSbut akesthe
mic,wi peshist ear
sandspeaks.
“Buddy,atf
irstIonl
yknewyoubecauseyouwer
e
Nomt ha'
ssister
.Ial
wayswonderedwhyyou
physi call
yl ookedl i
keNomt habutyoual waysact ed
theopposi te.Itookt imet oknowyouandI
under st
oodyoubet terthananyoneel seeverdi d.”
Dadl ooksathi m withapr oudsmi leonhi sf ace.
“Wemet ,Irepr i
mandedyou, webecamebest
friendsunt ilmyhear tfinallyagreedt o
accommodat eyou.Your eall
yhur tmeSne, whowi ll
takeyourpl acei nmyhear t-
-”Hisvoi cet rail
sof f.
Onceagai npai ntakesoverhi sbeing.He' sbeenl i
ke
thiseversi ncewef oundherl yi
ngont hef l
oor.Spha
standsupsandgoest ohi m,hecr iesevenhar der.I
don' tknowwhybutIf eel li
keZodwahasshedmor e
tear sthanmeandmyf ami l
ycombi ned.It ri
edt o
talkt oherbutshewasdi smissal.“Ifther eispeace
wher eyouwent ,
thenr esti npeacemydearSne.I
mi ssyoual ready.”Sphahel pshim si tdown, Muzi
handshi m abot tl
eofwat er.Everyonei snow
l
ooki ngatmel i
keI'mt heone' swho' ssupposedt o
giveper mi ssiont oconcl udet hi
scer emony.Ihave
not hingtosayr eally,whenIdo, Iknowwher et o
findmysi ster .Muzit r
iest osaysomet hing,itall
happenssof astandIseear agingMi cayl awi t
ha
mi crophonei nhershaki nghand.
“Snedoesn' tdeservet or estinpeace!”Peopl ear e
shockedbutI 'm not .“Noshedoesn' t!Iknowyoual l
thi
nkt hedeadshoul drestbutnotever yone
deservesthatpr ivi
lege!Shehadt opayf orhersi ns,
she'ssupposedt obeher eendur ingthepai nl i
keI
andmyf atherdidbutno, l
ikealwaysshechoset he
easywayout .Shedoesn' tdeser vepeace!Unt i
lI'
m
abletoclosemyeyesandnotr eplaythathor ri
ble
scenei nmymi nd,unt ilIcanl ookatmyf atherthe
samewayIusedt obef oreseei nghim br eakdown
i
nt ears,unti
lIagainseemyher oeveryt i
meIl ook
atmyf at
her,mayherspi r i
twanderandneverf i
nd
peac--
-”Oneoft heel der svi ol
entlygrabsMi cayl
a,
she'saboutt oslapherbutnoti nmypr esence.
“Don'
tyoudareraiseyourhandtoher!Whydoyou
wanttohither
--?
”I'mfumingandabouttoexpl
ode
anymomentf rom nowbutmysuper her
oisher
eto
savethedayli
keheal waysdoes.
..
..
..
.

Aft
ert
hebur i
alIfoundalet
teraddr
essedtome.
Mom order
edmeandmysi bli
ngstospri
ngclean
t
hehouse.Myl azysist
erLi
ndacouldn'
tst
op
mumbl ing.Nooneoft hem want edtocleanSne' s
room, t
heywer eal lscaredbelievingthather
restl
essspiritmightbei nherr oom.Ineat lyfol ded
herexpensiveclot hes,designerbags, makeupki t
s,
hundredsofpai rsofshoesandputt hem inl arge
boxes.Itwasn'teasygoi ngthroughhert hings, I
kepttel
lingmysel fthatshewi llwalkthrought he
doorandshoutatmef ormessi nguphercl othes
butshedi dn't
.Mom anddadagr eedtogivet hem t o
thecharityorganizati
ons.JustwhenIt houghtIhad
fi
nishedmyj obIst umbledonaneat l
yf oldedpaper
addressedt ome.Myhear tpoundedasIopenedi t
withshakyhands.
DEARSI
STER
I'
m sorryf
oral
wayshurti
ngyou.Iknowyoudear l
y
l
ovemebutIj ustdon'
tknowhowappr eci
ateort
o
l
oveyout hewayyoudeserve.Al
lthedaysofmy
l
ifeIhavebeennothi
ngbutapainandt r
oublei
n
yourli
fe.
Ihavedecidedtot
akemyl i
fe.Iknowt hi
sisan
unfor
givabl
esinbutIknowyouwi llf
orgi
veme
si
ster
.IthoughtIwasgoingtoatleasthavea
happi
lyeveraf t
erwi t
hthel oveofmyl ifebutmy
daughtert
hinksot herwise.Myowndaught erhates
me,Nomt ha!Andyouknowwhy?I t'
sal lmyfault
,I
messedupandIdon' tt
hinkshewi l
leverbethe
samesweetl it
tlechubbyMi cayl
awi t
haheadf ul
lof
l
ongcur l
yhai r
.Iknowshewi l
lonedayaski fIever
l
ovedherpl easedol etheknowt hatIlovedher
morethananyt hing.
Takecar
eofmyKaylaandt
hel
oveofmyl
if
e.Il
ove
youandIwi
llal
waysdo.
SneB.Mahl
angu.

“
Honey,
what'st
hat
?”Sphaaskedaf
terempt
ying
t
hedust
bin.
“Alet
terf
rom Sne.
”Iwasabouttocry,
het
ookmei
n
hisar
msl i
kealwaysandIf
eltbet
ter
.
“Myhear tbr
eaksintopi
ecesever
yt i
meIseeyou
sheddingtears.
”Henuzzledmyforehead.We
stayedli
kethatforsometi
meunti
lhebr oket
he
si
lence.
“Babe,i
sther
eanyparti
cul
arreasonwhyyouar e
dist
anci
ngyoursel
ffr
om Micayl
a'sbehavi
or?”I
knewthequesti
onwaswaitingtobeanswered.
“Yesandno.No, Idon'tseeanyt hi
ngwr ongwi t
h
whatshedi dorsai d.Micaylaisani ntell
igentyoung
girlwhowast aughtt oalwaysexpr esshert rue
feeli
ngs.She'sangr yandhur t
,forthatr easonshe
hast herighttobeangr yandshowi t.Noneedt o
pretendonl ybecauseSnei shermot her.Yes
becausedadt aughtmenott ojudgeanyoneunl ess
I'
vewal kedint hatperson'sshoes.Idon' thavethe
sli
ghtestideaofwhatexact lymyni ecesawbacki n
London, onlysheknowsandonl yMi caylahasthe
fi
nalsay.”
“Wow!I'
mreal
lyproudofyouBabe.Father
-i
n-l
aw
deser
vesanhonoursforr
aisi
ngyou.”
TWOWEEKSLATER.
..
..

Thedoct or
shavetri
edeveryt
hingbutAnt
hony
hasn'tmovedsincethedayoftheacci
dent.His
parents,
Micayl
aallhavetr
iedtotal
ktohim buthe
i
snotresponding.Yesterdaytheycall
edandasked
f
ormyhel pafterrecei
vingtheinsul
tsofmyl i
fe
f
rom t
hatmot herofhis.Shehadt henervetocall
meagolddi gger,IswearIalmostslappedherfake
t
eet
hout .Idecidedtoclearmymi ndandt akea
wal
ktothehospi tal
,I'
mt al
kingonthephonewi th
myotherson.Yeah, Sbu'schil
drencallmemama.
“Canyoubel ieveitmama, Bukhosiwaski ssedby
thehottestMexicangirlatschool!Boy,didthis
fooli
shboyr unt othet
oiletandpukedal loverthe
place?”Junior(Melusi
)laughssohar dIhavet o
movet hephonef r
om myear sbeforemyear dr
ums
burst.Bukhosiistheothertwin(SbusisoJr).
“
No!Youdon'
tsay?
”Iheart
het
wooft
hem l
aughi
ng.
“Youtwoareter
ri
bleatthi
sgossi
pingbusiness.
Howcanyougossi paboutsomeonepresent?”
Khosiqui
etl
ysays.
“
Sonwhat
'swr
ong?Whydi
dyoupuke?
”
“Idon'
tknowmama.Noneoft hoseski
nnygir
lstur
n
meonl iketheydoyourot
herson.Ij
ustdon'
tfeel
anythi
ngf oranywoman.”Hesoundsst r
essed.
“It
'sokay.Youareonlythir
teen,
weal lgrow
diff
erentl
ybesidesyouguysshoul dn'
tbe
concentrati
ngongirl
sr i
ghtnow, youaresti
llyoung
tobegoi ngaroundkissi
nggirl
s.”IfSphafi
ndsout
aboutthisthenoneofusi sdefi
nitel
ydead.Meor
thetwins.
“Mamayoudi dn'thearmecor r
ect
ly,
myt winhere
waskissedbyanadul t.Thatgi
rli
sovereight
eenso
i
tcan'tbesexualabuseunlessmybr ot
herhere
wantstoreporther.
”I'
m sureJuni
orisbusyteasi
ng
Bukhosi.
“Idon'
twantt o.Anyway,how' sMuziandMi cayl
a?”
Bukhosichangest hesubject.Juni
oristheone
who'salwaysi nt
erest
edint hesesexlessonsnot
theothertwin.Mostofthet i
meshel ooks
uncomf or
table.
“Theyar
ebot
hfi
ne.I
'
m onmywayt
oseeMi
cayl
a'
s
dad.”
“That'
sstr
ange,whereisyourbodyguar
d?”They
bursti
ntolaught
er.Theyal
waysjokeaboutmy
husbandbeingmybodyguar dbecausehe'
salways
wi
thme.
“
That
'smyhusbandyoui
diot
s!”
“
Sorry.
”Theysayi nuni
son.“Whereisourmother
wehavebeent r
yingtogetholdofherbutshe'
snot
t
akingourcal
ls?Iseveryt
hingal
ri
ghtoverther
e?”
WhatdoIsayt othem whenIdon'tknowwhatis
wrongwit
hZodwa.She' sbeenactingdi
ff
erent
,
l
atel
y.
“Maybeshe'sbusywit
hwor kyouknowhowhar d
shewor k-
-”Someonebumpsintome, myphone
fal
ls.I
'
mt akenbackbyhisscent
,thi
smuscular
scent?
“Sorr
y.”Hegivesbackmyphone,handbagand
l
eavesbef or
eIcansayanythi
ng.Thi
si sthet
hir
d
ti
mesomeonebumpsi nt
ome, sayssorryand
l
eaves.Thisisn'
tanacci
dentorcoi
ncidence,
I'
m
beingfol
lowed!
IrememberIwasonthephonewit
hthetwins.They
mustbeworri
edri
ghtnow,Iqui
ckl
ydialt
heir
number.
“
Mama,
whydi
dyoudr
opt
hecal
l?
”
“
Sor
ryIdr
opped-
-”
“
Youdon'
tsoundokay.I
sever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?”
“Ummm. .
..
..
yeah.Wi
llcal
lyoulater
,loveyoul
ots,
kisses.
”Iendthecal
lbeforetheygetevenmore
suspici
ous.
*
***
***
**

AttheRoyalPal ace, Pri

nceSbuislyi
ngonhi sback
readingamagazi ne.Zodwal ooksatthecover,ther
e
sheiswi t
hhercol orfulfaceonthecover.Shet
ries
toignoreitbutshe'shadenoughofi t.Shesnatches
themagazi nestartl
ingSbu.
“
I'
m si
ckandt
iredofyoual
waysl
ooki
ngather
f
ace!
”Sheyel
ls.
“Andthen?Whatexact
lyi
syourpr
obl
em?”Sbu
calml
yasks.
“She'sdeadcanwenowmoveonwi thourli
ves
withoutherfacebei
ngshovedtoourfaceseach
andever yday?Asifi
t'
snotenoughthatyouwere
sleepingwit
hhernowIhavetodealwi t
hherspi
rit
too!
”Zodwai soutofbreat
hasshesaysthewor
ds
sofastthatsheshealmostchokesont
hem.Pri
nce
Sbulaughsoutloud.“Youthi
nkthi
sisf
unny,
Sbu?”
“Whateveryouar esmoking,youhavetostop
becausecl earl
yit
'smessingupyourmi nd.
”He
si
ghs, grabshissungl
assesandwal ksout.He'
s
abouttoexi twhenZodwapul l
shim backandslaps
him hard.
“I
'
m notgoingtolet
--
”Sbul
ooksatherwi
thhi
s
bl
oodshoteyes,shetr
embl
es.
“Howdareyousl apf orme? ”Hehi ssesthroughhis
gri
tt
edteeth,hisbr
eat hsohotandhi spulse
radi
ati
ngwi t
hanger.“ Don'tmakemel osemy
temperandbet hefi
r stwomanIeverl aymyhand
on.Ihaveseriousi
ssuesdar l
ing,pleasedon'tf
orce
met odothingsIwillforeverregr
et .
”Hestepsback.
“Orwhat ?Areyougoingtobeatmef oraghost
?”A
hotslapcrossesherface,shefeel
swarmliqui
d
runningdownhernose, befor
eshecanbalance
herselfSbugrabsherbyherweave, wi
thsomuch
easeheyanksherski nnybody,shehit
shardonthe
wallbefor
elandingonthefl
oorfacefir
st.She
wantstoscream butSbuisstandi
ndingrightover
herwithhissneaker
sonhert hr
oat.
“Whatdi
dyousay?ThatI'
m goi
ngt obeatyouf ora
ghost
?Guesswhat?Iwil
levenki
llyouf orthatvery
sameghost!
”Hehasasmi l
eonhisf ace,it
'snotjust
asmilebutasi
gn.
“
I-c-
a-n-
tb-r
-e-
a--
-”Shestr
ugglest
osay.Queen
Motherst
ormsintotheroom andscr
eams.
“Si
busi
soTshabangu!
”Shepusheshi
m awayfrom
Zodwa.Zodwacoughsrepeat
edl
ygaspi
ngforair
.
“Whatar
eyoudoing?Doyouwanttokil
lyourwif
e?”
“NomotherIj
ustwantedt
oteachheragoodlesson.
Ihatei
twhenpeoplei
nsul
ttheonesIl
ove,Ij
ust
can'
tst
andit!
”Hesmilest
ohisstepmot
herli
kehe
didnot
hingwrong.
“Hewant stokil
lmeforhisghostgi
rl
fri
end!”Zodwa
shouts.SbuchargestowardsherbutPri
nceSphais
ther
et osavetheday.
“Brot
her!
”Justonewor
dfr
om Pri
nceSphaand
orderi
srest
ored.“
Wehavechi
ldr
enint
hishouse
whoar enotsupposedt obeexposedt osuchvi ol
ent
scenes,pl
easei fyoucan'trespectyoursel
vesand
yourdigni
ty,t
hel eastyoucandoi sthi
nkaboutt he
damaget hiscancauseourchi l
dren.I'
m notabout
torai
sechildrenwhoar echal l
engedemot ional
ly
becauseofyout wo.IguessI'vemademysel f
clear
.”Heturnst oleavethemessyr oom.
“Youwi l
lalwayst aketheirsides!Aft
erall
,theghost
i
syourwi f
e' ssi
ster!
”Sphai sstoppeddeadi nhi s
tracks.Hisbodyt enses,hecannowf eelandhear
thesoundofhi sbloodpumpi ng.Heslowlyturns,
Sbupul lsachai randsits.Heknowsbet ternott o
standinhi swaywhenhe' sbeenpr ovokedliket hi
s,
theQueenshi versatthethoughtofwhathemi ght
do.Shescr eamsNomt ha'snamebutshe' snotat
home, shehast othi
nkf astbeforeSphadoest he
unthinkable.
“YourMajest
y!”Bot
hZodwaandQueenMot her
scream.TheKingcomesrunni
ngfol
lowedbyhis
guards.SphanowhashishandonZodwa'sthr
oat.
“Sayanotherwordaboutmywif
e'sf
amil
yandI
swear,Iwil
lfor
gett
hatyouar
emybr ot
her'
swi
fe
andyouwillr
egreteverbeingbor
n.”TheKi
ngtooi
s
scar
edofhim.Theguar dsar
enotall
owedtot
ouch
thePri
nceunlessorderedto.
“
Whatisgoi
ngonher e?
”TheKi
ngfi
nal
lyasks,
Spha
l
et'
sgoofhert
hroatandwal
ksout
.
“Yourdaughter-
in-l
awthinksIwashavi nganaf f
air
withmydearf ri
end.Sheevensl appedmef orit,
for
somethingIdidn'tdoorthinkabout.
”Pr i
nceSbu
mighthaveser i
ousissuesbuthedoesn' thavea
seri
oushott emper.Yes,heactsviol
entinaf i
tof
ragebuthecal msdownsoonert hanimagined.The
onlybadthingabouthim, heneversayssor r
ynor
doeshef eelanyremorsef orhi
sactions.
“What?Howcanyout hinkli
kethat
,Iknowmyson
i
sat r
oublemakerbutdefi
nit
elynotpr
omiscuous.
”
TheKingdefendshisson.
“Whyt
henishealwaysl
ooki
ngatherpi
ctur
e?”Sbu
sl
apsherwi
ththebackofhi
shand.
“Don'
tyouevert
alkbackorquesti
onmyf at
her!I
cantol
erat
eanythi
ngbutdefi
nit
elynotyou
demeaningmyfather
.Thi
smanher ei
stheKingnot
yourf
ri
end,
doyougett
hat?
”Shenodswitht
ears
andmucusmixedwi
thbl
oodal
loverherf
ace.
*
***
***
**
NOMTHA'
SPOV

Anthonyislyingonthehospitalbedwi t
hdr i
psall
overhisbody, hehasafract
uredl egandar m,hi
s
faceiscoveredinbandages,hisbar echesthas
severalpat
chesonhi sl
eftside,thecardiogr
aphy
keepsmakingbeepi ngsounds.
“
Pri
ncess,
hei
sst
il
linacoma.
”Thedoct
orr
emi
nds
me.
“Oohyeah,
Iknow.Wi l
lhef ul
lyr
ecoverorthere'
s
gonnabeacaseofhi m becomingaquadr i
plegi
c?”I
knowIsoundinsensi
ti
ver i
ghtnowbutIneedt o
knowwhatexactl
yI'm deal
ingwithhere.
“
It
'snotcl
earasofyet
.”
“
Thankyoudoc.Wil
lyoupleasegivemeamoment
wit
hhi
m? ”Henodsandleaves.Ipul
lthechai
rnext
t
ohim andsi
t.
“Anthony,youareast rongman, youhavetofight
andhol dontoyourl if
e.Micayl
acannotl osetwo
parentsjustl
ikethat.Theloveofyourli
feSnet ook
herownl if
e,wesai dourlastgoodbyestohe--”
Anthony'sbodyst art
sshaking,t
hebedi smoving
andt heECGismaki ngoddsounds.Thedoct or
rushesinthesamet imethegreenli
neont heECG
screengoesst r
aight..
..
..
.
[
07/
21,
13:
40]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
.

Chapt
er11

“
Pri
ncesspl
easeexcuseusabi
t-
-”
“NodoctorI'
m notgoinganywher e.Dowhat ever
youhavetodoj ustmakesur ethismancomesback
toli
fe.
”Thedoctorgrabsthedef i
bril
lator,shocks
Antonybuthe'snotresponding.Allofasudden, I
hearhighpit
chedvoices,Micaylaisscr eaming
“Savehim aunt
!”,
Snei sbeggingmet odoi tforher
i
fnotforanybody,
Anthony'
sfat
herissayi
ng
“
Please!
”andthenanunknownvoice“Don'tdoi
t!
”
I
'
m movi ngi
ncircl
es,
myheadi sabouttoexpl
ode.
“
Stop!
”Thedoct
orsar
eshocked.
“What'
swrongPrincess?Youarecover
edinsweat
,
areyoualr
ight
?”Inod.Ihavetodosomethi
ng,I
havetosomehowgetr idoft
hem.
“
Stopdoi
ngt
hat
.MayIpl
easet
ry?
”
“No!Youar enotadoctor--
”Iraisemyr i
ghthand
onceandt heyarealll
yingunconsciousdon'tthe
fl
oor.IrushtoAnthony,pulloutallt
heintr
avenous
dri
ps,thepatches,t
heoxygenmachi neandthe
bandagesonhi sface.
“BoMahl angu,boGodonga, Idon'tknowAnt hony's
clannamesbutI 'm herekneelingbef or
eyou, pl
ease
helphim.He' sthefatherofyourgr anddaughter,i
f
anythinghappenst ohi m shewon' tbeabl etotakeit
.
Please!”Tearsr ol
ldownmyf ace.Iopenmyeyes
onlytofindgrandpast andi
ngnextt oAnthony'sbed.
Heshakeshi shead, patsmyshoul derbutI'
m not
l
et t
inghim gosoeasi l
y.
“Nograndpa.Anthonycannotdie,hehastol
ivefor
herdaughter
.Micayladoesn'
tdeserveal
loft
his
pai
n.Dosomet hi
ng!”
“
Ican'
tI'
m sor
ry.
”
“
ThenIwil
ldosomet
hing!”It
akethesur
gicalbl
ade,
I
'
m aboutt
ocutmyfi
ngerbutgrandpast
ri
kesme, I
f
eeldi
zzy.
“
Don'
tyouthr
eat
enmeinthi
smanner.I
'
m unabl
eto
r
est
orethi
sman'
sheal
th,
I'
m sor
ry.
”
“WAKEHIM UPORMYBLOODWI
LLMI
XWI
TH
HIS!
”Ihi
ss.

NARRATED.

Somethingiswr ong,
somet hingst
rangeis
happeninghere.Nomt hahasneverdefiedgrandpa
befor
ebutt odaysheseemsadamant .Grandpais
abouttoslapherhardbutshest opshishandmi d
ai
r,hereyesblazingfi
re.Grandpawantstosay
something,hetooisangrybutnotlikeNomt ha.
Cl
oudsbegi
ntogather,
allofasuddent
hewhol
e
pl
acei
sdarkandscary.
“
Stopt
hisNomt
ha,
please.”Gr
andpabegsher
.
“No!Ant honyhast ol
iveandIwi l
ldoit!Withor
withoutyourhel p!
”Sheshouts.There'
sasudden
fl
ashofl ightni
ngthathaseveryonehidingunder
theirbeds, i
nsi
decupboards,anywheret heydeem
safef orthei
rdearli
ves.
“Thi
nkaboutyourson,he'spr
obablyscar
edri
ght
now.Pl
easestop!”Grandpacont
inuestobeg.
“Heismyson, mybloodisinhisveinssoisyour
blood!Noone,Imeannooneoranyt hi
ngcan
fr
ightenmyson.ThatI'
m sureof.Arewedoingthi
s
ornot?”She'
skeepi
ngast r
aightfaceandnot
backingout.
“Youareownyourownont hi
s.Ican'
thel
pa
color
edguy,Idon'tevenknowhisroot
s.Bestof
l
uck.”Hedisappears.
Nomthafol
dsherhands,“MayAnthony'
slif
ebe
r
estor
edatanycost,
I'
mr eadytopayanythi
ngf
or
i
t.
”IhopeNomthaunderstandsthegr
avit
yofwhat
shej ustof f
eredtodof orthegodsinexchangeof
Ant hony'slif
e.Shetoucheshi sfor
ehead, heavy
thunder stormstakeallthepeopleofUml azibya
surprise.Nomt hacontinuestopleadwi t
ht he
ancest ors,aloudthunderoussoundr evives
Ant hony'slif
e.Hemoveshi shand,hiseyelidsmove.
“Thankyou.ThankyouboNzuzaabahl e.Iwi l
l
foreverbei ndebtedtoyouf orthi
s.Thankyou. ”
Ant honyt ri
estomovehi sbodybutf eelsstiff
.“Hey
brother-in-l
aw.”Shesmi lesathim,heslowl yopens
hiseyes.
“
Hey.Whathappenedt
ome?
”
“Youhadanacci
dentwhi
ler
unningaf
termysi
ster
butyouar
efi
nenow.”Shesmil
es.
“
Whycan'
tImovemybodyandl
egs?
”
“Mul
ti
plefr
act
ures,andal
lthecr
azyst
uffonl
y
doct
orscanexpl
ain.”
“Iheardsomet hi
ng,Idon'
trememberifi
twasa
dream ornotbutIheardyousayingsomethingli
ke
sayingyourlastgoodbyes,t
ellmeitwasadream.”
Nomt halooksstrai
ghtint
ohisfaceandtel
lshim
t
het
rut
h.Hecr
ies.
“Iknowt hisishard,
cry,fornowyesbutI 'm goingt
o
l
etyoucr yinMicayl
a'spresence.Yourchildneeds
youmor ethanmysi st
erwhoi snol ongerwithus.
Best rongforMicayla,behereverythi
ngandal ways
protecther.Itr
ustyout odothisforherandf orme.”
“
Thankyou.”Hesays.Shelooksatthedoct
orsst
il
l
l
yingunconsci
ousonthefl
oor,shesnapsher
f
inger
s,theywakeupfrom t
heirdeepsl
umber.
“
What?WhathaveyoudonePr
incess?
”Thedoct
or
i
sast
oni
shed.
“
Bemyguestdoctor.Nextt
imedon'
tstandinmy
way,i
nmyotherl
if
e, I
'
m aquali
fi
eddoctor.
”She
t
urnstoAnt
honywithasmile.“
Bewellbrot
her-
in-
l
aw,yourMi
cayl
awillbeheresoon.
”
*
***
***
**

“Li
nda,
Lucky,
Kiar
a!Comeher
e.”Bab'
uMahl
angu
summonshischil
dren.
“
Dad,
itshoul
dbeLucky,
Linda,
Kiar
anotwhatyou
keepsaying.I'
mtheeldestandtheonlybrot
her
,
givemel it
tl
eimportancepl
ease.”Luckyj
okes,
his
fathersmackshim onthehead.
“OkaySon,
noted.”Hesmilesathi
m.Nothi
nggives
j
oyt oapar
entmor ethanseei
nghisownchil
dren
happyandcontent.
“Dad,what'
sup?”Li
ndaaskst hr
owingherselfon
thecouchweari
ngonlyherbum shortsandgym bra.
Herfl
attummyglist
eningwithsweat.Ki
arajumps
onLinda'
sstomach,shewinces,j
oki
ngly.
“Li
ndamydarli
ngdaught er,
Idon'
tknowwhyyou
spendmostofyourtimeinthegym whenyouar e
alr
eadyski
nny.Ibetpeoplethi
nkyouarethemost
abusedchi
ldi
nt heworld,ImeanlookatLuckyand
Kiara-
-”
“Don'
tevenstart
,dad.Wher
eismom?Youseem t o
beveryplayf
ultodayandi
tcanonl
ymeant hecatis
notar
ound.”Het hrowsacushi
onatherbutmisses
andhit
sKi ar
ainstead.
“
Ouch!Whatismysinnow? ”Zandienter
s,not
icesa
mispl
acedcushi
on,
looksatthem butsaysnothing.
“
Okay.Timet ogetserious,Ical
ledallofyouheret
o
i
nform youthatmyf ri
end'ssoniscomi ngtost
ay
wit
hus.Hei slookingforajobandyouwi l
lal
lhave
t
obehavel i
kewel lmanneredchildr
enIr ai
sedyou
t
obe.”Thereissilence.
“Canwespeaknow, dad?”Henods.Hi schi ldren
mayseem l i
kespoiledbr at
sbutt hat'
snott hecase.
Theyar efree,al
wayshappy, andar ecomf ortable
aroundt hei
rparents.“Wher ewillyourfr
iend' sson
sleep?Luckydoesn' tliketosharehisroom, Sist
er
Nomt ha'sroom isoutofquest ion,wil
lhebeusi ng
thesit
tingroom? ”Kiaraquer i
es.
“
No!Notthesit
ti
ngroom please,
someofusliketo
wat
chtel
evisi
onatnightandthatwon'
twor
k.”Linda
mut
ter
s.
“Dad,
canhenotuseSi
sterSne'
sroom?
”Lucky
asks.
“Noson.Ther
earerit
ualsthatneedtobedone
befor
eanyonecanuset hatroom.Youguyswil
l
havetosacr
if
iceyourfavori
telat
enightTV
progr
ammes.”
“I
ftheguyisgoodlooking,
whoknows?Imi ght
sacri
fi
cemyownf reedom andsharemybedwi th
him.”Li
ndasti
ckshertongueout.Herf
athershakes
hishead.
“Youarecrazy!Doyouevent
hinkbef
oresayi
ng
anyt
hing?”Kiaramutt
ers.
“Nodarl
ing.Li
feisshoul
dn'tbeli
kechessmoves
andmathematics,whocalcul
ateswhatshe'
sabout
tosayanyway?”ShepushesKi ar
aoffher.
“Li
ndamychi
ld,Il
ovegrandchi
ldrenbutnott
he
onesbor
noutofwedlocksopleasedon't
.”
“
I'
m cel
ibat
e,dad.
”Ever
yonel
ooksatheri
nshock.
“What
?”Luckycannotbel
ieveLi
ndaj
ustsai
dthat
outl
oud.
“
C-E-
L-I
-B-
A-T-
E,duh!
”
“Byreligi
onorbychoi ce?”Kiar
aisabouttogodeep
withthisissue.Yeah,
t hat
'swhatmanyintrover
tsdo.
Theyf eelali
veandjol
lywhent alki
ngaboutdeep
stuff
.
“
Okay,
okay.Enoughwi
tht
hepl
ayi
ng,
Luckymyson
Iknowyoul ikeyourpr ivacybutIwoul dl i
keto
requestyout oshar eyourr oom withhim.”Lucky's
eyespopouti nt error .Thescenesofhi spast
replayinginhi smi nd.Hi sf at
herreali
zeshi s
discomf ort
.“Notyourbed.Iwi l
lorganizeasmal l
campbedandi fsomet hingdoesn'tfeelri
ghtafter
thef i
rstdayyouknowyoucanal wayst al
ktodad,
ri
ght ?”Henods.“ Ican' tlethi
m sleepinher e
becauseIhavegr ownupdaught erswhol i
keto
alwayswat chTVi nt hei rnight
wearorevenwor se,
Kiarasomet imeswakeupi nthemi ddl
eoft henight
andgoest otheki tchent ohavesomewat er
.Itwon't
besaf eforyoursi ster s.”
“
Okaydad.Iwi
llt
ry.
”Hesi
ghsuncomf
ort
abl
y.
*
***
***
***
*

It
'sl
unchti
meattheRoyalPalace.TheKingi
s
chat
ti
ngwi t
hhissonsal
thoughPr i
nceSphaseems
tobemilesaway.Themaidensareservi
ngthefood,
Samkeisabouttodishf
orSphabuthest opshi
m
byholdi
ngherhand.Sheblushes.
“No.I
'
m nothungr
y.”Hesays.Ever
yonel
ooksat
him.
“
Brot
her
,areyoust
il
lupsetaboutt
heear
li
er
i
nci
dent
?”Sbuquest
ions.
“
No.
”Hecur
tl
ysays.
“
Thenwhatiswrongson?”QueenMot
herhaswor
ry
wri
tt
enal
loverherf
ace.
“Mywife'
sbeengonef orhours,nooneisbot
hered
abouthersafet
yoraskingifshe'
shadanythi
ngto
eatornot!Andyouallwantmet oeat?
”He'sangry
andhisvoiceiscont
rol
led.
“
Son!
”TheKi
ngi
nter
venes.
“I
'
m sorryFather.Ihavenotbeenfeel
ingl
ikemysel
f
asoflate,
mayIbeexcused, pl
ease.
”Hismother
nods,hesighsbeforefishi
nghisphoneoutofhi
s
pocketandleavesdiali
ngsomeone.
“
Whathappenedear
li
er?
”Det
ect
iveMuziasks.
“
Myparent
swerefi
ght
ingabouttheghost
.”Onesi
sa
(
SbuandZodwa'
sdaughter
)tel
lshi
m.
“
Sisa,
whatel
sedi
dyouhear
?”Hecont
inueswi
th
hi
sinqui
sit
ion.
“
Notmuch.
”
“
Chi
ldr
en,tabl
emanners!
”Theyr
espect
ful
lypi
ck
t
hei
rcutl
eryandst
arteat
ingt
hei
rfood.
Zodwawal ksin,pul l
st hechairandsi ts.TheKi ng
quietlyleavest hetabl e.It
'sclearhe'sstillangry,
whowoul dn't?Imeanhe' stheKi ngandamer e
commonerhadt her ighttoquest ionhim, t
hattoo
withar aisedvoi ce.Muzil ooksupobser ving
everyone'sr eaction.Hewant st osaysomet hi
ngbut
hisgr andmot herdi smi ssesbot hofthem f rom the
table.Theybot hl eaveandr unt otheirrespective
roomswher eMuziopenshi smi nilaptopandst ar
ts
typi
ngsomet hing.
“I
'
m sor r
ymot her
-i
n-l
aw.Ididn'
tmeantooffendHis
Majesty,IwasangryandIcouldn'
tcontr
olmy
emotions.”Zodwaapologizesfi
dgeti
ngwithher
fi
ngers.
“Everyonecancontr
olthei
remoti
ons.Thisi
sthe
palace,youhavetobehaveaccor
dingl
y.Youcan'
t
j
ustr ai
seyourvoi
cetoanyonebecauseyounever
knowwhent heKi ngwi l
lstepint or
estorepeacei n
hispalace.Youwi llhavetoapol ogi
zet ohim and
thankhimf ornoti nf
ormingt heRoyalcounci labout
i
t.”QueenMot herwipesherhandswi thaser vi
ette.
“Sbu,arealmandoesn' traisehi
shandt ohiswi f
e
nomat terhowangr yyouar e.I
fyouf eell
ikeyou
can'thandlethesituati
onanymor e,
itisalwaysa
goodmovet owal kawayunt i
lyoubot hcalm down.
”
“Ididmom.Iwasrightatt
hedoorwal ki
ngawaybut
shepulledmebackandslappedme.I '
m sor
ryI
fai
ledtocont
rolmyangerafter
wards.”Sbulooksat
hismom andhiseyesaresincere.
“Daughter-i
n-l
aw, youdon'tr ai
seyourhandt oyour
husband.Thatal onei sutterdisrespect.Also,next
ti
mewhenyout wof ighttr
ynott oinvolveother
peopleinyourmar i
talproblems, youneverknow
howt heywi l
lreact.Ihopet hisisthef i
rstandlast
ti
meIwi llsitdownandt al
kaboutt his.Iexpectyou
twotosor toutyouri ssues,ami cableandver y
soon.”QueenMot hercallsthemai dstoclearthe
tabl
e.
“Hey.Canwetalk?
”Sbusaysclosi
ngthebedroom
doorbehindhi
m.“I'
m sor
ryforwhatIdi
d,maybeI
shouldhavehandl
edthesit
uati
oninabett
erway.”
“I
sshethewomanyoul
ove?
”Hereyesar
eful
lof
painandr
esent
ment
.
“No.Myr elati
onshipwi t
hSnewaspur e, Ineverhad
anysexualf eel
ingsforherandt hi
swasmut ual.We
wer etwol ostsoulswhof oundcomf ortineach
other'scrazywor lds.Iunderstoodherf orwhatshe
wasandsheknewmef orwhoIwas.Wi t
hSne, I
neverhadt opretend.Iwoul dpunchwal l
s,
windscr eensandshewoul djuststandtherewi t
h
herar msf oldedbecausej ustlikeme,shewasal so
twisted.Ournonsensemadesenset ous. ”Hesays
honest l
y.
“
Thenwhyar
eyoust
il
lgr
ievi
ngi
fshewasonl
ya
f
ri
end?
”
“
Shewasmor et
hanafriend.Ihaveanumberof
f
ri
endsbutSnewasdif
ferent,
itwasnotabout
f
ri
endshi
pbutmoreaboutoursoulsandmindsthat
neverhadt oquestionthethingswedi d.Wecould
dri
nk,smoke, getdrunkthewhol eweekwi t
hout
evenget t
ingashowerandi tsti
llmadesenset ous.
I'
m sti
llhurtbecauseofthewayshel eftwi
thout
evensayi nggoodbyepainsmeal otandIdon't
thi
nkanyonewi l
leverbeabl etofil
lthevoidsheleft
i
nmyl if
e.”
“Thenwhoisshe?
”Sbur
aiseshi
seyebr
ow.“
The
oneyoulove?
”
“I
'm sorr
ybutIcan' ttel
lyouhername.
Ummm. .
..
.Baby, Icar eaboutyou.Ireall
ydo, Ij
ust
can'
tloveyout hewayyouwantmet o.It'
s
i
mpossi bl
et olovesomeoneel se,I'
m al oyaland
honestpersont hati swhyIwasopent oyouwhen
wefirstmet.Idon' twantt ocomplicatemyl if
eor
pret
endt oloveyo- -”
“Whyareyoukeepingmeher ethen?Youenjoy
sl
eepi
ngwi t
hmebutyoudon' twantt
oloveme?
Doesitmakeyoufeel l
ikeamant ohavesexwit
h
someoneyoudon'tlove?”She'
sfuming.
“
Noi
tdoesn'
tmakemef
eel
mor
eoranyl
essofa
man.It houghtweagreedont hi
s,weagreedto
respecteachotherandcareforeachotherbuti
f
youf eeloppr
essedbymet henyouaref r
eetogo.”
There'ssomethingi
nhisvoice.
“
What
?”Shedi
dn'
texpectt
hisf
rom hi
m.
“I'
m anar sehol e,yesbutdef init
elynotanoppr essor.
Idon' twantt henextt hi
ngtobemeal lovert he
tabloidsbei ngaccusedofgenderbasedvi olence.
Youar ef r
eet ogowher eyouwi l
lfi
ndt ruel ove,I
'm
definitelynotanobsessi vetypewhowi llfoll
owal l
yourboyf ri
endsar oundonl ybecauseyouar ethe
mot herofmyki ds.Youcant akeanyt hi
ngweowni n
thisuni onbutnotmychi ldr
en, Iwon'tst opyouf r
om
visit
ingt hem orgoi ngonvacat ionswi t
ht hem butI
willdef i
nitelynotal lowmyki dst ol
ivewi t
hanot her
manwhi leI'm stillalive.Ial
sowon' tbri
nganot her
womani nt heirlives. ”Hesaysl ookingatt hefarend
ofther oom.
“Ar
eyousur
eyoudon'
twantt
otr
ytol
oveme?
”
Zodwat
oucheshi
sarm.
“
No.Iwon'
tbeabl
etol
oveyouoranyoneexcept
her.Iwil
lalwaysr espectyouandbegratef
ulfort
he
blessi
ngsyougaveme.Tal ktomewhenyou've
madeyourdeci sionandIwi l
ltal
ktomydadandthe
chil
dren.”Hekissesherf oreheadandl
eavesasa
tearescapeshiseye.
*
***
***
**

“MyRose,
I'
vebeenwai
ti
ng.
”Sphat
alksont
he
phone.
“Tur
nar ound.
”Nomt haor der
s.Thesmi legrowson
hisf
acewhenheset shiseyesonher .Heput shis
phoneont hetable,meetsherhal fway, picksherup
andspinsherar oundbef oreFrenchki ssingher.
Peopleintherestaurantcheerforthem whi l
eother
s
l
ookonwi t
htearst hr
eateningtofallasSphaand
Nomthar emindst hem ofwhatt heyoncehad.
“Howlonghaveyout
wobeent
oget
her
?”Ami
ddl
e
agedwomanasksthem.
“Thir
teenyear
s.”Sphasaysproudl
y.“Marri
ed,
one
boyandhappy.”Nomt habl
ushes.Everyonewhoi
s
l
isteni
ngnodsinagreement.Someoneeven
suggest
stheywr
it
eabookabouttheirundyi
ngl
ove.
Sphapull
sachai
rforherbef
orepul
li
ngouthisown.
“Youkeptmewai ti
ngf orlong,
”Hel ower
shi svoi
ce
andleanscloser
.“Youar egoingtopayf orthi
slat
er
whenIt akeyouupstairsbecauseI'mreall
ypissed
atyourightnow.
”Col orfil
lshercheeksasshe
blushesandfeel
sbut terf
li
esinherstomach.
“
OkaySir
,puni
shmentaccept
ed.
”Shebi
tesher
l
owerl
ip.
“
Stop!Babe,behave,
okay?”Shenods.“
Whatdoyou
wanttoeat?
”Heasksl ooki
ngatthemenu.
“
I'
m notsur
e.Whataboutyou?
”
“
Iwi l
lhaveanyt
hingyouorderbutdef
ini
tel
ynot
wine.I'
mfeel
inggiddyal
ready.
”
Theyor derthei
rSteakSaladWithHar i
ssaPotat
oes
andCr unchyRadishesandf r
uitj
uice.Theyeati
n
sil
ence,steali
ngglancesofeachotherhereand
ther
e.
“Isawmyf r
iendbuthewasasl
eep.Thankyouf
or
savinghi
sli
fe.”Sphawi
peshi
smout hwit
hanapki
n.
“Kayl
awasthere,shespoket
omebutnotthe
grandpar
ent
s.Idon'tknowwhyt
heykeepblami
ng
usforwhatSnedid.”
“Theywil
lcomearound.I
stheresomet
hingyou
wanttotel
lme?Aboutwhathappenedathome
earl
ier
?”Nomthachangesthesubj
ect
.
“No.Idon'
twanttot
alkabouti
t.I
twi
llrui
nmymood
befor
eIpunishyouandthat
'ssomet
hingIdon'
t
wanttohappen.”
“Mmmm. ..
.MrTshabangu.Eagertopuni
shher
RoyalPri
ncess?IwonderwhattheKingmi ghtsay
aboutthi
s?”Shelooksathi
m withfl
ir
tyeyes.
“I'
m surehewillagreewiththeCr ownPri
nce.”They
arelostineachother'seyeswhensomeonet aps
theirtabl
etohavet hei
rattenti
on.Thecologneof
thi
smanhi t
sNomt ha'snost r
il
ssohardthatshe
sneezes.Shelooksupandt hereheis,t
heman
who' sbeenfol
lowinghereversi ncet
hecar
accident.
“
You?Whyareyoufol
lowingme?Whatdoyou
want
?”She'
ssur
pri
sed.Sphacl
encheshi
sjaw,
his
eyesbl
oodshotandt
emperr
adi
ati
ng.
“
WhatdoyouwantSiyabonga?Whyareyou
f
oll
owingmywi
fe?”Heaskst hr
oughhi
sgri
tt
ed
t
eeth.
“Hell
otoyoutooPrinceSphamandl
a.Longt
imeno
see,i
tsbeen.
..
..
howmanyyear s?Twel
ve.Si
nceyou
brokemyjaw..
..
..
..
..
”
*
***
***
***
*

Hell
odarli
ngs.Ihopeeveryonehadagr eat
weekend,asforme,notagr eatoneactual
ly.Wasn't
f
eeli
ngtoowel l
,eventodayI'm st
il
lnotmyself
.Ifeel
l
ikeI'
m abouttobehitbyast rongfl
uandheadache.

HappyMonday.Haveablessedandproducti
ve
weekahead.St
ayfocusedanddon'
tlosesightof
yourgoal
s.
[
07/
21,
13:
40]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
.
Chapt
er12.

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.

Myhusbandi saboutt osnap, thei reyesar esayi ng

mor ewor dsthant heywantt oletout ,Ifindmysel f
studyi
ngt hisface,t hefacet hathasbeen
tormentingmydr eamsasofl ate.Hewascut e,i
n
mydr eamsofcour sebutnowhel ooksmor el i
ke
someonewhowhoj usthavel oadsofcashand
doesn'tknowhowt oputi tinuse.Si yabongaPhi li
p
Jr.Ngcobo!Iknowhi sname, Ij
ustneededa
confir
mat ion.Hisheadl ooksheavywi thal lthelong
l
ocson, hehasanoser ingandwear sst uds.At rail
ofstartattoosfrom j ustbelowhi sleftear
disappearingbeneat hhiscolar,ascarj ustbel ow
hisjawli
ne, l
ooksl i
kehehadst itches, thindar kl
ips
andhi sskinaper fectshadeofl ightbr own. .
...
“MyPri
ncess!”Hebowsdramat
ical
ly.Ir
ollmyeyes,
Sphacan'
ttakeitanymor
e.
“
Siyabonga,whatdoyouwant?Youj
usti
nter
rupt
ed
aromanticdi
nnerwit
hmywi f
e--
-”
“Neverknewyouwer etheromant i
ct ype, Ithought
allyouknowi stothrowpunchesandl eaving
peoplehalfdeadasyouwal kawayl i
kenot hing
happened.”Hehasasmi leonhi sface, i
t'
snota
smi l
ebutataunt .I
'
mf ull
yawar eofmyhusband' s
control
ledvoiceandhischenchedj awsasi f
somehowgr i
tti
nghisteethmayst ophi mf rom
punchingsomeonet hr
ought heglasswal l.
“Iknowwhatyouar etryingt odobutI '
m notgonna
giveyout hesat i
sfacti
on.I fyouaremanenough,
youknowwher etof i
ndme, MrNgcobo. ”Sphasays
dismissalandt urnstomewi thaf or
cedsmi l
e.
“Babe,deser tupstai
rs.”Het akesmyhandbutt hen
changeshi smi ndandscoopmeup, I
'm very
consciousofSi yabonga' sgaze.Iwantt oprotest
butheshut smebybendi nghisheadsl ightl
yand
brief
lykissingme.Il ookoverhi sshoulder,the
frust
rati
ononSi yabonga' sfaceisveryevi dentandI
fi
ndmysel fwonder i
ngi fI'm missi
ngsomet hing.
Sphasummonstheelevat
or,
afewsecondslaterwe
ar
egoingup.I
t'
sonl
yt het
woofusintheelevator
.
Hepull
smeclosert
ohi m,
hisbodyf
eelst
ense.
“
Somet
hingwrongbabe?
”Iask,concer
nedfort
his
manwhohasbecomethecenterofmyever
ythi
ng.
“Nothingaki ssi nt heel evatorcannotf ix.”Without
asecondt hought ,If i
ndmysel fkissinghi m, our
tonguest wirli
ngar oundoneanot her,hisr i
ghthand
aroundmyneckpul li
ngcl oserast heki ssdeepens
withneed, passi onandl ust,amoanescapesmy
mout h.Hisot herhandf indit'
swayt othesl itofmy
dress,hiswar m sof thandonmybar ethi ghsendi ng
elect
ricshockwavesal lovermybody.Thel ift
comest oahal t,justt henwebot hbecome
consciousofwher eweact uall
yar e.Pant ing,his
eyessendi ngagr eat ermessaget omysoul ,once
againhepi cksmeupl i
keI '
m ababybef ore
steppingout sidet hel if
t.Heput smedown, opens
thedoorandusher smei n.H-o-l-
yHeavens!If eel
l
ikeIjustst eppedi npar adise,thewhi tecer amic
ti
ledflooriscover edi nredr oses.RedRoses?Yeah,
I'
m stil
lyett ofindoutwhynott heyel l
owonesbut
fornowl etmej ustadmi r
et hedecor at i
ons.I'
m
aboutt omoveast epf urtherinsidewhenhest ops
me, squat sbeforemeandr emovesmyst il
ettos.
Thef eel i
ngofr osepet alsundermyf eetisheavenly!
Theyf eelsosof tandsomehowr elaxing.OurQueen
bedhasf lowersscat teredal loverthewhi teduvet
andahear twi
thmynamei ni t.OhWow!It urnt o
him, hisgazef ixedonmeandf i
ll
edwi t
hjoy.I
l
iter
al lyfloattohim, jumponhi m,Frenchki ssing
himl ikeit'sthelastthi ngIhavet odo.
“
Sweet
hear
t?”
“
MyRose?
”
“
Youdi
dalloft
hisf
orme?
”I'
m awareoft
het
ear
sof
j
oyf
all
ingf
reel
ydownmycheeks.
“
Yesbabe,
onl
yforyoudar
li
ng.
”
“Thankyou.”That'
sallImanagetosay.Hecareful
ly
putsmeont hebed, ki
ssesmyf or
eheadand
removeshisjacket.Seei
nghismusclesfl
ex,t
urns
meon, hedoesn'thavetotouchmef ormetobeon
cloudnine,
Ithi
nkher eali
zeswhatI'
mt hi
nki
ng.
“
Hol
dthatt
hought
.”Tomysur
pri
seheopenshi
s
l
apt
op.
“Whatareyoudoing?
”Whoeverhe'svideocal
li
ng'
s
photoemergesonthescreen.I
ttakesmehalfa
secondtorecogni
zehisf
ace.
“
Heydad.
”Oursonwaves.
“HeySonny.So, It
ookyouradvi
ceandI'
m her
ewith
mywi f
e.”Hebr i
efl
yglancesupatme.“
Andshe's
happy,I
'm happy,sowegood.”
“That'
sgreat.Noneedtogoovert hatli
stagai
n,I
sti
llr
ememberever yt
hingandIpromi setobeonmy
bestbehaviorandnotdist
urb.Butbeforeyougo,
canIsaygoodni ghttoher?”
“
Yeahsur
e.”Het
urnst
hel
apt
opf
orhi
mtoseeme.
“
HeyMommy.
”
“
Sonny,
didyouhaveyoursupper
?”
“Yesmommy.I'
m goi
ngtosl
eep,goodnight
,love
you.”Hebl
owsmeakissbef
oreshutt
inghisscreen.
Wej usthadthemostr
elaxi
ngwarm bathi
natub
fi
ll
edwi t
hroses,
Ihadwinewhil
erel
axingi
nthe
bathbuthedidn'
t.Het
oldmehe'shadquit
eaday
andwoul dn'
twantt onott hi
nkst raightr i
ghtnow.
Afterwhathappenedwhenhef oundoutabouthi s
mot her,heonlydr inksalcoholoccasi onally.Oh?
DidIment i
ont hatheact uallycarriedmet othebath,
undr essedme, massagedmyf eetandshoul der
s
befor ebathi
ngme.Hi seyesneverl eftmi newhile
doingal lofthi
s, Ifel
thot ,t
hewi neaddedt omy
miser ybuthej ustwoul dn'ttouchmet hewayI
want edt obecauseI 'm servingmypuni shment ,
unfor t
unatel
y.Whopuni shessomeonei nar oom
fi
ll
edwi t
hallther omant icstuff
?Tof urtherpunish
me, het ookthel i
bertytomoi st
urizemybody.I
pl
eadedwi thhim buthe' snotgi vingi n.
“
Husband,
whyt
her
edr
oses?
”If
inal
lyquest
ionhi
m.
“Becausegivenal lofthem r
osesyouwoul d
probablygof orred.Iwentwithyourfirstchoi
cefor
achange.Ial soknowyouhavebeenwonder i
ng
whodi dallthedecor at
ions,
Idid.Iwentt othe
mar ket,
boughtal lt
heneededst uff
,cameher e,I
wasf uri
ousact uall
yandIbadlyneededyoubutyou
weren'tther
e.Iwor kedinsil
enceunt i
lIfound
mysel fmarveli
ngatt heworkofmyownhands.I
didthedecor ationsmysel fbecauseIdon' tfeel
comf ortablewi thast rangerwal ki
ngar oundmy
bedroom.I tjustdoesn' tf
eelright,Iwantour
bedroomst obeourownhavenwi t
hpr ivacy.We
spendmostofourt i
mewi thpeopl e,Iguesswe
deservet hisl i
tt
lepr i
vacy.Apl aceonl yus, oursons
andyoursi blingsknowwhati t
'sli
ket obei nside.
”
Thet rusthehasf ormysi bl
ingsi ssomet hingnot
anybr other -
in-l
awcanhavef orhisin-laws.
What everwesayi nourbedr oom whi lewi tht hem
stayst here.Theynevergossi pabouti tort elldador
mom.
“Thisislovely.Youdidagreatj
obdar
li
ng,Il
ove
you.”Ikisshi m buthehol
dsbackmaki
ngme
frust
rated.Tohi mi t
'
samusing,
Iwanthi
mt otouch
mesobadt hatIcanevengodownmykneesand
beg.
“Youlookcut
ewhensul ki
ng.”Heteases.“Cl
ose
youreyes.
”What?Isthi
sguyf orr
eal?Wai t
?Ishe
evenmydearPr i
ncewhodoesever ythi
nghecant o
seeasmi l
eonmyf ace?Withalotofhesitat
ion,Ido
asI'
mt ol
d.Icanfeel
hismovement s,Ihearhim
openingthedrawandr etur
ningtowher ehewas
seatedbefor
e.Hetakesmyhandandsuddenl yI
feelsomethi
ngcoolerandmet all
iconmywr i
st,
my
eyespopopen.Ilookatitadmi r
ingit
'sglimmer,i
t'
s
adiamondbr acel
et!Notonlythatbutithasa
meani ng,
wri
tteni
ni t
ali
cs.“Thankyouf oral
ways
beingmyr ai
nbowaf t
erthestorm.”
*
***
***
***
*

Livi
ngatt heRoyalPalacesi
mpl ymeansyouhave
tofoll
owt herul
es.Noonei sall
owedi noroutoft
he
gateafter9pm unlessit'
surgent.Samke,t
he
maidenwant stogoourbutt heguar dsar
en'
t
all
owingher .
“Doyouwantt
ogetusf
ir
ed?
”Hi
ssest
heseni
or
guar
d.
“Ohcomeon, guys!Justaf
ewminutes,Iwil
lbe
backbefor
eyouevenbatyoureyel
ids.”Shesmil
es
hereveral
lur
ingsmile.
“
No!Justgobackinside,weval
ueourj
obsmore
t
hanfi
ve-mi
nute-
pleasuresyoual
waysbri
bepeopl
e
wit
h.”Saystheguard.Sheshamef ull
ywal ksback,
headdownandsul king.Sheseesaf i
gurebyt he
pool
,sheslowlywalkstowardsthefigure.When
shegetscloser
,sheseesaf l
ickerofli
ght.
“Sbu!
”Shecal
lsoutbutt
hef
igur
est
aysput
.“Sbu!
”
Shecall
sagai
n.
“I
fyouar
egoingtokeepshouti
ngmynamet hen
pl
easegobackinsi
dethehouseandleavemethe
hel
lal
one.
”Sherunstohim andhugshimti
ght.
“Iunder
stand,youmissherbutt heydon'
t
underst
and.Itwil
lcomet opass.”Hedrawsint
he
smokeandpuf fs,t
hebluishresi
duedescendsto
theskyleavi
ngsmal l
tracesofitintheat
mosphere
“Shewoul dhaveknownwhatt odoint i
mesl i
ke
these.Shewoul dhaveknownwhatt ypeofbeercan
sendmest rai
ghtt
omybedbutshe' snother eand
shel ef
twithoutt
eachingmehowt olivewit
hout
her.”Hethrowsthecigarbuttt
oaneardi st
ance.
“Whyi sli
fesocompl i
cated?
”Samkebl ankl
ylooks
athim asshei satalossofwords.
“
Whati
sgoi
ngonSbu?
”Shef
inal
lyasks.
“Youwon'tunderst
and.GotobedIwi l
lbefi
ne.”He
doesn'
twaitforhertopr
otestorsayanyt
hing.He
j
umpsi nt
ot hepool.
*
***
***
***

“
YourMaj
est
y.”TheQueensayst
urni
ngt
ofacehi
m.
“Whyareyouaddressi
ngmeli
kethati
nour
bedr
oom? ”Hemakesherli
eonhi
schest.“
I'
m not
angr
yifthat
'swhatyouar
ethi
nki
ng.”Herf
aceli
ts
up.
“Reall
y?Whyareyouqui
etandseem t
obeavoi
ding
everyonet
hen?
”
“Aft
erwhatIsawi nmyson' sbedroom Istart
ed
wonderi
ng.Itwast hefi
rstti
mehel aidahandona
woman, Sbunevereverraiseshishandt oawoman
healwayswal ksawaysincehi schi
ldhood.Seeing
daught
er-i
n-lawcoveredinblood,Igotworri
edf or
hiswel
lbeing.Mysoni shurti
ngmor ethanhel et'
s
on,heneedssomeonehet ruststopourhisheart
outandthat'
swher emypr oblem i
s.Sneisnomor e
thatmeanst hearetwopeoplehet r
ustsleft
,
daught
er-
in-
lawNomt
haandhi
sbr
other
.Whati
f--
”
“No,darl
ing.Nothingwillhappentoourchi
ldren,
our
sonswi l
lnotfightbecausetheyloveeachotherand
daughter-
in-l
awNomt haalwayshasasoluti
on
whenpr oblemsar i
se.”
“Thi
sinvol
vesher
,whathappenswhensheactsout
ofanger?Remember,
she'
snotanangelbuthuman
too.
”Hesayswari
ly.
“Iknow.St opwor ryi
ngtoomuchaboutthatissue,
youshoul dbewor ri
edabouttheCrownPri
nce.Ever
sincet heNgcobosshoweduphe' snott
heloving
self.IknowIj ustmethim afewyearsbackbutI
cant ellsomethingiswrong.
”
“Iknow.He'ssomeonewhodoesn' ttal kt
oomuch
abouthisproblemsbutact st osolvet hem.My
greatestf
earishim goingallcrazyl ikehedoes
whenhe' sprovokedandt ur
nst hisKi ngdom upside
down.Hehasaser ioushott emperj ustl i
kehis
greatgrandf
ather.Ithi
nkweshoul dnegot iat
ewith
theMayorandt heNgcobos, maket hem under st
and
i
t'snotuswear eworri
edaboutbutt hem.Mysons
arecrazyandI
'mful
lawar
eofwhatt
heyar
e
capableof.
”Hesi
ghs.
“I
twil
lallwor
koutdar l
ing.Youneedtost op
worr
yingbecauseifyoucont i
nuel
ikethisyouwil
l
di
everysoon.”Thebothl aughbef
orekissing.

I
nZodwaandSbu'
sbedr
oom.
“
Mama,isdaddyangr
yatus?
”Onesi
saasksher
mot
her
.
“Nobabyhe'
sjustgoi
ngt
hroughtoughti
mes,he
wil
lbefi
ne.
”Zodwasays,
hervoiceuncer
tai
n.Wil
l
he?
“Okay.Whoistheghost?
”Shepest
ers.Zodwai
s
shockedtohearheraskthat
.
“
Wher
edi
dyouheart
hat
?Wer
eyoueavesdr
oppi
ng?
”
“
No.Ihear
dyousayi
ngt
hat
.”
“
Ther
eisnoghost
,okay?
”Onesi
sanods.
“
Mama,
she'
sagoodper
son,
isn'
tshe?
”
“
Who?
”
“Alwande'
smom.Mybr ot
herssayshe'sthebest
mom.Imeanshe' salwayslaughi
ng,taki
ng
Alwandeeverywherehewant stogo,evenme
somet i
mes,sheevenvisit
smybr othersi
nAust r
ali
a
j
ustt ohavefunny.Whydon'tyoudot hesame?I
alsowantanadvent ur
ousmot her
.”Zodwaf ai
ntly
smi l
es.
“Yeah.She'
sthebestmotherandsister
.Iwi
llt
ryto
beanadventurousmom.”At eardropsonherpil
l
ow.
“Ti
met ogotobedSisa.Goodnight
.”Shetucksher
i
n.She'sabouttoswit
chofftheli
ghtswhenher
phonebeeps.
***
*Sl
eepi
ngintheguest
room,It
houghtIshoul
dlet
youknowjusti
ncase.Goodni
ght.
***
**

*
***
***
*

Si
yabonga'
isempti
esamil
li
onthbot
tl
eofbeer
,a
ci
garet
tei
nbetweenhi
sfi
ngersandt
earsof
fr
ustr
ati
onroll
ingdownhischeeks.He'
saboutt
o
openanotheronebutNel
istopshim.
“
Youknowwhat ?I
'm goi
ngtotelldadaboutthi
s,
whatthef**
*iswrongwithyou?Doyouact uall
y
wanttodri
nkyourli
feawayf orsomeone'sl
ovely
wif
e?No!Comeon, dude,suckitupandletthis
wholethi
nggo!”Sheyell
sathim.
“Shelookedsobeaut i
fulandgor geous.Herdress
huggedherbodypr ovocativelyasthefrontpartofit
exposedonlyalit
tleofhercl eavagetoteaseallof
us.Shedoesn'tneedmakeup, no,shel
ooksper fect
i
nhernat ur
alskinandshepr oudlyembr acesi
t.You
shouldhaveseenher ,she'
st hegoddess.”Hehasa
sadsmi l
eonhisf ace.
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?Ar
eyoust
alki
ngher
?”
“No,notst
alkingher.Ineededt oseeher
,Ineeded
tohearherlaugh,Ineededt oseehowherbrows
fur
rowwhensomeonenextt ohercursesoruses
badlanguage.That'
sal lIneeded-
-”
“St
op,okay?Siya,youareslowl
ylosi
ngyourmind
andI'
m notlet
tingithappen.WhatdoIhavet
odo
f
oryout
ofor
getabouther
?”
“Justonenightwi t
hher,letmetoucheveryinchof
herbody,letmef eelmyselfi
nsideher
--
-”Onesisa
slapshim hard,hestaggersandalmostfal
lsbefor
e
fi
nall
yregisteri
ngwher eexact
lyhe'
sat.
“SHEISMARRI EDANDHAPPY!I sitsohardto
acceptt
hatandmoveon? ”She'
sfuming.Her
brot
herl
aughsoutloud.
“Yes.Youknowwhy?BecauseIl oveher .I
'
m going
tof i
ghtf orher,I'
m goi ngt oki
llthatbastardofa
princei fIhavet o.Hehast opayf oreveryt
hinghe
putmet hrough,Iremi ndedhim ofhowhebr okemy
j
aw, heshowednor emor seatall,inst
eadhedar ed
met or ui nhisromant icdinner,canyoui magi ne?
Me?Si yabonga, sonoft hegreatPhi li
pNgcobo?I
stoodt her eandwat chedhi mr omanci ngherinfront
ofme.No!He' sgoi ngt opayforal lthehumi l
iat
ionI
wentt hr oughbecauseofhi m!”Heshout s.
“Thenstopdri
nking,st
opgett
ingdrunkandthi
nk
str
aightforachange.Youcan'
tjustgoandatt
ack
him becausehe'
snotgonnasitbackandwatchyou
takeawayhiswife.Think,t
hinkSiyabonga.I'
m not
l
etti
ngyoutakemedownwi thyoubecauseofyour
stupi
dit
y!”Sheslamst hedoorbehi ndandleaves
herbrot
herreachi
ngf oranotherbottl
eofbeer.
“
Iwil
lhaveher
,comer ai
norsunshi
ne!”Heswear
s,
t
akesaswigofhisdr
ink.
*
***
***
***

Thefol
lowingdayNomt hatri
estoopenhereyes
butf
ail
s.Sher eachesontheothersi
deoft
hebed,
i
t'
sempt y.Shestart
stopanic.
“
Hey,wifey.Goodmor
ning.”Sphaki
ssesher
f
orehead.
“Hey.Wher
edidyougo?Youscar
edme.
”Shesays
hereyesst
il
lcl
osed.
“
Iwasherewat
chi
ngyouwhil
etryingt
ogetmy
wor
kdone.Whyar
eyounotopeningyoureyes?
”
“Ihaveaser
iousheadache,
ever
ypartofmybodyis
aching,
I'
mthir
styandIfeel
li
keI'
m get
ti
ngsi
ck.”
“
Shoul
dIcal
ladoct
or?
”Hi
svoi
cei
slacedwi
th
concer
n.
“No.Letmett akeacol dshowerandseewhatt his
i
s,maybei t'
sjustahangover .Idon'trememberhow
manygl assesofwi ne--
-”Shefeelseverycont
ent s
ofherstomachr isi
ngt oherthroat.Shepusheshi m
awayandr unst othebat hr
oom wher esheempt ies
herstomach.Af t
eraf ewmi nutesshet r
iest
obr ush
herteet
hbutagai nshepukes.
“Babe,areyouokay?”Hepushest hedoortof
ind
hersit
ti
ngont hetoi
letseatcover
edinsweat,
her
skinpaleandhereyessleepy.Hefil
lsthet
ubwith
coldwater,undr
essesherandput sherint
hetub.
“If
eelweak,
real
lyweakanddr
owsy.
”Shesays,
her
voi
cecomingoutasawhisper
.
“
Youwi
llbef
ine.Thedoct
orwi
llbeher
esoon.
”
Aft
erbat
hingher,hetakesherbacktobedand
makesherli
edown.Heof fer
ssomet hi
ngtoeatbut
shepol
it
elydecl
inesanddozesof fwhi
lehewari
ly
l
ooksather.
[
07/
21,
13:
41]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
..

Chapt
er13.

Pr
inceSphamandl
a'
sPOV.

Mywi fe'sbeennotf eeli

ngwel lfort wodaysnow,
wear estillatthehot elbecauset hedoct oradvised
againstmovi ngheri nt hecondi ti
onshe' sin.If
orce
hertoeatbutshevomi tsever
yt hingaf terwards.I'
m
tr
yingtobest rongbutImustconf ess,thiswoman
l
yingont hebedwi t
hhermout hsl ightlyopeni smy
weakness.I 'm usedt oseeingt hej oll
ysi deofher
butanyway, sicknessdoeshappeni nlif
e.Wecan' t
al
waysbeheal thy.Thedoct orcame, checkedher
andsai ditwast hehangoverbutIwasst i
llnot
convinced.Iaskedhi mt odobl oodt estsandI '
m
nowwai t
ingf orresults.
Thepasttwodayshavebeenthewor st
,si
ncemy
wif
eissick,
Ideci
dedtotakeoverherduti
es.Ooh
boy!Onl yifIhadt hesl ightesti deaofwhatIwas
signi ngupf or !Mywi fe'sphonehasacal endarf ul
l
ofr emi nders.Iwassur pri
sedandl eftwonder ing
howi nt hehel ldoesshemanaget ogetever ything
doneandst illmanaget of ulfi
llherwi f
elydut ies.
NowIunder standandcansay, t
hewor l
dwoul dn't
bet hesamewi thoutwomen.Fi rstt hingi nthe
mor ningaf t
ert akingherbat hsher emi ndsheri n-
l
aws( mom anddad)t ot aket hei rsuppl ement s, she
briefst hechefondut yonMuzi 'sdi et(oursoni s
all
er gict omanyt hings. ),shemakessur eMuzii s
readyf orschoolbyexact ly7O' Cl ock, shecal lsher
par entst ofindouti fever ythingi sokaybackhome,
bysevent hirtyshemakessur eIgetmyhot
steami ngcof feeandmyof fi
cecl othesar eready
andever yt
hingIneedi si nmybr iefcase.I'mt ired
alreadybyonl ynar ratingt his,wel l,sheget sr eady
forof ficeandi sneverl ateunl essI 'mt heone
delayi ngher .Att heof fice, shet akescar eofal most
ever ythingincl udingmyi mpor t
antmeet i
ngsand
thenat12noonherphonebeepsr emi ndinghert hat
shehas15mi nutest opi ckThandoupatschool .
Picki nghi mi smor elikesi gningupf ortakingovera
wholechi l
dshel terorwhat ever
,mysoni svery
advent urous, i
t'snotf unny.Hewi l
lnameal lt
ypesof
i
ce-cream f lavor shewant stotast
ethatparti
cular
day,thecomi cbookshewant stopurchaseandoh!
Hewi llbeaski ngahel ll
otofquesti
onsthatmake
mewonderi fhe' sreallyeightyear
sold.One
O'Cl
ockheral arm buzzes, shehast oremindmot her
-i
n-l
awt ogot ot hebankbecausemyi n-l
awshave
tr
ustissueswi ththeirempl oyeessotheydot he
bankingt hemsel ves.
...
Myheadisspinni
ngal
ready,
thephonei
sbuzzing
andit
'
stimetogoandpickupmyson.Ican'
tleave
heral
one.
“
Brot
her
-i
n-l
aw?
”Sheanswer
simmedi
atel
y.
“Ineedafavor.Yoursist
eri
snotfeel
ingwellandI
can'tl
eaveheralone.Canyoucomeher ei
nt en
minutes?”
“Yeahsure.
”IhearKiararunni
ngont heot hersi
de
oftherecei
verGodknowswher et o.“
Okay, I'
m
taki
ngcoinsthatar
er eser
vedforemer gency
short
agesinthekit
chenyouwi llhavetopayme
backorel
semom wi
llki
llme.
”I'
mtempt
edt
olaugh.
“
Okayf
ine.Justbeher
einnotmor
ethant
en.
”Iend
t
hecal
l.

Thedoct
orknocksj
ustasIputmyphonedown.
“Heydoc.Tel
lmemywi f
e'sgoingtobefi
ne?
”Iask
usher
inghiminsi
de.Hebr i
efl
ylooksatmebefor
e
handi
ngmet heresul
ts.Istar
eathim,hesmil
es.
“Per
fect
lyfine.Yourwi f
eisverymuchf ine,Sir
.”I
don'
tunderstand,mywi feislyi
ngont hatbedand
heissayingshe'sf i
ne.“Youguysshouldbehappy,
youareexpecting.”Iscream,notbecauseI '
m
shockedorangr ybutI'm overt
hemoon.I 'vebeen
wait
ingforthisforyearsnow.
“I
t'
snotaj okedoct or
,ri
ght?”Hesmi l
esreassuring
andnodsal ong.Iruntomywi feandkissher,Idon'
t
careifshe'
shal fdeadornot,I'
m happy.Myt earsof
j
oyf al
lonherf orehead,sheslowlyopensher
sl
eepyeyes.
“
I'
m notdead,
am I
?”Ishakemyhead.“
Thenwhy
ar
eyoucr
ying?
”
“I'
m happyBabe.Youal waysmakemet hehappiest
personever,t
hankyou.Wear epregnant
,MyRosé!”
Itakeherinmyar ms,Imaynotalwaysshowhow
muchIappr eci
ateherbutIreal
lydoandIwillbe
thankfult
oGodf orgi
vinghertome.
“Areyousure,Spha?”Inod.SheFrenchkissesme
alt
houghIcanf eelshe'
ssti
llweakandsleepy,she'
s
happytoo.JustthenKiarast
ormsin.
“It
houghtIwassupposedt obabysi
therandnow?
”
She'sconf
used.Ibeckonhertocometome.She
sit
snexttous.“What'
sgoingon?”
“Youaregoi
ngt obeanaunt ,agai
n!”Shejumpson
heral
mosttakingallofusdown, Nomthawinces.
MydearKiaraisaver yreser
vedandshypersonbut
I'
venot
icedthatshe'snotscaredofme.She'sfr
ee
evenwhenI'
m ar ound.
“
Easy.She'
sst
il
lnotf
eel
ingwel
l
.”
Thedoctorgivesust heprescri
pti
on,he'
saboutto
givef
urtheri
nstruct
ionsbutt hephoneisbuzzi
ng
conti
nuouslyandIhavet ogetoutofher eassoon
aspossi
blebef
oreIl
etmywi
fedown.
“Takecareofher.Anythingt
roubl
esyou,I'
ma
phonecallaway.Babe, t
hankyou.Takerest
sweetheart
.”Iki
ssherbef or
erunningout.I
'm
smili
ngtomyself,I
'm surepeopl
ear ewonderi
ng
what'
swr ongwithme.
Igett omycar ,unlocksitandstart
stheengine.I
cal
lAnel ewhilereversingandspeedingoutoft he
hotel.Iwil
lhavet oappr eci
atet
hisgir
l,she'
sbeen
l
oyalt omeandt hecompanysi ncedayone.I t
'snot
easyt ofi
ndpeopl elikehernowadayswhenyou
can'teventrustyourownshadow.
*
***
***
***
*

I
nZodwa'
sof
fi
ce.She'
shavi
ngl
unchwi
thherf
ri
end.
“Mngane,don'ttellmeyouar eactuallythi
nki ngof
l
eavi
ngt hathotguy? ”Thef r
iendsipsherj uice.I
wonderwher eZodwaf oundthisfri
endofher s,she
hashalfatoneofmake- upon, i
t'
snotevensexyor
cut
ewi t
hherbl uel i
ps.Hernailsarelongand
pai
ntedlimegr een,herlashesridi
culouslylongI '
m
sur
etheyar
ether
easonshe'
sbat
ti
ngt
hem nonst
op.
“
Hedoesn'
tloveme.
”Answer
sZodwa.
“Sowhat ?Whocar esaboutloveanyway?Whatisit
thatyouwant ?Fr om whatI '
veheard,t
heguyknows
howt ogetthingsdoneont hesexdepartment
,he
hasanei ghtdigitbankbal ance.Hetakesyouout
forfancydinners, buysyoust uf
f,youhavea
companybecauseofhi m andnowyouwantt o
l
eave?Nonono!Notundermywat ch.
”Shesays
dramatical
lywavi ngherf i
ngerinZodwa'sface.
“Di
dyouhearwhatIsaid?Sbulovessomeoneel
se
notme,what'
sthepoi
ntinmest ayi
ngint
his
marri
age?”Hervoi
ceisstr
ained.
“Zodwawee!Idon' tknowwhet heryouar edumbor
stupi d!Thepointismoneydar l
ing.Manygi r
ls
i
ncl udingmewi l
lkil
lforthatoppor t
unit
yplease
don' tdowhatyouar eplanning.Lovedoesn'tpay
bil
ls, moneydoes.Wi ththatsaid, hol
dont oMrCut e
boybef oresomeonewhoneedsi tmor esnatches
him awayf r
om you.”
“
Itdoesn'
tfeelr
ight
.Iwantsomeonewhocanshow
mehowi tf
eel
sl i
ketobeloved,t
obetouchedby
someonewhor eal
lyl
ovesmenotsomeonewho
seesamotherofhischi
ldreninme.
”Shesighs.
“Thenfi
ndal overboy.Aben10whateverandget
shagged.That'
swhatyouwant ,
right
?”
“No.Sbudoest heshaggi
ngbutit'
stheemotion
that
'slacking.Theconnect
ionofoursoulsli
ketwo
peopleinloveshouldbe.I'
mr eal
lyt
iredofbeggi
ng
himtol oveme. ”
“Thenstopbegging.Fi
ndlovesomewher eelsebut
don'tdi
vorcehim.Youneedt hemoney,thestat
us
andt hi
nkaboutyourchil
dren.I
fyouleaveyouwon't
everseethem especi
all
yyoursons.”
“Ican'
tdothat.Ican'
tdi
srespectt
heKingandhi
s
palacebydoingsuchfil
thythi
ngsunderhi
sroof
.”
“Wil
ltheKi nggiveyouwhatyouwant ?No,buta
ben10wi l
l.Comeon, youwon'tbethefir
st
entr
epr eneurtodoi tmostpeopl edoitbecause
real
ly,youcan'tleavet hemanwhohasal lthe
moneyi nthewor l
df orlove.Lovei
sn'
tthatpowerf
ul
darl
ing.”
*
***
***
*
Spha'
sPOV.

“Ummm. .
..
goodafternoon,Sir
.”Thel
adycar
ryi
ng
Thando'
ssatchel
dr opsit
,picksit
,dr
opsi
tagai
n.
“Goodaft
ernoon.It
hinkIwi
ll
taket
hat
.”Ir
eachf
or
ourson'
sbag.
“I
'm sor
ryfort
hecl
umsi
nessi
t'
sjustt
hatIdi
dn'
t
expectyouto-
-”
“Towhat ?Pickmysonupathisschool
?”Peopl
e
alwaysthinkIbehavedi
ff
erent
lyonl
ybecauseI
'
ma
Prince.
“
Nonono,
nott
hat
.Imeanyou-
--you.
..
”
“OkayMa'am, t
hankyouf
ort
akingcar
eofhim.I
havetogo.”Ifl
ashasmil
eatherandl
eaveher
standi
ngtherewit
hhermout
hopen.Idon'
tknowif
she'sal
waysthiscl
umsyorwhat.
“Heydad.How'
smommy?”Thandoi
sal
ready
buckl
edup.
“Get
ti
ngbetter
.Doyouwantt
ohearthegood
news?”Igl
anceathi
m,hi
sfacel
ight
sup.
“Yes!Whati
sit
?Mommyandyouar
ecomi
ngback
home? ”
“
No.Youar
egoi
ngt
obeabi
gbr
other
.”
“Reall
y?”Idon'tknowhowandwhenheunbuckl ed
himself,
he'sout sidescr
eamingandcelebrati
ngl i
ke
alunati
c.Ifindmysel fsmil
ingtomysel
f.Ot her
chil
drenarel ookingandwonderingwhatisitthat
madehi m sohappyandcheer y.
“
Thando,
let
'sgomommyneedsus.
”Hej
umpsback
i
nandIspeedoff
.
“Dad,passbyt hef l
owershop.Ihavet obuysome
formommy.”Hesaysnotl ooki ngatmebutbusy
tapi
nghi sphonescr een.Itrytol ookclosertof i
nd
outwhohe' schat t
ingwithbuthel ockshisscr een
i
mmedi ately.Acallcomest hrough, i
t'
sfrom his
aunt,Linda.Hebr i
efl
ytalkst oher ,
theyare
speakingi nr i
ddlesandIf eelli
ket heyarehiding
somet hingf rom al
lofus.I '
m aboutt oaskhim
abouthi scr edi
tcardbutacal lcomest hrough.
“Sphamandl
aTshabangu,
hel
lo.
”Isayt
omy
Bluet
oot
hheadset
.
“Brot
her-
in-
law,amanf or
cedhiswayintoyour
room.”Ki
arawhi sper
s.Mybloodboi
ls,Iknow
exactl
ywhoi ti
s.
“
Wher
ear
eyou?
”
“I
nthebat
hroom.Si
sterissl
eepi
ngandhe'
slooki
ng
atheri
nacreepywaypleasehur
ry.
”
“Okay.Don' tpanic,
Ineedyout oactasi fyouare
getti
ngacal lf
rom Thando'sdriver,getoutofthat
room wi thoutmakinganysuspi ciousmove.I fhe
asks, t
ellhim youaregoingtogetThandof r
om the
parki
ngl ot.Mycarwi l
lbeparkedatt hereserved
parki
ngl ot.GetThandoandgobackupst ai
rsto
yoursister.”I'
m dri
vingasfastast hiscarcangoas
Igot hroughar edrobot.
“
But
--
”
“Hewil
lbel
onggonewhenyougetback.Trustme.
”
Shedropst
hecal
l.Thandoi
slookingatme,
I'
m sur
e
hecanseehowangryIam r
ightnow.
“What
'sgoingon?Youj
umpedar
edr
obot
?”He
quest
ions.
“
Nothi
ngser
ious.Ihavetotakecar
eofsomethi
ng
i
mport
ant
,wewi l
lcomebackl at
ertobuyf
lower
s
f
orMommy,okay? ”Henods.

NARRATED.

AssoonasKiar
amakesherwayoutoftheroom,
Si
yabongamakesanatt
empttowipesweatfr
om
Nomtha'
sfor
ehead.Nomthast
opshishandmidai
r.
“Don'
tyoueventhi
nkabouti
t.
”He'sshocked.How
doessheknowwhathe'saboutt
odowhenshe
l
ookedlikesomeonef
astasl
eep.
“But
--.
.How--
”Hestut
ter
s.Nomthasl
owl
yopenher
eyesandsi
tsup.Shel
ooksbet
ter.
“I
fIwereyouIwouldgetoutofher
ebefor
ethe
Pri
ncearri
ves.Youar
eplayi
ngwithfi
reSi
yabonga
Phil
ipJr
.”Shewarns.
“
YouknowwhoIam?
”Justt
henSphast
ormsi
nthe
room.Hel i
ter
all
yrunst
ohi
swifeandhugshert
ight
.
Seeingthatshe'
sokay,
het
urnshi
satt
enti
onto
Siyabonga.
“
Canwet
alk?Out
side?
”
“
Ihavenot
hingt
osayt
oyou?
”
“Ohyousur edo.Ifindyourfi
lt
hyselfinmypr i
vate
room, nextt
omywi fewhoisnotfeel
ingwelland
yousayyouhavenot hingt
oexplain?”Sphagives
him adeadlystarewhichmakeshi m saythi
ngs
withouteventhinki
ng.
“
Okayf
ine.
”Heagr
ees.
“Babe,Iwil
lbebacki
nfi
ve.
”Nomthawari
lyl
ooksat
him buthefl
ashesasmi
leandshut
sthedoor
behindhim.

Pri
nceSphaleadsSi
yabongatotheroom atthef
ar
end.Hepunchesasecr
etcode,adoubleglassdoor
openstoaroom t
hatl
ooksli
keagym.
“
Geti
n.”Heor
der
s.
“
No.I
'
m notgoi
ngi
nther
e.”Si
yabongadef
ieshi
m.
“
Ohyesyouar e.Theeasywayort hehardway.”He
r
eluct
ant
lygetsin.Sphaagainpunchesacodeand
t
hedoorisshutinstant
ly.Hetur
nstoSiyabonga.
“
Whatgivesyout
her
ightt
obei
nmyr
oom wi
thmy
wif
e?”
“I
--
”Apunchsendshi m crashingont hef l
oor.“Last
ti
meyoumi sbehavedwi t
hmysi ster,Ionlybr oke
yourjawbutt hist i
meyouwentt oof arandyouwi l
l
bepuni shedaccor dingly.”Siyabongapi cksar od,
he'
saboutt ohi thim butSphaswi flytur ns,j
umps
andki cksther od.“ Don'ttr
ytobesmar tdude. ”
Anotherpunch, Siyabongast agger sandf all
sont he
fl
oor.Hi shandr eachesf orsomet hingi nhisback
butSpha' sshoei salreadyonhi sar m br eakingit
i
ntot wopi eces.Si yabongascr eamsashef eelsthe
excruciati
ngpai ns.“Youcanscr eam al lyourlungs
out.Thewhol ehot elissoundpr oofed,noonewi ll
hearyou. ”
“Pleasedon'thur
tme.I'
m sorr
yformessi
ngwit
h
you, Idon'
twantyourwi
febuthersi
ster
--
”Anot
her
kickonhi sstomach,
hegroans.
“Siyabonga,becarefulIcanki
llanyoneformywife.
Steerclearf
rom heroryouandIwi l
lhaveser
ious
problems.Ihatehitt
ingyoubecauseyouar e
cowar dyouneverfightsbackandf orbei
nga
cowar d,t
akethi
s!”Hest ompsonhi sleg,
he
screams.
“Youar ehurt
ingme, pleasestop!”Hegr oans.
Siyabongaisbeat entoapul p,hisbloodis
everywhere,he'snolongerscr eamingIguesshe
faint
ed.Sphat akesouthisphonedi alst
he
emer gencynumberandasksf oranambul ancebut
givesthem t
heNgcobosaddr ess.Hecal l
ssomeone
tocomeandcl eanupt hemessbef orewashinghis
hands, f
aceandchecki ngifhehasbl oodonhisT-
shirt
.Heopensadr awer,takesoutcl eanclot
hes
andchanges.
“Thisisjustawarni
ng.St
ayawayfr
om myf amil
y
Siyabongaoryourfamil
ywil
lbur
nintoasheswhil
e
youwat chthem di
eslowl
yandyouwillbechar
ged
formur der.
”
[
07/
21,
13:
41]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er14.

Sphastepsoutoftheroom onl
ytocomef acet
o
facewit
hhisyoungerbrot
her.Hishear
tthumpsin
hisear
s,hewipeshiseyesprayi
ngforitt
obea
dream.
“
Youarenotdreaming.What
'sgoi
ngon?
”Sbuasks
wit
hastr
aightface.
“Don'
tgeti
nvolved.Thi
sismybusinesspl
easest
ay
outofi
tbefor
eyougethur tf
orsomethi
ngyoudon't
knowhowitallstart
ed.
”Hepushespasthi
m but
Sbupull
shim back.
“
Ist
hemot
her
fu*
***dead?”Sbumut
ter
s.
“No.I'
m notamur der
erSbu,mywifeandsonare
waiti
ngf ormejustafewfeetawayfr
om t
hisr
oom.
Pleaseletitgo.
”Hepleads.
“
No.Hel
lno!Thi
sguy'
sbeeninourfacessi
ncewe
wer
eyoungandnowhe'sback.Wasn'
thewarned
whenweshothissist
er?Letmedealwi
thhi
m--
”
Sphagr
abshiscoll
ar.
“I
fyoudar egoanywhereneart hatguyIswearI '
m
goingtokil
lyouSbu.I'
drathergot ojai
lthansee
yout hr
owawayyourl i
feli
kethat,Icanhandlemy
businessandyouknowt hat.Besides,t
heguyi s
halfdead.Howdidyouknow? ”Sphaisraging.Sbu
smilesseeinghi
mlikethi
s.
“Waytogobr other.Ithoughtyouhadl ostyour
i
denti
tybutI'
m gl adIwaswr ong.Theroom isunder
sur
vei
llanceandIhappenedt obelooki
ngatt he
monit
orwhenyout ookhimi n.”Theyshoulder
bump.“Youdon' tsmel ll
ikesomeonewhoj ust
al
mostmur deredsomeone. ”
“F**kyou!I
'm scar
edonedayIwon'
tbeablet
o
controlmyangerandmywi f
ewil
lbeter
ri
fi
edofme.
Idon'twanthertobescar
edofme.”Headmit
sas
theywalkback.
“Bel
ieveme,I
'veseensi
ster
-i
n-l
aw'
sothersi
deand
youhavenothingonher
.Thatwomanisabeast
hidi
ngbehi
ndacut esmil
e.Youshoul
dhaveseen
herwhenmycarexpl
oded,shedraggedmet
othe
carl
ikeIwasaoneyearol
dkid.
”Theybothl
augh.
“Speaki
ngofwhi
ch,
didyouf
indoutwhowant
edt
o
kil
lyou?”
“NotclearbutI
'm suresi
ster-i
n-l
awknows
somethingwedon' t
.”Sphar eachesfort
hedoor
handleofhisroom butdecidesagainsti
t.
“Waitformei nthefamil
ylounge,Nomthai
snot
feel
ingwel landIdon'
twantallofustobecr
owdi
ng
herspace.Ihavebusinesstotakecareof
downst ai
rs.”
“Sure.
”Sbudoesn'
tquest
ionhim butagrees.Spha
giveshim at
humbsupandr unstothelobby,then
downhegoes.
Therecepti
oni
stl
ooksupandseeshi
m st
andi
ng
ri
ghti
nf r
ontofher
.Shetenses.
“Youandyou( point
ingtot
heguard)arefi
red.You
havef i
veminutestopackal
lyourst
uffandgetthe
helloutofher
e.”Het ur
nst
oleavebutthetwoare
quickl
yt omoveandkneelbefor
ehim.
“
Please,
Sir
.”Theybeg.
“Don'
tpleasesirme!Myroom i
smypr i
vatespace
butyouhadt heaudaci
tyt
osendastrangerup!
Howdar eyou?Takeyourthi
ngsandgetthehellout
ofhere!
”Hehi sses.
“Wehavefamil
iest
ofeed,
pleaseSi
r.
”Theguar
d
pleadswi
thhi
m.
“
Ihaveafamilytoprot
ect.Leave!
”Hestompshis
f
ootdown,thetwotrembl
ebef orehi
m pushi
ngpast
t
hem andrunningupst
air
st aki
ngtwostepsata
t
ime.

“Mommy!”Muzijumpsonhismotherki
ssingheral
l
overt
heface.“
Youarethebestmot
herever,t
hank
you,t
hankyou.Il
oveyousomuch.”Hekissesher
oncemore.
“Andt
hen?Whatdi
dIdot odeser
veal
lthe
aff
ect
ion?
”Nomthaasks.
“
Dadtol
dme.I'
m goingtobeabigbrot
her.”He
j
umpsonher
,Nomt hafal
lsonherbacktakinghi
m
wit
h.Sheengul
fshi
minherar
msandt
heyst
ayl
ike
t
hatunti
lSphacomesi
n.
“
Nodude.Leavemywi
feal
one,
sheneedst
orest
.”
“Pl
easetellhi
m brother-i
n-l
aw.Canyoubeli
eveI
've
beenstandingherelikeastatuewhi
letheyal
lwent
l
oveydoveoneachot her
.IdoubtAl
wandeeven
remembersI '
m here.
”
“Ooohsor r
ydar l
ing.Comeon, letmegi veyourown
hugandaki ssont heforehead.Youear nedit.
”
Kiararunsintohisopenar ms, hehugsherand
kissesherforehead.Shewhi spers“Iwasscar ed.
”
Sphawhi spersback, “
Iknow.I 'm sorr
yf orthat
.”
Nomt hacoughst ogett heiratt
ention.
“CanIhavemyhusbandback? ”Theyalll
augh.
SphapicksherupandFrenchkissesher,Ki
ara
quiet
lyt
akesMuzitothebalcony.Hishearti
ssti
ll
beati
ngandhisangerhasn'
tsubsidesyet
.
“Youwereuptonogooddearhusband.
”Nomt
ha
cocksherheadt
othesi
de.
“
Babe-
-”
“Shhhh!IknowandI '
m notangry.It
rustyoubabe, ”
Shel owershervoice.“
IthinkIlovet
hisot hersi
deof
myhusbandmor e.
”Nomt ha'sphonevibratesinhi
s
pocket.It
'savoicenotefrom Linda,
she'snar r
ati
ng
howr oughherdayatschoolwas.Sphal istens,
Nomt halooksathim withar ai
sedeyebrow.He
types.
****
*Wil
lbethereinaflash.Beagoodgir
landst
op
cryi
ngaboutit
.Ice-
cream doeswonder
stohelpl
if
t
yourmood.*
***
Hepr
essessendanddr
opst
hephonei
nhi
spocket
.
“Areyoureal
lygoi
ngt her
etocomfor
taseventeen
yearoldgi
rlwhojusthadaroughdayatschool?
Whoknows?Maybet eenagehor
monesarealso
addingtoherfr
ustr
ati
ons?Letmedealwit
hher .”
Nomt haoff
ers.
“No.YouhavetorestandIwillt
akecareofallyour
business.Tr
ustme,Ihavebeentherebefor
e,Kayise
wasnotanybet t
er.
”Nomt hapeckshim ontheneck.
“
Thankyouf
orever
ythi
ng.
”
*
***
***
***
Attheuni
ver
sit
yofUml azi,
Luckywal ksoutoft
he
l
abputti
ngonhissunglasses.Heisnotcutenor
doeshehavebicepsbutthere'
ssomet hi
ngabouta
manwhoi sabouttobeamedi caldoctor
.
“Heydoct
orbae?
”Ayoungl
adywear
ingski
mpy
clot
hesgr
eetshi
m.
“
Hi.Iwoul
dappreci
atei
tifyoust
opcal
li
ngme
t
hat.
”Hebrief
lysmi
les.
“Thenamesuit
syouper f
ectl
y!Iwonderhowit
couldbei
fyouaddaf ewmuscl est
othisbodyof
yours?
”Shesmileswolf
ish.
“
Youwon'
tchange,
wil
lyou?
”
“Nope.Tellmesomethi
ng,doesyourbr ot
her-i
n-law
dosidechicks?Imeantheguyi scut
e,loadedwi th
cash,dr
ivesbigcar
sandaPr incesurelyyoursister
candowi thali
tt
lehel
pfrom asidechick,r
ight?”
“Iwi
llki
llyoubef
oreyoucomeanywher
ecl
osert
o
him.
”
“
Rel
axdude-
-”
“Verymuchr el
axed.Besi
des, Idon'
tthi
nkyouar e
histype.Thatman'sgotclass,darl
ing.
”Hesmi l
es
attheladyandwavesbef orebumpi ngtoNeli
siwe.
“Myl uckmustbestil
lint
hel oo!”Hemut t
ersunder
hisbreath.
“Didyousaysomet
hing?
”Nel
iasksshovi
ngher
cleavaget
ohisf
ace.
“Notr
eal
ly.HiNel
i.
”Hel
ooksawayavoi
dingher
eyes.
“Youcantoucht
hem IswearIwon'
trepor
tyouf
or
sexualhar
assment
.”Sherunshert
ongueonher
l
owerl i
p.
“Not hanks.Ihavenodesireorwhat-
so-everto
touchyourbodyNel i
.There'
snot
hinginvi
tingor
attr
activeaboutitbecauseiti
sal
waysexposed
maybei fyoutr
yandcoverupabi t
.”Hebl owshera
kiss.
Att
hecanteen,af
air
lybeauti
full
adyiswaiti
ngfor
hi
m.Shehast hemostbeauti
fulchocol
ateski
n,
pet
it
e,al
sohasanicehaircut
.
“
Hey.
”Heki
sseshercheek.
“
Hi.Youkeptmewai
ti
ngMr
,whyar
eyoul
ate
t
oday?”
“
Hadt
odr
awconcl
usi
onsaboutmyr
esear
ch.”
“
Okayf
ine.Ar
eyour
eady?
”
“
Yeahal
thoughI
'
m al
it
tl
ebi
tscar
ed.
”
“Myfat
herdoesn'
tbi
teyouidi
ot!
”Theybot
hlaugh.
Luckyt
akesherbagandsli
ngsitonhi
sshoulder
.
*
***
***
**

NOMTHA'
SPOV.

I'
mf eeli
ngbetteralthoughIst i
llvomitli
kenoone' s
business.Somet imesIgetangr yathimf orputt
ing
met hroughthis.Het ri
estomakemef eelbetteras
agoodhusbandt hatheis,somet imeshedoesn' t
eatanythingunt i
lIdo.Twodaysbackhet ookme
backtot hePalacebecauset heKi ngwas
compl ai
ningabouthi m notbeingar oundwhenhe
needshi m.Also,mot her-
in-
lawdoesn' tl
ikeitwhen
weeatf oodpr eparedatthehot el.Shesaysi t
'snot
safe.Wehaven'
ttol
dthem aboutt
hepr
egnancy,
we
decidedt
owaitfort
womor eweeks.
“
Heygr
andpa.
”
“Youl
ookbet
ter
.”Hesit
sontherocknextt
ome.I
putmyheadonhisshoul
der
,he'
sbecomemy-go-
to
guy.
“ForamomentIthoughti
twasyourdoi
ng.Icur
sed
you.”Hesmi
les.
“Congrat
ulat
ions.Nextti
met rynott
odoubtt
hisol
d
manbecauseIwi l
lneverhurtyouonpur
pose.
”He
squeezesmyshoul derreassuri
ngl
y.
“Ar
eyounotangr
ywi
thme?
”Il
ookst
rai
ghti
ntohi
s
shi
nyeyes.
“Asamat t
eroffact,nobutI'
m scaredforyou.That
wasahugesacr if
icether
eandIhopeyouwi llbe
abl
et opayfori
t.Theancestorsaresti
llgoi
ngt o
col
lectwhat'
sduet othem.”
“Iwi
llpay.Dadt
aughtmet
oal
waysf
ulf
il
lmy
promises.
”
“
Goodt
ohear
.Di
dyout
ellmygr
andsonwho
pl
ant
edabombi
nhi
scar
?”
“NoandnoI '
m notdoi ngthat
.He'snotingood
space,he'
saticki
ngt imebomb.Idon' twanthi
mt o
actimpassi
velyandr egret
slat
er.Ididn'
teventel
l
myhusbandt henameoft hepersonbecausewe
bothknowyourgr andsonshavel osescrews.
”
“
Okay.Butwi
llyoubeabletohandl
eital
one?I
meantoyouarepregnantnow.
”Hesighs.
“Idi
dwhenIwaspr egnantwithMuzi,Iwil
ldoit
again.Iwi
llal
wayspr ot
ectyourfamil
yandt he
Kingdom nomatterwhatittakes.
”Ismileathi
m.
“OkaygrandpaImissedyou.Ihavet ogo,seeyou
soon.”
*
***
***
*

Bab'uMahlanguistalki
ngont hephonewhenhi s
daughter
,Li
nda,stormsi nsi
dehisoffi
cewithout
knocki
ng.Shethrowsherschoolbagont hetable
spi
ll
ingaglassofwat erintheprocess.Herfat
her
tur
nsandseeshercr ying.
“Iwil
ltal
kyoulater.Somet hi
ngur gentjustcame
up.”Hedropsthecal l
.Hequi cklystri
destoherand
engulf
sherinhisar ms.“What 'swrongbaby?Why
areyoucryi
ng?Mygi rldoesn'tcryfornothi
ng,t
alk
todad.”Shesnif
fles.
“
Idon'
twantt
ogobackt
oschool
.”Shebl
urt
sout
.
“I
sitthatbad?”Shenods.“ Okaywhatexactly
happenedatschool ?”Linda'sbeenaskingher
parentstoletherdropoutofschoolbecauseot her
studentsteaseherfornotbei ngacademicall
ygif
ted.
Tomakei twor se,herteachersarealwaystel
li
ng
herthatshe'sabeaut ywithoutbrai
ns.
“Everythi
ngi ssohar
ddad.I 'vet
estedallthe
combi nati
ons,thear
ts,commer cials,
sciencesbut
nothingwor ksforme.Canweal lacceptthatI'
m
dullandwi l
lnevermakei tpastAdvancedl evel
?”
Shesobs.
“Lookatme.”Hecupshercheeks.“Youarenotdull
,
youarenotacademical
lygi
fted.Youshoul
dn'tcr
y
abouti
t,I
,yourf
atherwasalsonotgoodwheni t
cametobooksbutt her
earethingsIknewIcould
achi
eve.Otherchi
ldr
enandt eachersmayt easeyou
abouti
tbutyoushouldn'
tletitkil
lyourself
-est
eem
andconfi
dence.”Hehugshert ightunt
ilshecalms
down.
“
Wil
lyoul
etmedr
opout
?”
“Mommyhast oagree.Idon'
twantt otake
deci
sionswit
houtherconsent
.Andyouwi l
lhaveto
convi
nceusaboutyourplansafterdroppi
ngout.
Weallhavetoseeyousuccessfulinwhateveryou
choosetodo.St
artprepar
ingyourpitch.
”
“Dad,haveyoual
waysrespect
edmom evenbef
ore
youtwohadmoney? ”Bab'uMahl
angui
sthrown
backbyherquest
ion.
“Yesbaby.Af oundationofmar r
iageistrust,
respectandlove.Moneyhasnot hi
ngt odowi thit
.
Wewer ever ypoor ,Iusedtosellvegetablestofeed
myf amily.Allofus, t
ogether,
wasal lwehad.
Peoplelaughed, yourmot herwouldcrysomet imes
butshesol di
er edon.Irespectyourmot heral ot
becauseshe' snotanor dinarywomanbuta
superwoman.Nor andom womanwoul dhave
enduredalloft
hatint
henameofl
ove.
”Hesmi
les
proudly.Li
nda'
sfacef
all
s.
“Iwishallthehusbandsar oundthewor l
dwer eli
ke
you.”Shewi pesat ear
.“Mybi ol
ogi
calfatherwas
ri
chbutheneverr egardedmymot herasaper son.
Tohi m shewaslikeapi eceofproper
tyhecan
stompon, breaksitinpiecesandbuyanewpi ece
thefoll
owingday.”
“I
sthatwhyyounevert
alkedabouti
tal
lthese
year
s?”
“Yeah.Somet i
mesIwonderi fmymot herwouldsti
ll
bealiveifshehadnotmarri
edt hatr ut
hlessdemon
ofaman. ”Shesi
ghsandsmi les.“Enoughaboutthe
sadst uf
f,Ihaveyou,mom,mysi bl
ingsnowandI 'm
happy.Let '
snotrui
nitbyt
alkingaboutt hepast.
”
“Hungry?”Shenodsbefor
epi
cki
ngupt
hephone
anddiali
ngthekit
chen.
*
***
***
**

“
Babe,
I'
m wor
ri
edaboutmyf
ri
endShei
la.Weused
total
konthephonebutnowhernumberi
s
unavai
labl
e.”
“Youwor r
yt oomuch.I '
m sur
eshefoundher
selfMr
Rightandar eplanningt
osurpri
seyouwit
ha
weddinginvitat
ion.”Heconti
nuest
ofeedherhome
preparedgreensalad.
“
Ifyousayso.YouknowIdon' tl
iket
hisgreenthi
ng
i
tmakesmef eell
ikesomekindofher bi
vore.
”Spha
l
aughs.“Youwon'
tunderst
andunt i
ltherawgreen
mixedthi
ngsaret
heonlyfoodyoucanswal l
owand
managetokeepdownyourst omach.”
“Willitbebet t
erifweshar eit?"Herfacel
ightsup
butisqui cklyreplacedbyaf rownasSphat enses
l
ooki ngathi sphone.“ Babe,MrNgcoboi s
downst airs.Can'tthesepeopleleavemet hehell
alone?Idon' twantt okil
lsomeonebutIsweari f
theykeepf oll
owingme, Iwilldefi
nit
elymurder
someone- -”Hewi peshisfacef r
ustr
atedl
y.
“Cal
m down,babe.Theywon'
tdoanythi
ngtoharm
youorme.Lethimin.”Hel
ooksatherli
keshejust
devel
opedathir
deyeonherforehead.“
Yes,l
ethim
i
n.”

“Mysonisf i
ghti
ngforhisli
feandyouar ehere
enj
oyingyourlunch?Youarefullofyoursel
vesyou
bunchofstupidpeopl
e!I'
m goingtopresscharges
agai
nstyou!-
-”SphaclencheshisjawbutNomt ha
cal
mshi m down.
“Hel l
otoyout ooMrNgcobo.Haveaseat .
”Hegi ves
him awhat -t
he-helll
ook.“ Okayf i
ne!Goaheadand
presschar ges.Yoursonwi llhaveal otofexpl ai
ning
todot othej udgebecausehe' stheonewho
i
nt ruded.Asacl everandnot -
so-stupidmani na
greysui t,youshoul dknowIcan' tbedar i
ngyou
withoutevi denceandaver ydanger ouspl anupmy
sleeve.Behappyhe' sst i
llbreathing.Thenextt i
me
yoursoncomesanywher enearmyf ami l
y..
..Iswear
Idon' tknowwhatIwi lldot ohim.Now, getthehell
outofmyof ficemywi feandIar eact uall
yint he
mi ddleoff eedingeachot her .
”.
..
...
..
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Aspr
omised,ani
nsertsponsor
edbySukol
uhl
eN.
Mdl
ongwa(youraut
hor).
[
07/
21,
13:
41]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
.

Chapt
er15

Therearesomepeopl ewhoareli
kebugs,t
heyjust
won'tgoawayunl essyoudosomethingt
oharm
them orki
llal
together
.Butt
henki
ll
ingisacri
me
andasi n.
“Idon'
tli
keseei
ngyoul
iket
his.Imisst
hethe
peacef
ulyou.MySphawhowoul dopenhi
smout
h
onl
ytorespondt
ohisemployeesandsmi leonl
yto
meandhisfamil
y.Whycan'ttheyjustl
eaveus
al
one?”Nomthasaysf
rust
ratedly.
“Tothem it'spaybackti
me.Siyabongaisbeinga
nuisancebecauseI 'mthereasontheyhadto
rel
ocatet oAustral
iatwel
veyearsago.Hisfather
hadt oleavehispositi
onasagover nort
obewi th
hisfami l
y.”Sphasaysquietl
y.
“
Whatr
eal
lyhappened?Whyal
ltheani
mosi
ty?
”
“Siyabongai saf amoussi nger.He'sthetypeofguy
whot hr
owsapoolpar tyonlyt oshoothisvideo
songwi t
houtt heconsentoft hoseattending.Kayi
se
gotchar medbyhi m,hedidexact lythatbutitwas
wor sewithKayi sebecauseheevenmadeher
believehef el
tt hesameaboutherwhent heonly
thinghewant edwasal apdancert obefil
med
danci ngforhim.Thevi deogotl eaked,dadalmost
diedandIl osti t.Iwentstraighttohisstudiowhere
Ifoundhi m busyr ecor
dingandbr okehisbones.”
Sphasaysl ooki ngoutsidethewi ndow.
“
Isi
twhenyoubr
okehi
sjaw?
”
“Yes.IwasreallymadandIhadj ustl ostsomeone
closetomyhear tduetoaf at
alaccident.Iwasnot
thinki
ngstr
aightbecauseIevenwentasf aras
war ni
nghisfatherwit
haf i
st,
thefightwasal lover
thenews.Theycoul dn'
ttakethehumi li
ati
on, those
peoplehaveser i
ousegossot heyrelocated.”Spha
l
ooksatNomt hatryi
ngtogaugeherr eacti
on.
“
WhywasAnal ef
tbehind?Didshealsoknowabout
t
hebeefbet
weenthetwof amil
ies?”
“Yesshedidi
t.Ihi
redAnabecauseIwant
edt
o
keeptabsonherfamil
y,Iknewt
hey'
dcomeback
forr
evenge.
”
“Thenwehaveaser i
ousprobl
em athand.Weneed
todealwi thhim bef
orehi
sMaj estydiesofst r
ess.
Theirreturnisnotsit
ti
ngwellwithhim.Iwi shwe
canr esolvethi
sinapeacefulmanner ,Idon'twant
tofi
ghtanyone.”
“Don'
tstr
essyoursel
faboutt
hem.Iwillnotl
et
anyoneharm youandmychildr
en,Iwil
lalways
prot
ectyou,Babe.
”Hetakesherinhi
sar ms.She
doesn'
tprot
est.Nomthacanverymuchpr ot
ect
her
sel
fbutshenevermakesherhusbandf
eell
ess
ofamanbybeli
ttl
inghi
m.
*
***
***
**
TWOWEEKSLATER.
..

“Grandpa,youar enotli
steni
ngtome.Your
daught er
,mydearmommyi sstarti
ngtoask
questions.I
fthatthi
ngisnotf i
nishedsoonthenwe
arealldead.”Muziispacingupanddowni nhis
grandfather
'sstudyroom.
“Fi
rstofall
,sitdown.Yourmot herwillfi
ndouti f
youstartacti
ngl i
keachi cken,
youar emyl it
tle
champandIexpectyout oactli
keaman.
Rememberwhoyouar edoi ngthi
sfor.Aman
doesn'tl
eavehi sbusinessunf i
nished,youst art
something,youf i
nishit.Okay?”Muzinods.“ The
workersaredoingf inaltouchestoitandt henwe' re
goodtogo.Anel eisstillonourside,stoppani cki
ng
youaredoingagoodt hingherechamp. ”Theyf i
st
bump.
“
Iwast
hinki
ngmaybewecansur
pri
set
hem on
Lucky'sbi
rt
hday.Thatwaytheywon'
tbe
suspici
ous.
”SuggestsLi
nda.
“Hisbir
thdayi
sinsixmont hsti
me,Ithi
nkit
'sa
greati
deaandwewi llhaveti
met opoli
shup
everyt
hing.
”Bab'uMahlangusaysthought
full
y.
“Okaythenwehaveadat e.I
fmommyki l
lsme
befor
ethatdaytel
lherIdidi
tforher
.”Muzij
okes.
Theyalll
augh.
“Dad, Iwast hi
nking.Rememberwhatyousai d
aboutmyf uture?”Herfathernods.“IthinkI '
ve
foundmypassi on.Ienj
oyf i
tnesst
raining, Ifeel
alivewheneverIhel ppeoplechannelt heirangert o
i
nt ensewor kouts,Iwanttobeapr ofessi onal
trainer.
”Shebeams.
“Real
ly?
”Bab'uMahl
anguisamused.“Finethen,we
haveadeal
.Justdon'
tmessitup.Findan
i
nstit
uti
onwhereyoucanbeprofessi
onall
ytrai
ned
andbethebestyoucanbe.
”
“Iknowaf
ewbutt
heyar
ever
yexpensi
ve.
”Li
nda
says.
“
Anyamountofmoneyi
snot
hingcompar
edt
omy
chil
dren'
sfutureandhappi ness.”Lindagets
emot i
onalandhugsherf atherwhileMuzilookson
withasmi l
eonhi sface.Hisgrandfatheri
sthebrain
behindhim beingoneofthesmar t
estkidaround,he
teacheshim valuabl
eli
felessonsever ysi
ngleday.
*
***
***
***

“
Sist
er-
in-
lawcanwetal
kinpr
ivat
e?”Zodwaasks
l
ooki
ngdownont hef
loor
.
“Yeah.Comeinandhaveaseat.
”Nomthalockst
he
doorandturnst
oZodwawhoi sint
ear
s.“Whatis
thematter
?”
“Sbudoesn'
tloveme.Het ol
dmet odecidewhether
Iwantadivor
ceorIst aydespi
teknowingthathe
l
ovessomeoneel se.
”Shesniff
les.Nomthapicksup
herphoneanddialsSbu'snumber.
“Iknowyouar
ear
ound,
canyoucomet
omyof
fi
ce
ASAP? ”
“
Yeah,
sur
e.”
“
Whydi
dyoucal
lhi
m?”
“Becauseyout woaremar r
iedandshouldgo
througheverythi
ngtoget
her.”Sbuknocksandwait
s
fortheresponse.Hewalksinandisshockedtofi
nd
Zodwawi thNomt ha.“Si
tdownSbu.Ithinkyoubot
h
havesomet hingtosaytomeort oeachother.
”
“
Idon'
tunder
stand?”Heact
ssur
pri
sed.
“Iknowyou'
vebeensl eepi
ngint
heguestroom,I
alsoknowwhatyout wosaidtoeachother
,doyou
caretoexpl
ainwhatissohardforyoutwoto
resol
veyourdisput
eswi t
houtmaki
ngitapubli
c
affai
r?”
“Ididn'tpublici
zethematter
.Zodwaaccusedmeof
beingi nlovewi t
htheghost,Iexpl
ainedtoherthat
i
t'snotSneIl oveoreverl
ovedbutshest il
ldoesn't
beli
eveme.Idon' twanttobeaccusedof
oppr ession,Itol
dhertodecidewhatshewant sto
do.What everitwil
lbe,
I'
m goodwi t
hi t
.”Sburepl
ies
calml y.
“No,shewon'tdothat.Youwil
lbothdeci
debecause
Zodwadi dn'
tmarryhersel
fbutyou.Yout
ookvows,
thePastorannouncedthatyouwerenowoneand
youagreed.Thedecisi
oni
snotbetakenbyZodwa
aloneoryoualone.Youwi
llbot
hdeci
dewhatyou
want.”
“Asforme, Idon'
twanthertogo.I'
vebecomef ond
ofher,she'
smygoodwi febutIsti
llfi
ndithardto
l
ovehert hewayshewant s.Ther
e'ssomeone
speci
alinmyhear twhom Ivowedt onevercheator
repl
ace.”
“DoIknowt hi
sspeci
alsomeone?
”Nomthaasks,
Sbulooksawayfrom her
.Tear
sstar
ttof
alldown
hischeeks.
“Noyoudon' tandyouwi llneverknowherormeet
her.Honest l
y, Idon'tliketokeepr epeati
ngmysel f
,
I'
mt hekindofaper sonwhosayssomet hingand
expectsever yoneel set oaccepti tandmoveon.
Sorrytosayt hissister-i
n-lawbutI '
dappreciateit
,if
mywi f
eher ecomest omebef oregoingtoanyone
elsewi t
hourpr i
vatemat ters.It
rustyousi ster
-i
n-
l
aw, Ijustdon' twantyout oknowcer t
ainthingsthat
doesnotconcer nyoubecauset henyouwi l
lget
worriedandt r ytosol veourpr oblemswhi chi s
i
mpossi ble.Icar eaboutZodwadeepl ybuti fshe
feel
sI'
m notwhathewantsthenshe'sfreetodo
whatevershedeemsfi
t.Excuseme.”Heswi ft
ly
standsandquickl
ywal
ksoutoftheof f
ice.
“I
'm sorr
yforeverythi
ng.Itr
iedmybest ,
it'
supt o
youtomakehi mreali
zehowyouf eelormoveon.
Justdon'ttakemajordecisi
onswhil
eyoust i
ll
emot i
onall
y.Bestrong,ever
ythi
ngwillbefine.
”
Nomt haadvisesZodwa.
*
***
***
**

“SometimesIwonderifyouareevenmybr other.
Whyi nthehel
ldidyougotohi spri
vater
oom?Look
atyou?Lyingonthishospi
talbedli
keauseless
man.Whathappenedt oSiyabongawhouseshi s
headtot hi
nknothi
semot i
ons?Doyour eali
zewhat
youdid?YoushowedNomt hathatyouareweak
andvulnerabl
e.Amanknowswhent oat
tackSiya!
”
Neliscol
dshisbrot
her.
“HowwasIt oknowthatSphawasaround?Have
youeverlovedsomeonetoanext
entofover
seei
ng
ever
yrisk?”Hemovesabitandwinces.
“Noyoudon'tloveher.Youareobsessedjustl
ike
yourcrazysist
erAna.Ifyouarenotcaref
ulyouwi l
l
soonfoll
owhert othelandofthedeadwhilePrince
Sphaandhi swifeconti
nuetoliveahappi
lyever
aft
er.
”
“
WhatdoyousuggestIdot
hen?
”
“Hersi
bli
ngs.Let'
susehersi
bli
ngstogett
oher.
ThatLuckyguyhadtheaudacit
ytorej
ectme,can
youimagine?Lookatthi
spackage?I
'mthewhole
deal
!”
“Andhowi st
hatgonnahel
pme?
”Si
yabongai
s
confused.
“Youidiot!YoumakeLindaf alli
nlovewithyou
whileIlureLuckytomybed.Whent heyalll
east
expectit,weholdthem hostageanddemandan
exchange.Nomt handazoBl essi
ngTshabangui n
exchangeofLuckyandLi ndaMahl angu.Perfect
plan,i
sn'tit
?”Theybothsmi le.
*
***
***
*
SI
XMONTHSLATER.
..
.

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.

“Thisi
ssounf
air
!Whyi
sheget
ti
ngacar
?”Li
nda
sulks.
“Becausehe'st
heonl
ybrotherwehavewhojust
graduatedfr
om amedi
calschoolandi
t'
shi
s
bir
thday.”
“
Nosi
ster
,no!Hecan'
thaveacar
!”
“Sayswho?”Ili
ket easingmysibl
ings.So, i
t'
s
Lucky'
sbir
thday,myhusbandandIdeci dedtogif
t
him acar
.Hef i
nishedschoolingwithoutevenone
daycomplaini
ngabouthavi ngtorideat axinordi
d
heeverdemandedt hoseexpensi
vecellphones.
“Saysme.Dadandmom canagr eewithmeont his
i
ssue.Gi r
lsar
ealwaysalloverhim andnowi twil
l
bewor se.Adarkuglymaninawhi t
edustcoat
dri
vingaToyotaFor t
uner
!Wat chandseehowhe
getshimselfi
ntroublewi
thallthosewomen. ”She
cont
inuest
orant
.
“
What
'ssospeci
alwi
thamani
nawhi
tedustcoat
?
”
“Howwi l
lIknow?Maybeit'sthecuri
osi
ty,Imean
mostpeoplearecuri
ousabouthowsur geonskil
l
peopl
eandr evi
vethem l
ater.I
maginebeingunder
hismercyinbed--
-”
“Okay,okayTMI
!Ti
met
ogetr
eadyt
owel
comet
he
guests.
”
“TMImyass!Stopactinginnocent
lySi
sbecause
weallknowyouknowal otaboutt
hosethi
ngs.I
mean,youbei
ngpr egnantnowi st
heresul
tofit
.We
areal
oneinher
e,justchill
.”Li
ndaj
okes.
“WhydoIf eell
ikemylit
tl
esi st
eri
snol ongerpur
e,
areyouhidingsomethi
ngf rom me?Isthere
somethi
ngIhavet oknow? ”Herfacefall
sandI
knowinst
ant l
ythatsomethingisnotri
ght.
“I
'
mf i
ne.Let'
sgooutbefor
etheyst
artsearchi
ngfor
usal
loverthepl
ace.”Shel
eaveswit
houtlooki
ngat
me.Iwil
lhavetofi
ndoutwhatisi
tshe'shidi
ng.
Ilayonmybackont hebedandl etmyselfrestabit.
I'
vebeenwor ki
ngsi ncemor ningdespitemy
husbandtell
ingmenott o.Hef eelssorr
yf orme, I
wonderhowmanyki logr
amst hesechil
drenofhi s
I'
m car
ryi
ngwi llweigh.Ihavet hemostr i
diculously
enormousbel l
y.Ievenf i
ndi thardtobathmysel f
sometimes.Iwi shIcanf astforwardthetime, I
wanttogivebirthalready.
“Heygorgeouswi f
e.”Hehoversovermebalanci
ng
himselfwi
thhishands.“Youlookcutewhen
sleepi
ngli
kethis.Ican'
thel
pbutfalli
nlovewit
h--
”
“
Pissof
f!
”Ipushhi
m.
“Andthen?Whatdi
dIdo?I
'mtheonewhotoldyou
nott
onotoverwor
kyour
sel
fbutyouwentahead
andworked.Nowyouar
eti
red,
it'
sal
lmyfaul
t?”
“
Getout
,Spha.
”
“No.I'
m notgoinganywhere.ThereasonItook
l
eavef rom workisbecauseIwanttoexperi
ence
thi
swi thyou.Iwanttobetherewheneveryouneed
me.Ri ghtnow,Iknowexactl
ywhatyouneed. ”He
smiles,Isi
gh,defeat
ed.
“
Suityour
self.
”Hereachesformyri
ghtfoot,
r
emovesshoe, doesthesamewit
htheleftone,
t
akesmyf eetonhisl
apandmassagest hem.
“Mmmm. .
..There.
..
.t
here.
”Icl
osemyeyesenjoyi
ng
therel
axationthatcomeswithever
ytouchofhi
s
hand.“Youknowwhat ?Ri
ghtnowIloveyoumy
dearhusband.”
“
Iloveyoual
ways,
MyRose.
”Heki
ssesmybi
gbel
ly.

ATTHESURPRI
SEVENUE.
.
Somethingisnotr
ight
,theparty,
thefood,t
he
peopl
egat her
edhere,
somet hi
ngisjustnotri
ght.I
canfeeliti
nmybones, Ihavebeenfeel
ingli
kethis
forawhilenow.
<<<<<<Thr eebul l
s,onekraal.Whathappens? >>>>
Thisquest i
onkeepspoppi nginmymi nd.Ihada
visi
on, threebullswerefighti
ng,t
hewhol eplace
wasbl oodyandl ikealways,whenthebullsfi
ght ,
it'
s
thegr asst hatsuffer
smost .Andthenavoi ce“Your
helperwi l
lcomef rom af
arandsolveallyour
problems. ”Whati sgoingon?Whyam Inotshown
theclearvisionofwhatisabouttohappen?I
thoughtitallhadtodowi t
hAnthonyandKayl abut
no,theysaidt hei
rgoodbyesthr
eemont hsagoand
theyseem t obemovingonper f
ectl
y.Coulditbethe
Ngcobos?TheMayor ?
“
Stopstressi
ngyoursel
f.Thepr
ophecywillbe
f
ulf
il
led.”Grandpaappearsf
rom nowher
e.
“Whatpr
ophecyareyout
alki
ngabout?Ifeell
ike
someonecl
osetomei sl
eavi
ngmef orgood.”I
conf
essmyf ear
s.
“Itshallbewel l
.Best r
ong,thestorm willpassand
thesunwi l
lshineagai n.
”Ihateitwhenhest ar
ts
speakingi nriddl
es.Ineedasol ution,Ihavetostop
what everisaboutt ohappen.Asi freadingmymi nd
hesays“ Noyoucan' t.Somet hi
ngsar emeantt o
happeni nor derforust omoveon. ”Hesmi l
esand
l
eaves.Hej ustmadet hi
ngswor se,nowt hetwins
arekickinglikenoot her'
sbusiness.It'
sasi fmy
unbor nbabiescanf eel whatI
'mf eeli
ngt oo.
“
Babe,wehavet
ogoandcollectt
hecake.Ical
led
t
hebaker
y,t
heysai
dthedr
iverisoutoft
ownwe
shoul
dcomeandcoll
ecti
t.
”Sphasaysdi
ali
ng
someone'
snumber
“
Whyt hi
svenue?Whatplacei
sthi
s?Somet
hingi
s
wrongSpha.
”Ifi
nal
lyt
ellhim.
“Thisist
heonl yvenuewhichwasnotbookedand
asyoucansee, t
heplacei
snewandbeaut i
ful
.I
thinkyoufeel
ingnervousaret
hehormonesplayi
ng
tri
cksonyou.Let '
sgobeforet
hepart
ygets
start
ed.”
“
Canyougoal
one?
”Ir
eal
lydon'
tfeelokay.
“
Babe?
”
“Okayfine.Let
'sgo.”Ifi
nallygetinthecar.He
star
tstheengine,Kiarawant stotagalongbutIt el
l
hertostaybehind.Ast hecarspeedsoutoft he
venue,thefeel
inggetsevenmor eintense.Spha
keepstell
ingmei t
'snothing.
Wegett
othebaker
y,col
lectt
hecakeandl
eave.
“
Itol
dyoui
twasnot
hing.
”Hesays.
“Idon'
tknowSpha.Grandpasai
dtheprophecywi
ll
befulf
il
led.
”Isi
gh.WhenIlookahead,
Iseean
overl
oadedtr
uck,i
t'
soutofit'
slaneandmovi ng
fast
erthani
tshoul
dbe.Thet ruckdr
iverhonks.
“Babe,wat
chout.
..
..
..
..
..
!!
!!
!”
[
07/
21,
13:
42]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
.

Chapt
er16.

Beep!Beep!Beep!TheECGbeepscont i
nuousl
y,
Sphaislyingunconsci ousonthehospit
albed,his
cl
othescover edinblood.Theoxygenmaskon, hi
s
chestmaki ngslowupanddownmovement s.The
Queenmot herisintearsasshehel
plesslywatches
hissonfightingforhisli
fe.Sbui
scurledint
oabal l
i
nt hewaiti
ngr oom wher etheMahl
angusandMuzi
are.
“Gr
andpa,wil
lmypar
ent
sdi
e?”Thet
ear
yeyed
Thandoasks.
“No,champ.Yourparent
sarefi
ght
ersandgood
people.Godwil
lneveral
lowi
ttohappen.
”Repl
ies
Bab'
uMahl
angu.
“They'
dbeherewit
husi fwehadnotpl
annedthe
surpri
se.Weshoul
dn'thaveaskedt
hebakerf
or
help,maybei
f-
-”Ki
arasobs.
“Ever
ythinghappensforagoodr eason.It
'snot
anyone'sfaul
t,l
et'
sprayforthem t
omakei tout
ali
ve.
”Hecomf or
tseveryone,hi
mselfincl
uded.

I
ntheER,t
hedoct
orsaredebat
ingwhet
hert
osave
t
hebabi
esort
hemot her
.
“Maybeit'
stimewegett hef ami
lyi
nvolved.Thisi
s
notourdecisi
ont omake, wecandecidewhatwe
deem appropri
atebutlat
erfaceconsequencesof
that.I
fwegetsigneddocument s,t
henwewi l
lbe
abletodoourjobswi t
houtfearofbei
ngsued. ”
Suggeststheseniordoctor.
“Idoubtmyf atheroranyonewillsi
gnthosepaper
s.
Mybr other-i
n-l
awwhoi sunconsciousistheonet
o
maket hatdeci si
on.”Luckysays.He'sbeenworki
ng
astheassi stantsurgeoneversincehisgir
lf
ri
end,
Bell
a,intr
oducedhi mt oherfatherwhoownsa
pri
vat
ehospi
tal
.Hei
sreal
lygoodathi
swor
kand
ver
ydeter
mined.
“Whatdowedo?Timeisrunni
ngout,wehaveto
savesomeone.
”Theseni
ordoctori
spani
cking.
“Doc,Iknowyoudon'
tbeli
evei
ntradit
ionand
cult
urebutmayyoupleasemakeanexcept i
on?Can
weallowmydadi nhere?Hewi
llcommuni catewith
mysi st
erandgi
veusawayf or
war d.Please.”Lucky
begs.
“That
'sagainsthospi
talr
ulesbutl
et'
sdoit
.Goand
gethi
m. ”Thenurserushesouttocal
lhi
m.

I
nPri
nce'sSpha'
swar d,
theKi
ngandQueenhave
t
ri
edt
ot al
ktohim buthe'
snotrespondi
ng.
“Son,daughter-
in-l
awneedsyou.Pl
easewakeup
andsaveyourf ami l
y.Youar
eaTshabangu, the
greatNtabakayikhonj
wa'sgr
andson.Fight
,holdon
toyourlif
eandsaveyourwi feaswell
.”Hisfather
pleadswithhim.
“
Dad,
mom t
rust
syoubl
indl
y.Youcan'
tletherdown
now,wakeupandsaveher.Onl
yyoucandoi t
.”
Muzicri
esshakinghi
m vi
gor
ously.“
Wakeupdad!
Youtol
dmeamanneveraccept sdefeatt
henwhy
areyounotl
ivi
nguptoyourwords?Wakeup!”The
ECGstart
stomakeoddsounds.
“Nurse!Nurse!”QueenMothercal
lsout
.TheKing
sil
entl
ywalksoutandhi sentour
agefol
lows.Lucky
comesr unning.
“Doyoumi ndwaiti
ngf ormeout si
de? ”Hecalmly
askstheQueen.“ Please,Ihavetodomyj ob
withoutanyinter
ference.”Theybot hquiet
lyexi
t,
sil
entl
ypr ayi
ngforami r
acle.“
Hej ustsli
ppedint
o
coma. ”Luckysays,thenursewr it
essomet hi
ng
down.
*
***
***
***
*
“Ni
naboNt shangase,boNzuza, boMagodonga!Ical
l
outtoyout opleasehel pyourdaughter
.Herand
babies'l
ivesareindangerpl easeshowust heway
for
war d.”Bab' uMahlangupleadswiththe
ancestors.“Youpromi sedtotakecareofher,she
needsyoumor erightnow.Weneedacl ue,whose
l
ifedowesave?”Hecontinuestobegthem.
Nomt hai
sn'
tmoving.Accordi
ngtothedoct
orsshe
suffer
edi
nter
nalheadinj
ury,br
okenri
bandinter
nal
bleedi
ng.
Cloudsgather ,Nomt hastil
lhasn'
tmovedbuti s
sweating.Al oudt hunderoussoundfrightens
everyone.Itstartsraini
ng,heavythunderstorms.
Onceagai nther eisat hunder
ouswhi chbr i
ngs
PrinceSphaoutofhi scoma.
“
MyRose!”Hel ooksar
ound,qui
cklyreal
izeshe'
sin
ahospi
tal
.Luckyremovestheoxygenmask.
“Br
other-
in-l
aw, Ishouldn'tbedoingtoapat i
entwho
j
ustwokeupf rom acomabutweneedt osave
Nomthaort hebabi es.She'sintheERwai ti
ng--
”
Spharemovest hedrips,stepsont hefl
oor,wi
nces
butdoesn'tstop.Luckycal lshi
mf rom behi
ndbut
he'
salreadytalkingwi t
htheseni ordoctor
.
“
Wher
edoIhavet
osi
gn?
”Hequest
ions.
“
Areyousur
e?”Thedoct
orasksagai
n.
“Mywife'
sli
fei
smoreimport
antt
hananyt
hingor
anyoneel
se.Goandsaveher
!”Hesi
tsonthebench
ashefeelsdizzy.“DearGoduntilt
odayI '
venever
askedanythingfrom you.Justt
hisonce,one
i
mpor t
antli
fe,pleasesaveMyRosé' sl
ife.”Tear
s
rol
ldownhi scheeks.

Spha'
sPOV

Shet ol
dmesomet hingwasn' tright
.Ishouldhave
l
istenedtoher,maybet henwewoul dn'
tbeher e
patient
lywaiti
ngforGodt odeci dethefat
eoft hr
ee
peopleIloveequally.I'
m sitt
inghereont hiscold
benchhopi ngforthebest .I'
m notevenbr ave
enought ofacemyson, hewant edtosurpri
seher.I
knewal laboutit
,Iwaspar tofthesurpri
se.Today
wassupposedt obet hehappi estdayofher sand
Luckybuther ewear e,crying.

Aft
erwhatseemslikeet
erni
ty,
thedoct orcomesout
oftheERwithasadface,myhear tcl
enches.I'
m
sti
llweakf
rom t
hathorr
ibl
eaccident,mykneesar e
abouttogi
veupanytimesoon.Someonet ouches
myshoulder
,Il
ookupandseemyf
ather
-i
n-l
aw,
his
eyesbl
oodshot
.
“Theworsti
sover
.”Heannounces.I
'
m myheadI
'
m
screami
ngathim.
“MyPr i
nce,wedidasperyourwi sh.Yourwif
e
sur
vived,I
'm sor
ryaboutthetri
plets.
”Heinf
orms
mewi thacalm andcol
lectedvoice.
“What?Doct
or,whatareyout
alki
ngabout?
”I'
m
conf
usedhere.Mywi f
ewascarryi
ngtr
ipl
ets?
“
Shewaspr egnantwitht
ri
plet
s,t
wogirl
soneboy.
”I
f
eell
ikehejustpunchedmeont hest
omach,my
whol
eworldcollapsesar
oundme.
“Son,iti
sGodwhogi ves,
itisthesameGodwho
takeswhent heti
mingi sr
ight.Ithur
ts,Iknow.Be
strongforher.
”Father-
in-
lawhugsme, Ireal
lyneed
one.Ineedsomeonet ohugmeandt el
lmeit'sal
la
prank.Iwanttowakeupf rom t
hisnightmare.
“She'
sinducedcoma.Wenot
icedswel
li
nginthe
headandsheseemedinalotofpai
n.”Thedoct
or
addstomypai n.
“
CanIseeher
?”
“
Theyar
emovi nghert
otheICU,
youwillbeal
lowed
t
oseeherbutbefor
ethatI
'
vetocheckonyou.
”
“Doc,I
'
mf i
ne.Ij
ustwantt
oseemywife!
”Iscr
eam
athim.Whyam Ievenscr
eami
ng?I
t'
snothisfaul
t
butwhosefaul
titi
s?
Sheseemst obesleepi
ngpeacef
ull
y,shehasdrips
al
loverherbody,anoxygenmaskandahear t
monit
or.Herheadiscoveredi
nbloodybandages,
herar
m withaplaster
.
“MyRose! ”Icannotst opmyt earsf r
om fall
ing.
“Babe,I'
m sor ry.Ishouldhavel i
stened, Ishould
havet r
ustedyourpr emonition,I
'm sor r
y,babe.”I
feelalumpr i
singi nmyt hr
oatandchoki ngme.I
takeherhandi nmi neandl etthefloodgat esof
tearsopenwi de.Idon'tcar
eaboutt heol dsayings,
I'
m goingt oletmysel ffeel
t hi
spai n.“Babe,our
chil
drenar egone.Ihadt omakeat oughdeci si
on,I
hadt oactfastandIchoseyouovert hem.I'
m sor r
y
MyRose, pleasef orgi
veme. ”It'
slikesomeonej ust
stabbedmei nt heheart.
“Youf ail
edher.”Sbu'
svoiceechoedf rom t he
entrance.I'
m notreadytofightwit
hhim, Iactasi fI
didn'thearwhathesai d.“
God!Damni t,brother!You
promi sed,youpromisedtopr ot
ectherandneverl et
anyhar m comeherwaybutl ookather .Lookather ,
brother!”Herunshishandt hroughhishai r.Tears
runningf r
eelydownhischeeks.
“Wil
lyoufucki
n'shutupSbu!Doyothi
nkIwanted
tohurther
,she'
smyeverythi
ngforcr
yingoutl
oud!
”
Ifi
reback.
“
Youshoul
dha-
-”
“Shutup,okay?Youhavenoi deahowIf eelri
ght
now.You'veneverhadt ochoosebet weenyourwi f
e
andyourbabi es,
youhaveneverhadt opraytoGod
forthef
ir
sttimeaski ngHi
mf oronei mportantthi
ng!
Justshutupandl eavemeal one!”OnceagainI
coll
apseont hechairandwatchmywor ld
crumbli
ng.
*
***
***
***

Somewher
einUml
aziKi
ngdom,
atShei
la'
ssi
ster
's
pl
ace.Sheil
awal ksoutthesmallhutwipingsweat
andtearsfr
om hereyes.Herbrother
-i
n-lawlooksat
hersharppointedbreast
sandli
ckshislips
i
magi ni
ngallthethi
ngshecandowi t
hthose
ni
pples.
“Hey,youar
ecr
ying,
what
'st
hemat
ter
?”Hepul
ls
herchinup.
“
Leavemeal
one!
”Shei
lahi
sses.
“Ohcomeon!Howl ongdoyout hinkyoucankeep
upthi
supt i
ghtbehaviorofyours?Yourpar ent
s
gaveyoutomebecauseyoursi sterisbarr
en.Ineed
toseeresul
tsofmywor kinthebedr oom,Ihope
youarenotanothermanwi t
hbr eastsandavagina
l
ikeher.
”Hespitsvenom.
“Godwil
lpuni
shyou!Youdon'tdeser
vetoli
ve!”
Shescr
eams.Ahotslapcrossesherface.“
Ihat
e
you!
”Shecri
es.
“I
tdoesn'tmatt
erdar
li
ng.Allt
hatmat t
ersiswhet
her
youwillgivemeachil
doryourfami l
yrefundsmy
l
obola.Simple.
”Hesmilesandleaves.
Shei
lat
akesabucketandgoest
ofet
chwater
.She'
s
l
ostint
hought
swhensomeonehugsherfr
om
behi
nd.
“
Heyst opthat
.Howdi
dyouknowwheretofi
nd
me?”SheturnsandFr
enchki
ssest
heguy.“
I
missedyou.”
“Imissedyout oo,
honey.Comel et
'ssithereandlet
meshowyouwhatIbr ought.”Theybot hexcit
edl
y
sitonthegrassalongthesmallpathtot heri
ver.
“Look.”Hegivesheraplast
icbagfullofwi l
dfrui
ts.
“Thankyou!Thankyou!”Shej
umpsonhim,
hefal
ls
onhisbacktakingherwit
hhim.“
Youknowwhat?
Youarethebest!”
“
Hey,whenarecall
ingyourfri
endtocomeand
r
escueyoufrom t
hathell
hole?Ifwedel
ayany
f
urt
her,
thatdevi
lwillwi
n.”
“Het
ookmyphone.Idon' thaveaphoneanymor e
andI
'm notall
owedtoleavethecompoundunless
comi
ngt otheri
ver
.Ireal
lydon'tknowwhatt
odo. ”
Shesi
ghs.
“
Isyourf
ri
endr
eal
lyagoodper
sonl
ikeyousay?
”
“
She'
sanAngel
.”
“
Well
,Icangoandlookforherafterworki
nghour
s.
Mybossdoesn'tmi
ndmel eavinghiscompoundas
l
ongaseveryt
hingi
sinorderinthefarm.”
“
Real
ly?Youwoul
ddot
hat
?”
“Yes.Anyt
hingt
oseeyousmi l
eal lt
het
ime.You
saidshe'
stheRoyalPr
incess,
right?
”
“Yes.She'
smarr
iedt
otheCr
ownPr
ince
Sphamandla.
”
*
***
***
**

Nomt
ha'
sPOV

Thispl
aceisdar
kandt oocoldformyl i
king.It
ryt
o
openmyeyesbutIcan't,
Ifeelsomeonet ouchi
ng
myhandbutIcan'tt
ellwhotheper soni
s.Iwantto
saysomethi
ngbutmyvoi cebetraysme.
“Spha!Wherei
she?Whyam Iherealone?
”Al
lofa
suddenI'
m sur
roundedbyt
hefacesIcan'
t
r
ecogni
ze.“
Whoar
eyou?Wher
eam I
?”Iaskt
hem.
“
Ntshangase!
”Theybowt heirheads.Whenthey
l
ookatme, t
heireyesar
efullofcontrol
ledt
ear
s.
“Whathappened?Whyareyouallcryi
ng?Wherei
s
myhusband? ”Iwantt
orunoutofthispl
acei
n
sear
chofhim butIcan'
tmove.
“Calm down, YourMaj est
y.”YourMajest
y?Whatt he
helli
swr ongwi t
ht hesepeople,I
'm Nomthandazo
notHerMaj est
y!“Doyour ememberwhat
happened? ”Anol dladywhom Ihaveseeni nmy
fat
her'sfami l
yalbum asks.
“Weweredri
vingbacktot
hevenu--
--
..
..No!No!No!
WhathappenedtoSphaandmyunbor nbabies?
Thetr
uck?Thespeedingt
ruck,
letmego!”Thisti
me
Imanagetoscream.
“Youareweak.Youwon'tbeabl
etogoanywher
e.”
Theotherol
dladysays.
“Tel
lme,whathappenedt
omyunbornbabies?
Whathappenedtomyhusband?
”Iregai
nmy
str
engt
h.I'
m nowfacetof
acewit
hthisol
dlady.
“Cal
m down,okay?Yourhusbandi
sokay,you
yoursel
fbr
oughthim backt
olif
ebutnotyour
unbornbabi
es--
--
”
“No!You' r
ejoking, r
ight
?”Theyalll
ookateachot her.
I'
m sti
llwaitingforanswer swhengrandpaappear s
withthreetinybabi es.Helooksatmebef ore
handingovert hebabi estotheoldl
adies.“Grandpa?
Whati sgoingon?Whyar eyougivi
ngthem my
babies?”I'
m conf used.Theycan'tj
ustdoast hey
wishwi thmybabi es.
“
Deargr
anddaught
er,
thepr
ophecyhasbeenf
ul-
-”
“Hel
lno!Mybabi esaremi nenotsomepr ophecy
ful
fi
ll
ingbabies!I
'm notgoingbacktolif
ewithout
mybabi esyoucanaswel lf or
getaboutmesaving
yourKingdom!”
“ThenbereadytowelcomeyourdearSpha,
your
dad,yourmother
,theKingandyoursecr
etl
overt
o
thi
sdarkandcoldplace--
”
“
Wai
tami
nut
e?Ar
eyoual
lthr
eat
eni
ngme?
”
“No.Iti
swhati
tis.Nomtha,somequest
ionswi
ll
nevergett
obeanswered.Iknowyouhaveamill
ion
questionsrunningt hroughyourmind. ”If
eell ikeI'
m
chokingonmybr eat h.Whyme?Whymybabi es?
Whatwi llIt
ellSphaandmyson?“ Theywi llbe
gratef
ulyouar est i
llali
veandwon'tquestionyou.
It
'snotanyone'sf aultbutithadtohappen.Goback
toyourpeopl e,t
heyneedyoumor ethanthese
tr
iplet
sdo.Whenyouar edone,youwillber eunited
withallyourlovedones, i
ncl
udingthetri
plets.”
Grandpahugsme.
“Nzuza.”Theol dladi
esbowt heirheadsandleave
withmybabi es.Iwatchwi t
habr okenheartasthey
disappearwithmybabi es.WhyGod?Whyme?If eel
myhear tshatter,
thepainisjustunbearabl
e.
“
Why?Why?Letmedi
e..
..
.”
[
07/
21,
13:
43]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er17.

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.
Myf at
herwasr i
ght,
iti
sGodwhoknowsusand
whatourf ut
urehol
ds.HereIam,watchi
ngmy
l
ifel
essbodyont hehospit
albedyetI
'm st
il
lso
muchal i
ve.Myspiri
tnevergi
vesupandIhat et
hat
aboutbeingme.
“Gr
andpawait?Let
'sbacktr
ackalit
tl
ebit,
yousaid
somethi
ngaboutmysecr etl
overareyouaccusi
ng
meofcheati
ngmyhusband? ”
“
No.Imeantsecretadmi
rer
.I'
m sur
eyouknowwho
t
heper
sonis,ri
ght?”
“
Yeah,
what
ever.Whydi
dyoul
etal
loft
hem f
alli
n
l
ovewi
thme?”
“Toprotectyou.Theywillf
ightagai
nsteachother
buttheyallhaveonepr i
ori
ty,t
oneverletanyharm
comenearyou.Youhavet ogoback, l
ookathow
hurteveryoneis.Lookatyourson,yourhus-
-”
“St
opemot i
onallyblackmai l
ingme!I'
m notgoi
ng
backther
eunt i
lyout ellmewhyyougavemy
chi
ldr
entothoseol dl adi
es.Isthi
sthepri
ceIhave
topayforAnthony'slife?”
“No.Doyour eall
ythinkthatnobodyofamani s
wor thyofroyalblood?Thet r
ipl
etswer etradedfor
Sphamandl a'
slif
e.Hewasdead, youbr oughthim
back.Onl ytwooft hem weresacrif
icedf orthei
r
father,yourotherbabywast akenbecauset he
Mahl anguancest orsneededsomet hingi nret
urnof
theirfavor.
”
“
Idon'
tunder
stand.”
“Nomt ha,youar enotaMahl angubybl ood.Ifyou
doabl oodt estyouwi l
lnevermat chwi thyourdear
fat
her,youar ethedaught eroft hest orm whichis
thedeityofourki ngdom.Yourphysi calpar ents
wereusedt obringyouint ot hi
swor l
dbecauset hey
aretheonl ypureandki ndhear t
edpeopl eatthetime.
BythatImean, youusingt heMahl angucl annames
toperform yourdut i
esneededt obepai dforandwe
paidbyoneofyourbabi eswhoi sofr oyalblood.Do
yougetwhatI '
m saying? ”Hol ycow!AndI '
m
supposedt oclaphandsf ort hem?Patt hem onthe
shouldersandsay“ Jobwel ldone” ?
“Wi
thoutmyconsent
?Youalldeadpeoplesatdown
andconcl
udedthatt
heywer
et heper
fectsacri
fi
ce
withoutmyknowledgeandconsent
?Ihateyou
grandpa!Youandthestupi
dMahlanguancest
ors,
I
hateallofyou!
”Iscr
eam athi
m.
“Wel oveyouNomt ha.Iknowyouar eangryand
probablygr i
evi
ngbuti twil
lallcomet opass.Go
backandf i
nishwhatyoust arted,
I'
m goingto
rest
or eyourlif
eandgetyououtoft hathospital
.”
Het urnshisbackonme.“ Andoh, braceyoursel
ffor
thefight.Iknowyouwon' tdisappointmeandyour
people.”Wi ththatsai
d,hedisappear s.

I'
m backtowher
eeveryonei
s.I
'
m abl
etohear
everyt
hingt
heyaresayi
ngbutI
'
m weaktor
espond.
“Sunshine,pleasewakeup.Ican' tloset wo
daughtersinnotmor ethanayear .Pleasemy
baby.”Mymot herisbeggingmet owakeup.How
doItellherthatIwanttobutI 'm unablet oopenmy
eyesormovemybody.She' ssobbing, painf
ulsobs
andhert earsfallonmyf orehead.Ifeelthepain,the
painthatcutsdeeperinmychest ,Icanf eelit
.
“
Dar
li
ng,
getagr
iponyour
sel
f.Shewi
llneedust
o
best
rongforher
.St
opcr
yingmydearwi
fe.
”Dad
comf
ortsmom.
“
Whyisn'
tshemovingorsayinganyt
hing?Whatdi
d
t
heydotoher
?”Atearescapesmyeye.
“Look,lookather.She'
scryi
ngI'
m sur
eshecan
hearyou. ”Dadsaysexcit
edl
y.Mom ki
ssesmy
forehead.
“I
tiswellmybaby.Thepai
nwillsl
owlygoawayand
everyt
hingwi
llbefi
neonceagain.
”.
..
..
.

“Sist
er,IknowIal waysgiveyouhardti
mesbut
pleasedon'tleaveus.Comeback, weallneedyou.
”
Lindacries.There'
ssomet hingi
nhervoice,t
heway
shesayssheneedsmemakesmebel ievethat
she'sinsomeki ndoftrouble.
“Shewil
lbefi
ne,Li
ly.Shewil
lmakeeverythi
ng
ri
ght.
”Luckycomfortsher
.“MissKay,doyouwant
tosaysomethingt
oher ?Wehaveaf ewseconds
befor
ethenurseskicksusoutofher
e.”
“
No.Iknowshecanhearever
ythi
ngt
hat
'si
nmy
hear
t.Thanksbrotherforaskingthedoctor
st ol
et
dadint
ervene,youreall
yhavegr own.I
'm proudof
youandsisterNomt hawillbeevenmor eproudof
themanyouar ebecomi ng.”Kiar
abri
efl
yhugshi m.
Sbucomesinasthethreeexitt
heICU.Hel ooksat
her,
tear
sthr
eat
ent ofal
lbuthebravelyfi
ghtsthem
off
.Hepull
sachairnexttoherandkissesher
for
ehead.
“I
'm pr obablytheonl ypersonwhohaveseent he
othersi deofyou.Iknowyoucanhearme, f
ightfor
yourl if
esi st
er-
in-l
aw, comebacktolif
eandmake
mnymor echildren,showt hedevi
lwhoyouar e.”He
smi les.“IknowI '
m crazy,justal
it
tl
ebit
,Ijustwant
youandmybr othertobehappyandIknowyouwi l
l.
Afteral lt
his,youtwowi l
lbehappy.Weloveyou
si
st er-i
n-law.”
*
***
***
**

“No!Thiscan'
tbe!Shecan'
tdie!”Siyabonga
smashesabot tl
eofbeeronthewal l.“
Whodi dt
his
yoher?”Heturnstohi
ssist
er,tearsstreami
ng
downhi
scheeks.
“Idon'tknow.Ithoughtyouhadananswert othat
question,t
hishasyouwr it
tenal
loverit
!It
'syour
styl
et okil
lpeopleandmakei tl
ookli
kean
accident.
”
“Ar
eyounut
s?WhywouldIki
llsomeoneIl
ove?Di
d
youdosomet
hingt
oher
?”
“No!WhywouldIki
llher
?WhatdoIgai
nbyso
doing?
”Theybot
hbl ameeachot
her
.
“Okay,f
ine.Stopyel
li
ng,wehavet of
indouti
fitwas
anaccidentoratrap.IwarnedthemayorbutIdon'
t
tr
ustthatgreedyman.”Siyabongasi
ghs
fr
ustrat
edly.
“
Howdowef
indout
?Luckyi
snotpi
cki
ngmycal
ls-
-
”
“For
getaboutt
hatl
oser,getaPIonthephonefor
me.It'
sti
metoactfastandI'
m aboutt
obringdad
i
ntothis.
”Si
yaisst
arti
ngtoputhisdeadl
yplanint
o
acti
on.
“
Hewon'
tagr
eet
oit
.He'
sthemanofhi
swor
d,he
promisedt
heKingtoletbygonesbebygones,I'
m
surehewon'tgobackonhiswor d.
”Nel
iargues.
“HepromisedtheKingbutnott hemayor.Elect
ions
arecomingupinoverayearanddadcanbea
perf
ectcandi
datetodethronethatscoundrel.I
fdad
becomesthemayor ,wewi l
lknowwhatt hecurrent
mayorhasont heRoyalfamilythenwetakeover
theUmlaziki
ngdom.”
“Then,
youhaveyourPr
incessandIhavemy
Lucky.
”Nel
iadds.

THREEDAYSLATER.
..
.

Sphacar r
iesNomthainsidethehouse.Nomt hahas
hereyesclosedandhasn'tsaidanyt
hingsincethey
l
eftthehospit
al.Muziopensthebedroom doorfor
them andsadlysi
tsont hecouch.Aft
ermaking
surethatshe'
scomfortableenoughonthebed,
Sphaof f
erstobri
nghersomet hingt
oeat.
“
No.I
'
m nothungr
y.Howdi
dtheyl
ookl
ike?
”
Nomt haasksforthemill
iont
ht i
me.Herbabi eswer
e
buri
edbyt heelder
s,aspertradit
ion,shewasnot
all
owedtoseet hem.TheQueensai dit'
sbadluckt
o
seeherdeadpr ematur
echi l
drenbeingburied.
“Babe, stopt
his.It
oldyoualr
eadyandgoingover
thesamet hi
ngagainandagainwon'tmakeany
dif
ferencemyl ove.Westil
lhaveeachot
her,
everythingel
sewi l
lbefi
neast i
megoesby.”
“
Iwantt
oknow.Ineedcl
osur
e.”Shepr
obes.
“Okay.Theywereallgi
rl
s,whenIfi
rstsawthem
aftert
heoperati
ontheyalll
ookedpeacef
ul.Ishota
pictur
e,her
e.”Hehandsherthephone.
“Ourbabies,Spha.Exact
lyasyouwant
edt
hem-
--
”
Hervoicetrai
lsoff.
“Don'tcr
y,I
'm hur
tbutit'
sokay.Godwillonceagain
blessus.Comeher e.
”Hehugshert i
ghtashisown
tearsfal
lonherhead.“Shhh.
..
.It
'sokaymyl ove.
”
“I
'm sorr
ymommy.Ishoul dn'thaveplannedt
hat
surpri
se,i
t'
sallmyf aul
t.
”Muzibl urt
soutstar
tl
ing
bothhisparents.Nomthawi peshertears.
“I
t'
snotyourf aul
t,son.Somet i
mes,Godt akeswhat
wet hi
nkweneedt hemosti nordertorestore
somet hi
nggr eatinourl i
ves.Stopbl
ami ngyoursel
f,
i
t'
snoone' sfaul t
.Comeandgi vemommyahug. ”
Her unsintoheropenar msandcr i
es.“It
'sokaymy
boy.Mommyi sstil
lgoingtogoandseet he
surpri
seandbehappyabouti t
.Okay?”Henods,
Nomt hakisseshi sforehead.TheQueenbr i
efl
y
knocksandl et'sherselfi
n.
“Moveasideyout wo( r
eferr
ingtoSphaandMuzi).
Daughter
-i
n-l
aw, youhavet oeatsomethi
ngto
regai
nyourstrength.Ipreparedthi
ssoupespeci
all
y
foryouandI'
m goi ngtofeedi tt
oyou.
”She
announces.
“Butmom--
”TheQueenshut
sherupbyput
ti
nga
spoonf
ulofsoupi
nhermouth.
“Wewilltal
klat
er.Fornow,youhavet oeat
.”She
cont
inuestofeedher.“Son,yourf
atherwantedto
seeyou.”SphakissesNomtha'sforeheadandexi
ts
ther
oom.
Pr
inceSphamandl
aismetbyPr
inceSbuont
he
st
air
case.
“
Heybr
other
.”Sbugr
eet
shi
m.
“Eyman.I'
m sor
ryaboutt
heotherdayIwasn'
t
thi
nki
ngstrai
ght
.”Sphaapol
ogizest
ohisyounger
brot
her.
“Nah, it
'sf i
ne.Ishoul dn'thaveaccusedyouof
hurtingheronpur pose.Iknowyouwoul dn'
tdo
that.”Theyshoul derbump.“ Li
stenman, Ihaveno
i
deahowyouf eelri
ghtnowaf terlosi
ngyour
chil
dr enbutpl easedon' tblameyour selfortakeit
outont hosewhol oveyou.Gr i
efcanmakeyoudo
crazyt hingsyouwi lll
aterregret.Youhavebeen
therebef ore,thistimehandl eyour selfdiff
erent
ly.
Sister-i
n-lawisal sohur tandmaynotknowhowt o
dealwi thagr ownupmanwhocan' tthi
nkst rai
ght
becausehe' sgr i
eving.”Advi sesSbu.
“Saysthemanwhocriedt
hewhol
esi
xmont
hsf
or
Sne.”Sphat
easeshi
m.
“
Pleasedon'tremindme.Thatgirlr
eall
yknewhow
t
ohur tpeopl
e.I'
m sti
llhur
t,whenIthi
nkabouti
tI
cr
y.”
“I
sitaboutherorNomt ha.Lookbr o,Iknowyouare
madlyinlovewithmywi febutthatdoesn'tmean
yourl
ifehastostopbecauseofi t.Il
ovehermor e
andGodappr oved,pl
easedon'tletthatchangeyou.
Youcanst i
llf
ixyourmarriage.
”
“Nah.Iknowt hismaysoundcr azyandcr
eepybutI
can'
tbearthet houghtofl
ovingsomeoneelse
exceptNomt ha.Iwil
lalwaysloveherf
rom a
dist
ance--
-”Zodwadr opsthetraymaki
ngashutt
er
andsplutt
eringsound.Thetwobr ot
hersl
ookather
,
horri
fi
ed.
[
07/
21,
13:
43]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er18.

Thetwobr
other
slookateachot
herandswall
ow
har
dasZodwaturnsandrunsbackdownst
air
s.
“
Fuck!WhathaveIdone?
”Sbuwi
peshi
sface.
“Cal
m down.Fol l
owher,Idon'
tknowhowyouwi l
l
doitjustmakesuredad,ourchil
drenandmywife
doesn'thavetodealwi
thajeal
ouswi f
e.Dealwi
th
herfast,char
m her,
Itr
ustyoubrother
.”
“
SheknowsIdon'
tloveherandnowsheknowswho
t
heper
sonis.Thi
sisadisast
er,
bro.
”
“No.Yousti
llhaveti
metofixthi
s.Offyougo.”Sbu
pacesbehi
ndher .Sphacont
inuestohisfat
her'
s
chambers.

“
Heydad.
”
“
Son,comeandsitdown.Onyourseat
,Iwantt
o
t
alkwit
hthePr
incenotmyson.”
“Okay.YouknowIdon' treall
yl i
kei
twhenyou
addr essmewi thr
espectbutt hi
ssoundsseri
ous.
Letmeputonmycr own.”TheRoyalt rustedguard
bringsf or
wardatraywi t
hPr inceSphamandla's
crown, beadsandasmal lspeardecoratedwit
h
beadsanddi amonds.Heput sonhi scrown,fi
xesit
andsi tsnexttohi
sfather.
“Don'
twelookgoodsi
tt
ingl
iket
his?
”Askst
heKi
ng
absent
mindedl
y.
“Wealwayslookgooddad.What'
swr
ong?I'
m sure
youdidn'
tcal
lmeheretoenjoymesi
tt
ingnextt
o
you.
”
“Yeahyouareri
ght.I
t'
sPhi
li
pNgcobo,
hisname
hasjustbeenappr
ovedtor
unformayorel
ect
ions
nextyear.
”
“Youmustbekiddi
ngme?Dad, whati
fheseesthe
diamond?Whatwil
lwedo?Thisisadisast
er!
”
PrinceSphai
sshel
lshocked.
“Hehasn'
twont heelecti
ons,wehavetostophim
fr
om seati
ngont hatchai
r.That'
swhereyoucome
i
n,son,Iwantacleanandsecur ejob,
areweclear?
”
TheKinglooksathisson,hiseyesbeggi
ng.
“IstheKingsayi ngwhatIthi
nkI '
m heari
ng? ”His
fathernods.“Nodad!I'm notthatkindofaguy, I
can'tdoit.Beforeyouaccusemeofbei ngweak, I'
m
not.I'
mj ustnotamur der
er.Lethim wint he
electi
ons,lethim gi
vemeaval i
dreasont ofini
sh
him offthenIpromiseyou, f
ather,hewillbegone
befor
eyoucanbl
inkt
wice.
”Sphaswear
sonhi
s
crown.
“
ThankyouSon.Youwillbeoneofthegr
eatKi
ngs
i
nthenearf
utur
e.”TheKingprai
ses.
“Yourteachi ngs,dad.Theydi dn'tgotowast eand
l
ifehasal sot aughtmeaf ewgr eatlessons.
”He
sighs.“Ihavear equestdad, don'taskmybr ot
herto
dowhatyouj ustaskedmet o.Sbuact simpulsi
ve
andwemi ghtfindourselvesi nhotsoup.Also,he'
s
stil
ltr
yingt oseewhathecandoaboutZodwa.He
i
snoti nagoodst ateofmi nd.”
“
You'
rewor
ryi
ngme,
son.What
'sgoi
ngon?
”
“Sheover heardthetr
uth.Sheknows,dad,andI
don'tknowwhatwi l
lshedo.Ihopetheyboth
resolvethisthi
ngmat urely.Mywi
fedoesn'
tneed
anymor edr amaandpai n.”
*
***
***

“
Maa!”Nomt
hagr
abst
heQueen'
sar
m asshet
urns
t
oleave.
“What,
darl
ing?Ar
eyoui npai
n?”TheQueenasks,
concer
nedaboutherhealt
h.
“No.I'
mfi
ne,Ij
ustwant
edtosaythankyou.You'
re
veryki
ndandcari
ng.
”Botht
heireyest
ear.
“Ohmydaught er!Comeher e.
”Theyembr aceeach
otherbefor
ewipingeachot her '
stear
s.“Crynomor e,
Godwi l
lonceagai nrestor
eyourj oyand
happiness.
”QueenMot herkissesherforehead.“Let
met aketheset
ot heki t
chenandseei fyourf at
her-
i
n-lawneedsanyt hing.Takerest.”
“Lwandi
,br
ingmemyl
apt
op.
”Nomt
haor
der
sher
son.
“Heremommy.Whatar
eyoudoing?You'
renot
supposedt
odoanywork.
”Muziremi
ndsher.
“I'
m notworki
ng,
I'
m cal
li
ngyouruncl
e.”She
switchesi
tonandvideocal
lsLuckywhoisonl
ine,
fort
unatel
y.
“Heybro.
”Shefl
ashesasmi l
e,Lucky'
st ears
thr
eatent
ofal
l.“
Stop!You'
retheonewhoal ways
remindsmewhoIam.I '
m Nomt ha,t
hest rongest
oneandnothi
ngbreaksaMahl angu,remember ?”
“
Yeahyou'reri
ght .Iwasscar
edyouweregoi
ngto
l
eavewithoutteachingushowtoli
veandbestr
ong
wit
houtyou.”
“Youdidn'
tseem scaredtomewhenyouwerebusy
removingthosepiecesofgl
assf
rom myupper
arm.”Sheteases.
“Bel
ievemeIwas.DeepdownIwasshatt
eredbutI
hadtodomyjob,whichi
ssavi
ngli
ves.
”
“
I'
m pr
oudoft
hemanyou'
rebecomi
ng,
brot
her
.”
“
Real
ly,
Sis?
”
“Yes.I
'm sur
eourpar ent
sareproudofyout oo.
List
en,Ineedthisheavythi
ngremovedf r
om my
arm.Today.”Luckylooksatherasifshe'
ssome
kindofghost.“Myarm washealedbeforeIl
eftthe
hospit
al.I
'mfine,youknowwhoIam, r
ight
?”
“
Yeah.Wi
llyoucometothehospi
taloryouwantme
t
ocometot hepal
ace?”
“
Comet
othepal
ace-
-”
“
Sist
er,t
hisi
ssounfai
r!Luckyget
sthef
ir
stcal
l,
why?”Li
ndasul
ks.
“Li
ll
y,mydarl
ingsi
ster,
Iwasn'ttal
kingtoLuckymy
brot
herbutt
hedoctor.Ineedhisservi
cesyousee.
”
“Fi
ne.Whencanwevi si
tyou?Youscar
edt
hehel
l
outofme,don'
teverdothatagai
n!”
“
Iwon't
.Tellyourbrot
hert
ohur r
yupandremove
t
hist
hing.Iwillcomeandvisi
tyoual
laf
ter
wards.
Wher
ei sMissKay? ”
“Busywithherbooks.Idon'
tknowwhyshekeeps
studyi
ngbecausealreadyshe'
sanAstudent
,what
mor edoesshewant?”
“Whydoyoukeepwor
kingoutl
ikecr
azywhenyou
areal
readysl
im?
”
“
It
'sal
if
est
yle.”
“Ther
e.Youhaveyouranswer .Guys,sinceI
managedt ocomebackt ol
ife,Ist
il
lwannaseet he
surpr
ise.Iknowyouallwentbehindmybackand
usedhalfofmymoneyi nthenameofasur pri
se.
Whatisit?”Theybot
hlookateachot her.
“
Nomommy!Notliket
his,wewil
ltakeyout
osee
f
oryour
sel
faf
terr
emovingthecast.
”
“
Howdoyouknow?
”
“Youal
lconfessedyoursi
nst
omethinki
ngIwas
goingt
odie.Iwantmymoneyback.
”
“What?”Allt
hreeofthem sayi
nuni son.“Whatwill
youdowi thallt
hatmoney?Wewi llcontinuetouse
i
tuntilyoudecidetodosomethingpr oducti
vewit
h
i
t.”Li
ndasays, fi
rml
y.
“
Okay,
byeguys.Lucky,I'
m expect
ingyoutobehere
i
nnotmoret
han15mi nutes.
”Sheswitchesof
fthe
l
apt
op.
“Andthen?What'
sgoingon?”Sphaent
erst
hei
r
bedroom st
il
lwear
inghi
scrown.
“Mydeardarl
ingPri
nce,
youlookcut
ewithyour
crownon.Idon'
tknowwhyyoudon'tal
wayshavei
t
onliket
hosePri
ncesinNiger
ianmovi
es.
”
“BecauseI'
m notacti
ngamovi e.Iwantpeoplet
o
seemenott heCrownPrince.YouandIwoul dn'
tbe
mar r
iedi
fthefi
rstti
meyousawmeIhadt hi
scrown
on.”Heteases.
“
Dad,
whenyoubecomeKi
ng,
I'
m al
sonotgoi
ng
ar
oundwear
ingacr
own.
”Muzi
says.
“There'
snothi
ngwrongwiththatson.Allyouhave
toknowandal waysbeari
nmi nd,i
swhoyouar e.”
Sphasi t
sonthebedandtakesNomt hai nhisarms.
Nomt hainst
antl
ysensest
hatsomet hi
ngi s
troubl
inghim.
*
***
***
*

Zodwaslamst hedoorbehi
ndherandcol
lapseson
thef
loorcr
ying.
“Babe,wai
t!
”Sbual sorushesi
nsideandhugsher
ti
ght.Shewail
s.“Iunderst
and,cr
y,leti
tal
lout
.”He
holdsherunt
ilshecalmsdown.
“WhySbu?Howcoul
dyoudot
hist
ome?
”She
sni
ff
les.
“I
'm sorr
y.Ineverwant edyout ofi
ndoutl i
kethis,
I
tr
iedmybestt opr otectyoufrom t
hetruth.Iknow
i
t'st
wi st
edandal lkindsofcrazybutInevermeant
tohurtyou.Ital
lhappened, Icoul
dn'tcontroli
tor
am Iabletoeraset hefeeli
ngfrom mysyst em.I'
m
sor
ry.
”
“
Doessheknow?Ar
eyoubr
other
sshar
ingher
?”
“No!Whatdoyout hi
nkofher?Sister-
in-
law'
s
characteri
saspureasthedrivensnow.Iwouldn't
dream ofshar
ingmybrother'
swi f
e,”Hepauses
remember i
ngasourmemor y.Amemor yheso
desperatel
ywishest
oerasefrom hismindforever
.
“
What
?Di
dyousl
eepwi
thher
?”
“No!Whati swrongwithyou?Nomt haisnotthe
kindofal adywhosleepswithanyman!Ididn't
event el
lheraboutmyfeeli
ngs.I'
m sor
ryforhurt
ing
you,okay?Butpleasedon'tquest
ionhercharact
er,
please.”
“Idon'tknowwhattothi
nkanymor e.Youletmego
toherf ormarr
iageadvi
cewhenyouknewshewas
andst i
lli
stheprobl
em wearetr
yingt osol
veint
his
mar r
iage!Howcouldyoubesocr uel?DoImean
nothingtoyou?”Zodwarages.
“Fi
rstofall
,sist
er-
in-
lawhasnothi
ngtodowithour
marit
alproblems.She'shappywit
hmybrother,
I
acceptedthatandmovedon.Icareaboutyoubaby,
I'
m ver yfondofyouandIhopeonedayyouwi l
l
under standthatIhavenopowertochangewhatI
feelforher.I'
vetri
edsomanytimesbutthemoreI
try,
themor eIfeeldr
awntoherli
keamagnet.
”
“
Wher
edoIf
iti
nthi
slovet
ri
angl
e?”
“There'
snolovetr
iangleher
e.Brot
herandhi
swi f
e
l
oveeachot her
.Youandmewer ehappyunt
ilyou
decidedyouwantedmet oimpri
ntyournameinmy
heartandsoulwhichisalmosti
mpossibl
e.”
“Iwantadi
vorceSbu.I
'
m goingtot el
lyourf
ather
andourchi
ldr
enaboutallofthi
s.Iwil
leventel
lthe
mediaandseewhatthewor l
dthinks-
-”
“Youwouldn'
tdar
e!Sayasi
nglewordtoany
repor
terandyouwil
lber
esponsi
blef
orthatper
son
andhis/herf
amil
y'
sdeat
hs.”War
nsSbu.
“
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
”
“Justaf
ri
endlywarni
ng.TrymeandIwi llr
emi nd
youwhotheguybehindthiscutefaceandsmi leis.
”
Zodwacries.“
God!Damni t
,Zodwa!I'mtr
yingt obe
aniceguyherebutyoukeepprovokingme, now
youarecryi
ng.ForChr
ist
'ssakecanweal lforget
aboutt hi
sthingandmoveon?Imaynotdo
anythingifyout r
ytoharm ordefamesister
-i
n-law
butrestassur ed,mybrot
herwi l
lnotst
andby,
handsi nhispocketswatchingyoudestroyhis
familyandt hefutur
eofthisKingdom.Aboutyou
tel
li
ngmyf atherandmysons, theyknowdar l
ing.
They'vealwaysknowt hetruth.
”
*
***
***
*
I
t'
sdi
nnert
imeatt
heRoyalpal
ace.
“MyPri
ncess,
foodi
sready.”Amai
dinf
orms
Nomtha.
“
Thanks.I
smyhusbanddownst
air
s?”
“YesMa'am.Ist
her
eanyt
hingel
seyouneed?
”She
poli
tel
yasks.
“Nodarl
ing.Thankyouf ortaki
ngcareofmysoni n
myabsence, Ir
eall
yappr eci
ateit
.CanIt
akeyouout
shoppi
ngt omorrow,af
ternoon?”Thegirlbl
ushes.
“AsyouwishMyPri
ncess.Thankyou.”Sheexi
ts
ther
oom andscr
eamswi t
hhappiness.Nomtha
smil
esshaki
ngherhead.
Nomt hat akesSpha' sj
acketandleaves.She
passesbyt henur seryr
oom onherwaydown, her
heartstart
spoundi ngandherhandsshaki ng.She
shakil
yt ur
nst heknobandt herei
tis.Thecr ib,
the
rocki
ngchai r,thedrawi
ngsont hewal l,
the
messagesofl ove,t
hetinyclot
hesint hewar dr
obe.
Shewal kstowar dsthewardrobe,grabsapi nkbaby
wrapper.Shemovesherhandonal lthet i
nyshoes,
memor iesfloodinghermind.
“Mygi
rlswi
llhaveever
ythi
ngt
heyneedandwant
.”
Sphahadsaid.
“Mommy, thesear
ecute!Pl
easel
et'
sbuyt
hem f
or
mysister
s!”Muzisai
d.Hewashappy,t
heywer
eall
happy.
“Daughter-
in-
law,Imadethisdoublecr
ibmysel
f.
Pleaseacceptitasagiftformyunborn
grandchil
dren.”TheKinghimselfmadethecr
ib
from t
hestart.Thesmileonhisfacewasabeauty
tobeholdwhenhehandedovert hecri
b.
“
Thesewer
eyour
sandSne.Ikeptt
hem saf
efor
you.”Hermothergavehert
woneat
lyf
oldedbaby
blanket
s..
..
“
Nooo!”Shescr eams.Nooneiseverstr
ongenough
t
oeasil
yf or
getaboutherchil
dren.“
Why?Whyme?
Why?”Shecol l
apsesontheherknees.“
Mybabies-
--
-
”Hervoicetrai
lsoffasalumpr i
sesandbl
ocksher
t
hroat
“Babe?”Sphastormsinside.Shesnat
chest
hebaby
wrapperandengulfsherinhisarms.“
Shhh.
..
.It
's
okaymyl ove.St
opcrying.”
“I
thur
ts!I
thur
tsalot!
”Shesobsinhi
schest
.Hei
s
unabl
etocont
rolhi
sownt ear
s.
“Iknow,babe.Cal
m down, dar
li
ng.
”Heholdsher
fi
rmlyunti
lshecalmsdown.Justthentheyheara
commot i
ondownst ai
rs.Nomthawipeshert
ears.
“
Somethi
ngiswrongdownst
airs.Let
'sgo.
”Spha
want
stoprot
estbutshe'
sal
readyout.
“
Youcan'
tseeher
--
”Theguardsar
ebusyt
ryi
ngt
o
t
hrowoutamanwhoisveryadamant
“
Ihavet
o.I
t'
sver
yimpor
tantf
ormet
oseeher
.”One
oft
heguar
dsi
saboutt
ost
ri
kehi
m butNomt
ha
st
opst
heguar
d.
“St
op!Allofyou,leavethemanal one.Viol
enceis
nowayt osolveanything.”Al
ltheguardsstepaside.
Spha'sheartpoundslookingatamanwhocoul dbe
ofhisage.Hisimaginationsr
unwi l
dt r
yingtofi
gure
outwhohemaybe.
“
MyPr
incess!
”Themanbowshi
shead.
“Whydidyoutakesolong?Whati
fsomet
hingbad
happenedtoher?Doesshemeanthi
sver
ylit
tl
eto
you?”Ever
yoneisshocked.
“
MyPr
incess,
howdoyouknow?
”
“Mel
ulekiSibi
yaisyourname.Myf
ri
endShei
la'
s
boyf
ri
end, doyoubeli
evemenow?”
“
Surely,
whatIheardaboutyoui
str
ue.Forgi
vemy
mist
ake,wereal
lyneedyourhel
pMyPrincess.
”
“I
t'
sokay.Nextt i
me, t
reatmatt
ersofimport
ance
wit
hur gency.Gobackhome, alli
swell.
”Helooksat
herpuzzled.“Go!Ever
ythingi
sfinenow.”He
hesi
tantl
yleaves.
*
***
**
“
Hell
oMiss.Howcanwehel
pyou?
”At
all
,muscul
ar
manasks.
“
I'
m her
eforShei
la.
”Nomt
habl
unt
lysays.
“
What
?Whosentsentyou?Shei
lai
smywi
fe-
-”
“Yourwi f
e,myf oot.Moveasi de!
”Nomt hapushes
him asidebutthemanpul lsagun.Shei laandher
sisterscr
eam inf ear.“Youjoking,r
ight
?”Theman
pullsthetri
gger.Nomt hablocksthebulletwit
hher
l
ef thand.Themanl ookson, horri
fi
ed.“Whogave
yout heri
ghttot err
or i
zeotherpeople?Doyout hi
nk
youcanownwomenonl ybecauseyoupai dfi
ve
cowsf orlobol
a?Shei l
a,packyourt hi
ngsI '
mtaking
yououtofher e.”
“No!Iwi
llr
atherdi
e!Youar
enott
aki
ngher
anywher
e.”Themanswear s.
“Nomtha,mysisterwi l
lbetheonetopayf orthi
s.
Thismonsterwillki
llher-
-”Nomthalooksbackt o
theman,he'saboutt oshootSheil
a'
ssister.Nomtha
rol
lshereyes,t
heyignitefir
einst
antl
yandt heman
i
ssetablaze..
..
*
*
*
*
*
NEXTINSERT:
.Nomthaf
inal
lymeet
sthebeaut
if
ul
Nel
isi
weNgcobo.
..
.

Let
'skeepgrowi
ngourpage.Li
ke,comment,
menti
onfri
endsandsharethei
nserts.200l
ikes,
100comment sand89shareswil
lunlockabonus
i
nsert
.
[
07/
21,
13:
44]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
..

Chapt
er19.

“
Whatexact
lydi
dthi
smando?
”Bab'
uMahl
angu
quest
ionst
hem f
orahundr
edt
hti
me.
“Daddy,hemar ri
edShei
la'
ssister.Yeshepai dfi
ve
cowsf orlobol
aandfoll
owedal lt
het r
adit
ionsbut
thatdoesn'tgi
vehimtheri
ghttot err
ori
zepeople.I
meani t'
snotherfaul
tshecan'thavechildren,i
sit?
”
“
Nomybabyi
t'
snot
.Whatexact
lydoyouwantme
t
odo?
”
“Gotal
kt oSheila'sparents,makethem underst
and
whattheydidwaswr ong.Youcan'toff
eryour
daughteronasi lverplatt
ertoamanonl ybecause
yourothermar r
ieddaught erisunablet
oconcei ve.
That'
sutterbull
shi t
!Ifit
'sthelobol
ahewant sback
wewi l
lgiveitback.That '
sifhe'sst
il
lal
ive,anyway.”
“
What
?Whatdi
dyoudo?
”
“
Not
hingdadr
elax.
”Nomt
hahugshi
m.
“
Sunshi
ne,
dinneri
sser
ved.
”Zandii
nfor
mst
hem.

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.
Mom wi l
lneverst
opcall
ingmesunshi
ne.Ithi
nk
sheshouldhavenamedmeSunshi nei
nsteadof
Blessi
ng,nooneeverusesthename.I
t'
sjusta
nameonmybi rt
hcert
if
icat
e.
“Okay,
mom.Youdon' tl
ookwell
?”Inoti
ce
somethingi
nhereyes.She'
sbeencr
ying,Icant
ell
.
“Nothing,honey.Comeon, I
'
m sureourguest
sare
star
ving.”She'sdiver
ti
ngmyat t
enti
on.Iknowshe'
s
worriedaboutme, myphysi
calheal
th.
“
Okaymom.Coming.”Iinfor
m Shei
laandhersi
ster
t
henl
eadt
hem t
ot hediningroom.
“Yourhouseisver
ybeaut
if
ul.”Shei
la'
ssi
ster
compliments.
“Thankyou.”That
'sallIcansay.Idon'
tknowhow
torespondtocompliments.Therearesever
al
dishesonthedini
ngtable.Lucky,Li
ndaandKiar
a
arewaiti
ngforuswear i
ngmat chi
ngaprons.
“
Ohoh!Mydearsi
bli
ngscookedf
orus?AndKi
ara
t
oo?
”Iteaset
hem.
“
OhcomeonMr
sTshabangu,
youknowwear
ethe
bestchef sinthewor l
d.”Luckyr espondsfeeli
ng
proudoft heirwork.Inmyf amily,Imeant he
Mahl anguf amil
y,ourpar entstaughtust hatno
mat t
erhowmanyzer osyourbankaccounthas, as
l
ongasyouar esti
llundert hei
rr oofyoudot he
choreslikeeveryoneel se.Luckynowear nsaf ew
thousandbucksbuti t'
snotoutoft henormt ofind
him moppi ngthefloor.
“Reall
ynowbr other?Let'
ssee,what '
sont he
menu? ”Iopentheser vi
ngdishesandI 'm
i
mpr essed.Mylitt
lesist
erKiarai
sf eeli
ng
uncomf or
tabl
e,Icant el
l.Theaddit
ionoft wopeopl
e
i
nt hehouseistoomuchf orhertohandl e.“
Miss
Kay,yourbrot
her -
in-
lawisfiveminutesaway, why
don'tyougoandbr i
nghimi n.
”Mydearhusband
couldn'
twaitformet ocomeback.He' sonhisway
topickmeup.
“
Okaysi
ster
.”Shewhi
sper
stomyear‘
thankyou.
’
*
***
***
*

If
eelt
ir
edf
rom al
ltheyest
erdayact
ivi
ti
es.Let
's
hopedadmanagest otal
ksenset oShei l
a'
sparents.
Idon'tknowwhybutIst i
llfeelli
keLi ndaishi
ding
somet hi
ngfrom al
lofus.Yest erday,herphonekept
vibr
atingbutshedidn'
tattendt oit.Somethi
ngis
real
lybother
ingmysi st
er.
“Babe,
isitmeorLi ndai
sacti
ngstr
ange?”Spha
chuckl
es.It
'sasign,heknowssomethi
ngIdon'
t
andhewon' tt
ellme.
“Youworryt
oomuch, honey.Lindai
sateenager
,
youknowhowt heyare.Boyfr
iendfi
ght
s,mood
swingsandall
.”Helies.
“I
fyousayso. ”Myhusbandi sverygoodatt r
yingt
o
prot
ectmef rom t
hetruthespeci
allywhenheknows
hedoesn'tneedmyhel ptosolvethemat t
er.“
About
MrNgcobo, whatareyougonnado? ”IknowI'm
pushingwrongbuttonsthi
sear l
yinthemor ni
ng.
“MyRose, willyoupleasefi
nishdressi
ngupand
stopwor r
yingaboutt hat
.Whent heti
mecomes, I
willdealwi
thhi m andyouwillknowifIneedyour
helpornot.Fornow, pleasefi
nishupandlet'
sgo.
”
Mysondeci
dedi
tst
imeIgoandseemysur
pri
se.
Him andmysi bl
ingsar
esosurethatI'
m goi
ngto
l
oveit.Idon'tknowwhatisi
tthattheydidbutI
'
m
hopi
ngf orthebest .
“
Ready?
”Sphaasksst
art
ingt
hecar
.
“Yeah.Wherei
sMuzi
?”I
'
m sur
pri
sedhe'
snot
comingwithus.
“He'
sgonealr
eady.Topr
epar
eyoursur
pri
se.
”He
bri
efl
ygl
ancesatmeandsmiles.
“Okay.Let
'sseewhatyouguyshavegot .
”I'
m
nervous.Mymi ndkeepswanderi
ng,whatisitt
hat
theydidwithsomuchmoney?Whatmakesme
evenmor ecuri
os,thecompanyedit
orsdidn'
trai
se
theissuewhichIassumemydearhusbandher e
playedsomet r
ickstocoveri
tup.

SphapressesthebuttonontheremoteIdi
dn'
teven
knowitexi
sted.Ablacksli
dinggat
egoeswideopen.
Herewear e,
inthi
sbigyardwi t
haridi
cul
ousl
yhuge
doubl
estoreybuil
ding.
“
Okay.Bef
orewegetdown,
Iwasadvi
sedt
ocal
l
youMr sTshabanguunt ilfurt
hernoti
ce.”Whatthe
heck?BeforeIcanr espond,Iseemyson, my
sibl
ingsandmanyot herpeopleIdon'trecogni
ze
waiti
ngformebyt heentrance.WhenSphaopens
thedoorforme,Ist epont heredcarpet.Holy
heavens!Whataret hesepeopl eupto?Oneoft he
girl
swearingbl
ackandwhi t
emeet smehal fway
withabunchofr ed, whi
teandyel l
owr oses.
“Welcome, MyPrincess.
”Shebowsherheadoutof
respect.IlookupatSphabutheshakeshi shead
smili
ng, he'snottel
li
ngmewhat '
sgoingon.
Everyonei ncl
udingmysonandsi bli
ngsgreetme
withsomuchr espectmakingmef eel
uncomf ortabl
eatsomepoi nt.
“Mommy, wel
come.”Twoguyswear ingtheblack
andwhi t
euniformli
ketheothergirlsunvei
lthesign
post.‘
WELCOMEt oEmziniWot handoRehaband
Home. ’
OhMygoodness!Tear sstream downmy
cheeks,I
'm dumfounded,
Ineverexpect edthis.
Spharubsmyback, I
'
m notcryingbecauseI '
m hurt
,
thesearetearsofj
oy.
“
Son,
youdi
dthi
s?Buthow?
”I'
m awest
ruck.
“Mommy, doyourememberthisman?
”Hebr i
ngs
forwardamanwi thacl
eanshavenandscar red
face.Ishakemyhead.“Thejunki
ewholivedunder
thebridge?Themanyougavea$2not eandt old
him nottobuydrugswi
thitoryouwil
lneverhelp
him again?”Ohno!NowIrememberever yt
hing.
“It
'syou?”Seei
nghim al
lcleananddressedupl i
ke
thi
s, Ihughimti
ghtandletmyt ear
sfallf
reel
y.Isti
ll
can'tbeli
evemysondidt hi
s.“I
t'
sreal
lyyou?”
“YesMa' am.Andt he$2not e,Ist
il
lhaveit
.Been
cleanformor ethansixmont hsnow,thankstot
his
youngman, yourdad,yourhusbandandyour
sibli
ngs.”Dadknewabouti ttoo?Thesepeoplecan
bever ysecreti
veatti
mes.
“Okayenoughwi ththecr yi
ng.Mommy, thi
sis
EmziniWot handoRehabandhome.Bef orewego
i
ntodetailaboutal l
t heactivit
ies,Iwouldl i
keyout o
meetthest affmember s.Iam t hecofounder ,
dad
hererepr
esent soneofourmai nsponsor s
TshabanguEnt er
prises,youwi l
lmeett heother
sponsorlater.UncleLuckyi sourr esi
dentdoct or
,
thi
sisBella,myuncl e'
sgi r
lfr
iendandour
counsel or.”Bel l
ablushesbef or ehuggi ngme.“ Aunt
Lindai souri n-housef i
tnesst rainer ,
AuntKi araour
oneononet utorforourresident swhoar e
i
nt erestedi nstudying.Thismanher e,he'sthe
ulti
mat er easonwhyweopenedt hispl ace,his
namei sMrTshepoGoi t
semang/MrJunki e, helps
witht hecounsel i
ngandmot ivatingot herresidents.”
Mysonl eavesmei nawe, howi nt hehel ldidIgi ve
birthtoageni uslikehim?“ Oursi stersandbr others
wear ingbl ackar evolunteer
s, ever yonehasaname
tag.Youwon' thavetroublewi tht heirnames. ”
I'
m sti
lli
ndisbelief,
itfeel
sli
keadream.Wehave
touredthewhol ecompound, I'
vemettheresi
dents,
somear echildrenyoungerthanKiar
a,somear e
youngadul t
swhoonl yneededwordsof
encouragementandsomeonet ohel
pthem upwhen
theystumbledbutbecausenoonebot her
edtolook
atthem, t
heyt urnedtodrugs.
“So?Whatdoyout
hink?
”Sphaasksmassagi
ngmy
shoul
der
s.
“
Excel
lent
!Idi
dn'
tknowmysoni
sageni
us-
-”
“
Ourson.
”Hecor
rect
sme.
“
Whoi
stheot
hersponsor
?”I
'
m cur
ious.
“
Herehei
s.”Muzisaysst
andi
ngbyt
hedoorway.
What
?Mydad?
“YesPr i
ncess.Me.I
'
mtheot
hersponsor
.”Wonder
s
shallneverend!
“Notonl
yoursponsorbutourboxi
ngcoach,
too.
”
Thandoadds.
“
Youar
ejoki
ng,
right
?”
“Nope.Grandpaisachamp, agoldmedalhol der
andani ne-
ti
meheavywei ghtchampion.”Nowi tall
makessense.Gr owi
ngup, dadhadthiswoodt runk
whichwasal wayspadlocked.Heneveropenedi t
nordidhetalkabouti
t.WhenIasked, hetoldme
theywerepastmemor iesheneverwant edtorevisi
t
again.Dadwasaboxer ,heimpregnatedmom and
hiscareerwasover.
“Ohdaddy!NowIunder
stand.
”Il
eapt
omyf
eetand
hughimtight
.
*
***
***
***
*
NARRATED.

Afterthesurpri
se,Nomt hahadbr unchwitht he
Emzi niWothandor esi
dent s.Mostoft hem wer e
happyt ofi
nall
ymeett hePr i
ncess.Shewont heir
heartsbyheraf f
ectionatesmi l
e.Ami dstof
everythi
ng,shefeltuneasyandexcusedher self.
Shewal kedtowardst hegat ewher eshehadl oud
voices,t
heywer efighting.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”Thevoi
ceshout
ed.
“WhatshouldIdo?I
'm her
ebecausebit
chswit
ched
offherphoneandIhadnootherchoi
ce.Whatare
youplayi
ngat?”
“Nothing.It
oldyouIwaswor ki
ng,whydon'tyou
understand?”Li
ndashout edandNomt ha
recognizedhervoice.Sherushedtothescene
wher eshecamef acetofacewi t
hSiyabongaand
Nelisi
we.Lindatrembledwithfear.
“Di
dImi sssomethi
ng?Whyareyouher
ewi
tht
hese
peopl
e,Lil
y?”Shecal
myasked.
“
Theywer
easki
ngf
ordi
rect
ions.
”Shel
ied.
“Wow!Wow!Wow!Lookwhowehaveher e?
Pri
ncessNomt handazoherself.”Nelir
emarked
cl
appingherhandsdr amatical
ly.Si
yabonga'shear
t
pounded,hecouldfeelai
rleavi
nghi slungs.
“NelisiweAngel a‘Emerald’Ngcobo.”Nomt ha
shockedal lofthem.Nelitooktwost epsback.
“What ?Ar eyoushocked?Ni cetofinall
ymeetyou
too,dar l
ing.Themostbeaut i
fulgi
rlwi t
htheall
uring
eyesever !Notbad,Iguesst heydi
dn' tli
eabout
that.
”Nomt habutt
onedNel i
'sshir
tdr esscoveri
ng
hercl eavage.“Trytocoveryourbodyal i
tt
lebi
t
mor e.”Nomt hasmiledsendingchillsdownNel i
's
spine.
“Howdoyouknowal
lmynames?
”Sheaskedwi
tha
shakyvoi
ce.
“Befor
eeagerlywaiti
ngtomeetmeyoushoul dat
l
easthavedoneyourhomewor k.Linda,l
et'sgo.
”
Lindalookedathersist
erthenbackt oSiyabonga
whogaveheradeadl ystar
e.“Linda,let
'sgo.Andoh,
SiyaandNel i
,bet
ternotbetroublingmysi bli
ngs
becausePri
ncessNomthandazocanbever
yscary
atti
mes.”Wit
hthatsai
dshedraggedLi
ndaback
i
ntothecompound.
*
***
***
**

It'
slaterintheafternoon.TheRoyalchi efs,t
heKing
andhi ssons, theQueen, Zodwaandot herwomen
aregat heredatthePal ace.Zodwawentt oChief
Msel ekuandaccusedNomt haofwr eckingher
home.Chi efMselekudi dnotwastetimebef ore
i
nf or
mi ngal lt
hetheot herchief
sabouti t
.Itwas
thendeci dedthattheywer egoingtohearbot h
sidesoft hestory.
“OurPri
ncessZodwa, hadbeforerequest
edthat
Pri
ncessNomt haprovesherinnocenceregardi
ng
thematter
.She'swi
lli
ngtoletital
lgoifthe
ancest
orsproveherinnocence.”ChiefSokhele
says.
“Wi
thallduer
espectYourMajestyandrespected
Chi
efs,
mywi fewil
ldonosucht hi
ng.She'spure
andIhaveneverquest
ionedhercharact
erbefore.
”
Sphasayscal
mly.
“I
t'
snotupt oyouMyPr i
nce,ever
ywomanwho's
suspectedofbei
ngunf ai
thfult
ohermar
ri
ageis
subject
edtoatest.That'
showwedot hi
ngsinthi
s
Kingdom--”
“Zodwa,doyoureal
l
yt hi
nkI'
m capabl
eofsuch?
”
Nomt haasks,
ascalm asshecanbe.
“
Yes.Youpretendtohavesupernatur
alpower sonl
y
t
oluremen!”Zodwamut t
ers.Zodwajustawakened
t
hebeastinNomt ha,
she'
snol ongerherself
,sheis
f
uming.Everyoneatt
hepalaceareont heirf
eet
t
ryi
ngtoputoutthefir
einher.
“Babe,pl
ease!”Sphatr
iest
ocal
m herdown.
Nomt hagrabsthechai
randanditsmasheshar
don
t
hewal l.
“Shutthehellup,Spha!I'
m Nomt
handazo,not
hing
i
smor eimportantt
omet hanmydigni
ty,whyismy
characterbei
ngquestioned?Whyam Isupposedto
gothroughat esttoprovemychast
it
y?”Another
chairfoll
ows.TheKingknowsexactl
ywhatis
happening.Noonedar estoaskt
hedaughterofthe
st
ormt
opr
oveherpur
it
y!
“
Youwil
lhavetodoit
!Yousweettal
kedmei nt
o
mar
ryi
ngSbuwhenyouknewexact l
ywhatyou
wer
edoing?Youwantedt
ohideyouraff
air
!-
-”
“Someonepl
easetellhert
oshutupbef
oreIdo
somethi
ngImightregret
--
”Zodwasl
apsNomtha
hard.
“It
houghtyouwer edecentbutyou' resucha
whore!”Nomt halooksather ,hereyesbl azingfir
e,
herwhol ebodyshaki ngwi thanger .Everythingin
thepalacei sfall
ingandshat tering, i
t'
slikethere'
sa
sevenpoi ntninemagni tudeear thquake.TheKi ng's
thr
onei sonf irebuthe' snotbur ning.“Whyar eyou
quiet
?Tal k,youbi t-
-”Sphadeci dest odot he
unthi
nkabl einor dertosaveever yonef r
om
Nomt ha'
swr ath.Hisfistconnect swi t
hZodwa' sjaw,
shefall
sont hef l
oorf eelingdi zzyandi s
unconscious.Ever yoner unsar oundt ryi
ngt o
exti
nguisht hef i
reont het hroneunt i
ltheRoyalseer
tel
lsthem tost opasi twon' twor k.
“
Youhaveanger
edt
hegods.Thewhol
ecommuni
ty
wil
lsuffert
heconsequencesofyourfoll
y.Al
lofyou
shouldapologi
zet
oheroryouar ealldoomed.I
havesaidwhatIsaw.”Theseerwalksbackwards
andleavesthePal
ace.
“Daught
er-
in-
law,
please-
-”TheKi
ngt
ri
est
osay
somethi
ng.
“Pl
easedon'
tmakedisr
espectyou.Letmeleave
t
hishouseinpeacebef
oreIl
oosemyt emper
.”
Nomthasays.
“
Sist
er-
in-
law,
pleasedon'
tgo.
”Sbubegs.
“Youknowwhat?Youar
eallungrat
eful!Idid
ever
ythi
nginmypowertosaveyourdignitybutyou
l
etherquest
ionmychar
acter
?Mychar acter?--
”
“
Babe,
li
sten-
-”
“I
'm notdone,”Sher aisesherfingertosilencehim.
“Onlyifyouallknewt hesacr i
fi
cesI'vemadef orthi
s
kingdom?Onl yifyouknewt hatyouar ether eason
mybabi esdied!BecauseofyouSpha, yes,”she
smi l
es.“Isavedyou, Spha,Isavedyourl ifeand
sacrif
icedmyownbabi es.AndYourMaj esty,oneof
mybabi es'sbloodisint hehandsofal lt
he
Tshabangugener ati
ons!Becauseofyou, hedied.
Becauseofthi
st hrone,mybabywassacr ifi
cedsoI
coul
dcontinuetoser vethisKingdom butnot
anymore.Iwantnot hingtodowi thallofyou.No
one,noonewilleveragai nsitonthatthrone!Itwi
ll
conti
nuetoburnf oraslongasmynamei s
rememberedinthi sworld.”Nomthaswear s.
“
Sist
e--
”
“Shutupandl ist
enver ycarefull
y.I'm goingf ar
awayf rom t
hisplaceandi t'
speopl e.Iwantnot hing,
yourmoney, fame, st
atus,youcanal lkeepi tbutI'm
taki
ngmysonwi thmeandyouwi llnevereversee
him.”Wi t
hthatsaid,Nomt haviolentlyremovest he
royalneckpi
ece, bangl
esandt hr
owsofal lofiton
theburningthronebeforedr agginghersonout .
..
...
.
*
*
*
*
*
Whowil
lsavet
heKi
ngdom now?I
t'
saboutt
ogetl
it
,
st
ayt
uned.
*
***
**

Sor
ryforposti
nglate.Bengi
sayobon'ukuthikuya
‘
decembeka’yi
ni.Ihopeyouwi l
lal
lunderstand.
[
07/
21,
13:
44]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er20.

“
Babe,
pleasewai
t!
”Sphacal
lsf
rom behi
nd.
“I
fyoureall
ylovemel i
keyousayt henletmego.
All
owmet ol
eavethisplaceinpeacebeforeIdo
somethingImightendupr egret
ti
ng.”Tear
sfall
fr
eelydowntheircheeks.
“HowdoIlivewit
houtyou?How,babe?Pleasedon'
t
go.”Sphapai
nful
lysobs.Nomt
hapullsherhands
awayf r
om hi
s.
“TakecareofyourselfmydearPrince.IfGod
permit
s,wewi l
lmeetbeforecrossingthef i
nishing
l
ine.Onlyyouwi l
lknowwher etofi
ndyourson, if
anythi
nghappenst otohim Ipr
omi seyout his,Iwil
l
kil
lyoumyself.Bye.”Muzil
ooksathi sfather,r
uns
backtohim andhugshi mtight
.
“Bestr
ongMommyl ovesyou,dad.Iwi
lltakecar
e
ofher.
”Hewhi
spers.Sphacri
esharderashe
watchesNomt
hareversethecaranddrivi
ngoff.

Aft
erafewmi nut
es,
hewi
peshi
stear
sandgoes
backi
nside.
“Sbu!”Heshout s.“Sbusi soTshabangu! ”Heroars
oncemor e.TheChief shidebehi ndt heKing.Sbu
bravelyfaceshisbr other.“Youlistentomever y
careful,
Iloveyoual otbrother,Godknowst hat,we
bothknowt hatandal lthesepeopl eknowi ttoobutI
l
ovemywi feevenmor e.Yougoi nthere,ext
inguish
thatfir
e,howyouwi lldoi tIdon'tknow, aft
erthat
youtakeyourwi f
eandhi dehersomewher eIwon' t
beabl etoseeherbecauseonl yhel lknowswhatI
wil
ldotoherifIeversetmyeyesonher.Ar
ewe
cl
ear?”Sbuswallowshardastear
sfal
ldownhi
s
cheeks.
“Butson-
-”TheQueenwant
stosaysomet
hingbut
hesil
encesher.
“Mom, don'tmakemedi srespectyou.Chi ef
Msel ekusi nceyoudeci dedt obet hejudgeofmy
wife'
schar actermakesur eyouf inishwhatyou
start
ed.I 'm amar r
iedmanandI '
m nol ongerused
tosleepi ngalone,makeapl an.Dad, Itoldyounotto
l
etherknowaboutSbu' sf eelingstowar dsherbut
whatdi dyoudo?Yousatt her eandl i
stenedt o
peopl eaccusi ngher,untilshecomesbackt othi
s
palace, donotconsi dermet heCr ownPr i
nce.”He
walksoutl eavingeveryonebuf fl
ed.
“I
'
m doomed!”TheKi
ngl
ament
sbef
orecol
lapsi
ng
onhi
sknees.

It
'sbeentwodayssi nceNomthalef
tthePalace.
Nomt hareal
lycursedtheKi
ngdom,cattl
eandwild
animalsaredyingeachandeverysecond.I
t'
s
snowing,somet hingthateveryoneal
ivenowonly
readinhistorybooksandt het hr
oneissti
llonf
ire.
PrinceSphamandl ai
sbackt ohiscoldself
,noone
i
sabl etotalktohim.Hepushesever yoneaway.
He'sbusydoi ngpushupsi nhi sroom whenhis
mobi l
ephoner ings.
“
Lil
ly?
”
“
Brother
-i
n-law,ar
eyoureall
ygonnal
ethergo
wit
houtafight?
”Lindaasks.
“
Canyoupleasenotgeti
nvolvedint
his?Iwantyou
t
oconcent
rateonwhatIorderedyoutodo.The
t
imehascome, i
t'
snowornever.”
“
Okaybr
other
-i
n-l
awbutI
'
m scar
ed.
”
“Feardoesn'
treall
yexist.It
'syourmindplaying
tri
cksonyounot hingelse.TellLuckytokeephis
partofthedealandwear egoodt ogo.Don'tcal
lme,
Iwillcal
lyouwithmypr ivatenumber .”Hehangs
upandput sonhi sshi
rtbeforewal ki
ngout.
“
Son,
areyounotgoi
ngt
owor
k?”Hi
smot
herasks.
“
No.
”Repl
iesPr
inceSphacur
tl
y.
*
***
***
***

“What '
sthi
s?”SbuasksZodwa.“ Di
vorcepapers,
reall
ynow?”Sbul aughssendingchil
lsdownher
spine.Sheshiver
sr ememberi
nghowSbubeather
upaf t
erthestuntshepull
ed.Healmostkil
ledher
butthendecidedtopunishher.
“
Pleasel
etmego.Ipr
om-
-”
“Nodarli
ng.Youstartedt
his,youarenotrunning
awayf r
om anyofit
.Youwi llst
ayhere,endureall
thepainyoucausedeveryoneuntilsi
ster-
in-
law
fi
nall
yforgi
veseveryone.
”It'
sawar ni
ng.
“Thisisnotmyf ault
!It'
syourfault
--
”Aslapfr
om
nowher esendshercr ashi
ngont hewall
.She'
sst i
ll
tryi
ngtofigureoutwhosl appedher,Sbu'
shands
areinhispockets,anotherslapsmakesherfeela
l
ittl
edizzybutwhoeversl appedhersavesherfrom
fall
ing.
“Youungr
atefulpi
eceofshi
t!Whodoyout hi
nkyou
are?
”Gugu'shighpit
chedvoiceechoes.“
Yout hi
nk
youcandestr
oywhatmyf orefat
hersworkedhard
for
? ”Sheki cksher,shefall
sont hefl
oor.Sheput s
herst i
lett
oheel onherthroat.“
Youaregoi ng
nowher e,
youar estayi
ngher eunti
lwefinda
sol
ut i
ont othepr obl
em youcaused.Af t
erthatI '
m
goingt osendpi ecesofyourf l
eshtoyourr el
ati
ves
becausenotevenourdogscaneatsomeonel ike
you.”Guguspi t
sonher .Zodwacoughs
continuouslytryingtocatchherbreath.
“
HeyAun-
-”
“Don'tyouevendare?Sincewhenareyouthi
sweak,
Sbu?Youar efai
li
ngt odealwit
honenobodyofa
woman?Noman!I 'mr eal
lydi
sappoi
ntedi
nyou.
Whathappenedt ofighti
ngforourl
egacy?
”Guguis
real
lyangry.
“
It
'snott
hatsi
mp-
-”Gugusl
apshi
mtoo.
“Iwil
lsi
mplifyt
hisforyou.Nevereverchoosea
vaginaoveryourfamil
yandyourf at
her'
spride!That
thi
ngbetweent hi
sgirl
'
slegshavedest r
oyedmany
str
ongkingdoms, useyourbrai
ntothinkSbu.
Think!
”Gugupusheshi mtothesideandexi t
st he
room.
“Howcoul dyoulethistor
yr epeatitself
?Wewer e
almostdoomedbecauseyoual lowedusel ess
peopletoimposeusel esstradit
ionsonyourwi fe!
Now, Nomt hai
sgone!Theonl yper sonwhocan
savethisKingdom, t
heonl ypersonwhohasdi rect
connectionwit
htheowneroft hatt hroneisgone!
Ohyes, gonebrother
!Whatt hehecki swr ongwi t
h
allofyou?Everyt
hingisturnedupsi dedown
becauseofyou!Youar etheKing, actlikeit
.”Gugu
i
sf uming.
“Youwon'tunder
stand,
Sist
er.
”Repl
iest
heKi
ng
quiet
ly.
“Thenmakemeunder st
and!Howcanyousi ton
yourthr oneandl i
stentopeopl
edirect
lyaccusing
yourgr andfather?NomthaisnotjustSpha'swife
butthedaught erofthest
orm!Howdoyoul eta
nobodyquest ionherpuri
ty?Doyouunder st
andt he
gravit
yoft hismat ter
?Areyoureadytolet
everythingourgr andpaworkedhardforgodown
thedrainbecauseofasi mplegi
rlwhof el
lpregnant
atthever ysightofa$50not e?”
“Gugupl
easecal
m down-
-”QueenMot
herhasnever
seenGuguthi
sangry.
“No,MyQueen.Ever yoneneedstohearthi
strut
h.
Mybr ot
herespeci al
ly,youar
et heKi
ng,your
Kingdom yourrules.
”Gugusi ghs.“
Okaywehavet o
actfast
.Wher eisSpha?I '
m sureheknowswher e
Nomt hais.I
'
m notdyi ngbecauseofsomeone's
stupi
dit
y.”
“Hewon'
ttel
lus.Accor
dingt
ohim,hemadea
promi
setoherandyouknowheneverbreakshi
s
promi
ses.
”TheKingsaysastheRoyalseerwal
ksi
n.
“Ti
meisrunningout
.Youhavetwentyfourhoursto
fi
ndherorfacethef
ullwrat
hofthegods.Itdoesn'
t
l
ookgood,YourMajesty.
”Hewalksbackwardsand
exi
ts.
*
***
***
**

TheNgcobosar
ebuf
fl
ed.Theyar
eal
ltr
yingt
o
fi
gur
eoutwhati
sgoi
ngon.
“
Itol
dyout
hatwomanwasnotahumanbei
ng.If
elt
i
t,shehasstr
ongpower
sthatcanshakeanyt
hing.
”
Nelisays.
“Ifshehaspowers,
whyisshelet
tingt
hishappent
o
theKingdom shecl
aimstol
oveandwi l
lal
ways
protect
?”MrNgcobosipshercof
fee.
“Somethingi
snotr i
ght.Nomt hawoul
dneverlett
his
happen,Ithi
nkthere'
sfireonthemountai
n.”
Siyabongasayslosti
nt houghts.
“
Howdoyoumean?
”Nel
iquest
ions.
“ImeanNomt haandt heRoyalfamilymaybe
fi
ghtingorsomet hing.Communi tymember swent
tothePalacet odemandanswer sbuttheKing
couldn'
tansweranyoft hei
rquest i
ons.Nomthawas
notthere,i
fshewas, shewasgoi ngtosavethe
Royalfamily'shonor.Ithi
nkit'
shight i
mewef i
nd
outwher eshei sandhaveheronoursi de.
”
SuggestsSi ya.
“
Ar eyousureaboutthat
?Howandwher edowe
f
indherifherownfami l
ydoesn'
tknowwhereshe
i
s.”MrNgcoboi suncert
ain.
“
Iknowhowt
ofi
ndout
.Ij
ustneedaf
ewhour
s.”
Justt
henLindawalksinwear inghi
ghwai stj
eans,
pushupbraandacoatwhi chisnotbutt
oned
despi
tet
hecoldweat heroutsi
de.Herhighheels
cl
ickasshegracef
ull
ywal kstowardsthem.Mr
Ngcobolooksather,
heget slosti
nherseductive
eyesunt
ilMrsNgcobocoughs.

LI
NDA'
SPOV.
Myhearti
sthumpi
ngi
nmyear sbutIbravelywal
k
on.Thewaythi
sol
dmiser
abl
emani slookingatme
makesmystomachsi
ck.
“
Goodmorni
ngeveryone.”Il
ookatSiyathrough
t
hecor
nerofmyeye.He'sangrybutIdon'tcar
eand
I
'
m nol
ongerscar
edofhim.
“Whatareyoudoi
ngher
e,Li
nda?
”Heaskst
hrough
hisgr
it
tedteet
h.
“Icamet ocheckifmyin-
lawsaredoingf
ine.Imean,
i
tdoesn'tseem l
iketheunexpect
edweather
condit
ionsofthi
sKingdom arefor
givi
nginany
way.”Irubmyhandst ogether
.
“Whoareyoumychild?I'
veseenyoubef
ore?
”
BravoMrNgcobo!Youreall
yhavehel
pedmealot
.
“Umh. .
.I'
m Meli
ndaMahl angu,yourwoul
dbe
daughter-i
n-l
aw.”Nelialmostchokesonhert oast
.
“Sorr
ysi st
er-
in-
law,here.”Igi
veheraglassofwat er
.
Siyalookspale,it
'sl
ikeIjustpunchedhim onthe
stomach.
“
Ididn'
tknowmysonhadmovedonaf t
erl
osi
nghi
s
wif
eanddaughterinthathor
ri
bleacci
dent
?”Hi
s
motherl
ooksconfused.
“
I'
m sur
pri
sedt
oo.Si
ya-
-”
“Umh..Linda,
canwet al
kinmyr oom,pl
ease.
”Okay
SiyabongaNgcoboyoust ar
tedthi
sgame,Iwil
l
makesur etofi
nishi
tforyou.Yourgame,myrul
es.
“Okay,
sweethear
t.Fat
her
-i
n-l
aw,excuseme.”I
fl
ashmyonet housandmega-wat
tssmilet
othem
andfol
lowtheenragedSi
yabonga.
“Whatdoyouthi
nkyouthi
nkyouar
eplayi
ngat
?
Huh?”Hishandt
ight
ensonmyneck.“
Talk!
”
“
Your
uinedmyl
if
eSi
yabonga.Youbr
okemyvow
ofceli
bacy,youfor
cedyour selfonme.I
'm no
l
ongeravi r
ginbecauseofyou!Il i
edt
omypar ents
becauseofyou!Allthi
sforwhat ?Tohelpyouwith
yourobsessionwit
hmysi st
er?NoSiyabonga,no.
Youplayedyourcards,it
'sti
mef ormetomakemy
ownmoves. ”Iconfi
dentl
ydef yhim.
“
Areyout
hreat
eni
ngme?
”
“No, notr eall
y.Yout aughtmehowt ohurtpeople,
l
ayanot herf ingeronmeandseehowIdest royyour
perfectf ami l
y.Yourf at
herisalr
eadycharmed, I
won' tevenhavet oliftaf i
ngertolurehimt omybed.
Ihavenot hingt olose, Si
ya.Yourfatherdoes.You
willneverhavemysi ster,
never!Kil
lmeandt hat
tapewi llbeal lovert hetabloi
dswi t
hinafew
seconds.Youmessedupmyl i
feyoubast ard,si
t
downandt akenoteswhi l
eyouwat chthedevi li
n
medest royever ythingyourf at
herhaswor kedhard
for.”
“
Linda!
”Hehi
sses.
“
What?Areyouscar
ed?You'r
egoingtopayforall
t
hel
ivesyou'
vedest
royed.
”Ipushhi
m aside,
takea
deepbreat
handsmi
legoi
ngbackt
othedi
ning
room.

NOMTHA'
SPOV.

Thisbighouse,thegarden,hiscologne,everything
i
sjustabouthim!Whydi dIfalli
nlovewi thaPr ince?
Whydi dtheancestorssendmeher e?Ihat e
everyt
hing?Myl i
fe,howitallt
urnedout, everything.
Ifi
ndmyf i
ngersit
chingtototouchourweddi ng
photoont hebedsidetabl
e.
“Wewer esupposedt obehappyi nt hishouseSpha,
wewer esupposedt omoveoutoft hePal aceaf t
er
ourbabieswer ebornbutt hatneverhappened!Al l
becauseofyouandyourRoyalf ami ly!Ihat eyou!I
hateyouf ormakingmedot histot hei nnocent
people!Ihateyouformaki ngmebel ievei twasal l
goingtobeawal ki
nt hepar k!Ihatemysel fmor e
forbeli
evingthatnothingcandef eatl ove.Ourl ove
fai
ledSpha.Wef ai
led!”I
'm aboutt osmashi tbut
Kiarastopsme.
“Nosister.Iknownot hi
ngaboutl oveandal lthe
happil
yeveraf terbutIhavemyr easonstost r
ongly
beli
evethatyout wowi llf
indyourwaybackt oeach
other
'sarms. ”Kiarasays,tear
sthreateni
ngt ofall
.
Dadcoul dn'tl
etmebewi thMuzial oneinthisbig
house,hesentKi ar
atostaywi t
hus.Heknows, my
famil
yknowswher eIam.
“Noli
ttl
esist
er.Not
hingl
iket
hatwil
lhappen,i
t'
s
over.
”Shelooksatmebutsaysnothi
ng.Shetakes
thepict
urefr
ameandcareful
lyput
sitinthebot
tom
drawerofmywar dr
obe.

Ineedf r
eshair.Ineedt obreathebef oreIfaintor
worse.Iopent hethedoorwhi chleadst othefire
escape.Icli
mbt hest epsuntilI'
m ont herooftop.
WhenSphashowedmeahousepl anIthoughthe
wasbl uf
fingbuthewasr eall
yser i
ous.Hewant ed
hisfamilytoenjoyfreedom, f
arawayf rom the
Palaceandf arawayf rom everyonewhoknowsus.
Thehousewasbui ltbutweneverhadachancet o
l
iveinitbecauseourbabi eswer eneverbor naswe
hadhoped.Iwast womont hspregnantwhenhe
broughtmet other
ooft
op.Backt
hen,i
twasa
beauti
fulsightt
obehol
dbutri
ghtnow,ever
ythi
ng
seemsbl eak.
“Youcanst
il
lsaveyourpeopl
e.”Gr
andpabr
ingsme
backtowher
eIam.
“Wil
lyoupleasestopsneaki
ngupt
ome?Whatdo
youwant ?I
'mr eal
lynoti
nagoodmoodi
twi
llbe
bet
terifyouleave.
”
“
I'
m her
etoapol
ogi
ze.Onbehal
f-
-”
“
Leavet
hispl
acegrandpa.Leave!
”If
eelmyt
emper
r
isi
ngoncemore.
“NoI'
m notl
eavi
ng.Whatdowedot
oappease
you?
”
“Youcanal lgot
ohel
l!
”Grandpakneel
sdownand
start
scall
ingmyancestor
s!Whatthehel
liswrong
withthesepeopl
e?Myfeeli
ngsarenotconsi
dered
atall
.

NARRATED.
“
NtshangaseGod-
--
”
“
Justshutupgrandpa!Leavemealone!”Nomt
hais
movi
ngincircl
eswithherhandscoveri
ngherear
s.
“
SHUTUP! ”Grandpaconti
nuestochanther
f
oref
ather
s'names.
“Cal
m downNomt ha.Yourpeopl
eneedyou,Ineed
you.
”Grandpaistr
yingbyallmeanst
ocalm her
downbutherchil
dren'
svoicesar
emessingupher
mind.Herbabi
esarecryi
nganditanger
sher.
“
Justgo!Leavemealone?”Grandpadeci
desto
t
hinkonhisfeetbutt
hebeastisalr
eadyawake.
“Ididn'
twantt
odothisbut
--
”Gr
andpai
saboutt
o
stri
keherbutshebl
ocks.
“Notanymor egrandpa.”Sheshakesherhead.“ I
didn'tsacrif
icemybabi esfornot hing,doyou
under stand?I'
m goingtomakeever yone'
sl i
fe
mi serableandthere'sabsolutel
ynot hingyoucando
abouti t!Ti
mef oryourpeopl etomeett herealme
nott hegirlwit
hanaf fect
ionatesmi l
e.Everyoneis
goingt osufferforaslongasIl ive.Dar etokil
lme,
I'
m notdyi ngalone.”Grandpabl inksrapidly.“
It
'snot
at
hreatbutapr
omi
se.
”
*
*
*
*
IsLi
ndatheonetofi
nishof
ftheNgcobos?Isshe
worki
ngaloneorsomeoneisint
hiswit
hher?Wil
l
anyonebeablet
ostopNomt haf
rom dest
royi
ngthe
UmlaziKi
ngdom?
[
07/
21,
13:
45]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er21.

Thingshavegonefrom badt
oworseatt
hePal
ace.
PeopleofUmlaziar
edemandinganswer
sfr
om t
he
King.
“
Mypeopl
e,Ir
eal
lydon'
tknowwhatt
osayt
oyou.
Thegodsar eangr
y.I'
mtryi
ngbyallmeanstohelp
thesi
tuat
ion.Iwil
ldomybesttof
indthesolut
ion.
Givemethreedays,pl
ease.
”TheKingpleadswit
h
thecommuni t
y.
“YourMajesty,ast
het ownmayor,
I'
m bei
ngasked
questi
onsbyt hehigheraut
hor
it
yIreal
lydeser
vet
o
knowwhati sgoingon.”Themayorsays.
“Youwil
lknowwhent here'
ssomethi
ngtoknow.”
Gugusaveshisbrother
.“Gobackandsit
comfort
ablyonyourchair,
thi
sisourbusi
nessand
wewillf
ixi
t.”Shesayswithalowtone.
“IhopesoPr i
ncess.I'
m notreadytodiefor
somet hingIdon'tknow.”Heput sonhisbeanie
beforeexiti
ngthehal l
.It
'sst
illsnowi
ngoutsideand
i
tisver ycold.
Aft
eralotofbeggingandpleading,peopleof
Umlazifi
nal
lyagreetogi
vetheKi ngonl yt
hreedays
tosol
vethei
rproblems.Somet hreatenedtokil
lBab'
uMahlanguifhi
sdaughterdoesn'tshowupbef ore
thr
eedays.
“
MyQueen,
Ireal
lydon'
tknowwher
etof
ind
Nomt
ha.I
'vesear
chedever
ywher
etonoavai
l.
”The
Ki
ngsi
ghsdefeat
ed.
“Whatwil
lyoudoi fyoufindher?Thepeoplewho
aresupposedtoapologizetoherfir
star
enoteven
bother
edaboutanything.Whyint hehel
ldidyoul
et
yoursonmarrythatgirl
?”Hiswifequest
ions.
“I
twastherightt
hingtodo.Shewaspr egnant
,we
coul
dn'
tlethergowiththeRoyalhei
rs.
”
“Wellthenbett
erpersuadehertoapologi
zeanddo
whateveritist
hegodswanti nordertofor
give.I
'
m
notlosingmydaught er
-i
n-l
aw,grandsonandsonat
thesamet ime.Haveyouseenyoursonl atel
y?”
“
Yes.I
'm st
il
ltr
yingt
ogett
ohi
m,It
hinkheknows
wher
eNo- -
”
“Qui
ttr
ying,
dad.I'
m notsayinganythi
ngevenifyou
putmeunderoath.Myot herchil
drendi
edbecause
ofme,I'
m notl
osingThandot oo.
”
“
Whatdoyoumeandearnephew?
”
“
Exactl
ywhatyouhear
d.Youallshoul
dst
optr
ying
t
otri
ckmeintosayi
nganyt
hingbecauseI
'
m not
t
ell
ing.
”
“Thenyouwil
ltel
lust
hehar
dway.
”Gugupoi
ntsa
gunathim.
“TrymedearAunt.YouwillwonderifI
'mreall
yyour
blood.Youshoul
dknowbynowt hatI'
m notscar
ed
ofguns,tr
ysomethingel
se.”
“
Spha!
”Herhandi
sont
het
ri
gger
.
“Pullthatdamnt ri
ggerandyouwillsoonlearnthat
thebur ni
ngthrone,thedeadanimalsandt hesnow
outsideareleastofyourprobl
ems--”Sphacharges
towar dshisaunt.TheQueen'sheartpounds.
“St
op!Stopyout wo,noonei sshootinganyone.
Gugu,noteverythi
ngissolvedbyabul let.Whatwil
l
yougainbyshoot i
nghim?Huh?It houghtyouwer e
smartbutclearl
yIwaswr ong!”HisMaj estywalks
outfol
lowedbyhi sguar
ds.
“I
'
m sorry.Mother
-i
n-l
aw, AuntGugu,brother
-i
n-l
aw,
”
SphalooksatZodwaandscowl sbeforewalki
ngout.
“I
'
m sorry.Iwasangry,Iwashur t
,Idi
dn'tknow
whatt
odoaboutwhatIhear d.Myhusbanddoesn' t
l
oveme, hetoldmethisfrom thebeginni
ngbutI
l
ovehim.I
sitt
hatbadt
owanthi
mtol
oveme
back?
”Zodwasobs.
“It
'snotacr i
met owantt obel ovedbutaccusi ng
someonewi thoutpr oofis.Youcanbesuedf or
defamat ionofchar acter.Nomt hawasn' tawar eof
yourhusband' sf eeli
ngst owar dsher ,youshoul d
havespokent oSbuorcomet omewi ththemat t
er
beforepubl icizi
ngi t.Iunderstandyourpai nbutyou
tooshoul dconsi dertheconsequencesofyour
actionsbef oreact ing.I'
m sur eyouar eawar eof
whoNomt har eallyis,weal ltr
eatherwi thr espect
andl ovenotbecauseoff avoritism butshe' st he
daught eroft hest orm.Youwer etoldever ything
aboutt hest orm andyouwer et oldtor espectour
deity.Whatyoudi d,youdi dnotonl yangerour
sweetNomt habutt hegods.Theowner soft hi s
l
and, ourancest orsar eangr ydaught er-i
n-law. ”
ExplainsQueenNozi zwe.
“
Iwil
lgoandf
indsi
ster
-i
n-l
aw,
Iwi
llapol
ogi
zet
oher
-
-”
“I
fyouvalueyoursorrypat
heti
cli
fepleasedon'
t.
Theancestor
swillki
llyouwit
houtbl
inkingt
wice.
Peopleli
keyouar ether
easonPri
ncesarenot
all
owedt omarrycommoner s,
howintheheckdid
youfailt
odealwi t
hyourhusbandbehi
ndclosed
doorsinrespectofthet
hrone?Arg!
”Guguis
annoyed.
“
I'
m sor
ry,
Ireal
lyam.
”
“I
t'
sokay.Iper
sonal
lyf
orgi
veyou.”TheQueenhugs
Zodwawhosobsuncontrol
labl
y.
*
***
***
***

TheMayorishavi
ngameet
ingwi
thaf
ew
communit
ymember s.
“Iknowwher et
hePrince'
ssonandPrincess'si
ster
attendschool
.Letususethem t
ogetthroughto
thi
sangr ydemonourPrincemarri
ed.
”Suggeststhe
mayor .
“It
hinkyouareMrMayor.Thi
scommunit
yreal
ly
needstoughmenl i
keyout
oleadus.
”Acommunity
memberagr ees.
“
It
'sdeci
ded.Iwi
llsendmyboysandgetbackt
o
youwiththef eedback.Mlauzi(r
eferr
ingtoone
communi t
yel der)
,ift
hisgir
lisreall
ywhot heysay
sheiswewi llneedsomeonet oneutral
izeher
powers.Canyouf i
ndsomeone?Ast rong
sangoma? ”Continuesthemayor .
“Yesmyleader.
”Mlauzir
epli
es,
themayorsmil
es.
He'snowfeeli
ngontopoftheworl
dashisplani
sa
perf
ectoneinhismind.
*
***
***
**
THEFOLLOWI
NGDAY.
.

KiaraandMuziar ewaiti
ngf orthei
rtransporttogo
backhomef rom schoolbyMuzi '
sschoolgat ewhen
ablackSUVpul l
sof f
.Threemeni nbalaclavasget
downanddr agthem intothet hecar.Thebot h
scream butt
hemenqui ckl
ycovert heirmouths
beforesomeonecanseet hem.They( Muziand
Kiara)bot
hlookateachot her,sneaklytakeoutthei
r
phonesandcl i
ck1bef orehidingthephones.
“
Whoar
eyou?Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngus?
”Muziasks.
“
Yourmot
hersentust
opi
ckyouup.
”Thedr
iverl
ies.
“Reall
y?”Muzilooksatt hem.pretendingtobe
thi
nkingaboutsomet hing.Nomt haandSphat aught
them howt odealwithkidnappers.Theyknowt he
rulesbyheart.1.Don'tshowtheki dnapper syouar e
scared.2.Talktothem inordertor ecognizetheir
voiceslat
er.3.Dist
ractthem whilel ooki
ngf orways
toescape.

PrinceSphamandlaisonhiswayt oseehi sson,he

promisedtovisi
thi
mt oday.Hisphoneflashes,at
fi
rstheignor
esitbutwheni tkeepsfl
ashinghe
checksitandtakeaswiftsharpu-tur
n.
“Fuck!
”Hecurses.“Dial
MyRose.”Hecommands
theBluet
oothvoicecontr
ol.Nomt
ha'
snumberi
s
unavail
abl
e.“No.Shit
!DialLi
nda.
”
“
Brot
her
-i
n-l
aw?
”Sheanswer
simmedi
atel
y.
“
Areyoual
one?
”
“
Yes.What
'sup?
”
“
Kiar
aandThandohavebeenki
dnapped.I
'
m
sendi
ngt
heGPS,
youknowwhatt
odo.
”
“
Sur
e.”Sphadr
opst
hecal
l.

Thekidnapershavereachedthei
rlocati
on.Muzi
andKiaraaretakenoutofthecar.Kiar
atriesto
wri
gglefreebutthemansl apsher,Muzilooksathi
s
auntandshakeshi shead.Theyaretakeninsi
de,
wheretheMayori s.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?”Ki
araaskswi
thashakyvoi
ce.
“I
t'
snotyouwhoI 'm af
ter
,hereisthephonecal
l
yoursi
ster.
”Heorders.Ki
aradialshernumberbuti
t
goesstr
aighttovoi
cemail.“
Whoel seknowswhere
yoursi
steris?
”
“Idon'
tknowwhatyouaretal
kingabout.
”The
mayorisaboutt
oslapherwhent hesecur
it
yalar
m
goesoff.
“Whati
sgoingon?Wher eyouboysf
oll
owed?
”They
al
lshaket
heirheads.“
Goandcheck!
”Heshouts.
Oneoftheboysr
etur
nswit
haneatlywrapped
par
cel
.Themayor'
shear
tskipsabeat
.Noone
knowsheownsthi
shouse.Heshaki
lyopenst
he
box,t
hepar
celi
sdri
ppi
ngblood.
“No!Thiscan'tbe!
”It'
samani curedlef
thand.The
secondfingerfrom l
efthasa24car atgoldhuge
ri
ng.Hei nvol
untari
lylet
'sgoofthebox,blood
splasheseverywhere.Kiar
acover sMuzi'
sface.
“Boss,what'
sgoingon?”Befor
ehecanr espond,hi
s
phoner i
ngs.Hishear
tvi
gorouslypoundi
ng,hands
shaking,heanswerst
hecall
.It
'shishomenumber .
“
Hel
loMrMayor
.Ni
cef
ami
lyyouhaveher
e--
”
“
Yousonofabi
t-
-”
“Language!Youcan'tbesayi
ngsuchthingsinf
ront
ofmyson.I fIdon'
tseemysonandKi ar
ainthe
nextfi
veseconds,thenextpar
celI
'm sendi
ngis
yourdaughter'
sheart.
”Hewarns.
“
I'
m goingtokil
lyou.
”Sphalaughs.Themayor
's
f
amilyscream i
nthebackgr
ound.
“
Threesecondsleft.Remember,t
ouchonlyonehai
r
i
neitheroft
heirheadsyouwil
lpaywi t
hyour
miserabl
eli
fe.
”Thel i
negoesdead.Themayoris
sweat
ing.
“
Boss,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
”
“Youstupididiot
s!”Hepoi ntsaguntohisgoonsbut
j
ustthenasexyl adywi thwear i
ngdarkshades,hi
gh
heelsboots,j
eant rouser sandawhitelongcoat
walksin.Theyarest i
llconfusedwhenshepullsthe
tri
ggeranddr agsKi araandMuziout si
de.
“Whoareyou?”Theyaski
nunisonbutthegir
lsays
not
hing.“
SisLi
ll
y?”Ki
aracannotbel
ievehereyes.
“
AuntLi
nda!
”Muzihugshert
ight
.

Nomthapar
ksnextt
othebl
ackSUVcar
,Muziand
Ki
ararunt
oher.
“Gowi t
hLinda,Ihaveunf i
nishedbusi nesstotake
careof.”She'
snotherl ovi
ngsel f.Hereyesar e
bloodshotandfuryiswr i
ttenalloverherface.She
stri
destowardsthehousebutsomet hinginher
stopsher.Shelooksati t
,hereyesbl azingfi
re,a
thunderoussoundfrightensKiarabutt hesexygirl
whohappenst obeLi ndai stheretotakecareof
them.Mlauzi
,asangomaandt hecommunit
y
memberswhower epresentatthemayor
'smeeti
ng
bargei
ntothecompound.Theyhavebeenhidi
ng
andwatchingever
ythi
ng.
“Gether!
”Thesangomaor ders.Nomthaspreads
herhands, herpalmsigni
tef i
re,shetur
nsar ound
andtheyal lf
allf
latonthegr ound.She'
snota
humanbei ng,herfaceisinvisibl
e.Sheroll
sher
eyesandt hewhol epl
acei ssetablazeincl
udingthe
mayor'shousewher ehisfami lyis.
“
Sist
eri
sint
her
e!”Ki
aracr
iesout
.
“Shewillbefi
ne.”Lindaassur
esthem.“Wehaveto
getoutofherebef oret
hepoli
cearri
ve.
”Li
ndasays.
Thedriverst
artstheengine.

Af ewsecondslater
, Nomt
hawalksoutt
heburni
ng
compound, unharmed.Sheput
sonherhelmetand
start
shermot or
cycle.
*
***
***
***
“Youar eanidiot
!”Nomthasaysgi vi
ngSphawat er
todrink.Hesmi l
es,i
t'
sbeenawhi lesinceshe
teasedhi m.“
Doyouwantt odi
e?”Hepul lsheri
nhis
arms, shelet
'shi
m butquickl
ypusheshi m away.
“I'
m stil
langr
ywi t
hyouandyourf ami l
y.Icame
heretosaveyoubecausemysonwoul dn'
thave
forgi
venmei fyouhaddi edinthatfi
re.”
“
Real
ly?Thankyou.
”Hesi
ghsdef
eat
ed.
“
Nexttimedon' tusemysi st
erforyourdi
rtywor kor
t
herewillbehelltopay.She'ssti
llaconf
used
t
eenager,shejustshotthreemendeadandt hat
won'
thelpherinanyway.Yout ooshouldst ayaway
f
rom danger,Icanprotectmysonandmyf amily.
”
“
Babe?
”
“Iwon'tall
owmysontocomevi si
tyoui
njai
l.Act
wisely.I
fyoudeci
detoki
llyoushoul
dal
socover
yourtracks.
”Nomthaput
sonherhelmetandfli
es
offtoherhidi
ngpl
ace.
“Wel
l,
that'
sprogr
ess.
”Sphasmilesbef
oreget
ti
ng
i
ntohisowncaranddrivi
ngoff
.Fir
eexti
ngui
sher
s
andpoli
cesir
ensareheardf
rom anear
di
stance.
..
..
..
.
[
07/
21,
13:
45]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er22.

BREAKI
NGNEWS!
!!

“Poli
ti
csorwhat ?Themayorandhi sf amil
yhave
beendeclareddeadbyt heaut hor
iti
es.Iti
salleged
thathishomecaughtf ir
eandnoonecoul dbe
rescued.Theinvesti
gatingoff
icersarestil
ltr
yingto
l
inkthedeathofot herunident
ifi
edpeopl ewhower e
atthemayor '
ssecondhomet ohispr efer
redhome.
Noonesur vived.
”Ther eport
ersays.
“Wehavewi t
husinstudi
othecommissioner
,he'
s
goi
ngt oanswersomeofthecommunity'
s
quest
ions.
”Reportst
hemalerepor
ter
.
“
Sir
,whatdoyout
hinkcausedt
hef
ir
e?Gi
vent
he
factt
hatbothhi
shouseswereburnttoashes,
do
youfeelsomeonei
sbehindt
his?”Asksthefemal
e
repor
ter.
“Weareallbuff
led.Wehavesummonedourt op
i
ntel
li
gentagenciestohel
pcr ackthiscase.I
t'
sso
unusual
,unreal
.Nooner eal
lyhast heanswerasto
whathappened.”Thecommi ssioneranswers.
“Si
r,t
hecommuni t
yisunsett
led.TheMayor'
s
pol
it
icalsuppor
ter
sarequesti
oningift
heyarenext
.
Doyout hi
nkthi
sisapoli
ti
calmove? ”
“Asanoffi
cerofthelaw,Icannotsayt hings
wit
houtveri
fyi
ngt hefact
sf i
rst
.AllIcansayt ot
he
peopl
eofUml azi,
wear eallsaddenedbywhat
happenedwiththemayor .Wewi l
lgettothebottom
ofthi
smatterandt hewholecommuni t
ywillbe
i
nformedofwhathappened.Thankyou. ”.
..
..
“Hol
yCow!What'
sgoingonint
hisKi
ngdom?
”Sbu
swit
chi
ngof
fthetel
evisi
on.
“
I'
m shockedasyouar
e.”TheKi
ngsi
ghs.
“Dad,
youknowt hepol
icewil
lbeheredemanding
answers,
right
?Wehavet opr
epareoursel
ves.
”
“Ihavenothi
ngtohi
de.Idi
dn'tki
llt
hemayorordi
d
youdosomet hi
ngweallshouldknowabout
?”The
kingqueri
es.
“Mynephewmi ghtbecrazybutt
his,
thi
sisnotli
ke
him.Trustme,wehavekill
edbef
orebutburni
ng
peopl
et oashesi
snottheTshabangustyl
e.”Gugu
says.
“
Wher
eisSpha?
”TheKi
ngquest
ions.
“
Im her
efat
her
.What
'swr
ong?
”Pr
inceSphawal
ks
i
n.
“
Doyouhaveanyt
hingt
odowi
tht
his?
”
“Idon'
tknowwhatyouaret
alki
ngabout
.What
's
goingon?”Hepr
etends.
“Themayorandhisfamil
yaredead.
”Gugui
nfor
ms
himlookingst
rai
ghti
ntohi
seyesbuthi
seyesare
notgivi
nganythi
ngaway.
“What?
”Sphaact
ssurpri
sed.“Ir
eall
yhadnoidea.
Whathappenedt
othem?Wer etheyinvol
vedi
nan
acci
dent,
expl
osi
onorsomething?"
“
Heknowsnot
hing,
it'
scl
earhehasn'
teven
watchedthenews.Yousmel
lni
ce,l
ikeNomtha,
whereareyoucomingfr
om?”Guguquesti
onsSpha.
“Iwenttoseemyson. ”Everyoneturntheirheadsto
him.“Stoplookingatmel ikethat
.Isaiditbefore,
I'
m notsayinganythingandI '
m notlosi
ngmyson
becauseofpeopl ewhodoesn' tknowhowt odeal
withtheirpr
oblemswi thouthurti
nginnocent
people.
”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”Gugui
str
yingbyal
lmeanst
o
makehi
m cr
ack.
“Youknowwhat ?Idon'thaveti
mef orthi
squesti
on
andanswersessi on,
I'
m goingtol
iedownand
pleasedon'tdi
sturbme.”Pri
nceSphacl i
mbsthe
stepsleavi
ngeveryonewithunansweredquesti
ons.
“I
fsomeonedoesn'
tstopthismadnessweareall
onourpatht
odestructi
on.Someonehastotal
k
senset
oSpha,he'
st heonlyonewhocanleadusto
Nomtha.Dosomething,br
other
.Tal
ktoyourson.
”
*
***
***
*
“Somethi
ngi snotr
ight,
Siya!Somethi
ngisf
ishy
here.
”Nelisayspacingi
nherbr ot
her'
sst
udy.
“I'
m stil
ltr
yingtomakesenseoutoft his.Onl
ythe
Mayor 'stwohomeswer ebur ntandt hepeopl
ein
there,thi
scannotbeanel ectrici
tyfaultor
negligence.Isuspectsomet hingelse.”
“Doyouthi
nkNomt
hai
sar
oundandi
stheonewho
didi
t?”
“Idon'
tknowwhatt
othinkanymor
e.Li
ndai
snot
picki
ngmycall
sandthat'
saddi
ngtomystr
ess.
”
“
Youwer esupposedtoputheri
naleash,
Siya!How
i
sitpossi
bleshe'
sgivi
ngyousleepl
essni
ghts?”
“Doyouremembert heotherdaywhensheshowed
uphere?”Nelinods.“Shet hreat
enedmeandguess
what?Forthefir
sttimeIf eltthr
eat
enedbya
woman,at eenager.”
“
Why?Whatdoesshehaveonyou?
”
“
Notmebutus.Shehast
heor
igi
nalt
ape-
-”
“What
?AreyoumadSi ya?
”Nelisl
apshisbrot
her
har
d,hef
eelsdi
zzy.“
I'
m sickandti
redofyour
stupi
dit
y!Youwil
lgot
othatbit
chandgett hetape
back.Idon'
tcar
ehowyoudoi t
,ki
llheri
fthat'
sthe
onlywaywecangetthetapeback.Doyou
underst
and?”
“
No!Youar et
heonewi t
hpower s,goandgetitback.
I
'
m nottheonetoblamef ort
his.Weallar
e,
i
ncl
udingdad.Shesaidifanythi
nghappenstoher
t
henthetapewil
lbeoutf ort
hewor l
dtosee.
”
“Thr
eatenher,
dosomething,Si
yabongaNgcobo.
I'
m notgoi
ngtojai
lbef
oreIcanseemyLucky
naked.No!Iwil
ldosomethi
ngsinceyoucan'
tdoit.
”
Sheslamsthedoorbehi
ndher .
*
***
***
***
*
“Br
otherar
eyouhi
dingsomet
hingfr
om meandal
l
oft
hef ami
lymembers?
”Sbuaskshisbr
other
.
“
Sbu,I
'm nothi
dinganythi
ng.Whydoyoual
lfeel
t
hatI
'
m hidingsomething?”
“TheMayor'
sdeath.Somethi
ngisnotr
ightabouti
t
andtheonl
ypersonwhoi scapabl
eofsuchisyou.
You'r
etheonl
ypersonwhocangetawaywi th
murderwit
hsomuchease. ”
“That
'sthesamet hi
ngyourwifedid.Accusi
ng
someonewi t
houtproof
,thatcanleadtodire
consequences.”Sphawarns.
“Idon'
tunderst
andyousomet
imes.Don'
tyoucar
e
aboutthi
sf ami
lyanymor
e?Whyareyouhidi
ng
sist
er-
in-
law?”
“Whenyouf ailedt ocont rolyourwi fedidyout hink
aboutme?No, youal wayst hinkf oryour self.Noone
caredaboutmymar riageandl ovef orherwhenyou
allsatthereandl istenedt opeopl eaccusi ngher .I
thoughtf amilyst icktoget her ,
Ithoughtmybr other
willal
wayshavemybackbutIguessIwaswr ong.
Youwer etherewhent her oyalchi efsarrived,you
wer esupposedt odealwi thever yonebef ore
Nomt haandIar rivedbutyoudi dn' t
.Nowher eam I
payingf orother s'sinsl i
keal ways.Ever yonet hinks
Sphamandl awi llhavet ounder stand, didyout ake
ti
met ounder st andhowwhatyoual ldidwasgonna
affectmyl i
fe?No.Youal lthoughtIwi l
lhavet o
understand.I'm donebei ngt heunder standingone.I
saidthisbefor eIgotmar ri
ed,Iwi llalwayschoose
mywi f
eoveranyt hingel se.Notevent het hroneand
thevowsIt ookbefor
eIwascrownedtheheir
apparenttothethr
onewil
lst
opmef rom suppor
ti
ng
mywi fe.
”
“
Eveni
fitmeansweal
ldi
ebecauseofheranger
?”
“Yes.IfIdietoday,Iwil
ldieahappymanbecauseI
knowIf ulf
ill
edmydut i
esasahusband.Shemaybe
angrywi t
hever yoneincl
udingmebutI'
m not
breakingmymar ri
agevow.Ivowedtoprotecther
andt hat
'sexactlywhatI'm doi
ng.
”
“Sheisdanger
ousandmanyi
nnocentl
ivesar
e
suff
eri
ngbecauseofher
--
”
“Youarewrong.Innocentpeoplearesuff
eri
ng
becauseofyouandyourwi fe!Youfail
edtorespect
everyonei
ncl
udingyourmar ri
ageandnow
everyonei
ssufferi
ng.It
'sal
lyourfault
.”
“
ButIl
oveNomt
ha-
-”Sbut
ri
est
odef
endhi
msel
f.
“Noyoudon' t
.YouandSi yabongaclai
mt olovemy
wifebutyoudon'tknowwhatl oveis.Whatyoufeel
forherisnotlovebutobsession.Don'
tfor
getthat
allmygirl
fri
endsgaveintoyouradvancesbutnot
Nomt ha.Youhavealwayswant edwhat
'sminebut
youf
ail
edt
ogether
,henceyourobsessi
on!
”
“That
'snott
ruebr
other
!Il
oveher
!”Sbudef
ends
himself
.
“Thengooutt hereandfixwhat everyouandyour
wifestart
ed.Inwhateveryoudoi nanat t
emptto
fi
ndNomt ha'
swhereabout s,ifyoudar etouchmy
sonandmyi n-l
aws,Iwillkil
lyoumysel f.
”Spha
giveshisbrotheraster
nwar ning.Sbul ooksathi
m
andswal l
owshar dtr
yingt opr ocesswhathi s
brotherj
ustsaid.
*
***
***
***

TWODAYSLATER.
..
.

Thecommuni t
yissti
lltr
yingtofi
gureoutwhat
happenedtothemayor .Theyout hs,youngadult
s
andsomeel dershavedeci dedt
opr otestagai
nst
theKing.They'
real
lar medandr eadyf orwhat
ever
maycome.
“
Bef
orewegot
otheKi
ng,
wehavet
odemand
answer
sfrom Mahlangu.He'
stheonewhof
ather
ed
ademon.”Thei
rleadersays.
“Yes!Let'
sgo!”Theyallchant.Sphai
sdrivi
ngfrom
themal lwhenheseesat r
aff
icjam.He'
sstil
ltr
ying
tofigureoutwhat'sgoingonwhenagr oupof
peopleholdingsti
cks,shamboksandgunschant ing
“Weneedanswer s!AnswersorMahlangudies
today.”Hisheartski
psabeat .
“Think,Spha, t
hink.
”Hepunchest hesteeri
ngwheel
.
“Ihavet osavet hem.”Heputshisfeetonthe
acceleratorbeforeswif
lymovinghiscartothe
wrongsi deoft hewrong.Peoplescream,he
swer vesthecarunt i
lhe'
soutofthet r
aff
ic.He'
sno
l
ongerdr ivingthecarbutflyi
ngit
.“ComeonLucky,
answeryourdamnphone! ”Hehisses.

AttheMahl
angucompound,peopl
earethrowi
ng
st
onesandshout
ingf
orthem togetoutorget
bur
ned.
“
I'
m goingout.
”Luckyattempt
stol
eavebuthi
s
motherpul
lshim back.
“
No.Noonei
sgoi
ngoutt
her
e.”Zandior
der
s.
“Dadneverraisedcowards.Wearegoi
ngoutthere,
mom.Lett hem kil
lusi
ftheywanttobutwearenot
hidi
ngourselvesli
kecowards.Whatdoyousay,Lil
y,
Dad?”
“
Youarer
ightson.I
fit
'swart
hesepeopl
ewantt
hen
l
et'
sgi
vei
ttothem.”
“
Dar
li
ngpl
easedon'
tdot
his.
”Zandii
scr
ying.
“
Noonedi sr
espect
smyf amil
yandget sawaywith
i
t.
”Bab'uMahlanguopensthedoor
,theyallpoi
nt
t
heirgunsathi
m.
“Whereisshe?Wher ei
st hatdemonyoucalla
daughter
?”Lindaswift
lypushesherfat
herofft
he
wayandpul l
sthetri
gger.Themanf al
lsdown,bl
ood
oozi
ngf r
om hischest.
“Mysi st
erisnotademon!Sayanotherword
againstherandIwillbl
owyourbr
ainsout!
”More
thananyoneelse,Bab'uMahl
anguishorr
if
ied.
“Li
nda!Whatdi
dyouj
ustdo?You?Ar
eyoust
il
lmy
daughter
?”Hei
sinut
terdi
sbel
ief
.
“Yesdad.Alloft
hatl
ater,
fornowlet'
sdealwith
thesepeopl
eonceandf oral
l.”Tot
heMahl angus
surpri
se,Pr
inceSbucomesf orwar
dpoint
ingagun
toBab'uMahlangu.
“Wherei
sshe?Tellusandyouwi
lll
ive.Myfat
her
doesn'
tsl
eepbecauseofher,
GodknowsIloveher
morethananyt
hingbutthi
shast
obedone.Callher
out!
”Sbushout
s.
“
OvermydeadbodyPr inceSbusiso.
”Luckycomes
f
orwar d.“
Whogaveyout heri
ghttodisr
espectmy
f
ather?”Sbuf eel
shisbloodboili
ng.Hishandsare
i
tchingtopullthetri
gger.Inaspli
tsecond,hi
sgun
i
sflyingintheair.
“Howdareyou?”Spha' sfi
stconnectswithSbu's
j
aw.“Howdar eyoupoi ntaguntomyf at
her-
in-
law,
huh?”OnceagainPr i
nceSphapuncheshi m.The
peopl
eofUml aziareshockedbyt heturnofevents.
Theyareal
llooking,mouthswideopen.
“St
op!
”TheKingshouts.“
Whatki ndofbehavi
oris
t
his?DidIr
eal
lyfai
ltorai
seyout woasaf at
her?
DidIt
eachyoutofi
ghtinfrontofever
yone?”He'
s
real
lyangr
yatthem.“Whyareyoual
lher
e?Whydo
youwanttoki
llaninnocentman?
”Hequest
ionst
he
crowd.
“Wewanthisdaught
er!Ever
ythi
ngi
sgonewr
ong
becauseofher
.”
“
Idon'
tknowwher
eshei
s.”Bab'
uMahl
angusays.
“He'
sl yi
ngfat
her.Thismancanconnectwi
th
Nomt haanyti
me, l
et'
susehimtof
indouther
whereabouts.
”Sbusayslicki
nghi
sbrokenli
p.
“No.Iwon'tl
etanyonedot
hatt
ohi
m!Notevenyou
dad.”Sphawarns.
“It
'sokayson-in-
law.Letthem dowhattheywant
andseei ftheywillsucceed.”Theot
hertrust
ed
royalseersplashesBab' uMahlanguwit
hwat er
.
Godknowswhather bswer emixedwit
hit.Hefeel
s
dizzyandisaboutt ofallbutNomthacatcheshim.
“Thatwon'
tbenecessary.HereIam, whatdoyou
want?”Hereyesar
ebloodshot.“Talk!Youall
wantedtoseeme,ri
ght?Youar ereadyt ogoasfar
askil
li
ngmyf at
heronlytoseeme. ”Somet hi
ngis
changingi
nher.Hervoiceisbecomi nghuskyand
scar
y.
“Ifeveryonediesheretoday,r
ememberyouki ll
ed
them.Ihopeyourconsci ouswi llhandl
etheguil
t.
”
Sphasayst ohisbrot
her.Nomt hacloseshereyes
andi nhales,whensheopenst hem, sheexhal
es
sendingcal amit
iesal
lovertheki ngdom.
“Iti
soverYourMaj est
y.Allthechi
ldreninthis
kingdom aredeadbecauseyoudon' tli
sten.Isai
d
youshoul dapol
ogizenotfighther
.”Theseni or
royalseerappear
s.“Everyoneisgoingtodieher e
andnow.Noonecanst ophernow.”
“What?
”Everyoneisshocked.Theyal
ltr
yt or
unbut
Nomtharol
lshereyesandt hewholepl
ace
sur
roundi
ngt hem i
gni
tesfi
re.Theyal
lscream.
“Nomt hastopthi
s!”Bab'uMahl angutri
est ocal
m
herdownbutshe' snotherlovingdaught er.The
Uml azidei
tyhastakenoverherbody.Ther e'
sa
suddenf l
ashofli
ghtningfol
lowedbyat hunderous
sound.Sphadecidest ograbthebul lbyit'
shorns.
Nomt haisabouttoseteveryoneonf i
rebutSpha
standsinbetween.
“Babe, youcan' tkillever yone.That '
snotyoumy
l
ove, t
hegi rlIf ellinl ovewi t
hwi l
lneverhur tevena
fl
y,pleasemyl ove, i
t'sokayt obeangr ybutki ll
ing
everyonei ssomet hi
ngel se.”Shetri
est ogr abhi s
arm butSphabl ocksher .“No.Ifyouar egoingt okill
them thenyoushoul dst artbyme.I 'm notgoi ngt o
l
etyoudoi t,youhat emur derer
s,MyRose, youcan' t
beone.I 'm beggi ngyou, i
fmyl over eall
ymeans
anythingt oyou, st opt his.It'
senoughnow, theyall
underst andandwi ll
nevermesswi t
hyouever
again.”Nomt hai snowmovi ngincircles,Spha's
wordsal mostover camet hedei t
y'spowerbuti t'
s
herbabi es'cr i
est hatar ebl ocki
ngever ything.Once
againt hel ightni ngi sf oll
owedbyat hunder ous
sound.Thr eemenar est ruckbyl i
ght ni
ng.“ Shit
!
Babe, stopt his.Yesyoucandoi t.Youcanshut
downt hevoi cesi nyourhead.Doi t,li
stentome.
Don'tcl oseyoureyes, lookatme, MyRose.Don' t
giveint ot hedei ty'spower ,
ourlovei sstrongert hat
that-
-”
“St
op!”Nomt har
oarsonceagain.Shespr
eadsher
hands,herpalmsigni
tef
ir
e,everyonei
saboutt
obe
setablazewhenMuzi ,
Bukhosi,KiaraandJunior
arr
ivecoveredi
nsweatandpant ingwi t
hayoung
gir
l.Nomtha'st
hrownabackf oraf ewseconds.
She'sabouttor
ollhereyes.
“St
op!”Theyounggir
lrunstoher,peoplearet
ryi
ng
tostopher.“
Letmego, Icansaveallofyoufr
om
herwrath!
”Thegir
lshouts.
“Howcanyousaveus?Whoar
ear
eyou?
”TheKi
ng
asksher
.
“Nontando,watchout!
”Muziscreams,Nontando
rai
sesherleftarm.Thediamondsonherbracelet
makesNomt halosehersi
ghtandfeel
sgiddyas
shefall
sont heground.
..
..
[
07/
21,
13:
46]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er23.

ThemomentNomthahitstheground,t
hefi
reand
thet
hunder
stor
msstop.AtthePalace,
thet
hroneis
nol
ongeronf
ir
e.
“ThankyouLor
d,Youal
onemadethi
spossi
ble.
”
TheQueenmothergi
veshert
hankst
otheLord.

Everyonei
sshocked,
theyhavequest
ions.“
Whoi
s
thi
syounggir
l?Wheredidshecomefrom? ”
“Here.Makeherweari
tanddoitf
ast
.”Nont
ando
giveshishandt
oSpha.Heremovest
hebracel
et
andmakesNomt hawearit
.
“Wil
leverybodypl easemoveasi de.Ihavet ogether
outofhere.”Sphascoopsherup, shegr oans.“ I
t'
s
okaymyl ove, ever ythingisf i
ne.
”Hegoest oher
room andcar efull
yput sheront hebed.Shemoves
butSphahol dheri npl ace.Shedoesn' tl
ook
peaceful,
sheseemst obef i
ghti
ngani nternalwar.
“Iunderst
andyouar eangr ybutpuni shingpeopl e
l
ikethis?Idon' tunder standsomeoft het hi
ngsyou
do.Grandfathersai dyouwer eal ovingdei t
y,what
happened?Ar eoursi nsunf orgi
vabl e?Pl ease,on
behalfofmypeopl eIapol ogize.IloveNomt haso
muchandIcan' tbeart oseeherbei ngusedt okil
l
peopl
e, pl
easef orgiveus.
”Nomt ha'sbodyrelaxes.
She'
ssl owlyreclaimingherbody.Kiara,Bukhosi,
Muzi,JuniorandPr i
ncessNombul elobargeinthe
room andtheyal lhugSpha.Kiaracr i
es.
“Thankyousomuchf ordoingt hisforme.Si ster,
thankyou.Your eallyprovedyourl oyaltytome
today.”Sphapul l
shersi sterinf oralonghug.
Nont andoisstandingbyt hedoorwat chingwith
tearsonherf ace.“Hey, comeher e.
”Sphahugsher
ti
ghtandki ssesherf orehead.“ Thankyouf orsaving
mywi f
eIwi l
lforeverbei ndebtedt oyou.Myl i
ttl
e
geniuses,thankyouver ymuchmysons.IknewI
couldr el
yonyoual lt
het ime.”
“Nouncle.I
'
mt heonewhoshoul dbet hanki
ngyou.
Despit
emybackground, youneverstoppedher
fr
om cari
ngformeandmyf amily.Shereall
yisthe
chosenoneandI'm happytohaveheri nmyl i
fe.
”
Ntandosays.
“Wil
lshebealr
ight
?Doyout
hinkshe'
sinsomekind
ofpain?
”Thandoaskswi
thapainedexpr
essi
onon
hisf
ace.
“
Yesson,mommywi
llbeokay.
”Sphaki
sseshi
m on
t
hecheek.
“Iwoulddi
eifsomethi
nghappenstomama.”Sbu
Juniorwi
peshistear
s.Sphasquat
sinf
rontoft
hem.
“Mamai saver yst
rongwoman, shemaynotcont r
ol
somet hingsbutonethi
ngI'm sur
eofi sshewill
neverleaveusbehind.Shelovesallofusandfor
thatshewi l
lal
wayspullthr
ough.”Theyallhavea
grouphug.

Afteraddr essingthepeopleandapologi
zingf
or
everything,theKingseeksper missi
onfr
om Bab'
uMahl angut oseeNomt ha.Zandigoest
oher
daught er'
sr oom andcri
esl ooki
ngather
.
“Don'
teverdothi
sagai
n.Youscar
edeveryone,you
areNomthandazoandyoucancont
rolanyt
hing.”
Zandisni
ffl
es.
“I
'
m gl
adshe'
sfi
ne.Iwasscar
ed,
mom.
”Ki
arahugs
hermot
her
.
“
Iknowdar
li
ng,
Iknow.Iwasscar
edt
oo.
”
*
***
**

TheMahl
angufamil
yandt heTshabanguf
ami
lyar
e
nowgat
heredi
nthelounge.
“Cansomeoneexpl
aint
omewhatj
usthappened
outther
e?”TheKi
ngasks.
“It
ooneedanswer s.Idon'
tunderst
andanyoft
his
butitseemsson-
in-l
awhaveanswer stoal
lour
questi
ons.”Bab'
uMahl anguagreeswit
htheKi
ng.
“Okay, Iwi l
lexplainever ythingbutbef orethatI'm
sorryf ather,f
ather -
in-l
aw.I 'm sorryIcoul dn't
protectherf rom this, i
thadt ohappent hat'swhyon
mywayher eIcalleddadandaskedhi mt ocome
here.Iwoul dalsol i
ket oapol ogizeonbehal fofmy
brother ,
whathedi dwasr eallywr onganduncal l
ed
for.
”Hesi ghs,Sbur oll
shi seyes.“ Justl i
kemywi fe
Ifeelwr onged, Ifeel betrayedbymyownbl ood.
Dad, yousatt her eandl istenedt oyourchi efs
quest i
oni ngherchar act
er ,youdi dn' tevent hink
aboutmeandmymar ri
age.Iunder standyouar e
theKi ngbutbef oreever ythingelse, youar emy
father
.Af atherprotect
shischildrenbyhislife.
”The
Kingtri
est osaysomet hing.“No, youwon't
apologizeorjusti
fyyourselfi
nf rontofmyki dsand
i
n-laws.It'
sokay, Iunderst
and.”At earescapes
Spha'seye, Kiar
ar ubshisback.
“Youdon'thavetodothisnow,
youknow?Youcan
sti
lldoi
tlater
.”Nombulel
osuggest
s.
“Noit'
sf i
ne.It hinkever yoneher edeser vesanswer s.
Asweal lknowNomt hai sthedaught erofthestorm,
sheseest hingsbef or
et heyhappen.Shesaw
everyt
hingbef orewel ostourbabi es,sheknewshe
wasgoi ngt ohavet ofightagai nstt heKi ngdom or
tosavet heKi ngdom.Al lelder
sher eknowwhat
pushedhert ot heedgesoI 'm notgonnasayi t.She
toldmewhatt odoi fthingswer et ogooutofhand.
Theper sonwhoyoual lsawout sidewasnot
Nomt ha, t
hatwast hedei tyofthi sKi ngdom outf or
revengebecauseNomt hawaswr onged.Iknowt his
becauseshet oldmet hatwhent het i
mecomes, she
won'trecogni zemeorherf ami lyexceptMuzi .She
toldmeonl ymyl oveandvoi cecoul dhel pthe
sit
uation,whenIbeggedheroutt hereIwast r
ying
tomakemysweetRosef i
ghtagainstt
hespi
ri
tof
dest
ruct
iont
hatourdei
tyhasatthemoment.”
“Ithi
nkIunder
standthatpart.Shecouldn'
teven
recogni
zemyvoi ceandwef eltdi
sconnect
edatt he
ti
mebutmyquest i
oniswhoi sthi
syounggi r
land
howdi dshegethere?”Bab'
uMahl anguqueries.
“ThisisNont ando.Whenhermot hergavebirthto
her,shebreat hedherlastbutNomt hawhot ook
Ntando'sparent stothehospi t
alcouldn'
tbeart osee
thecoupleint earsandbr oughtherbackt olif
e.By
somecoi ncidenceorGod' sdoi ng,herparentswer e
theonewhot ookcareofmymot herbef
or eNomt ha
broughtherback.Shecameher eonmyor ders,she
hast hebracel ett
hatneutral
izesthedeity'
spower s,
Nomt hagavei ttoher-
-”
“Wait
,whywouldNomthadothat
?Imeanthi
sgi
rli
s
notevenfr
om t
hiski
ngdom?”TheKi
ngcannot
underst
andanyofit
.
“YoumeantheoneNomt hawasgi venbytheseer
whenshewast wodaysol d?Theonewit
h
diamonds?”Zandiasks.
“Yesmot her-i
n-l
aw.Shedoesn'tknowwhyshedi d
i
tbutaftertodaywecanallsayever yt
hinghappens
foragoodr eason.I
maginewhatcoul dhave
happenedifshewaswear ingthebraceletandthe
deit
ytookoverherbody,noonewoul dhavebeen
abletostopher.”
“
Howdi
dyouf
indt
hegi
rl
?”Quest
ionst
heKi
ng.
“Ididn't,yourgr andsons, Kiaraandyourdaught er
foundher .Ihavet oagai napol ogi
zef orhidi
ngt hem
whent heyar r
ived.Si st
erNombul elosawt henews,
shecal ledmeandIt oldherIr eallyneededher .At
thet i
me, Iwasr eall
yangr yandonl yshecoul dcal m
medown.BukhosiandJuni oral sosawt hestor ies
onsoci almedi a,theycal ledNomt haandaskedher
whyshel eftt
hepal ace.Theywer ebot hsaddened
byt henews.Bef oremybr otheraccusesmeof
hidinghi schildren'sar ri
val ,Ididn'tauthori
zethei r
travelarrangement sbutauntGuguandmom di d.
Theybot hbelievedt heycoul dhelpbr ingNomt ha
backhomebecauset het hreeshar easpecial bond.
TodaywhenIsawt hepr otester sIcalledmysi st er
andt oldheraboutt hepr otest s,Icouldfeelitinmy
bonesthatt
hingswereabouttot
akeat urnfort
he
worstandIaskedthem t
obringNontando.That
's
al
lIknewandhi df
rom ever
yoneelseincl
udingyou
dad.I'
mreal
lysorr
y.”
“I
t'
sokay.Youdi dwhatagoodhusbanddoes,
protect
ingyourwif
efrom everyoneelse.I
'
mr eall
y
proudofyou.”TheKingpat shisson'
sshoulder.I
n
al
lthis,Sbuisoddl
yqui et
.It
'ssounli
kehimt ohave
nothingtosayinmeetings.
*
***
***
***

It'
safewhoursafteral
lthehai
r -
ri
singevent
s.
Nomt haisst
il
lsl
eepingpeacefull
yandthepeaceof
theKingdom i
sslowlyret
urni
ng.Sbui sinabarwi
th
hisfr
iendMike.
“Buddi
e,youknowwhat?”Sbupausesandt
akesa
swigofhisdri
nk.“
I'
mreall
ycur
sed,I'
mthebast
ard
chil
dforreal
.”
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”Mi
kei
sconf
used.
“
Ever
yonei
ncl
udi
ngmysons,
theyar
eal
l
suppor
ti
ngmybr othernotme.Canyoubeli
evethat
mysonsactuall
yhelpedhim makeafooloutof
me?”Helaughs.I
t'
snotal aughr
eal
lybutapained
l
augh.
“That'
snottrue,fr
iend.Yourbr
otherandyoursons
didthenoblething.Whatyoudid,point
ingagunt o
herfatheraft
erdeclari
ngyourundyingloveforher
i
snotr ight
.Youdon' thur
tthepeopleyoulove.
”
Miketellshi
mt hetruth.
“Youar ealsosupport
inghim?Whydoeshealways
getsallthegoodthings?Theprai
se,t
henameand
everythi
ngIeverdreamedof !
”Sbuisget
ti
ng
frust
ratedbyallofit
.
“I'
m sorr
yt osaybutIt hi
nkevent hegodscansee
thathetrulydeserveseverygoodt hinghecanhave.
Yourbrothermaynotbeaf ri
endlyandal ways
j
okingaroundki ndaguybutt hatdudehasapur e
heartandconsci ence.
”Mi ketell
sSbut hebitt
er
trut
h.Sbul ooksathim butsaysnot hing.“It
hinkit
's
ti
meyoust openvyingever yt
hingthatyourbrother
hasandl iveyourownl if
e.Man, Zodwal ovesyou
andyouwi l
llosehertooifyoudon' tgetyouract
toget
her.I
'm yourbestfr
iendandIowet hi
st r
utht
o
you.Stopthemadnessbef or
eyourownbl ood
destr
oysyou.Don' tmesswi t
hyourin-
laws,youar
e
agangsteryesbutwebot hknowyoudon'twantto
pissyourbrotheroff
.”
“Ican'tstopl
ovingher.She'
sthewomanIdr eam of
eachandever ysecondofmyl if
e,she'
sthereason
I'
mt ryingbyallmeanstobeabet t
erperson.Dawg,
thatwoman, Nomt ha,
she'sever
ythi
ngIeverwi shed
for.
--
”Someonecl apsf r
om behi
nd.
“Wow!Whatar evel
ati
on,Iwonderwhatthepeopl
e
ofthiscommunitymightdoi
ftheygettoknowthat
theyoungerPr
inceismadlyinl
ovewithhis
brother
'swi
fe.
”
“Ohcomeon, SiyabongaNgcobo!Whoar eyouto
j
udgeanyone' schar acter?Imeanaf amoussinger
whosl eptwiththemot herandherthr eedaught
ers,
gotthem allpregnantandl aterki
ll
edal loft
hem
becauset heythreatenedt oexposehi m.”Sbufi
res
backwi t
honeofSi ya'sdarkestsecrets.
“
That
'snott
rue!
”Si
yadef
endshi
msel
f.
“Idon'tcare,r
eall
y.What everyoudoi npr i
vateis
noneofmybusi ness,I'
dappr eciateitifyoual so
stayoutofmybusi ness.Ifyou'dexcuseus,
please.”SaysSbu.“ Bytheway, nicemovet hatwas.
Imean, thebombi nmycar .Boy, Idon'tforgetandI
willcomet oyoufacet ofacewheni t'
spayback
ti
me. ”Siyatakeshisglassandl eaves.
“Idon'
tknowwhybutever
ythi
ngaboutt
hisguy
sendsshiver
sdownmyspine.
”RemarksMike.
“
He'
sbadnews.
”Sbur
epl
iesabsent
mindedl
y.
*
***
***

NOMTHA'
SPOV.

Myheadf eel
sheavy, mybodyf eelsli
keIjustgota
seri
ousbeatingfr
om someone, I'
m alsounableto
openmyeyes.Theyf eel r
ealit
chy.“Babe,youcan't
ki
llever
yone.That'
snotyoumyl ove,thegir
lIfel
lin
l
ovewi t
hwi l
lneverhurtevenaf l
y,pl
easemyl ove,
i
t'
sokayt obeangrybutki l
li
ngeveryoneis
somet
hingel
se.
”
“No.Ifyouar egoingtokillt
hem t henyoushoul d
startbyme.I '
m notgoingt ol
etyoudoi t,youhate
mur derer
s,MyRose, youcan'tbeone.I '
m begging
you, i
fmyl overeall
ymeansanyt hingtoyou, st
op
this.I
t'
senoughnow, theyallunder st
andandwi ll
nevermesswi t
hyoueveragai n.
”Spha' svoiceis
echoinginmyhead, IswearI'm goingcr azy.
“Nontando,watchout !
”Muzi'svoi
ceisshout
ing.
I'
m hear
ingvoices,itf
eelsli
kemymemor yi
st aki
ng
mebackt owhathappened.Whathappened?Li kea
fl
ashoflight
ning,everyt
hingIdidwhenIcouldn't
contr
olmyselfcomesf l
oodi
ngmymemor y.
“Ohno!Shi
t!WhathaveIdone?
”It
ryt
ocalloutt
o
anyonebutmyvoicebet
raysmeandcomesoutas
awhisper
.
“Welcomebackmydarl
inggrandchil
d.”Grandpai
s
si
tt
ingnexttome.Het
ouchesmyf or
ehead, I
i
nvoluntar
il
yopenmyeyesandthef i
rstthi
ngI
not
iceisthedi
amondbracel
etonmywr i
st.
“
Buthow-
-?”Idon'
tunder
stand,
Igavet
hisbr
acel
et
t
oNont andohowi
sitpossi
blet
hatIhavei
tonmy
wri
st?
“Don'
tpanic,
whateverhappenedi thadt o.Yes,
Nontandoishereanditi
sal lthankstothisbracel
et
t
hatmypeopl e,
yourpeoplear estil
lali
ve.Thedeit
y
wasveryangryandwant edt odestroyeverythi
ngin
t
hisKingdom.”Grandpainformsme.
“Gr
andpa,
didIhur
tanyone?Imeanwasi
treal
ly
bad?”
“Bad?That '
sanunder st
atement,youwerebur ning
withragebutdon'tblameyour sel
fbecausei t
'snot
yourfault
.Ourancest or
swerewr onged,sti
llhaven't
gottentheapologytheydeserveandit'
snor mal for
them toattackwhenevertheyfeelat
tacked.It'
snot
yourfault
.”Grandpasmi l
es.
“Howcanyousayt hat
,gr
andpa?Di
dthedeit
yhurt
someone?”HelooksawayandIknowinst
antl
ythat
somethi
ngdidhappen.
“Yes,atotaloff
ourpeopl
edi
ed.Thedeit
yki
ll
ed
onlythr
ee, t
heothermanwasshotdeadbyyour
sist
erLinda.”
“What
?Mysister
?No!Shecanneve--
”Ir
emember
whatshedi
datthemayor
's.ShecanandI'
m sur
e
shedi
dpullt
hetri
gger
.
“
Yousee?Shecanandshedi
dexact
lyt
hat
.She
want
edtodef
endyou.
”
“
WhatdoIdo?HowdoIsol
vet
hismess?
”
“Fi
rstl
y,asorr
yt ot
hisoldmanwi l
ldo.
”Hesmi les.I
rememberhowIdef i
edhim whenhecameand
apologi
zedonbehal fofeveryonewhowr ongedme.
“Secondl
y,for
givethePrinceandgobackhome.He
didnothi
ngwr onginthefir
stplace,whyareyou
punishi
nghimf orother
s'sins?”
“Ireall
ylovemyhusband, Godknowshe' stheone
myhear tbeat
sfor .I'm notangrywi thhi
m butIfeel
betrayedbymyi n-laws.Ever yoneknowsIval uemy
dignit
ymor et
hananyt hi
ngbutt heydidnotdefend
myhonour .Theysatt hereandl i
stenedtoher
accusingmeofal lt hosenast ythi
ngs.Don'tIhave
therighttodefendmyhonour ?”
“
Yesyoudohaveal
ltheri
ghtsbutbeingangryfora
l
ongt
imeisnothowtodefendyourself
.Peopl
etalk
thi
ngst hrough,apologi
zetoeachotherandmove
on.Thej ourneyofli
feisalotmoreenjoyablewit
h
ourlovedonesbyoursi desnotal
one.Aslongas
youdon' tfor
givethosewhowr ongedyou,thedeit
y
wil
lneverr est.Thi
nkaboutit.
”Hedisappearsupon
heari
ngf ootsteps.
“
MayIcomein?”Sphaasksformyper
missi
on.I
f
ightt
heur
getotel
lhi
m off
.
“Yeah.Comei nandcl osethedoor.”Hesmiles
walkingt owardsthebed.Hel ooksmor ehandsome
eachandever yday.Hi sbodyhasgai nedalotmore
muscl es,Iswallowhar datthethoughtofhowhis
bodymi ghtfeelundermyt ouch.Ireall
ywanttof
eel
him butIcan' t
.
“Hey,
daydr
eami
ng,huh?
”Hesnapshisf
inger
s
bri
ngi
ngmeoutofmywildi
magi
nati
ons.
“Ummm. ..
sor
ry.Ihaveaser
iousheadacheandI '
m
sti
llt
ryi
ngtomakesenseofsomet hi
ngs.”It
ellhalf
thetr
uth.
“Doesi
thur
tbadl
y?”Inod.“
Comeher
e,putyour
headonmylap-
-”
“
Spha?
--”
“What ?Youwantt or emindmehowangr yyoust i
ll
are?Itdoesn' tmat ter
,ri
ghtnowIonl ycar eabout
yourheal th.”Het akesmyheadont ohi slapand
start
swor kinghi smagi cwi t
hhi sski l
ledhands.I
feelal otmor ebet terwitheveryt ouchofhi ssoft
hands.“ Babe, Iunder standhowyouf eelbecauseI
feeli
tt oo.I 'm angr y,i
fIhadahear tofast oneI
wouldhaveki l
ledever yonewhoaccusedyouof
cheat i
ngandnotr espectingyourmar ri
age.Iknow
mybr otheri scr azyaboutyoubutI 'm hundr ed
percentcer t
ainthatyourhear tonl ybeat sforonl y
me, that '
swhyIwashonestwi thyouabout
everything.Aboutwhatyousai dt heot herday, me
beingt her easonourbabi esdied, I'
m sor ry.Forall
thepai nyouwentt hroughbecauseofmeI '
mr eal
ly
sorryandt hankyouf orchoosingmeal lthetimes.I
l
oveyout oo, babe, mor ethananyt hi
ngi nthis
wor l
d.”If eelt earsr ol
li
ngdownmycheeks, no
mat t
erhowIt rytobeangr ywithhi m, Icannever
stopf eelinghi spai n.Theagonyofhavi ngmecl ose
yetsof ar,thepai nofl ovingsomeoneyetbeabl eto
l
etherexpr essherf eel i
ngsandr espectherwi shes
eveni fitmeanst radi ngyourhappi nessf ortheirs.“I
willalwaysl oveyouMyPr eci
ousRosé. ”Heki sses
myf orehead.Het hennot i
cesmyt ear s.“ Babe, why
areyoucr yi
ng?Di dIhur tyou?”Hemakesmesi tup
straight ,he'snowl ooki ngdeepi ntomyeyes.Tear s
stream f reelydownmycheeks, Ican' tst opt hem
despi tet heef f
or t
.“Tal ktomesweet hear t,what 's
wr ong. ”Thewayhi sl ipsmove, thepai nandwor ry
register edi nhi seyesmakesmef orgetabout
ever ythingf oramomentandki sshi ml ikemyl i
fe
dependsont hiskiss.Hef reezesf orasecondbut
quickl yr ecover s.Hi smout htastesl ikespar kli
ng
wat erandmi nt.Myt onguet wirl
sar oundhi s,his
handmovest othebackofmyneckpul l
ingme
closerandcl osertohi m, amour nescapesmy
mout h.If indmysel ftuggingatt hehem ofhi sT-
shirtandyanki ngitof f
.Oh.My.Wor d!Hi sbody
l
ooksgl or i
ousl ybeaut if
ul,myhandsmovest ohi s
chest ,mymout hstillonhi sbuthegr absmyhands
andpul lsoutoft heki ss.
“
Babe,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”Wear
ebot
hpant
ing.
Hel
ooksconf
used.
“Ineedyou,darli
ng,hereandri
ghtthi
smoment.”He
i
snowl ooki
ngatmel ikeI'
m al
lofasudden
speakinginforei
gnlanguage.“
Sphamandla
Tshabangu,I'
m sureI'
m notspeaki
nginfor
eign
l
anguageori nr i
ddl
es,youaremyhusbandandI '
m
clai
mingmyr i
ghts.
”
“Butbabe--
”Ishuthim upbypassi
onatel
yki
ssi
ng
him.Hef i
nall
ygivesintomyadvancesashi
shand
movest omybr east
s..
..
..
..
..

“Hi.Welcomeback,
honey.”Hesaysafterl
ett
ingour
breathi
ngret
urntonor
mal .“Il
oveyoumor edear
wife.
”Hekissesmyforehead,Ibl
ush.
“ImissedyoumydearPr
ince,
don'
teverl
etmego,
everagain.
”
“Ican'tpromisethatbutwhatIcanpromi seist
o
foreverloveyou,whetheryouarephysicall
ynearor
not,youwi l
lalwaysdwellinmyheart.Thankyouf or
-
-”
“
Don'
tfi
nisht
hatsent
enceIknowwher
eit
'sgoi
ng.
”
“Ohreal
ly?
”Onceagai
noureverl
ongi
ngl
ipsf
ind
eachother
..
..
..
*
*
*
*
*
[
07/
21,
13:
47]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er24.

Att
heRoyalPal
ace.

Theyareallhavingbreakfastli
kethegoodolddays
exceptsomethingusmi ssing.Sphaandhisfamily
arenotsit
ti
ngwi tht
hem andt hevoidisfel
tbyallof
t
hem.
“
Iwi
shmysonswer
eher
e.”Sbusaysqui
etl
y.
“Thenwhydi
dn'
tyoubr
ingt
hem home?
”Zodwa
asks.
“
Theyr
efusedt
ocomewit
hmeunt
ilt
hei
rmot
her
(
mama)comesbackhome.
”
“
ButI
'
mthei
rmot
her
,whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”
“
Youaret
hewomanwhogavebi
rt
htot
hem not
hing
l
essormore.
”
“
Sbu-
-”
“Willyoutwost opyournonsense!I '
vehadenough
ofyourcont inuousbi cker
ing,
don'tyougettir
ed?
Don' tyouhaver espectforyourel
ders?Goand
arguei nyourr oom i fyouwanttoandst opthis
madnessofyour s!
”TheKi ngangril
yleavesthe
tabl
e.TheQueengi vesbothofthem adeadlystar
e
befor efol
lowingherhusband.
“Sbu,
weneedt otalk.Iwantmychil
drenback.I
gavebirt
htot
hem andt heyshoul
drespectmenot
embarrassmeallthetime.”
“Baby, dowhat everyouwant .Don'ti
nvolvemei n
anyofi t,Il
ovemychi l
drenal otandI'
m not
planningt obreakthelastthreadofourr el
ati
onship
becauseofyou.Youdon' tcareaboutanyone,all
youcar eabouti sgetti
ngmet osayIloveyou.I
thinkyoushoul dsitdown, thi
nkaboutwhatyou
wantandal solearntopriori
ti
zet het
hingsthat
mat t
eri nst
eadoff ueli
ngyourobsessi on.Iwas
neveryour sandneverwi l
lbe.”Sbucont i
nuestorub
saltinZodwa' swounds.
“Brotherthat'
snotf
air
.Sist
er-
in-
lawist
hemotherof
yourchildren,t
heonesyoulovesomuch,wi
llyou
pleasetreatherwit
hlit
tl
erespect.
”Nombul
elo
scoldsSbu.
“Tryandgetyour selfpregnantonaoneni ghtstand
andt henlat
erf i
ndyour sel
fmar r
iedtot hatperson
onlybecausei t'
stherightthi
ngtodo, youar e
trappedandt here'
snowher eelseorsomet hi
ng
differ
entt
obedonet ohelpthesituat
ion.Af t
erthat
,
comebackt omeandt ellmehowsuf focati
ngi t
feelstohavesomeoneyoupai dforsexnaggi ngyou
eachandever ychancesheget s.”
“Brother,
weal lwi sht ogetmar r
iedt ot hepeopl ewe
l
ovebutt heuni ver sedoesn'twor kl iket hat.We
can'talwaysgetwhatwewantbutGodgi vesus
whatwer eal
lydeser ve.I
fsi
st er-i
n-lawZodwawas
notgoodf oryout hent heAlmi ghtywoul dn'thave
j
oinedt hetwoofyoui nholymat rimony.Many
peoplegotmar ri
edbecauseci r
cumst ancesf orced
them to,Godappr ovedandt heyl aterlear nedt o
l
oveeachot her.Whati ssohar df oryout otryand
openyourhear tforher ?Comeonbr other ,no
womandeser veswhatyouar edoi ngt oher .
”
PrincessNombul eloadvocat esf orZodwa.
“Youwoul dn'
tunder standMi ssAdvocatefor
womenr ights,f
emi nism, whatevertheshi
tyou
advocatefor.Ial
sot hinkyoushoul dstopwatching
Indi
anser i
es,peopleonl ylearntoloveoneanother
i
nmovi esnoti nreallife.
”
*
***
***
**

PRI
NCESPHAMANDLA'
SPOV
She'slookingf l
awl esslybeauti
f ul
,fastasleepand
hermout hsl i
ghtlyopen.Herhai risruff
led,her
foreheadcover edi nsweat ,
itisabeaut ifulmess.
Yeah, mydearwi fe,she'ssomet imessomet hing
elsebutthroughi tal l
,she'
salwaysabeaut i
ful
mi xt
ureofever ythingandIl oveal lhershades.I
smoot hstrandsofhai rawayf rom herface, she
fl
inches,relaxeswhenIki ssherf orehead.
“I
t'
smebabe,youhavenot
hingt
owor
ryabout
.”I
babyki
ssherl
ips.
“
Mist
er,st
optaki
ngadvant
ageofme.”She
mumblesandtur
nsawayfrom me.
“
Sayssomeonewhor
apedmeyest
erday.
”
“
Shutup!
”Shecover
sherf
acewi
thapi
ll
ow.
“Why?Areyoushynowdearwife?Ithoughtyou
sai
dyouwer etaki
ngwhati
sri
ghtful
lyyours?Di
dI
nothearcor
rectl
y?”
“Spha!
”Shehi
tsmewit
hapil
low,
Ilaugh.“
Stopi
t!
Youareembar
rassi
ngme.
”
“
Sor
rybabe,
comeher
e,comeandt
akewhat
's
yours.”It
akeheront opofme, shefeelsmyboner
andgasps.“ Al
lyourdoing,honey.Car etohel
pme
wit
ht hat?”Sheblushes.“Youlookmor ebeaut
if
ul
whenyouar eshy.”I'
m aboutt okissherwhena
l
ightknockont hedoordisturbsus.
“Mama,weneedt otal
k.”OnlymynephewBukhosi
cangostr
aighttothepointbef
oresomeoneeven
openst
hedoor .
“
Mommy, openup.
”Thandosayssof
tl
y.Iwonder
whati
tist
heywantsoearl
yinthemorni
ng.
“Goaway.Comebackl at
er,
afteronehourthi
rt
y
minutes.
”Nomthalooksatmeandsmi lesshaki
ng
herhead.Mychil
drencanwaitbutthi
scannotwait.
“
Dad,
comeon-
-”
“
Nonegot
iat
ionst
oday.Youwi
llseeyourmot
her
l
ater
.”
“Okayfi
ne.Wewi l
lbebacki
nanhourt i
me.”
Knowinghowmysonandhi sbr
othersare,
I'
m sure
t
heyarealreadysett
ingupt
hecountdownwat ch.
“
Thatwasn'
tcoolatal
l.
”Shepoi
ntsout
.
“Iknow, Iwi l
lapol ogi zetothem laterfornowyou
andIhavet ofinishwhatwej uststarted.
”IknowI
shoul dn'tbedoi ngt hisundermyi n-laws'roofbutI
can'thelpi t
.Thet houghtofmysi ster-
in-
lawsor
brother-i
n-lawcomi ngt othedooranddemandi ngto
seet heirsistermakesmewantt odoi tevenmor e.I
havecr azyf antasi es, oneofthem ist ohavea
quickiewi thmywi fef ul
lyawarethatsomeone
mightcomeknocki ng.
“
Youar
esucha.
..
.”
“Dar
li
nghusbandandalovi
ngfat
herwhoknows
howtobal
ancehisdut
ies.
”Ismil
e.

NOMTHA'
SPOV

“HeyPr
incess.
”Dadsi
tsont
hecouchnextt
ome.I
putmyheadonhisshoul
der
.
“Hidad.
”Ihughi
mti
ght
.“Il
oveyoual
otdaddy
dearest
.”
“
What
'st
hemat
ter
,Pr
incess?
”Hi
svoi
cei
slaced
wi
thconcer
n.
“Not
hing.
”Ican'
texpl
ainthefeel
ing,
it'
s
over
whelmingandscaryatthesamet i
me.
“Youareslowlydevelopi
ngahabi toftryi
ngtohide
yourfeel
ingsfrom me,whyist hatso?Am Ino
l
ongeryourf at
heryoualwaysent rustwit
hyour
l
ife?
”Shit!Ij
usthurthisfeel
ingsthisearl
yinthe
morning.
“
I'
m sor
rydad,
it'
ssomet
hingI
'
m unabl
etoexpl
ain.
”
“Youarescared.Youar escaredoftheunknown,
whatthefutureholdsforyou,youar escaredyour
bodywillonceagainbeusedt ohur tpeople,
youare
scaredyouwi l
lhurtyourl
ovedonesi ntheprocess
andendupdest r
oyingeveryt
hingyouhavewor ked
hardfor
, f
orthisKingdom t
opr osper.”Asifr
eading
mymi ndhesays.
“
Howdoyouknowal
loft
hat
?”
“I'
m yourf
ather.Iknowal otofthi
ngsthatgo
throughyourmi nd.Icanseeifyouareworri
edor
not,Iknowifyouar euncert
ainaboutsomethi
ng.”
“I
'm scar edoflosingmyl ovedonesi nalloft
his.
Lindaisbecomi ngvi ol
entbecauseshet hi
nksshe
hasthesi st
erl
yr i
ghtt opr otectmebyal lmeans.I'm
scaredmysonwi l
lseet hingst hathe' snot
supposedt osee.I'm afraidofl osingmymot herdue
toasever eheartattack,she' sconst antl
y
questioningher sel
fifI'm goi ngtol eaveherjustl
ike
mysi sterSnedi d.I'
m af raidSphami ghtdo
somet hinghewi l
lforeverr egretinanat temptto
defendmyhonour .I'
m scar edsomedayIwon' tbe
abletor egaincont r
olofmybody, whatt hen
happens? ”
“What everhast ohappeni sdefinitel
ygoingto
happen.Fearnot ,youar et hedaught erofthestorm.
Af t
ereverybi gstorm, ther e'sarainbow.Ar ainbow
i
sasi gnshowi ngt hatt hewor stisoverandyouar e
thatrainbowmychi ld.Youwi l
lalwaysbr ingjoynot
sadnessanddest r
uct ion.Beyou, enjoyli
feasi t
comes. ”Isigh.Dadt akesmeonhi slapsandhugs
met ight,Isnugglecl oserandr elaxes.Mydadst i
ll
treatsmel ikeachi ld,tohi m Iwillalwaysbehi sli
tt
le
Pr i
ncess.Hehol dsmef oraveryl ongt i
meunt i
l
someonedi
stur
bst
hepeace.
“
Ifeelj
eal
ous,
thi
sisnotf
airdaddy!
”Ki
arasul
ks.
“Comeon,baby,youknowyouaremyl astbornand
youar
ealwayswi thmeunli
keyoursist
er.Letme
pamperherali
tt
leunti
lsheret
urnstoherhome.”
“Sis,areyougoingbackt othosepeopl ewhohave
nor espectforyou?Iknowbr other-
in-l
awl ovesyou
andal lbutdoyour eal
lyhavetogoback?Imean
thatwi t
chhaven'tevenbotheredher selfbyatleast
apologizingtoyou.”Ki
araisaver yqui etteenager
whowhencomf ort
ablesayshermi nd.
“Baby,somepeopl efor gett
ooeasy.Theyf orget
whohel pedt hem outoft hemudandt hrowt hatt
o
ourfacesbutwedon' thavetochangebecauset hey
don'tseethegoodi nus.Iunderstandyouar eall
angryandwor ri
edaboutyoursi ster,worrynotfor
nothingwillhappent oher .Shehastogoback, she
vowedi nfrontofever yoneandagr eedtobecomea
Tshabangu.Nowt hat '
swher eherfami l
yisand
she'sneededt orestor epeaceinthatpalace.
Whet herZodwaapol ogizesornot,myPr incess
doesn'
thavetochangewhoshei
sbecauseofthat.
Godknowst het
ruth,
weknowthetr
uth,
let
'sal
l
for
giveandmoveon.”Dadwil
lal
waysbethewisest
manIknow.
“
Howdoyouf or
givesomeonewhohasn'
taskedf
or
f
orgi
veness?
”Kiaraconti
nues.
“
Foryourownsani
tyandheal
thy,
let
ti
nggoofall
t
heangerandpai
ncausedbysomeoneisthebest
t
hingt
odo.”
“Li
ttl
eSi s,Iunderst
andyourconcer nsbutyouhave
nothi
ngt oworryabout,Iwil
lbefine.”Iassureher.
“Wherei sNont ando?Wehavet ogot othepalace,
dadar eyoucomi ngwit
husornot ?”Ijust
remember edthecommuni tymeet i
ngt hatIhaveto
att
end, orderedbyHi sMajesty.
“I
'm comingalong.Noonei sgoi
ngtodi sr
espectmy
si
sterwhi l
eI'
m sti
llali
ve.”Li
ndacomesi nfrom t
he
backdoorlookingalldressedupinhertightri
pped
ski
nj eans,avestandal ightNi
kejacketontop
matchingwi t
hhersneaker s.
“
Youar
enotgoi
nganywher
e--
”
“Daddy, I'm goingthere.Wewi l
ltal
kabout
everythingyouwantt oknowl aterbutf ornowwe
havet oal lshowt hosepeopl ethatsisterNomt ha
didn'tfallfrom atree,
shehasf amilytodef endher.
It
'seitherwedot hi
snoworwewi l
lforeverbe
disrespect edinthiskingdom.Daddy, haveyou
forgottenwhatyoual wayst ellus?
SingabakwaGodonga, asiwonaamagwal anjal
o
asiyekiabant ubadlal
elephezukwamakhandaet hu.
(Wear et heMahl angus, wear enotcowar dsnordo
wel etpeopl emesswi thus.
”Li ndadef iesherfat
her.
“Well,youhaveapoi ntt herebutmayIpl easehave
yourgun. ”Nomt haandLi ndabot hl ookatthei
r
fatherinshock.“Stopact ingsurprised,givemethe
gunoryouar enotgoing.Iknowyouhavei tandyou
seem t obeusingitalotl atel
y.Ialsoknowabout
KiaraandMuzi 'skidnappi ngandal lthathappened
thereafter
.Youcanal ltryt ohi
det hingsfrom me
butI'm yourfat
herIwi llalwaysfindout .
”Linda
rel
uctant l
ygi
veshi mt hegun.
“
Becar
eful
,i
t'
sloaded.
”
“
Ready?
”Luckyaskst
hem hol
dingt
hecarkeysi
n
hi
shand.
*
***
***
***

AttheNgcobohousehold,
MrsNgcoboisprepari
ng
l
unchf orherf
amil
y.MrNgcobocomesf r
om behind
andgrabsherwaist
,sl
ight
lybendsandbi
tesher
ear
lobe.Shejumpsandgiggl
es.
“
Hel
lobeaut
if
ul.”
“Whyareyoubei
ngt ouchysoear
lyi
nthemorni
ng?
”
Shetur
nstohim andisaboutt
okisshi
m whenNel
i
stor
msinsi
dethekit
chen.
“Youcanki
ssal
lyouwantl
ater
.Wehaveahuge
cri
sis-
-”
“
What
'st
hemat
terNel
i?Whydoyoul
ookunset
tl
ed?
”
“
Nomt hahasgonebackt
othepal
ace,
ourpl
ani
s
f
ail
ing.”
“Howinthehel
ldi
dyoulett
hathappen?Youwere
supposedt
odrawawedgebetweenherandt hat
usel
essPri
nce!Wher
eisyourbr
other?Si
yabonga
Ngcobo!
”MrNgcoboi
sredwi
thf
ury.
“Cal
m down,
honey.
”Mr
sNgcobot
ri
est
ocal
m hi
m
down.
“Daddy,shoutallyouwantbutIdon'tthi
nkIcanget
closertoPrinceSphamandl a,
thatmanisstrai
ght,
l
oyalandst ickstohispr
incipl
es.Besi
des,I
'vefal
len
i
nl ovewithLuck--”Ahotslapsendshercrashi
ng
ont hestove.
“Sayt
hatshi
tagai
nIwi
llbur
nyouali
ve!
”Mr
Ngcobostor
msoutoft
hekit
chen.
*
*
*
*
Someofyour equest
edt
hatwepauset hebookunt
il
thehol
idaysareover
.What
'syoursay?
[
07/
21,
13:
47]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
Chapt
er25.

Thewholecommunity,
youngandt
heel
der
ly,
areal
l
gat
heredatthepal
acehal
l.Hi
sMaj
est
yandthe
Queenaregett
ingr
eady.
“Doyouthi
nkshewi
llcome?
”TheKi
ngasksf
eel
ing
anxi
ous.
“Shewi
ll
.Mydaughter
-i
n-l
awwi l
ldefi
nit
elybeher
e
andwil
lmakeever
ythi
ngright
.”QueenNozizwe
comfor
tshi
m.
“IheardaruckuswhenSphaandourgr
andchi
ldr
en
arri
ved,whatwasthatabout
?”
“Bukhosiisburningwi thfur
y.Thatkidhasseri
ous
temperissueslikealltheTshabangumen, you'
d
swearhe'sover18yet .Hewasdemandi nganswers
from hi
smot herandi tdidn'
tgowell.Juni
or
supportedhim andt hi
ngswentSout h.Sbujust
stoodthereandsai dnot hi
ngatall
.Whatarewe
goingtodowi ththeseki ds?”
“
Iwi
llt
alkt
omygr
andsons.Theywi
lll
ist
ent
ome,
I
underst
andwhatdaught er-i
n-lawZodwadidwas
wrongbutthatdoesn'tgi
vet hem t
her i
ghtt
o
di
srespecther.She'
sstil
ltheirmotherandtheywi
ll
havetorespecther,
Sbui ncluded.
”
*
***
***
**

“What'
swi
tht
hegl
oomyf
ace?
”Si
yaquest
ionshi
s
si
ster
.
“
DaddyslappedmebecauseIfel
linl
ove.
”Si
ya
l
aughsoutloudi
rr
it
ati
ngNeli
.
“
Areyounut
s?Whydi
dyout
ell
himt
hat
?”
“Hewantsmet osl
eepwithPrinceSphamandl a,
howdoIdot hatwhentheonlythingtheguyssees
ever
ywhereishiswi
fe?HowSi ya?Andal loft
hisfor
what?Fordaddytobecomeamayor ,for
cehisway
i
ntotheTshabanguempireandf oryoutogetthe
l
oveofyourli
fe.Whataboutme?WhataboutwhatI
want?”
“Sis,
inthi
sfami
lywehavealwayshel
pedeach
otherandwealwaysst
ickt
ogether
.Lovei
sa
beauti
fult
hingyes,butitshouldbereci
procat
ed.
Lookatwhathappenedt osist
erAna,sheendedup
si
xfeetunder gr
oundbecauseofl ovi
ngsomeone
whodi dn'
tloveher
.Let'
sf ocusonourmission,you
wil
lfocusonLuckyl at
er.”
“No!Whyshoul
dIputmypl
ansonhol
dfort
het
wo
ofyou?
”
“Becausewedi dthesamef oryou,notoncebut
threeti
mes.Wer i
skedourli
vesforyou.Timeto
repaythefavor.Ihaveaplan,l
et'
skidnaponeofthe
royalgrandsonsanddemandi nfor
mat i
onin
exchangeofhi m.”Siyar
emindsher.
“Thenourhousewi l
lbur
ndownt oashesandno
onewi lleverfi
ndoutwhathappenedtous.
Everyonewi llt
hinki
twaspoli
ti
calrel
ated.
”Nel
i
disagrees.
“MaybewecanusePr i
nceSbu.St
opfocusi
ngon
hisbr
otherandgethi
minst
ead,It
hinkhe'
sweak
whenitcomestowomen.”

Luckypacksatt
heRoyalpal
acegat
e.Theguar
don
dut
yseest
henumberpl
ateandopenst
hegat
e.
“MyPr i
ncess,”Hebowsshowi ngrespect.
“Mahlangu.”Hesayswi t
hhishandonhi schestas
asignofrespect.Luckydri
vesthr
ought hedri
veway,
Nomthai ssweatingandgaspingforair
.
“
Sister,
areyoualr
ight
?”Luckyasksl
ooki
ngatt
he
r
earviewmirror
.
“
No.Pleasepar
kthecar,
Lil
lygoandf
indSphaf
or
meIreall
yneedhi
mr i
ghtnow.”
“
Butsi
ster
--
”
“Go!Justbr
inghi
m her
eandheshoul
dcome
alone.
”
“Fi
ne.Dad'shere.
”Lindainf
ormst hem befor
e
shutt
ingthedoor.Bab'uMahlangufeel
st hat
Nomthaisnotokayashequi ckl
yparksthecarand
runstowardsLucky'
scar.
“
Pri
ncess!
”
“Ican'
tbr
eat
he,dad.If
eel
likeI
'
m goi
ngtofai
nt
anyti
mesoon.”Nomthast
ruggl
estosay.
“
Rel
ax.Ever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
ine,
youdon'
thavet
obe
scar
edofanyt
hing.I
'
m her
ewi
thyou.
”
“Babe?What '
swr ongwithher?”Sphatakesher
ontohislapsandhol dsherti
ght.“
It'
sokay.Wear e
doingthisandthenmoveonwi thourli
ves.Don'
t
giveintothevoicesinyourhead,justl
ist
entomy
voiceandeverythingwil
lbefine.
”Nomt hanods.
“That'
smygi rl
.Youar est
rongbabeandyouwi l
l
overcomet hi
s.”
“
Her
eist
hebr
acel
et.”Nont
andosaysqui
etl
y.
“
No,honeyIdon'
tneedit
.Keepi
t,Iwi
llbeper
fect
ly
f
ine.
”Nomthasays,she'
smuchcalmer.
“Ar
eyousur e?Idon'
tli
keseeingyouinpain.
”
Nontandosaysasat earescapeshereye.
“Li
keIsai
d,Iwi
llbefi
ne.Youdon'thavetoworr
y
aboutme.Uncl
eSphai shereandhewillt
akecare
ofme.”Nomthawipeshertear
s.
“
Fat
her
-i
n-l
aw,
canIhaveamomentwi
thherbef
ore
wegoi
n?”
“Yeahsur
e.Justcal
lmei
fyouneedme,
let
'sgo
kids.
”
“Daddy,wearenolongerki
dswhenwi l
lyou
acknowledget
hatyourchil
drenhavegr
ownup.
”
Lindajokeswi
thherfat
her.
“Tome, youwil
lalwaysbemybabi esnomatter
howol dyoubecome.”Bab'uMahlangusmil
esand
kissesherhand.Theyal
lleavet
het wol
ovebi
rds
alone.
“Babe,howdoyouf eel
?Tellmethetr
uthIcanseeit
i
nyoureyesthatyouar escar
ed.Scar
edyoumi ght
hurtherunwi
ll
ingl
y.”
“YesI'
m scar
edbutinordertoovercomethi
sfearI
havetoseeher,Ineedt
or econnectwi
thherandlet
bygonesbe.Kissme.”
“
What
?”Sphal
ooksather
,conf
used.
“Don'
tacti
nnocent
,ki
ssmeuntilI
'
m outofbreath,
helpmeovercomethi
sfear
,pl
easesweetheart
.”
Shebegs.
“Weareinthepar
kinglotandallbutwhatthehell
?
Youaremywi f
eafterall
.”Spha'
sli
psfindhersas
thei
rpassi
onat
ekissdeepens.Hishandmovest o
herthi
gh,hemoveshishandonheri nnert
high,she
moans.
“
Spha-
-”
“Whatbabe?”Shebendsherheadal i
tt
legi
vinghi
m
ful
laccesstoherneck.Hemoveshistongueonher
necksendingel
ectr
ici
tyal
loverherbody.
“Mmmm. .
”Shemoansonceagain.“It
hinkwe
shoul
dtaket
hisupst
air
s,whatdoyouthink?
”
“Greatidea.Come.”Theygetoutoft hecar ,l
ockit
andsneaki ntothehouseusingt hefireescape.
“Neverdi dthi
swhenIwasat eenager, seemsli
kea
l
otoff unnowondert eenagersar ealwayssneaking
outtoseeeachot her.
”Hepi nsheront hedoorand
kisseslight
soutofhermi ndbefor eopeningthe
doorwi thhisfr
eehand..
..
..
*
***
***

“
Beforewemeetever yone,wehavet ot
alkasa
f
amily.Thiswassupposedt obeaf ami
lymat t
eri
n
t
hefirstpl
acebef
oreitspreadallovert
hekingdom
l
ikewildf
ir
e.WhereisSphaanddaught er-
in-
law?”
Hi
sMaj
est
yasks.
“Wear
eherefather
.”Nomthahurr
iest
ohi
m,kneel
s
downandseekshisblessi
ngs.
“Myblessi
ngsarealwayswithyoumychi l
d.”
Nomthasmi l
esandhugshermot her-i
n-l
aw.She
seesLindaandLuckyrai
singthei
rquestioning
eyebr
ows.BothSphaandNomt halookfreshand
havechangedint
onewout fi
ts.
“Wel
comebackchi
ld,
yourmot
herr
eal
lymi
ssed
you.
”
“IknowandI 'm sor
ry.
”Sheturnsandshe'snow
facetofacewi t
hZodwa.Alltheinsul
tsoftheother
daycomef loodinghermemor y,t
hevoicesareback,
she'ssweatingasshestaggersbackandbalances
hersel
fwithachai r
.
“Si
ster-i
n-l
aw,I'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'tmeant
o--
”
Somet hingisgoi
ngwr ongwiththi
smeet
ing,
Nomt ha'seyesarebl
azingfi
re.TheKi
ngandthe
Queenpani cs.
“
Noooo!
”She'
snowmovi
ngi
nci
rcl
es.
“
Babe,don'tcl
oseyoureyes, l
ookatme.Youcando
t
his,
pleasemyl ove.For
giveeveryoneandl
etusall
moveon.”TheRoyalseerr ushesinwit
hacalabash
i
nhishand.
“
Cutherf
ingerandl
etherbl
oodf
alli
ntot
his-
-”
“What
?Areyoumad?Howcanwecuther
?”Spha
shout
s.
“I
t'
sokayson-i
n-l
aw.Whereisthesacredrazor
?”
TheseerhandsBab'uMahlangutherazor
.
“Don'
thurther!Shedoesn'
tdeserveal
lthepai
n!”
Bukhosiscreamsattempti
ngtoruntoherbut
Thandoholdshimt i
ght.
“Don'
tinter
rupttheel der
st hat
'sbadmanner sand
youareverywel lawar eofwhatmommyt aughtus.
Shewillbefine,it
'sjustasmal lcut.”Thandosays.
Bab'uMahlangugr absherhandandcut sherf i
nger
,
Sphafl
inchesashef eel
sherpai n.Nomt hacalms
downasherbl oodst ai
nsfalli
ntot hecalabash.
Sphatriestohugherbutt heseerst opshim.
“Fir
st,
shehastobandageherhand.Remember,her
bloodshoul
dn'
tmixwithanyoneel
se'sorbeon
someone'
sfl
esh.
”
“
Her
e.Putt
hison.
”Li
ndagi
veshert
hef
ir
stai
dki
t.
“Thankyou.”Sheputsontheoint
mentand
bandagesthecut.Sphal
it
eral
lyrunst
oherand
hugsherti
ght.
“
I'
m sor
ry,MyRose.I
sitpai
nful
?”Hi
svoi
cei
slaced
wit
hconcern.
“No,dar li
ngI '
m okay.”Spha' sli
pst enderlytouches
hers,Sbucl earshi sthroat,HisMaj estygiveshima
deadlyst arewhi chsendschi l
lsdownSbu' sspine.
Sbubl inksrapi dl
yandr unshishandt hroughhis
hairtryingbyal lmeansnott obr eak.Thesi ghtof
hisbrot herbabyki ssi
ngheri sli
keast abinhis
heart.Heknowshepr omi sedtor especttheir
mar r
iagebutwhathef eelsforheri sbigger,he'
s
unablet ocont roli
t.“Okay.Let '
sgett hisoverwith.
YourMaj esty,Iapologizeaboutt hat .
”TheKi ng
smilesather .
“I
t'
sokay.LikeIsai
d, me,myfami l
yandmyr oyal
counci
lsaredeeplysorryaboutwhatwedidtoyou.
Youdon'tdeservethatandforthatIwoul
dli
keto
apologi
zeonbehalfofeveryone.”TheKingfolds
hi
shandbutNomt haswift
lyleapstoherfeetand
stopshim shaki
ngherhead.
“NoYourMaj esty.Don'
tdot hi
s,youar et
heKing,
onlyyourwor dsar eenoughyoudon' thavetobow
orfoldyourhandsf orme,youareanel derandI'
m
younger.Iforgiveyou,Ireal
lydo.”TheKinghugs
her,shefreezesf oramomentbutl at
erhugshim
back.Pri
nceSphaandBab' uMahl anguandall
otherssmi l
ebutnotBukhosiandLi nda.
“Sist
er-i
n-l
aw,I'
m sor
ry.Idon'
tknowwhatcame
overme, Iwasshockedt ofi
ndoutyouwer ethee
womanandIact edwithoutt
hinki
nganything
through.Forgi
veme.”Zodwasayswi thtearsrol
li
ng
freel
ydownhercheeks.Nomt ha'
sheartbreaksf
or
her,shetakesherint
oherarms.
“It
'sokay, Iunderst
and.I'dhavefreakedouttoo.I
forgiveyou, nowstopcr yi
ng.”Nomt hawipesher
tears.“Youar emysi ster
,wewi l
lfight
,wewi l
lalso
makeupandmoveonwi t
hourlives.
Mi sunderstandingsshouldn'tbr
eakoursisterl
y
bond. ”Shesmi lesreassuri
ngly.
“BeforeIapol ogi zetosi ster-i
n-law, Bab' uMahl angu
I'
m sor ryf orpoint i
ngyouwi t
hagun.Idon' tknow
whatcameoverme, I'
mr eal l
ysor ry.Li nda,Lucky,I
knowwedon' tseeeyet oeyebutI '
m sor r
yf or
disrespect i
ngyourf ather .Iunder standi fyouhat e
mebecauseIsomet i
meshat emysel ftoo.”Sbu
says, Lindar ollshereyes.“ Sister-in-law, I'
m sorry
i
t '
sallbecauseofmeyouwentt hr oughsomuch
humi li
at ion.Itri
edt oloveher ,GodknowsIdi dbutI
justcan' tgetyououtofmyhear t--”Sbu' svoi ce
trai
lsof fashecol l
apsesonhi skneessobbi ng
painfullybr eakingNomt ha' shear ti ntopi eces.“I'
m
sorryf ather ,
mom, father-in-l
aw, br ot herandmy
sons, Zodwababy, I'
mr eallysor ry.I fIcoul d,Iwould
forgett hisst r
ongf eeli
ngIhavef orsi ster-i
n-law.I
knowIsoundcr azy, pathet i
c,psychot i
candal lbut
allthatdoesn' tmat ter.”Hecr ies, Pr i
nceSphaand
QueenNozi zwewi pet hei rownt ear s.“ Idon'tknow
whatt odo, Idowantt ol oveZodwabutIj ustcan't
,
i
t '
ssomet hi
ngt hati soutofmycont rol.Maybewe
shoul dj ustendt hi
smar r
iage- -
”Gugui saboutt o
slaphi m har dbutNomt hagr absherar m.
“Don'
t!
”Everyone'
satt
ent
ioni
snowont hetwo,
Nomtha'seyesareshi
nni
ngwithtear
s.“
Irespect
youalotauntGugubutIwon'
tletyouki
ckaman
whoisalreadydown.”
“Why?Doyoual solovehim?Ar eyoubothplayi
ng
wit
hever yone'
smi nd--
”Lindaleapstoherf
eet,
she'
saboutt odot heunthinkabl
ebutSphabeats
hertoitashegr abshisauntbyherneckandsends
hercrashingont hewall
.Gugui sshockedbyPrince
Spha'sreacti
on.
“Don'tyoueverquest i
onmywi fe'
scharacter!I'
ve
hadenoughofyourst i
nkingwannabegangst er
att
it
ude!Behaveyour selfbef
oreIforgetthatyou
aremydar l
ingauntanddi smant l
eyourfacei na
second!”WheneverPr i
nceSphai sangry,noteven
hisfathercanst andinhi sway.Nomt hapull
sSbu
upandengul fshimi nawar m embrace.Hesobs
evenlouder, everyonelookson.Thechi efsar e
waiti
ngf orPr i
nceSphat osnapbuthe' scalm as
ever.Zodwat oodoesn' tunderst
andthebondt hese
twobr other
sshar e.
“
Iunder
stand,
meofal
lpeopl
eunder
standhowyou
feel
.It
'snotyourfaul
tdon'
tbetoohardonyoursel
f.
Everyt
hingwillbefi
ne.
”Nomt hast
rokeshi
sback.
Sphajoinsthehugandcomf ort
shisbrot
her.
“
Beaman, don'
tbr
eakinfrontofyourki
ds.Youar
e
aTshabangu,youarest
rongerthanthi
s.”
“Wai
tunti
lhefucksyourwi
feunderyournose-
-”
Gugustar
ts.
“Enough!I
t'
snotSbu'
sfaul
tbutt
hegods!
”Nomt
ha
blur
tsoutshocki
ngever
yone.
*
*
*
*
Ihopeyouar eallhavingaveryniceandbl essed
Saturday.NextinsertonMonday,enj oyther estof
yourweekend.Remember ,enj
oyr esponsibly,don'
t
dri
nkanddr ive.Don'tconf
rontanyonewhenunder
theinfl
uenceofal cohol
,youmightr egreteverythi
ng
l
ater.
Lovef
rom me.

Sukol
uhl
eN.Mdl
ongwa.
[
07/
21,
13:
48]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er26.

“
Whatar
eyousayi
ngNomt
ha?
”Gugui
sshockedby
t
his.
“I
'
m notdi
scussingthi
swithanyone.Justgoeasy
onSbutherearesomet hi
ngshecan'tcont
rolt
hey
arej
ustbi
ggerthanhim.I'
m notsayi
ngheshould
doashepleases,t
rytounderst
andhim.”
“NowIunder st
and.NowonderPr i
nceSphai
scalm
aboutever
ything.MyPrince,
didyouknowal
labout
i
t?”AskschiefMseleku.
“Noandi
t'
syournotyourplacetoquest
ionme
Chi
efMsel
eku.Dad,peopl
ear ewai
ti
ngwehaveto
go.It
hinkweareallgoodhere.Br
other
?”Spha
di
smissesever
yone'squest
ions.
“
Justasec,
Ineedt owashmyf ace.Thankssist
er-
i
n-l
awforcl
ari
fyingsomethi
ngs.Goahead, Iwil
lbe
t
herei
nagiphy.”Pri
nceSbusays.
“Anytime,Sbu.Iador eyouj ustt hatsomet imesyou
actli
keanannoyi ngidi
ot.YouandIst i
llhavet otal
k
i
npr ivateaboutsomeoft het hingsyoudi d.Goon,
hurr
y. ”Nomt hasmilesathim, heshylysmi lesback.
Seeinghersmi l
eafteraveryl ongt imef eelslike
heaven.Al lheeverwantsi stoseeherhappyand
wil
ldoanyt hi
ngforthatsmi letor emainonher
beaut i
fulf
ace.

TheRoyalpoetpr aisestheKingashest andsfrom

hist hr
one.Thechiefs,guardsandmai densbow
theirheadsasHisMaj estymakeshi swayt othe
hall.He'swal
kingwi t
hhisQueenbesi deshi m.
PrinceSphaandNomt haremainbehindwi thaunt
Gugu.
“
Sweet
hear
t?”Nomt
hat
ri
est
osof
tenherhear
t.
“Don'
ttouchme!
”Shesnapsbutherf
acebet
rays
herasasmi l
epl
aysonherl
ips.
“Comeon,thecrazyTshabangupeopl
ealwaysfi
ght
andmakeupt henextminute.Youal
lofal
lpeopl
e
knowthi
s.”
“Thi
sidi
otal
mostbrokemyneck!Wher
ethehel
ldi
d
yougetsuchst
rengt
h?”
“Idoexerci
seeverymor ni
ng,aft
ernoonwhenIgeta
chance,i
ntheevening,anyti
me.”Pr i
nceSpha
smilesnaught
il
yandl owershisvoice.“
Ijustdi
da
fewpushupsbef orecominghe--”
“
Noman!Yuck!That'
sverydisgusti
ngSpha.
”Gugu
movesawayfr
om him,helaughs,Nomthabl
ushes.
“
Whatareyouteachi
ngher?YouneedJesus.”
“Onaseriousnote,I
'
m sor r
yforwhatIdi d.Isai
d
thi
searl
ierpl
easedon'tpointafingeratmywi fe
becauseIwon'thesi
tatetodefendher .I
'
m aver y
goodguyyouknowt hat,j
ustdon'tpushme, okay?”
Hesmi l
esandf or
cefull
ykisseshercheek.
“
Spha,I
'm gonnagetyouboy!Youwi l
lregr
et
messi
ngwi t
hme.”Guguthreatens.
“
Eveni
fIgi
veyouat
hir
tymi
nut
efr
eemassage-
-”
“No!”Nomt hablurt
sout.“Youar
enotdoi ngthat
.”
Thet houghtofSpha'shandsonanyoneeveni fi
t'
s
auntGuguki l
lsher.Thewayhissof tf
inger
smake
cir
clestouchingthehiddenmuscles..
..
“
Lookatthi
swifeofyours,
she'
sfeeli
ngj
eal
ousof
me.”GuguandSphalaughs.Hepull
sNomthai
nfor
ahugandwhisper
s.
“Onlyyouknowhowmyhandsf eel
,Iwearlat
ex
glovesifit
'snotyouonthatmassagebed.Noneed
tobej eal
ous,okaybabe?”Shenodsshyl
y.“Okay,
l
et'sgobef oredadsendshisguar
dstofetchus.
Auntie,I'
m sorr
y,Ir
eall
yam.”
“Don'tf
ret,nohardfeel
ingsboy.Iknewyouwoul d
comeaf termeforthatbull
etthatalmostsentyou
str
aighttoyourgreatgrandfather
Ntabakayikhonj
wa.”Gugur unsoutofthehouse
l
eavingSphaandNomt hal aughing.
“Thisfami
lyi
snut
s.Doyouenj oyhur
ti
ngeach
other?
”Nomthashakesherheadindi
sappr
oval
.
“
Notr
eal
lyIt
hinki
thast
odowi
thourt
emper
s.
AuntGuguiswor sebecauseshecarri
esapistol
around.
”Sphapul l
shertohim,fl
ipsandpinsheron
thewallbef
orepassionat
elyki
ssingher.
“Disgusting!Getar oom youtwo!Youactlike
teenager s,someofusar esingleandst
illsear
chi
ng
sopl easedon' taddtoourmi ser
ies.
”Pr
incess
Nombul elotaunts.
*
***
***
*

ZODWA'
SPOV.

Iwonderi fNomt hawascr eatedusingthesame

i
ngr edient sthatcreatedallofus.Ihatetoadmi tbut
thiswomani ssomet hi
ngelse,anangelinper son.I
woul dn'thavef orgivenwhatIdi dtoherbuther ewe
are,sit
tingnextt oeachot herl i
kenothi
ngever
happened.Sher eallyhasahear tofgold.Idon't
blamemyhusbandanymor e,whowoul dn'tf
allhead
overheel sforher,Imean, Icanevenbecomea
l
esbi anj usttofeel howit'
sliketobelovedbya
goddess.
“So?AboutKhosi
,whatdi
dyousay?
”Sheasks,
I
snapoutofit
.
“Wher edoIst art
?Thet winsdonotregardmeas
thei
rmot her,Ifeelt
heyknowmor eaboutmy
mar r
iagethant heyleton.Bukhosicameher eand
actuall
ydemandedanswer sfrom meinaveryrude
manner .Idon'tknowwhatt odot oprovethatI
'm
thei
rrealmot herandIl ovethem asmuchasIl ove
Sisa.
”
“Theyaret eenager s, atthisstagetheiremot ionsare
spir
ali
ngoutofcont rol.Youneedt ounder stand
them withoutl et
tingt hem disrespectyou.Remi nd
them whoi stheel der ,
youcannotl etyoursons
bossyouar ound.”Ibecameamot herbeforeherbut
l
ikeIsaid,she' sjustever yt
hingextra.“It
hinkwe
shouldbehavi ngt hisconver sati
onwi ththem and
thei
rfatherpr esent .”Shesuggest s.Iknowshe
alwaystalkssenset omyhusbandbutIal soknow
helist
enst oever yt hingshesaysbecausehel oves
hermor ethanhi sownbr eat
h.Itkil
lsme, itr
eal l
y
doesbutIhavenochoi ceshe'sthekeyt o
everyt
hingIeverdesi red.Icallouttomysonswho
bot
hcomei
nsi
det
her
oom dr
aggi
ngt
hei
rfeet
.
“Khosi,Juni
or,
betterfi
xyourfacesandmanners
beforeIfixt
hem forthebothofyou.
”Nomt ha
orders.Hervoi
cecar r
iessomuchaut hor
it
ythatt
he
twinsimmediatel
ydoasshesays.“ Sitdown.
”
“What'
sallt
hisabout
?I'
mr eal
lynoti
nthemood,
si
ster
-i
n-l
aw.”Sbusaystypi
ngsomethingonhi
s
phone.
“Idon'
tcareaboutyourmood, Sbu.Si
tdown,we
havetotalkaboutthi
sandmoveon.Wewon' tbe
abletomoveoni fwedon'tcl
earthe
misunderstandi
ngs.Yourwif
ehassomet hi
ngtosay
toyouandt hechil
dren.
”
“Okayf i
ne.Shoot.
”I'
m sur
pri
sed,t
hewayheobeys
herisjustshocki
ng.Sbuisnotthetypet
obe
orderedaround,hedoeswhathewant sandonhi
s
ownt imeandt er
ms.
“
Bukhosi,
Juni
or,I
'm sor
ryyoubot hf
eelthatI'
m not
wor
thytobecall
edyourmot her.I
'
m sorr
yI '
m not
t
hepersonyoubothwantmet obebutI'
m your
mot
herandIlovey--
”
“Don'tyouevengot her
e!”Juniorgrowls.“
Whatki nd
ofamot herareyou?Amot herwhol et'
shischil
dren
stayinaf orei
gncount r
ywi t
hanannywhenshe' s
sti
llali
ve?Amot herwhodoesn' tevenbothertouse
thefreeWi Fitocallhi
ssons?Real ly,mom?I sthat
howamot herissupposedtoact ?”
“
Jun-
-”
“Lethi
mtal
k,i
t'
sbet
tert
hisway.Goaheadson.
”
Sbusays.
“Mom, wehavet ol i
etoourf riends,wealwayst ell
them t
hatdadi sasi ngl
epar ent .Youknowwhy?
Younevertriedtobeourmot her ,
youletdaddeci de
everyt
hingconcer ni
ngusandweendedupl oving
him more.Atleasthedoest r
y, hehashi sfault
sbut
heneverbringusi ntohismess.Wear enol onger2
yearsoldmom, wear eteenager s,weseeandhear
everyt
hing.
”Mysonut t
ersandbr eaksdowni nt ear
s.
Icannotkeepf ighti
ngmyownt ears,
Ilett
hem f all
.
“Icoul
dn'
tstophimfrom sendi
ngyouaway.I
twas
hisdeci
sion,I
'
m sor
ry.”Idef
endmysel
f.
“
Hehadt
o!Whatwoul
dyoudoi
fyourownwi
fe
tri
est okillyoursonsbecauseofa
mi sunderst anding!Onlythreewordsmom, ‘Ilove
you’,thesear et hewordst hatal
mostcostusour
l
ives.Whatwasoursi ninthat?Weneveraskedyou
twot obeourpar ent
s,whypoi sonusbecausedad
doesn' tl
oveyou? ”Bukhosiscreams.“Wewer e
almostdead, mamasavedus, shealwaysdoesbut
allyoudoi sf i
ghther.Forwhat ?Forl
ove?Ar ewe
reall
ynott hatimportanttoyou? ”I
'
mt hr
ownaback.
Iunder standt heyknowal otofthi
ngsbutthis,Iwas
neverr eady!
“
W-whot
oldyout
hat
?Si
ster
-i
n-l
aw-
-”
“Justst op!Stopblamingherf oreveryt
hing,shedid
not hing.Sheneverbadmout hsanyone, insteadshe
alwayssaygoodt hi
ngsaboutyou.That 'showgood
shei s.Mom, youdon' tj
ustbecomeamot her
becauseyouwenti nthelabourroom, i
ttakesmuch
mor ethanthattobeamot her,t
oraisegoodmen.
Insteadofchasi ngdadt r
yandbeamot her ,j
ustt
his
once. ”Bukhosiisburningwithfury.I'
m sit
tinghere
l
isteni ngtomyki dsjudgi
ngeachandever ysinof
mi neandhopi ngSbuwi l
lcomet omyai dbuthe' s
j
ustst
ari
ng,
notmovi
ngorsayi
nganyt
hing.
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”That
'sal
lIcansay.
“Bei
ngsor r
yi sn'tenough.Whatdoyousayabout
thenineyearswespenti nAustrali
awithastr
anger
?
Whatdoyousayaboutal lthosebirt
hdaysyou
neverbotheredt oevencalltowishus?Whatdoyou
sayaboutthei nexi st
ingbondwehavewi thour
ownsi st
er?Whatdowedowi ththi
spainmom?Do
wejustsleepi tallaway?Whatdowedo?Tal k!
”He
basksstart
li
ngever yone.
“Bukhosi
!”Nomthascoldsquietl
y.“
Iunderstand
yourangerbutthatdoesn'
tgiveyouther
ighttoyel
l
atyourmother.Don'tf
orgetyourmanner
s, boy.
”
“I'
m sorrymama. ”Thetwinswi peeachother'
stear
s
beforeBukhosicontinues.“Weneededyoumom
butyouwer eneverthere.Mamawast here,she
couldflytousanytimeweneededher ,she
somet i
mesputherr elat
ionshipwithAlwandein
jeopardyforus,shewoul dl
eaveameet i
ngmi dway
andcomet ous,sheneverdi sappoi
ntsbutyou?All
youdoi shurtinnocentpeople.Idon'
tthi
nkIwi l
l
everfor
giveyouf ordr
ivi
ngheroutofthispal
ace.
Thisconversati
onisover!Let
'sgoJunior.
”Theyar
e
abouttoexit.
“Boys,don'tt
estmypati
ence!Whosesonsar e
you?”Theyswi f
tl
ytur
nbackandmaket heirwayt
o
wheretheywer eseat
edbefore.“Whotaughtyout
o
behavelikethi
s?”Nomtha'
spat i
encei
sf adi
ng.
“Okay, canIsaysomet hi ng? ”Final
ly,Sbuhas
somet hingt osay.“Idon' tknowhowt heboysf ound
outaboutal lt
his,Iwouldl iket oapologi zeonbehal f
ofmywi fet oyouboys.Somet i
mest hepeopl ewe
l
ovepushust ot heedgeandweendupdoi ngcr azy
thi
ngs.It hinkI'
mt obl
amef orwhatyourmot herdi d
toyou, I'
m sorry.I'
m notgoi ngt osugar coatt hi
s
becauseIknowyouar eol denought odi gestit
, your
motherneedsl ovewhi chIcannotgi vet oher .
Under standhowshemustbef eeli
ng,onedaywhen
youar eol deryouwi l
lseeever ythingcl early.Please,
fi
ndi tinyourhear tstof orgiveusandgi veher
anotherchancet obeyourmot her.Ialsoknowt hat
youdon' tlikeyoursisterbecauseshegott ostay
behindwhenyoubot hl ef t
,lettheangergo.Angr y
menaredangeroustot
hemselvesandthesoci
ety.
Youdon'twantt
oenduphurt
ingeveryonecl
oset o
you.
”I'
veneverhear
dSbutal
ksuchsense.Maybe
I'
mthecauseofallt
hepai
nmychi l
drenbott
ledup.
“
Wil
lyout
wodi
vor
ce?”Juni
orasks.
“Idon'
tknow.Wewi lli
nfor
m ever
yoneaboutour
decisi
onafterIandyourmothersi
tandtal
k.We
l
oveyou, boys.
”
“Fine!
”Bukhosisnaps.“ Mamast ays,wealsost ay.
Ifyoutwof ightanddr agherint
oyourf ight
st hen
wear eleavingwi t
hher .I
t'
snotat hreatbuta
promise.Wear enolongertoddlers,makewi se
decisi
onsbear inginmi ndthatt
her earetwo
teenagersinvolved.”
*
***
***
*

TWOWEEKSLATER.

SPHA'
SPOV.
“Babe,wil
lyoufi
nishtodayornextweek?
”Itease.
Wear elat
efortheoffi
ceandherbeingundeci
ded
abouttheoutf
itisnothel
pingus.
“Shutup,Spha.Youmessedupmywar dr
obeand
nowIcan' tf
indmyclot
hes.YouandLi
ndawil
lpay
forthi
s.”Shethr
eat
ens.
“Lindaonl ytookthej acketnotallt
heclothes.
Besi des, whatwi l
lyoudowi t
hal lt
hose?”Women
andcl othes!Iwillneverunderstandhowasane
i
ndi vidualcanhaveanent ir
ewal lt
owallwal k-
in
closetf il
ledwi t
hcl othesbutsti
llsayIhavenot hi
ng
towear .Whatki ndofnonsensei sthat
?Anyway,
she'smywoman, hernonsensemakessenset ome
somet imessoIhavenochoi cebutt ohelpherf i
nd
whatshe' slookingf or.

Twent
ymi
nut
esgone,
atl
eastwear
enowgoodt
o
go.
“Her
e.Youaredri
ving.
”Igi
vehert
hecarkeyand
openthedr
iver
'ssi
deforher.
“
Whendi
dweagr
eeont
his?Fi
ne,
geti
n.”Atl
east
she'
snotsul
kingorarguingabouti
t.Il
iket
owatch
herdr
ive,
inf
act,i
fIcould,Iwouldwatchheral
lthe
ti
me.
“MyPr ince,
Iwasthi
nki
ngofgi f
tingAneleaholi
day
package.Thegirl
'
sbeenloyal,
trustwor
thyand
rel
iable.Thecompanywouldn'
tbesamewi t
hout
her.”Shesuggest
s.
“Ithinkyouareright.IalsothinkIli
kethegir
l-
-”She
shotsadeadl ystareatme, Il
augh.“Notli
kethat,
babe.Ilikeherasanempl oyeenotyourr i
val
.When
willyouunderstandt hatIloveonlyyou,noone
else.”
“Bet
terbetel
li
ngthetruthorel
seyourf
ami
lywi
ll
soonplanyourfuner
al.”
“Whoa!Suchathreat
,MyRose? ”Ir
unmymiddl
e
fi
ngeronherexposedthigh.Ichoseadr
esswit
ha
sl
itf
orheronl
yf ort
his.
“
Keeptouchingmeandyouwi llsoonfindyour
sel
f-
-
”Hervoicetrai
lsof
f.Ist
opwhat ever
mischi
evousnessI'
m uptoandlookather.
“
Babe,
areyouokay?
”
“TheI Tguy!
”Shescreamsasshemakesashar pu-
turn.Theoncomingcarshonk,butshe'
sunfazed.
I'
mt ryingt
ofigur
eoutwhatmaybewr ong.Judgi
ng
byt helookonherface,
theguyisinsomeki ndof
trouble.
“Babe,car
eful
!”Shealmosthi
tsanot
hercar
.She'
s
nolongerdri
vingthecarbutf
lyi
ngit
.

Tenmi nut
eslatershe'
sparki
ngi nfr
ontofthis
secludedbui l
ding.I
tdoesn'
tlookli
kesomeonel i
ves
here,sherunsi nsi
deandIfollowbehind.Ifi
ndher
kneeli
ngi nthepoolofbloodnexttothepileof
bloodiedpiecesofahumanbody.OurI Tguy!
“
Wear
elat
e,Spha.He'
sgone.
”
*
*
*
*
*
MONDAYMOTI
VATI
ON

“Wheneveryougr
owwearyandfeelt
ootir
edto
conti
nue,r
ememberwhyyoustar
ted.
”-Sukol
uhl
eN.
Mdlongwa.

Haveapr
oduct
iveweekahead.
*
***
***
**

Asawayofpr omot i
ngmybooksandpoems, Iwi
ll
bepri
nti
ngt-shi
rt
s,coff
eemugsandcaps.The
pr
int
swilli
ncludefamousquot
esfr
om ourfavori
te
l
eadi
ngcharactersandmypoems.

*
Preci
ousRoséT-
shi
rtl
oadi
ng,
stayt
uned.
*

Leaveacommentbel
owi
fyousuppor
tthei
dea.
[
07/
21,
13:
48]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er27.

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.

Sphacur sesasat earescapeshi seye.He' slosta

goodf r
iendinMrMat t
hews, hewasnotamanof
manywor dsbutthr oughhi sactionsheconveyed
i
mmensel ovetoal lthosecl osetohi m.Af ter
l
oosingherhi sfami lyinat r
agicandf atalaccident
stagedbyt hegover nment ,henevert riedtolove
again.Asat opintelli
genceagent ,heknewhowt o
remainloyaltohisempl oyeesandt hatmadehi m
partoftheTshabanguf amily.Goodmensur edie
young.
“RestinPeaceMrMat t
hews.Iwi l
lneverr
estunt
il
theculpr
it
sarebroughttobook.”Thisismy
promisetothi
sloyalemployeewhol at
erbecame
mor et hanjustanempl oyee.MrMatthewswasli
ke
abr othertomeandaconf idant
etoal
lthe
Tshabangupeopl e.Het aughtmyson,Juni
orand
Bukhosiever ythi
ngt heyknowaboutIT.Hewasnot
j
ustt heirment or
,theirgotoguywheneverwehad
fal
louts.
“Youar
eagr eatsi
sterMrsPrinceSphamandla.”He
hadsai
d.Heal wayscall
edmeusi ngtheseweir
d
names,atf
ir
stIfeltannoyedbutIgrewtolovehis
weir
dness.
“Babe?”Sphapul l
smet ohim andhugsmet i
ght.
“I
t'
sokaymyl ovewewi l
lfi
ndt hekil
ler
s.”Api eceof
ti
ssuecatchesmyi ntenti
on,Ipulloutofthehug
andpickitup.“Yoursist
erisnext.”Arethewor ds
scri
bbledonthisbloodypieceoft i
ssue.Linda?
WhatdoesLi ndahavet odowi thMrMat thews?
*
***
***

Li
ndaj
ustsl
appedNel
ihar
d.
“
Don'
tyoudaret
hreat
enmyf ami
lyandmyin-
laws!
I
'
m notscar
edofyouNel
isi
we,youmaybehal
fa
humanbei ngandhalfamer maidbutthatdoesn'
t
fr
ightenme.Touchanyonef r
om myf amilyandI
swearIwillwi
peoffallt
heNgcoboswi t
hjustone
bull
et--
”Li
ndasnapsherf i
ngers.
“
Youbi
--
”Nel
iat
tempt
stosl
apher
.
“Don't
!Iwasn' tabit
chunt i
limetyourbr other
-the
devili
ncarnate!Ihadasi mpleandhappyl ife,
Iwas
busymi ndingmyownbusi nessbutyoubot hruined
everyt
hing!Your ui
nedmyl i
fe,youbast ards!Just
kil
lmei fyouwantt obutber eadyf orthewor l
dt o
comet oyougunsbl azingbecauset hemomentI
l
eavet hiswor l
d,t
hevi deowi llgoviral.
”Siyabonga
grabsLindaandpi nsheront hewal lwit
hakni feon
herthroat.“Tryme,doi t,Si
yabonga!Yout hinkyou
areaman?Amanwhor apesagi r
lwhoi syoung
enought obehi sdaught er?Ar eyounotashamedof
yourself
?”Li ndaspitsonhi sf ace,heslapsherhar d.
“JUSTSHUTUP! ”Siyabonga'
sdemonsar e
awakened.“
Givemet hetape,Iwi
llcounttof
ive-
-”
Lindabur
stsint
olaughterandspi
tssalivamixed
withbl
ood.
“Orwhat?I
'm notscaredofdeat
h.Youkil
lme, you
l
oseandmyf ami l
ywins.Remember ,
that2mi nut
e
cli
pisgoodenought obri
ngthewholeworldtoit'
s
knees.I
syourfatheramanenought ofi
ghtagainst
theworl
d?Orar eyou?”Li
ndaremainsunfazed.
“
Siyajustshoott
hisidiot!Si
ncewhendowedance
t
oat oddler
'st
une!Pullthetri
gger,
damni t
!”Nel
iis
l
osingherpati
ence.Lindahast hem wher
eshe
wants.
“Thistoddleri
sgoi ngt or ui
nyourl
ives,youwill
regretthedayyoudeci dedt omesswi thmysister
.
Mysi sterwil
lneverloveamonst erli
keyou!”
ScreamsLi nda.Siyar eleasesthesafetybut
tonand
i
saboutt opullt
het r
iggerwhensomeonevi olentl
y
pushest hedoorandbef orehecanblink,
hehasa
gunpoi ntedtohishead.
“Goaheadandpullt
hetri
ggerifyouhavet
he
ner
ve.”Sbu'
sdeepvoicesays.
“
Whatt
hef
uck!
”
“Sbuneverfor
get
stocol
lectwhathe'
sowed.
Paybackti
meboy,youar
emessi ngwit
hthewrong
people.
”Hesmiles.Nel
ipul
lsoutherowngunand
point
sitatLi
ndabeforePri
nceSphabargesinand
yanksthegunoffherhand.Nel
iandSiyaareshel
l
shocked.Nel
itr
iestoactt
oughbyslappi
ngPr i
nce
Sphabuthegrabsherarm.
“Noyoungladynotevenmywi fe,
MyRose, t
he
womanIwor shipthelandshewalksonhasever
daredtorai
seherhandt ome,whodoyouthinkyou
are?”Hesaysquietl
ysendi
ngchil
lsdownherspine.
Nelitr
iest
owrigglefr
ee.
“
Lethergo-
-”
“Shhh.
..
..
wedon'twantt
henei
ghbor
sjoi
ningt
he
part
y,dowe?”Sbuwarns.
“Youar eluckyIdon'
trai
semyhandt owomen!Let
aloneyou, youarenotwort
hit.Li
ll
y,wil
lyoudot
he
needful?”Sphasmi l
es.Wheneverhesmilesi
nsuch
situat
ions,he'
sabouttodothewor st
.
“Al
ways,
brother
-i
n-l
aw.”Li
ndaknocksNel idown
usi
nghergun.“Well
,nowthatthenaggingwoman
i
sunconsci
ous,ti
met ogetanswersfr
om this
l
oser.
”
“Si
tdown.”SbuordersSi
yabonga.“ I
'
m goingt
oask
youaquestionandyouwillreplywit
hasimpleyes
orno.Ar
ewecl ear?
”Siyafearfull
ynods.“
Didyou
kil
lMrMatthews?”
“
No.
”
“
Doyouhaveanyi
deawhodi
d?”
“
NobutIcanhel
pyouf
indout
.”
“Isaidoneword!
”Ahotslapcr
osseshi
sface,
he
groans.“Di
dyourapeLi
nda?”Si
yaswall
owshard.
“Talk!
”
“
Yes!
”
“
Why?
”
“Shewasplayi
nghardt
oget.”Hel
ies.Li
nda
chargest
owardshi
m butPr
inceSphaholdsherf
ir
m.
“HereisthethingMrNgcobo.Youaregoi ngto
cooperatewithusandyourli
fewil
lbespar ed.Your
fat
hergetstoknowaboutt hi
smeeting,youar eall
dead.Secondly,st
ayawayf r
om Li
ndaand
everyt
hingconnectedtoheroryouwillgetburnt.
Arewecl ear
?”Siyanods.
“ThisisforMrMat t
hews.”Sburet
ri
evesapliers
from hisbackpocketandcut
sSiya'
srightt
humb.
Siyascreams.“There,mysil
entweaponint
ot he
Ngcoboempi r
e,t
hemansion,companyandal l
.”
Sbusmi l
es.“
Iwil
lbebackformyrevengeboy, t
his
i
snotf ormebutf ormyfamil
y.”
“I
'
m watchingyou,bast
ard!Tr
eadcareful
ly.”Spha
warnsbeforedr
aggingLindaoutandlockingthe
doorfr
om theoutsi
de.
“
Howdidyouf
indout
?”Li
ndaasksast
heyr
each
t
hecar
.
“MrMatthews.TheyleftanotebesidehisbodybutI
doubti
twast hesetwo.Ithi
nkthei
rf at
herki
ll
edhim.
Theyactual
lysavedyourlif
eotherwisethei
rfat
her
's
goonsweregoingtofinishyouoff
.”
“Li
nda,
amerethankyouwi
lldo.Youwoul
dbedead
bynow.”Sbuj
okes.
“Ididn'taskforyourhel
p!Ifyout
hinkwhatyoudi
d
i
nt herewi pedoffthehat
redIhaveforyout
henyou
aregr avelymist
aken.”
“
Yout
wo,
someonewoul
dswearyouar
eex-
lover
s.
What
'swi
tht
hehat
red?
”
*
***
***
***

“Whatisgoingon?Whydon' twehaveaccesst o
i
nternet?Call
sarealsonotgoi
ngthrough,Ihavea
seri
ousvideoconferencecal
ltoatt
endto.What '
s
goingondaughter-
in-l
aw,where'
sMrMat thews?”
HisMajestydemandsanswer s.Hehadtodr i
veto
theoffi
cebecausecallsar
enotconnecti
ngatt he
moment .“Wil
lsomebodysaysomet hi
ng?Wher eis
Sphamandl a?”
“YourMaj est
y, canwepleaset alki
nprivat
e,
please.”Nomt ha'sbeentr
yingt odealwit
ht hecri
sis
i
nt hecompanyf oralmostthreehoursnow.TheMD
call
edandi nformedt hem aboutthecrashingofall
servers.ShetrustedSphat osaveLindaandPr ince
Sphat rust
edhert osolvethemessi nthecompany.
“What
'sgoi
ngon?Don'
ttel
lmewegothacked?
”
TheKi
ngispani
cki
ng.
“
Bef
oreweaddressthati
ssueIhavesomet
hing
i
mport
antt
otel
lyou.MrMat t
hewsisnomore,we
f
oundpi
ecesofhi
sbodyi
nasecl
udedbui
ldi
ng-
-”
“W-whatar
eyousayingNomtha?Howcanyouj
oke
aboutsomethi
ngl
ikethi
s?”
“I
'
m notjoking,i
t'
sthetrut
h.I
'
m sor
ryYourMaj
est
y,
Ifai
ledt
or escuehim.”
“
Whodi
dthi
stous?I
sthesuspectdeadal
ready?
”
“
Notyet
--
”
“
Whatareyouwai
ti
ngfor
?Whathascomeover
t
heseboys?Whyar
etheysof
tal
lofasudden?
”
“Ki
ll
ingi
snotasol ut
iontoourprobl
ems.Wecan'
t
goonakill
ingspreewithoutconsul
ti
ngt
hegods,
wedon'twanttoangerthem, dowe?”
“
Wher
ear
ehi
sremai
ns?Andmysons?
”
“Wear eher
efat
her.”Theybot
hcomei
nlooki
ngal
l
dressedupandfresh.
“
Sbu,Spha,whati
sthi
s?Ar
eyouf
ail
ingt
opr
otect
t
heTshabanguname?”
“
Wehaveeveryt
hingundercont
roldad,
stop
wor
ryi
ng.
”Pri
nceSphaassureshim.
“HowcanI?Someonejustdi
edbecauseofus,
who
knowswhatourenemies'
nextmoveisgoi
ngto
be?”TheKi
ngisfuming.
“Aboutt
ofindout.Ineedaworkingcomputerand
wearegoodt ogo.”Sbupull
soutafingerwhi
chis
nowcleanedandneat l
ybandagedfr
om hispocket
.
“
What
?Whati
sthi
s?”TheKi
ngi
sfr
ight
ened.
“Si
lentweaponi
ntotheenemy'ster
ri
tor
y.Yoursons
arenotusel
essaft
erall
.Waitandwatch,daddy.
”
“Ta-da!
”Bukhosi announceshispresenceinthe
offi
ce.“Done!Allsyst
emsupandr unning.
Recoveredallfil
esanddel et
edeveryt
hingtheyhad
managedt ocopytotheirowncomput ers.I
fthey
didnotusememor ysticksthenwehavenot hingto
worryabout .
”Nomt hachecksherlaptopandhugs
Bukhositight.
“Wel
ldone,son.That
'smama'sson,
I'
m sureMr
Matt
hewswi l
lbeproudofyou.
”Shesaysfeel
ing
emoti
onal
ly.
“Wel
l,t
imetoret
urnthef
avor
.Ready?
”Theyal
lnod.
Sbutypessomethi
ngonthedeskt
opandi
na
matt
erofseconds,
theyhaveal
ltheNgcobof
il
esi
n
f
rontoft
hem.
“Takecar eoft hi
s,Sbu,babe.Fi
ndouti ftheyhave
copiesandgetr idofthem.Dadwehavet ogot othe
poli
cest ati
on, wealsohavet oi
nform MrMat thews'
mot herabouthi sdeath.Iunder
standt hesetwo
boysar eITwi zardsbutpleasedon'texposet hem to
toomuchi nformation,i
tmaybedanger ousfor
them.Ican' tlosethem too.
”Sphasayswi thasmi le
thatdoesn'treachhi seyes.He'
sreallyheartbroken
butwhatcahhedo?Hehast obestrongf orMr
Mat thewsf amilyandtheotherempl oyees.
“Ididinformt heoldlady.She'sdevastated,bl
amed
thegover nmentforhi sdeath.Youcanpassbyt o
offeryourcondolences.Shewi l
lreall
yappreciat
eit.
Sweet heart?”Nomt hacall
s,het urnsback.“I
t'
sokay
foramant oshedaf ewtears,thatdoesn'tmean
youar eweakbuti tshowsyouar ehumant oo.I'
m
sureever yoneunder st
andsyourpai n.”Hisbody
crashesonNomt ha'sashehugshert i
ghtandcr i
es.
“
H-howdoyouknowever
ythi
ng?
”
“
I'
m yourwi f
e.Youdon'thavet
osayawor dforme
t
ounder st
andyou.I t
'sokaymylove,
he'sgonebut
wewillneverlethi
smemor ygowithhim.”
*
***
***
*

LI
NDA'
SPOV.

Ifeelsick,t
ir
edandwor nout
.I'
vebeenf eel
ingli
ke
thi
sf ortwoweeksnow, It
houghtitwasf at
igue,I
rested,exer
cisedbutt
hefeel
ingisgett
ingwor se.
“Youlookpal
e,what
'supwi
thyou?Hangover
?”
Luckyasks.
“Idon'
tdr
inkal
cohol
,si
ll
y!”Idon'
thaveener
gyt
o
arguewit
hhimtoday.
“
Thenwhati
sit?Dadaskedyouaquest
ionandyou
r
anofft
othetoi
let
,whati
sgoingonLi
ll
y?”
“Idon'
tknow,man,Ifeelsi
ck.Runningstomach,
l
ossofappetit
e,sweati
ng..
..
.Ij
ustfeell
ike,
Idon'
t
know.Youarethedoctor,t
ellmewhat '
swrongwith
me? ”Heputshi
shandonmyf or
ehead.
“Yourt
emperat ure..
..Shit!
”Her unstohi sr
oom and
comesbackwi thhi sbag.Het akesouta
ther
momet er
,st ethoscopeandst ar
tsdoinghis
work.“
39degr ees, Lil
ly!Whatthehel li
swrongwi t
h
yourbody?Didyoueatanyt hi
ngyouar eal
ler
gic
to?”
“
No.Mom al
waysmakessur
e--
”
“Not
hingi
swrongwithher
.She'spr
egnant
.”Si
ster
Nomthaannounces,
mom fai
nts.
“
Mom!Mot her
!”Nomthashakesherbutshei
snot
r
espondi
ng.Luckychecksherpul
se.
“Shefai
nted.”Luckyi nfor
msever yone.I '
m here
l
yingont hisbed, Icanseet heirli
psar emovi ngbut
I'
m dri
ft
ing,dr i
ft
ingf arawayf r
om ever yone.Itryto
saysomet hingbutal lmyeffor
tspr ovet obefutil
e
asIdrif
tfurthertot hiscold,
dar kplace.I'vebeen
herebefore,theplacewasnotwel comi ngbackt hen
andit
sevenwor ser i
ghtnow.
“Youwil
lneverbeanythi
nginli
fe!Youareusel
ess,
usel
essjustl
ikeyourmother
!”Thatbast
ardwhoby
chanceorbadluckfat
heredmescr eamedashis
handpressedhar deronmyt hroat
.Igaspedf orair
,I
foughttobr eat
heuntilIcouldn'tanymor e.That'
s
whenIf oundmysel finthissamepl ace,cold,
dark,
unwelcomi ngandever yt
hingt hat'
snegat i
ve.My
mi ndi
salsol eavi
ngme, everyt
hingi sbecoming
blank,
I'
mt ryingtostayal i
vebutt hef or
cespulli
ng
mear estrongerthanmyf ighti
ngspi ri
t.
“Youarenotdyi
ngonme, Li
nda!Wakeup,Ican'
t
l
oseanotherchi
ld.”Dad'
sbrokenvoi
cef
aintl
y
echoesinmyalmostemptyhead.
“Li
ll
y,wakeup!Pleasedon'
tdiesi
ster
.Ipr
omi set
o
neverdi
srespectyoueveragai
n--
”Soundsli
ke
Kiar
a'svoi
ce.
“Lindadon'tdothist
ous!Wakeup, wewi l
lgo
throughitalt
ogether
.Itdoesn'tmatterwhatthe
truthi
s,wear eafamilyandwef i
ghttogether
,don'
t
l
eaveus. ”Luckybegs.Ifeell
ikemyl ifei
shanging
onaver ythinthr
ead,I'
mt r
yingtof i
ghtbutIcan't
.
Maybei t'
stimeIleti
tallgo.Thepaini sj
usttoo
much. .
.
HowdoIl
ivewi
tht
hispai
n?WhyGod?Whyme?
Haven'tIsuff
eredenough?I
sitnotenoughthathe
rapedme, nowIhavehischi
ldinmybelly?Ican'
t,
I
can'tdothi
s!
“Don'tyoudare!”SisterNomthasaysput ti
ngher
handonmyf orehead, feel
sli
keanel ectr
icshock.
“Whowi llmaket hatbastardpayifyougi veupso
easil
y?Whoar eyou?Haveyouf orgottenwhatdad
taughtus?”IthinkI'
m backt oli
febecauseIcan
nowseeal lofthem, theyarealli
nt ears.
“
I'
m sor
ry,
dad.
”That
'sal
lIcansay.
“
Whodidthi
stoyou?Youmadeavow,avowt
o
r
emai
npureandIknowyoudidnotbr
eaki
twi
ll
ingl
y.
Whodi
dthist
oyou,baby?
”Dadsobs.
“
Siyabonga.Si
yabongaNgcobor
apedme-
-”
“Thatson-of
-a-bi
tch!I
'
m goi
ngtoskinhi
m alive.
”
Dadswi f
tl
yst andsbutNomthapul
lshim back.
“Nodaddy, notli
kethi
s.”Si
sterNomtha'sfaceis
nowcl osedoff.Idon'
twanttoimagi
newhatshe' s
thinki
ng.“Si
yabongaisgoingtopay,hell
,every
Ngcobogener ationi
sgoingtopayforthis.Theyare
allgoi
ngt odiesweet,
”Sheturnsandtomysur pr
ise
asmilei
sonherli
ps.Thi
sisnotgood,notatal
l.
“
Slowlyandver
yverypai
nful.Thi
s,Ipr
omiseyou
f
atherormynameisNomt handazo!”
*
*
*
*
Mer r
yChristmasever
yone.Cel
ebrat
ewithcaut
ion,
don'tdothingsyouwil
lregr
etl
ater
.Enj
oy
responsi
bly.
*
***
*
Seeyouont
he27t
h.Lot
'sofl
ove.
[
07/
21,
13:
48]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er28.

“
Idon'
twantt
hisbaby,
pleaseDaddy!
”Li
ndasobs,
pai
nful
ly.
“Youcan'tki
llachi
ldbecausethefat
herisa
monster.Nobaby,I'
m notlet
ti
ngyoudosomet hi
ng
youwillregr
etyear
sfrom now.”Bab'uMahlangu
standsfi
rm withhi
sdecisi
ontokeept hechil
d.
“
ThenIwi
llki
llmysel
--
”
“Caref
ulnottopr essthewrongbutton,Nana.Thi
s
sweetfatherofyour shasaveryuglysideyoudon't
everwantt osee.Youar emydaught er
,mybaby,
youcan'tbethr eat
eningmewithyourdeat h.I
myselfwillki
llyoubeforeyoukil
lyoursel
f.”Bab'
uMahlanguwar ns.
“Darl
ing,Iagr
eewithLi
ll
y.Whatwillshet
ellthe
chil
dwheni t'
sborn?Thatthef
atherisadevilwho
for
cedhi msel
fonher?Pleasetr
ytounderstand.”
Zandi t
akesLinda'
ssi
de.
“Noandmydecisi
oni sfi
nal!
”Bab'uMahlangusays.
Theyar
eallbusyargui
ng,Nomt hai
ssilent
.She'
s
onl
yherephysi
cal
ly,hermindismilesaway.
“Si
ster
?Sist
er?Nomt
ha!”Ki
arashakesher
.She
snapsoutofit
.
“
Huh?Youwer
esayi
ngsomet
hing?
”
“Babe,I
'vebeenst andi
nghereformorethant wenty
minutestryingtotal
ktoyou,what'
swrong? ”Spha
sympatheticall
ylooksather
.Hecanunder stand,
sheisunderal otofpressur
eandpossibly,fi
ghti
ng
theint
ernalbattl
eonwhatt odonext.
“Ever
ythi
ng.Everyt
hingiswr
ongSpha,
howdi
dwe
gethere?
”Quietl
yrepli
esNomtha.
“Gi
vemeagr eenl
ight
,allyourt
roubl
eswi
llbegone
bef
oreyoucanbli
nktwice.”
“NomyChuckNor r
is,wearenotdoingt hi
syour
waybutmyway.IwantSi yabongatosuf f
er,I
'm
goingtosqueezehisl
ifeoutofhim andbyt hetime
I'
m donewithhim,notevendeathwi l
lsuff
ice.”
“Finewear
edoingt
hisyourwaybutmakei tqui
ck.
Lindawant
stoabor
tthebaby,what
'syoursayin
this?
”
“Dadtaughtuswel l
,Li
ll
yisoldenought omake
ri
ghtdecisi
onsforhersel
f.I
nwhat everyoudoli
tt
le
sist
er,
youhavemysuppor t.Don'
tfeelal
one,wethe
Mahlangusfightandcrytogether
.Iloveyou.
”She
pull
sLi
ndai
nf oramuchneededwarm hug.“I
t'
s
okayst
opcr
yingnow.Tear
sdon'tsui
tyou.”
“
Pri
ncess,Li
ndai
snotkil
li
ngt
hatbabyundermy
wat
ch,overmydeadbody!
”Bab'
uMahlanguwar
ns.
“
Dad,
trusti
nyourupbr
ingi
ng,
okay?
”
*
***
***
*

MrNgcobo'sgoonsf oundhischil
drenl
yingal
most
l
ifel
essinalockedroom.Theyquicklyr
ushedthem
homeandcal l
edthef ami
lydoctor
.Thedoctor
examinedthem,cleanedt
heirwoundsand
bandangedthem.
“
Howar
ethey?
”MrNgcoboasks.
“Theyaresl
eepi
ngri
ghtnow.Thedoct
orgavet
hem
sedati
ves.
”Oneofhi
strust
edmensays.
“
Okay.Keepaneyeont hem,nothi
ngshouldhappen
t
omychi ldren.Thosebastardswillsur
elypayf
or
t
his!Thi
st i
meI '
m cutt
ingtheirf
atherforst
ew
making!
”
“
Sir
,wehaveapr
obl
em.Ourser
ver
sjustdel
eted
everyt
hing-
-”Hi
sPAinfor
mshim,hi
swordscomi
ng
outofhismouthtoof
astandal
mostchocki
ngon
them.
“Sl
owdown.Whatwast
hat
?Yousai
dwhat
happened?
”
“
Wel ostt
hecompanyinf
o--
”Befor
etheguycan
f
ini
shhisstat
ementabul
letbl
owshisbrai
nsof
f.
“Bloodyuselesswor
ker
s!Cl
eanthismess.
”Just
thenthere'
sapowercutast
heNgcobohouset urns
dark.“Neli
'
sonoxygenmachine,
dosomething!”Mr
Ngcoboscr eams.
“Darl
ing,
whati
sgoingon?”Hiswi
ferushestohi
m,
stumblesont
heguy'sdeadbodyandscreamsin
fear
.
“Hey,
it'
sjustadeadbodynot hingtobeaf
raidof
.
Comel et
'sseehowNel ii
sdoing.”Heuseshis
phoneasat orch.I
tvi
bratesstart
li
nghim,
it'
sacall
fr
om anunknownnumber .
“
Hel
lo.
”
“
TheePhi
li
pNgcobohi
msel
f!Whatapl
easur
e--
”
“
W-whoar
eyou?
”
“Someoneyoushouldbescaredof .
”Hisbr
eathing
i
sacceler
ati
ng,t
hecallerl
aughs.“Breat
he,
breathe
MrNgcobo.Whatisit?Areyoufeeli
ngpowerless?
Huh?”Pri
nceSbutauntshim.
“
Youson-
”
“Easytiger.Tellmesomet hing,whyi nthehelldo
youhavet heTshabanguannualbudgetf i
lei
nyour
comput er?Oh!Bef oreIforget
,thebluepr i
ntt
oo,
whatar eyoupl anningPhili
p?Ar eyoupl anni
ngan
ambush?Ar eyousur eyouwannast artawarwi th
theKing?Ihopeyouar esensi bleenoughnott ogo
throughwi ththismadnessorel se..
..
booom! ”The
l
inegoesdead.Phi li
pNgcoboi ssweating,Sbuhas
himr at
tledandonhi stoes.
“
Whowast
hat
?”Hi
swi
feasks.
“
Nooneyoushoul
dworr
yabout
.Iwi
llt
akecar
eof
t
hepr
obl
em soonandf
ast-
-”
“Justl
ikehowyoutookcar
eofthati
nnocentman?
Huh?Lookatwhatyourchi
ldr
enhadtosuffer
becauseofyou!Whati
swrongwithal
lofyou?Just
l
etgoofthisani
mosit
ybef
oreweal
lperi
sh.Doyou
wantyourchi
ldr
entobeki
ll
edj
ustl
ikewhatfat
e
ser
vedyourdaught
erAna-
-”
“Mydaughterwaski
ll
ed!Theyki
ll
edher,t
hose
Tshabanguboyski
ll
edherandtheydeser
vetopay!
”
“I
fanyt
hinghappenstomychildr
enconsider
your
sel
fadivorcee-
-”Bef
orehiswif
ecanfinishher
sent
encehegrabsherhairandpull
shercloser.
“Don'
tyouthreat
enmewoman, youdon'
twantt
o
pissmeoff.
”Thelight
scomeon, seemsthey
alwayshaveageneratoronst
andby.
“Mom!Mot
her
!MrsNgcobo!”Si
yacal
lsout
,hi
s
par
ent
sbot
hrusht
ohisroom.
“
What
'swr
ongson,
areyoui
npai
n?”Askshi
sfat
her
.
“Don'tyoudareactni
ce!Wehadadeal,
asigned
agreement,youwerenotsupposedt
ohurther
!
Whatdi dyoudoyouson-of-
a--
”
“Hey!Hey!I
'm st
il
lyourf
ather
,mi ndyourl
anguage
boy!”Si
yalaughsbutqui
cklystopsashewi ncesi
n
pain.
“Myf at
her?Idon' tcar
ewhoyouar e,dad,youtouch
herandourr elati
onshipisover
.I'
mr eadytoki
ll
anyonef orher,Iwon'tl
etanyonetouchhernot
evenyouf ather!Thatguywasmor elikeabrot
herto
her,anuncletoherson, youhurtherdad!She'
s
probablyheartbrokenbecauseofyou!Ihateyou!”
Siyaisragging.
“You-
-”Everyoneturnt
hei
rheadst
othedoor
way,
someonei sclappi
nghands.
“Wow!Siyadarl
ing,Ineverknewyoulovedmet hi
s
much?Tot heextentofkil
li
ngyourownfather?
Wow,impressi
ve.”Lindahasthemostsinist
ersmil
e
onherface.
“You?Whyareyouhere?
”Siyat
ri
estowakeupbut
Sbureal
lydi
dalotofdamagetohi
sribs.
“Easybabe,
youarenotyetf
ull
yrecover
ed.Dad,
mom, goodeveni
ng.Icametoseehowmyf utur
e
hubbyisdoi
ng?”
“Youletthosegoonsbeathim upandnowyouare
acti
ngallinnocent
,huh?Whatareyouupto?Tel
l
me!”Mr sNgcoboquestions.
“Willyoupleaseloweryourvoi
ce?I'
m notusedto
suchnoi se,pl
ease.”Li
ndamaybeeighteenbutli
fe
hasr eal
lytaughtheranumberofvaluablel
essons.
Shel ear
nedt oswim wit
hthewhalesatavery
tenderage.
“Thiski
d,j
ustkil
lthi
scockr
oach!”Order
sMr
Ngcobo.Beforetheguar
dcanpullhi
sowngun,
LindahashersonMr sNgcoboshead.
“Ahah!NotsoeasyMrNgcobo.I '
m sureyouar e
notstupidtopullthattr
iggerwhenIhavemy
beauti
fultr
ustedtoyonyourbeaut i
fulwi f
e'shead.”
Hesignalstheguar dstohol dthefi
re.“Good.Now
backtowhyI '
m her e,I
'm pregnantSiya.
”Shedr ops
thebombshell,t
heyal lchokeont heirbreath.“You
shouldbehappynotchoki ngonyourbr eat h,what
kindofin-l
awsar eyou?”
“
What
?”
“Li
nda,whatareyouplayi
ngat?YouknowIdon't
l
oveyouandwe' veneverbeenint
imat
e.”Si
yasays
aft
errecover
ingfr
om theshockofhi
sli
fe.
“
Youar
eri
ghtaboutt
hat
.We'
veneverbeeni
nti
mat
e,
yourapedmeandasar esul
tIgotpr
egnant
.Ordo
youonlyshootbl
anks?
”
“Si
yabonga!Whatthef
uckist
his?Youli
tt
leskank,
getri
dofthatt
hingyouar
ecarryi
ng-
-”MrNgcobois
redwithf
ury.
“Nodaddy-in-l
aw, t
hebi blesays“thoushal tnotkill
”.
I'
m notki
lli
ngthisbabynoteveni fGodhi mself
comesdownandt el l
smet o.Thisbabyi sgoingt o
betheonlysur vivi
ngseedoft heNgcobos.It old
yourchil
drenbef ore,I'm goingtodest r
oyever ythi
ng
you'
vewor kedhar df or,aftert
hatI'm goingtokillall
ofyouwithonebul let.Onlyonei senought owi pe
outtheentir
eNgcobogener at
ion--
”Sher etri
evesa
bull
etfr
om herj eanj acketpocketandki ssesi t.
“One.ThisisonlyIneeddaddy- i
n-l
aw- -
”
“Youbi
tch!
”MrNgcobochar
gest
owar
dsherbut
shehashergunpoi
nti
ngathi
m.
“
Isee,yourchi
ldr
enhaven'
ttol
dyouwhatIf
oundi
n
t
hisbeauti
fulmansi
--
”
“Lil
ly,
pleasedon't
.Canwet
alkaboutt
his,
I'
m sorr
y
pleasedon'tdothi
stome.I
'
mr eal
lysor
ry.
”Seeing
howdeterminedsheis,
Siyahasnochoi
cebutt
otr
y
thesof
terapproach.
“
Whatareyout
alki
ngabout
?Whati
sitt
hatyou
f
ound?
”
“
Dadplease,l
etmedealwi
tht
his.Wi
llyoubot
h
l
eaveusal-
-”
“No!Youar ebot hstayi
ng.MrNgcobo, thef ormer
governoroft hiscount r
ywhol eftthecount ryunder
thepretextofr elocati
ng,wow.Youar er eal l
ya
genius!”Lil
lyturnsherbackt ot hem andl ooksout
ofthewi ndow.“ 23rdOct ober2007.12noon, i
none
oftheunder gr oundof f
icesoft hemi nisterof
defencef or
cesi nacertaincount ry,witht hreeother
delegates--
”MrNgcoboi st r
embl ing,het riesto
shootbuthi sst rengthbet r
ayshi m ast hegunf al
ls
ont hefloor
.“ Youcanshooti fyouwant ,Imade
mor ethant housandcopi es,Idieandyoual lperi
sh.
How' sthat?”
“Whatdoyouwant ?”MrsNgcoboaskswit
hashaky
voice,Si
yaissi
lent
lypr
ayi
ngforal
lthi
stobea
nightmare.
“Notmuch.Si yabongawillhavet oadmi tthathe
for
cedhi mselfonme, yourmer mai ddaught erto
l
eavemybr otherandhisgirl
fri
endal one,Siyabonga
toalsoadmi ttokil
li
nghiswifeandchi ldren,leave
thePrincesandt heKingalone,forgetabouthi s
obsessionwi t
hmysi ster
.”
“
Onl
ythat
?Wewi
lldoi
t,t
oday,
rightnow.
”
“I
'
m doingnosucht
hing!I
'm notgoi
ngtojailbef
ore
Nomthabecomesmine.Idon'tcar
eaboutthe
gover
nment,t
heworl
d,onlyIwantisher
.”
“Fi
ne,suityoursel
f.Ohbef oreIf
orget ,mychi l
dto
beregist
eredast hesol eownerofever yt
hingt he
Ngcobosown, ami ll
iondol l
armonthl yal
lowance, a
publi
cweddi ngtol egali
zemymar riagetoyourson
andlastl
ybutnotl east,youar egoingt orunf or
mayorelectionsandwi n.Aftert
hat,youwi lldoasI
say.Arewecl ear?”MrNgcobohasr egai
nedsome
ofhisstr
engt hashepoi nt
st hegunather .
“Wir
ed!
”Lindashowshi m asmalll
ist
eni
ngdevi
ce
onhernecklace.“
Toolat
e,daddy-i
n-l
awmyguyhas
thi
sconversati
ononrecordandyouknowwhatthat
means.”TheNgcobossigh,
feel
inghel
pless.“
You
havet
went yfourhour
stomakeadecisi
on.”Linda
tur
nstoleave.
“Youar
etoonai
vetoswi
m wi
tht
heshar
ks,
youwi
ll
gethur
tpr
ett
ysoon.
”
“Iswam wit
htheshar
ksandwhal
eswhenIwasfi
ve,
nowIdon'twastemyti
meswimming,
Igoforaki
ll
.”
Sheslamsthedoorbehi
ndher
.
*
*
*
Theinser
tisshor
t,Iknow.Pleasedofor
givemeI'
m
ki
ndabusywi t
hsomet hi
ng.Iwillmakei
tuptoyou
nextti
me.Loveyouall.
[
07/
21,
13:
49]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er29.
TWOYEARSLATER.

It'
sbeent wohel lofyear s!Al othappened, many
peopl egothur tbutt hehi ghl i
ghtoft heal lbad
thingsthathappenedi nUml aziwast hemyst er
ious
disappear anceofLi nda‘ Lilly’Mahl angu.Af ter
threateningtheNgcobost hel astper sont oseeher
i
nf leshisPr inceSphamandl a.Sincet hatdayno
one'severseenorhear df r
om her .Zandial most
diedbutNomt hakeptt hef ami l
yt oget her , shegave
them strengt handhope.Pr i
nceSphaandGugul ost
i
tbutNomt hadi dnotal lowt hem t oat tack.She
stoodbet weent heTshabangusandt heNgcobos,
theycoul dn'tshooteachot herbecauset hatwoul d
meanki l
lingherf i
rst.Mostpeopl e, ZandiandBab'
uMahl angui ncludedar est i
llwonder ingwhat
exactlyLindahasorhadont heNgcobos?Theot her
pressingquest i
ont heyhavei swhydi dSi yabonga
forcehimsel fonher ?Wel l,italltookpl acei none
beaut i
fulsunnyaf t
ernoont hatwasgoi ngwel lf
or
everyoneunt i
lthedevi l‘Siyabonga’ happened.
“
Hi,
ski
nnygi
rl
.”Si
yabl
ockedLi
nda'
sway.Shet
ri
ed
tomoveawayf r
om hi
m buthewasnotl
ett
ingher
gothateasy.
“What'
syourpr
oblem?Thegirli
sevi
dent
ly
uncomfor
tabl
earoundyou,
lethergo.
”Arandom
guytr
iedtodef
endher.
“Mindyourownfuckin'busi
nessdude!Youdon'
t
wanttopissmeoff,getlost
!”Si
yashovedtheguy
buthedidn'
tmove.
“Whodoyout hi
nkyouar e?Doyout hi
nkhavi
ng
mil
li
onfol
lowersonsocialmediamakesyou
unt
ouchable?Lethergo!
”Lindastoodther
etryi
ng
tof
igur
eoutwhatSi ya'
sproblem was.
“Man, I
'm nott
hekindofguyyouwantt
omesswi t
h-
-”Siyabongareachedf
orhisgun,
sensi
ngdanger
Lindasteppedin.
”Fi
ne!Wegetyourpoi
nt,
leavetheguyaloneand
saywhat
everyouwanttome. ”Si
ya'
slipscurved
coyl
yashefeltl
ikehi
splanwastakingshape.
“Wisechoi
ce,
ski
nnygi
rl
.Comeoverher
eIneedt
o
askyousomethi
ngi
mportant
.”
“
Idon'tt
akeorder
sfr
om youMi
ster
.Whodoyou
t
hinkyouare?Myfat
her
?Mymom orgrandma?
”
“I
'
m SiyabongaPhil
ipJrNgcobo!
”Heannounced
proudl
ywithhishandsinhi
spocket
s.
“Iknowwhoyouar ebutyouar enoti ntheposi
ti
on
togivemeor ders.Nexttimeyoubl ockmywayl ike
thatI'
m gonnatellmypar ent
sandbel ieveme,you
don'twanttomeett heirangr
yselves.”Shepushed
pastleavinghi
mi nawe.Noyounggi r
lhadever
defiedhim,hewassosur eofhislooks,char
m and
famet oalwaysgethim whathewant edbutnot
from Li
nda.Hehadf i
nall
ymetsomeonewhowas
egoisti
cashim.

Siyatol
dNel iaboutit,shecouldn'tbel
ieveitunti
l
sheherselfmetLi nda.Lindawasnotaboutt obe
bossedar oundbyanyone, noteventhesonand
daughterofthemi ghtyPhi l
ipNgcobo.I nallt
he
abuseandt ortur
eLi ndawentt hroughasachi ld,
shelearnedaval uablelessontoneverl etanyone
dominateher .Herchar act
eriswhatmadeSi ya
cur
ious,hemadeithi
sgoalt otametheanimali
n
her
.Days,weekspassedwi t
houtLi
ndabumpi ng
i
ntoSiyaunti
loneaft
ernoonwhenshel ef
tthegym
onl
ytofindSiyawai
ti
ngf orherbythegat
e.
“
Onceagai
nwemeet
.”Hesmi
led.
“
You?Whatdoyouwant
?Whyar
eyouher
e?”
“Lastt
imeIwantedtoasksomethi
ngbutyouwere
notsokindt
omeIt houghtyou'
vechangedyour
mind.Comewithme, pl
ease.
”
“
No!Whatdoyouwant
?”
“ForgoodnesssakeLinda!Justgeti
nthecar
!I
don'twantyoubutyoursist
er!
”Heblurt
edout.
“
What?Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay?Whi
chsi
sterar
eyou
t
aki
ngabout
?”
“Nowt hatIhaveyourfullat
tent
iongeti nt hecarso
wecant alk.”Shequiet
lygotinthecar.Si ya
scannedherbody, sheneverwor eclothest hat
coveredallpartsofherbody.Herbellyringwas
alwaysexposed, t
hismadehi m evenmor ecurious.
Lindafeltuncomfort
ableasshecaughthi m stari
ng.
“
Hel
lo!Yousai
dyouwantedtotal
k,whati
sit
?
Whi
chsist
erar
eyoutal
kingabout
?”
“Nomtha,thePrince'
swi fe.
”Li
nda'seyeswi denedin
horr
or.“Cl
oseyourmout hbefor
eyouswal l
owaf ly.
IwantNomt ha,noIl oveherandyouwi l
lhelpme
gether.Don'
tlecturemeabouthermar r
iage,Iknow
she'
smar ri
edtot hePr i
ncebutthatwon'tstopme. ”
“
Areyoucrazy?Howcanyoul
oveamar
ri
edwoman!
Mysist
eri
snotacheat!
”
“
Whosaidanythingaboutcheat
ing?Iwantal
lofher
t
omyself
,Idon'tshar
eawomannott heoneI
'm
r
eadyt
odiefor.”
“
Youreal
lymustbenuts.Idon'
tknowi
fthi
sisa
j
okeorwhat
,I'
mleavi
ng.”
“I'
m notj
oki
ngwhycan'
tyouunder
standasimpl
e
thi
ng?Givemehernumberi
fyoucan'thel
pmewoo
her.”
“Siyabongaorwhateveryoucal lyour
sel
f,ifyou
valueyourlif
estayawayf rom heroryourfamilywil
l
soonbepl anningyourfuneral
.Don'tmesswi thmy
brother-
in-
lawanddon'teventhinkoftell
ingthist
o
mysi ster.It
'sforyourowngood.Bye. ”Justl i
kethat
shel eft.Onceagai nSiyawasl eftwonder i
ng,what
madehert i
ck?Whatwast hesecr ett
oherbol dness
andf eisti
ness?Hi scur i
osityledt ohi
m devi si
nga
deadl ypl an.Accor dingtohi sbooks,girl
sonl y
behavedl i
keLindawhent heywer esti
llvir
ginsand
havet heirhonori ntact
.Hepl annedtotakeaway
everyt hingshepr i
dedher selfin.Hekeptf oll
owing
herunt ilonedayhemanagedt othr
eatenhert o
comewi t
hhi mtohi shotel.Shewast err
ifi
ed.
Ever ythingt hathappenedi nt hat302hot elroom lef
t
Lindashat tered,shewant edt odie.Shef eltdi
rty,
wor stofal l,shehadunwi ll
inglybrokenhervow.
*
***
***
***
***
*

Somewher eintheworl
d.Nomt
haissl
eepi
ng
peacefull
yintheshi
pwhenPri
nceSphawalksi
n
thecabin.

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.
Myhusbandslowlyget
sunderthecover
s,hi
s
handsaref
reezi
ngcoldashetouchesmybareski
n,
Ishi
ver
.
“
Youar
efr
eezi
ng,
babe.
”
“
Howdi
dyouknowi
t'
sme?
”
“Idon'
thavet
oopenmyeyestoseeyou,
myhear
t
knowsyou.Wher
ehaveyoubeen?”
“
Yourchi
ldr
enwer
ehungr
yIwentt
ofeedt
hem.
”
“Weret
heycr
ying?Whydi
dyounotwakemeup,
Spha?”
“Relax,theyareallfi
ne.Iknowhowt otakecareof
mychi l
dren,youhavet orest.I
t'
snoteasyto
breastfeedfourhungr yandnaught yki
dsallthe
ti
me.It ookavowt oalwayshel pyou,theyareour s
sopl easedon'tfeelguil
tyforoversl
eepingor
anythingI '
m heretohelp.Remember ,weleft
everythingbehindsowecanbondwi ththe
quadr uplet
s.Ithi
nkyouhavet ostopbreastf
eeding
them now, Imeant hey'r
eoneyeart womont hsol d.”
“
Iwi
llst
opaf
tert
heyf
inal
lymeetever
yone.Il
ove
youmor edearhusband. ”Yes, I'm anur singmot her
.
Whenmyl it
tlesisterdisappear ed,Iwant edt ofi
nish
offtheNgcobosbutIhadat erribledream.
At t
ackingthem meantl osingSpha, Sbu, myf ather
andmyunbor nbabies.Iwasn' tawar eoft he
pregnancy, Iwasshockedt of i
ndout .Gr andpa
conf i
rmedmyf earsandIhadt ost opt hebr ewing
war .Thet i
mi ngwasnotr ight.Itwasn'teasy
convi nci
ngt hem whi chl edt omebl urti
ngoutt he
truthaboutmypr egnancy.Myhusbandgotangr y,
feltsidel
inedanddi srespect edt ofindoutabouthi s
wi f
e'spregnancyl i
ket hat.Ittookmedayst opacify
him, hewasr eall
yhur tIf eltbadabouti t.Itol
dmy
dadaboutt hedr eam, headvi sedmet ol eavethe
kingdom bef oresomeonehur tsmychi ldren.Tooka
helllotofbeggi ngt oconvi ncet heKi ng, Queen
mot herandmyhusband, theyl ateragreedand
that'showwel ef
t.
“
Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
”Sphaki
ssesmyf
orehead.
“
Thatit
'st
ime.It
'st
imewegobackhomeandf
ini
sh
whatwestar
ted.
”
“
Areyousur
e?Whatwi
llt
hegodssay?
”
“Theyagreed.HisMajest
yneedsusbackhome,
we'vebeenawayf ort
oolongandI'
m sur
eour
enemiesmi ssus.”
“
Babe?
”
“
Huh?
”
“Youknowmom Zandiwi l
lbreakdownuponseeing
you,r
ight
?Lil
ly'
sbeenmissingformorethantwo
year
snow, wehaven'
tfoundanythi
ng,notevenher
remai
ns.”
“Iknow.Isti
llfeelt
hepai
nbutI'm hopeful
.Li
ll
ywil
l
comebackt ous, deadoral
iveshewi l
ldef
ini
tel
y
revealher
self.”
“
Ihopeso.Dowet
aket
hechi
ldr
enwi
th?
”
“Yes.Iwon'tbeabl etofocuswithoutthem around.
I'
m sureeveryonei seagertomeett hem, Icanonly
i
magi newhatBukhosi ,
JuniorandMuzihavet ol
d
everyonealready.”Muziandhiscousi nshavebeen
stayi
ngwithusf oroverayear,t
heywentback
homebecauseHi sMajestywascompl ai
ningabout
i
t.Ihadtolett hem go.
“
Ihaveabadf
eel
ingaboutt
his,
I'
m scar
edf
ormy
l
it
tl
eones.
”
“Nothingwil
lhappentothem,Iwil
lpr
otectt
hem.
Wecan' tst
ayawayf or
ever,
Ihaven'
tfor
gott
enwhat
Siyabongadid,hehastopay.”
“OkayMyRoseItr
ustyou.Iknowi
fyourgutagr
ees
theni
t'
sfi
newewilldoi
t.
”ThankHeavensweare
onthesamepageaboutthi
s.
“
Wher
ear
ethemai
ds?Act
ual
ly,
whatt
imei
sit
?”
“4pm EST.Themai dsar
eprobablyswimmingor
sunbathi
ngIdon'tknowwhatgirl
sgetupto.Igave
them t
imetorestandtookoverthebabysi
tt
ing
duti
es.”
“
Okaybutyoudidn'
thavet
o.Youshoul
dhave
wokenmeup,youknow.”
“St
op,okay.I
'
mt hefat
hertothosechi
ldr
enandit'
s
mydutytoototakecareofthem.Doyouremember
howyouusedt otr
oublemewi t
hyourpregnant
sel
f?”
“
DidI
?Howexact
lydi
dIt
roubl
eyou?
”Itwasoneof
thosepregnanciesyouthinkonlyhappeninmovies
untilyouexper
ienceit
.Icouldfeell
ikehavi
ngice
cream inthemiddleofthenightandIdidn'
twant
theonei nthef
reezer,cr
azyr i
ght
?Yeahandmy
husbandhadt osufferforit
.
*
***
***
**

Att
heMahl
angu'
s.

“Mom?Mommy? ”LuckyshakesZandi
,shesnaps
outofi
t.“
What
'swrongmama? ”
“Iwantmydaught erback,
Imissher,
Imisshow
shealwayschallengedmetobeabet t
ermom, how
shealwayswaitedf ort
heri
ghtt
imetodropa
bombshellonallofus,howyouguysalwaysfought,
howsheal waysmanagedt opaci
fyyourfat
her-
-”
Zandibr
eaksdown.Luckyhugshert i
ght.
“Iknowmom, i
t'
shardtoal
lofus.Weal
lmi
ssher
pleasegetagr
ipofyour
sel
f.”
“
Whati
sitt
hatshehadont
hoser
uthl
esspeopl
e?
Whydidshechall
engethem?Why?Di
dshenot
oncet
hinkaboutus?-
-”
“
Shedideveryt
hingforallofus.
”Theybothtur
nto
t
hedoortoseet hei
rbelovedNomt hast
andi
ngby
t
hedoorway.Kiararunspasteveryoneandscr
eams
j
umpingonher.
“Youfinal
lycame!Sist
er?Youarereal
lyback?”She
caresseshercheeksandkissesheral
lovertheface.
“Imissedyou,al
lofusmi ssedyou.
”
“Imissedyout oo.Nowgetof fmesoIcanhugmy
mom. ”Theyalllaugh.”Mom, youwer ecrying?
What '
sallt
his?Doyouwantt ospendt her estof
yourli
feintears?Nomom, pleasestopwi tht he
cryi
ng,okay?”Zandinodst earsrunni
ngf reelydown
hercheeks.Nomt hakissesthem awayf i
ght ingher
own.
“Howar eyou?Youl ookfat
ter
?Yourski
nl ooks
dif
ferent
--”SphaandNomt habothl
ookateach
otherbeforelaughi
ng.“Whyareyoutwolaughing?”
“
Weknewyou'
dsayt
hat
.Imi
ssedyoumom.
”
“
Andme?Whataboutme?
”
“NoIdidn'
t.Youwerelivi
ngtheelif
ewi t
hyour
gir
lf
ri
endthatyouforgotyouhaveasi ster
.Isawal
l
yourpi
ctur
esonsocial media,youdidn'
tevencal
l
me.”Nomthaf ei
gnssadness.
“YouknowwhyIdi dn'
tcall.Ididn'
twantanyonet o
trackt hecal
lsandf i
ndoutaboutyour
wher eabouts.”LuckyscoopsNomt haupandspi ns
herl i
keababy, shelaughs.“You'vegainedalotof
wei ght ,youneedt ost
artvisit
ingthegym once
agai n.”Heki ssesherforeheadbef or
eputti
ngher
down.Shet ri
estoholdinhert earsbutfai
ls
mi ser ablyasshesobs, herbodycr ushi
ngwi t
h
Lucky' s.
“Somet
hingismissi
ng,she'
smissi
ngandweare
i
ncompletewit
houther
.Imissherbrot
her
,Ir
eal
ly
do.”
“I
t'
sokaywewi l
lfindher.Ifwedon't,
shewi l
l
defi
nit
elyfi
ndherwaybackt ous.Shemi ghtbea
l
it
tlecrazybutonet hingIknowissher eall
yloves
al
lofusal ot.Stopcrying,i
t'
sti
met oactnott o
becomeemot i
onally.
”
“Pr i
ncess!
”Bab'uMahlangucomesoutsmell
ing
fresh,it
'sobvi
oushejusthadhisshower
.Nomtha
wi peshertear
sandrunst ohi
m.“Welcomeback,
Pr i
ncess.Ourli
veswereneverthesamewit
hout
you. ”
“
Imi
ssedyou,
daddy.
”
“Iknowal
lthat
.Wherearemygr
andchi
ldr
en?Di
d
younotbr
ingthem wi
thyou?
”
“
Yeswherearet
hey?Don'
ttel
lmeyoul
eftt
hem i
na
f
orei
gnl
and?”SaysZandi
.
“Heretheyaremot her-
in-
law,f
ather-i
n-l
aw.Meet
yourgrandchil
dren.”Sphasaysast hefourmaids
comei nholdi
ngt hebabiesintheirar
ms.Theyare
allawakeastheysmi letoeveryone.
“Wow!Soador abl
e,lookathowcutethi
sonei s.
”
Bab'uMahlangusayst aki
ngoneofthebabies.
Nomt haandSphabot hswallowhardbutquickl
y
recoverf
rom whatevertheyarebot
hthi
nking.
“Howdoweknowwhoi swho?Imeant heyarefour
ofthem andt
heyalll
ookchubby,
adorabl
e,al
lkinds
ofcuteandal
ike.
”Kiar
aasks,t
aki
ngthelastbaby
f
rom t
hemai
d.
“Okaydearsist
er-i
n-l
awl etmecl arifythisforyou.
Nevermindifyoudon' tgeti
tthef irstt
imeevenmy
dearwif
estil
lstruggl
est odif
ferent i
atethem butI
knowwhoi swho. ”Sphaboast s,theyal llaugh.
“Twoboys,twogi r
ls,
right?Thegi rlfat
her -i
n-l
awis
holdi
ngisOkuhle,theoneLuckyhasi sMbal '
enhl
e,
wecallherEnhlethent heboymot her-
in-lawis
holdi
ngisNkos'iphil
e‘Nkosi’whilet heoneyouar e
holdi
ngisLunamandl a.”
“Ni
cenamesbutIthi
nkIwil
lneednametagstobe
abl
etoknowwhoiswho.”Zandisays,
thebaby
smil
estoherki
cki
ngtheai
rplayf
ull
y.
“WhydoIf eelLi
nda?WhydoIf eelli
keshe'shere
withus?”Bab'uMahl angushakeshisheadt r
yingto
shakeoffthefeel
ingbutitcomesbackst ronger.
Nomt harushestohim andtakesOkuhlewhoi s
playi
ngwi t
hhisbuttonsawayf rom hi
m.
“Daddy,l
ookatme, Li
ndaisnother
e.Youmustbe
thi
nkingabouther
,she'snother
ebutwewil
lfi
nd
her.Ipr
omise.”
“Theremustbesomet hi
ngt
hatbel
ongstoherher
e,
Icanf eelher
,she'
ssocl
osetome.IknowwhatI'
m
saying--
”
“Daddystop!”Nomthashoutsstart
li
ngthebabi
es.
“I
'm sor
rykids,pl
easetakethem awayIneedto
haveawor dwi t
hmyf ather
.”
“Nomtha,I'
m notababy!Whatareyouhi
ding?What
doyouhavet hatbel
ongstomybaby?Tellme!What
i
sit?Wher ei
sLinda?Areyouhidi
nghersomewhere?
Icanfeelher,
she'satpeace,
ismybabydead?”
“Daddyst
op!Stop,
okay?Idon'tknowwher
eLinda
i
sandIdon'tknowwhyyouf eelshe'
scl
oser
.
Maybesheis,maybeshedecidedtocomebackto
us.”
“Youreyesaresayi
ngsomet hi
ngelse--
”Aknock
dist
urbsthem.Nomt haopensthedoor,herheart
almostfal
lsoutoftheri
bcageasshecomesf aceto
facewiththemeninunifor
m, t
hepolice.She'
s
sweatingandisunabletosaysomething.
“Whoisi
t?Whyareyoustandingt
her
e?Ismybaby
back?
”Bab'uMahl
angufaint
suponseei
ngthe
poli
ce.Pri
nceSphaandLuckycomesrushi
ngtot
he
scene.Luckyt
ri
estowakehim upbutNomtha
stopshim.
“
No.Lethimrestabi
t,he'sabi tdi
stur
bed.Takehi
m
t
ohisroom,SphaandIwi lldealwit
hthepoli
ce.
Makesuremom doesn'tcomeher e,go.”
*
*
*
*
Goodmorningdarl
ings.Hopeyouallhadagr
eat
weekend,
haveabl essedweekaheadaswelook
for
wardtotheyear2020.Staybl
essed.
[
07/
21,
13:
49]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er30.
“What'
sgoi
ngonoffi
cers?Haveyouf
oundmy
si
ster
?”Nomthaquest
ions.
“
NomyPr
incess-
-”
“Thenwhyar eyouher
e?It
'sbeentwoyears,ar
e
youstil
lsearchi
ngf
orherorwhat?Howmany
poli
ceoffi
cersdowehaveinthiscountr
y?Whyisit
sohardtof i
ndoneper
son,ateenager!
”Pri
nceSpha
i
sget t
ingangry.
“
Wef
oundsomet
hingMyPr
ince.
”
“
Whati
sit
?Whatdi
dyouf
ind?
”
“Wefoundherclot
hes,t
hesameclot
hesyousaid
shewaswearing.Ther
eweredr
iedbloodspot
son
thegr
ound-
-”
“
And?Justgost
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt!
”Nomt
hahi
sses.
“Wefoundyourfi
nger
print
sonhercl ot
hesMy
Pri
nce.
”Theoffi
cerl
ooksdownf eel
ing
embarr
assed.Sphawipeshisf
aceinf r
ustr
ati
on
whil
eNomthashakesherheadindisapproval
.
“Finger
pri
nts?Whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osay?Becl
ear
please.
”
“Wewouldrequestt
hePrincet
ocomewi t
hust
othe
pol
icest
ati
onforfur
therquest
ioni
ng-
-”
“Ar
eyouf uckin'ki
ddingme!Am Inowasuspect ?
Yes,Isawherbef oreshedisappearedbutthat
doesn'tmeanIhaveanyt hi
ngt odowi t
hherbeing
missing.Whywoul dIletmyin-lawsgot hr
oughso
muchpai nifIknewwher esheis?Doyout hi
nkthi
s
i
saj oke?”
“Cal
m down,babe.Gowi t
hthem,youdi
dn'
tdo
anyt
hingtomysisterIknowthat
.”
“Butbabe?
--”Sphaat
tempt
storefuset
ofoll
owthe
off
icer'
sor
dersbutNomthashakesherheadbef
ore
hugginghi
mt ight
.
“Itwon'tbeeasy,morestonesareabouttobe
thrownatus, ourl
ovedonesar eabouttobe
uncertainaboutmanythingsbutonet hi
ngis
certai
n,ourlovewil
lconquer.GoonIwi l
lcomeand
saveyou.I tmaytakehours,daysorweeksbutIwi
ll
comef oryouandt hetr
uthshallbereveal
ed.
”
“
Promi
se?
”
“
Yesbabe.Iwon'
tleaveyoual
one,
Iloveyout
oo
muchdearhusband.
”
“Il
oveyout
oo.
”Pr
inceSphawal
ksawaywi
tht
he
pol
ice.
“What'sgoingonhere?Wher earet heytaking
them? ”Nomthaturnsaroundtoseehermot her
standingri
ghtinfr
ontofher.“What 'sgoingon
Nomt handazo,wherearetheytakingson- i
n-l
aw?”
WheneverZandical l
sherbyherf ullnameshe
meansbusi ness.
“
Mom-
-”
“Don'
tgi
vemethatmommyshi
t!Tel
lme,
whatar
e
youhidi
ng?Tal
k!”
“
Theyf
oundLi
nda'
scl
othes-
-”
“
What
?Wherei
smydaught
er?Whathavet
heydone
t
oher
?Tel
lme?”
“Idon'
tknowmom.AllIknowi
stheyfoundher
clot
hesandtheyal
sofoundmyhusband'
s
fi
ngerpr
int
sonthem.”
“Pr
inceSphacannotharm mydaught
er,
canhe?No!
Someoneisplayi
ngtr
ickswit
hus,wehavet
ofind
Li
ll
ybef
oret
heyki
llher
.”
“
Wewi
llf
indher
.Ipr
omi
se.
”Zandicr
ies.
*
***
***
***
***

NOMTHA'
SPOV.

HowdoIf acehi sMajestyandt ellhimthathi sson

i
sbeenar rest
ed?WhatdoIt el
lhi skids?HowdoI
explai
ntoMuzit hathi
sf atherjustl andedandgot
arr
estedatthesamet ime?HowdoIpaci fyt he
quadrupl
etswhent heyst artcryinguncont r
ol l
abl
y?
HowdoIexpl aintoPrinceSbut hathi sbrot
heri s
beingsuspectedofkil
li
ngmysi ster?Myf ather'
s
questi
ons,howdoIanswert hem?
“Youknewitwouldn'
tbeeasy,
didn'
tyou?”Gr
andpa
appear
sfrom nowhere,
he'
snowsi t
ti
nginmycar.
“
Grandpa.Wher
ear
eyoucomi
ngf
rom?
”
“IneverleftordidI?Bytheway,congr
atul
ati
onson
yourquadr uplet
stheyar eal
lcut
eand
adorable..
..
andt r
oublesometoo.
”Hesmi l
eshisr
are
smi
le.
“Howdoyouknow?Younevercamet
omeett
hem,
nowtheyar
egrownup.
”
“Icame,youdidn'
tseemebutIdi dcomewhenyou
gavebir
th.Ipromisedtoneverl
eaveyoual
oneand
hereIam readytohelp.Iknowsomethi
ngi
snot
ri
ght.
”
“
ThanksbutIdon'
tneedyourhel
p,f
ornow.
”
“
Good.Bef
oreIl
eave,
what
'syourweapongoi
ng
i
ntot
hiswar?
”
“Asi
ster
'slove.MyloveforLi
ll
ywi
llgui
demeandI
knowIwillbevict
ori
ous.”
“Goodluck.Youknowwhatt odowhenyouneed
me.Goonandwi nt hi
sforallofus.Myblessings
arealwayswithyou.”Hedisappear sasIst
opmy
carattheRoyalpalacegate.Myhear ti
snol onger
beati
ngbutvigorouslypoundinginmychest .Brace
yoursel
fNomt ha,youarestrongyoucandot hi
s.
Theguardsopent hegateandIsl owlydri
vein.The
placehasn'
tchangedabi t,
ever yt
hingi
sstil
lthe
samewayasIl ef
tit.Themai densarequi
ckly
movingupanddownpr epar i
ngt owelcomeus.I'm
suremot her-i
n-lawisaskingher selfwhywecame
unannounced.Whatt heyal ldon'tknowyetisI
cameal one.Idi dn'
tevenbr ingtheirgr
andchil
dren
al
ong, Idon'twantmychi ldrentofeelthenegati
ve
energyar oundt hepalace.They'veneverbeenher e
before,accordingtotradit
iont heyshouldbe
welcomedathomer it
ualisti
c.Iputmyheadont he
steer
ingwheelandl etmysel fcalm downabi t
beforeIwal kin.
“WelcomehomePr incess.”Myf avori
temai di
shere
al
readyrol
li
ngoutther oyalcarpetforme.Iputa
smil
eonmyf aceandgetdownt hecar .Theyal
l
l
ookhappyt oseeme, onlyiftheyknewIbr ought
badnewswi thme.
“Hi
.Imi ssedyou.”Ihugherbef or
et aki
ngmycr own
fr
om t het r
aytheot hermaideniscarryi
ng.Ihugal l
ofthem, bytheti
meIwal kint
othehouseever yone
i
sint hecel ebr
atorymode.Si nceI'
vebeenawayf or
mor ethanayear ,allthefamil
ymember swil
lonly
gettogr eetmeaf terIgreetandshowr especttohis
Majest yandQueenMot her
.Ikneelbeforet
heKi ng,
hebl
essesmebutIdon'
tgetup.
“
Youl
ookdi
stur
bed,
whathappened?”
“I
'm sor
ryYourMajest
y.Il
eftwi
thyoursonbutI
camebackalone,I
'
mr eall
ysorr
y.”
“Whathappenedt
omybrother
?”Sbudoesn'
tcar
e
aboutr
espectwheni
tcomestohisbr
other
.
“Thepoli
cefoundhisfi
ngerpr
int
sonLinda'
scl
othes,
theytookhi
mi nquest
ioni
ng.Theyref
usedtol
et
him gounti
lther
ealsuspecti
scaug--
”
“That'
sutt
erBS!Howdar etheyarresthim?I'
m
goingther
etogethim out
--
”I'm suremyeyesare
doingenoughtal
kingbecausehisMaj estyst
ops
Pri
nceSbu.
“Sbu, don'
t!Thi
smatt
erismoredeli
cat
ethanyou
think,wehavetothi
nkandweighouroptionsbef
ore
acting.Wedon'twantt
ojeopar
dizeyourbrot
her'
s
freedom, dowe?Comebackhereandsitdown.”
“
Butf
ather
--
”
“Nobut
scomebackhereandsitdown.Whoeveri
s
doi
ngthi
stomysonisexpect
ingaviol
entr
esponse
butwear enotgonnagi vethem that.Wear edoi ng
thi
st herightway,wewi llf
ol l
owever ypol i
ce's
ordersandmysonwi l
lcomeoutoft hatplace
unhar med.Heismyson, t
hehei rappar enttot he
throne,he'smanagedt ogetoutofst ickysituations
beforeandhewi l
ldoitagai n.TheTshabanguswi l
l
nevergodownwi thoutaf i
ghtbutt hist i
me, wewi l
l
outsmar tourenemiest hepeacef ulway.Whenhe' s
fi
nallyfreeIwantmyt wosonsback, letusal lswim
i
nbl oodi ft
hat'
swhati twilltaketoremi ndthese
peoplewhowear e.Am Imaki ngmysel fcl
ear ?”
Sbunods.Heunder standshi sfather.
“Mommywhathappenedt omyf ather?Whyi she
nother e?Andmysi bli
ngs? ”Mywor stfearsare
comingt rue.HereIam st il
lkneelingbef or
etheKing,
mysoni sher edemandi nganswer s.WhatdoIt el
l
him?“Mommy?Gr andma?Gr andfather?Wher eis
myf ather?UncleSbu?Whathappenedt ohim?”His
voiceishoar se,i
t'
sclearhe' saboutt ocry.Ican'
tlet
thathappen, Ican'
tbeart oseet ear sonhis
i
nnocentf ace.Islowlyst andupandhughi mt i
ght.
“
Daddyi
sokay.Hewi
llbeher
ewi
thusanyt
ime
soon.
”
“
Mommywhat
'sgoi
ngon?
”
“Thepol i
cetookhi mtothest ati
onf orquest i
oning
andr efusedt olethim gountiltherealsuspecti n
youraunt '
scasei sfound.Pl
easedon' tcry,ifyou
cryIwi llhavetopaci f
yyouwhi chwebot hknowi t
willtakemor et hantwohour st oaccompl ish.Bythe
ti
meyoust opcr yi
ngyoursiblingswoul dhavecr i
ed
theirlungsoutanddaddywon' tbehappyabouti t
.”
Hef aintlysmi l
es.WithMuziIsomet imesf orgetthat
he'sjustaboyandt al
ktohiml i
keI'
mt al
kingt oa
grownman.I tworkswonder s.
“
OkayIwon'tcr
y.Iwi
llhel
pyouf
reemydaddyand
f
indAuntLi
nda.”
“Wewil
lal
sohelpwi t
hthel
it
tl
eones.”Bukhosi
comesfr
om behindwipi
nghisowntears.Il
ookat
mymother-
in-
law,she'
sint
ears.
“
Ever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
inemommy,
Ipr
omi
se.
”
“Beblessed,gooutt her
eandconquer.Youhavemy
supportandblessings.Mysonisveryfort
unateto
haveyoui nhisl
ife.”Iwipehert
ear
s,shefaint
ly
smi
les.“
Am Ial
lowedt
oseemygr
andchi
ldr
en?
”
“Yeshoneyyouare.”TheKinganswer
s.“Butnotme
andtheiruncl
ehere.Wehavetowaitf
orthe
welcomingceremony.Goaheadandvisi
tthem,ki
ss
them onmybehalf.Sbu,youknowwhattodoson.
Don'tl
etmedown. ”
*
***
***
***
*

Int
heholdi
ngcel
lthei
nvest
igat
ingof
fi
cerist
ryi
ng
tof
orcePri
nceSphatot
aketheblamefor
somethi
ngheknowsnothi
ngabout.
“Youarever ystupidisyouthinkyoucanf r
ameme
forsomeone' sdisappearance!Notj
ustsomeone
butmysi ster-
in-l
awwhom Ihavesomuchr espect
fordespit
eherbei ngyoungert hanme.YesIsaw
herthatday,shewascr yi
ngsheneededsomeone
tocomf or
ther ,Ihuggedherhencemypr intsonher
clot
hes.”
“
Doesyourwi
feknowthatyougoaround
“
comfor
ti
ng”hersi
ster
s?”Theof
fi
cermocks.
“Youknowwhatyourpr obl
em i
s?Youarej
usta
confusedshallow-
mindedpat
heti
csoul
!Whatar
e
youinsinuat
ing?”
“Justaski
ng.Whataboutyourpr
int
sonher
underwea--
”
“Mydearoff
icer,don'tyoudaretryandmakedo
thi
ngsIwil
lforeverregret
.Ipromisedmywi fetobe
onmybestbehavi orpleasedon'tbefool
ishenough
tomakemebr eakt hatpromise.
”Theof f
icerl
aughs.
“Di
dIhitthenerve?Whatelsear eyouhidi
ngMr
Pri
nce?Didyouraffairwi
thyoursister
-i
n-l
awt akea
wrongturnandyouel imi
natedhertosaveyour
marri
age?”Spha'sfi
stconnectswiththeoffi
cer'
s
j
awdi sl
ocati
ngitintheprocess.Hegroansin
agony.
“Don'tyoueveri nsul
tmymar r
iage,never!
”Spha
grabshi m bythecollarandmakeshi m stand,blood
oozingf r
om thepoorguy' smout h.“
MrOf ficer
,I'
ma
verygoodandki ndheartedguyjustdon'tpressthe
wrongbut tons.Mywi f
eismyl i
fe,myever ythi
ng.I
willnever,nevereverlookatanotherwoman
becauseshe' stheonl ywomanf orme.Il oveher,
damn, Iwor shipherandIdon' tmindbowi ngdown
forherdespi tet hatbeingagainstmycul ture.Ican
doanyt hing, Imeananyt hingforMyPr eciousRose
andshet rustsmewi thherwhol ebeing.Iwi l
lnever
i
nsultmymar r
iagebyi nappropri
atel
ytouchi ngher
sist
er,never !Nowgooutt her
eandf indtheguyyou
arelookingf orbecausei t'
sdef i
nit
elynotme. ”
*
***
***
*

“Hey!Whyar
eyousoqui
et?
”InudgeSbuwi
thmy
elbow.
“Iwaslooki
ngf
orwardt
oseei ngyou,brotherand
thel
it
tl
eonesbutsomeidiothadtoruinever yt
hing
formeandIcan'
tdoanythingaboutit
.I'm somadI
caneatsomeoneal
iver
ightnow.”
“
Comeher e.”Helit
eral
lyf
li
estomyopenarms.
“
Thingswillgetbett
erwit
htime.
”Hesighs
f
rustr
atedl
ybef or
epull
ingoutoft
hehug.
“Ifeelmuchbet
ter
.Idon'
tknowwhybutyourhug
alwaystakeawaymywor r
ies.
..
..
makesmeloose
myr
easoni
ngt
oo.
”
“
You'
rei
mpossi
ble.Wi
llyoueverchange?
”
“I
'mtryi
ngbutI'm unabl
eto.Doyour eall
ywantme
tochange?Imeant hechangedSbui saver yver
y
badguywhost epsonever yone'
stoes,shoot
anyonewithoutthi
nkingt
wi ce,
f**
keverygirlwho
hasacleanvagina--
”
“Okayokay!Igetyourpoi
ntnoneedtoelabor
ate.
”
Helaughsopeningthepassengerdoorf
orme.
“Whereisyourwife?”
“Canweatl eastski
pthatsubjectfornow?”He'
s
nowlookingintospace,heseemsunset tl
ed.“
Where
to?Ever
yt i
meyouusemybr ot her
'scaryouareup
tonogood.”
“NgcoboEmpi r
e!Theguyneedst obereminded
whot hebossesarearoundhere.Ready?”Hisface
l
ightsup!Iswearthi
skindofglowonhi sfaceright
nowcanl i
ghtupanyr oom dur
ingtheelect
rici
tycut.
“Neverbeensooooready.
”Hesaysstart
ingthe
engine.“
Theli
tt
leones,ar
etheynotmissingyou?
”
“Pr
obabl
ymissi
ngthei
rfat
hermor
ethantheymi
ss
me.Theyar
esocloseandhaveaver
ystr
ong
bond.
”
“I
'
m sur
ethey'
veal
readysensedsomethingwr
ong,
i
t'
swhatchi
ldr
endo,ri
ght?”I
'm sur
pri
sedheknows
somuchaboutchi
ldr
en.
“
Howdoyouknowt
hat
?”
“Irai
sedthetwinsal
one,
remember?Iknowal otof
stuffaboutchi
ldr
enmom taughtmealotdur
ing
thatti
me.”
*
***
***
***
*

“Fatherhe'
sbeenar
rested.Ourt
ri
ckworked!
”Neli
saysopeningoneofthemostexpensi
vewineto
celebrat
e.
“Idon'
tthi
nkwehaveseent helastofthatguy.The
SphaIknowwillnevergodownwi thoutafight
,
whatifhecomesbackt ohauntus?”
“Fat
her,
Lindai
sdeadweburi
edher,Imysel
fshot
herandmadesureshewasdead.Yousawher
r
emai
ns,
right
?”
“
Idon'tknowNeli
,Ij
ustf
eelabi
tuneasyaboutal
lof
t
his.Whereist
hatwit
ch?”
“Probabl
ymopi ngar
oundandnur singfourt
oddlers
withoutanyone'
shelp.
”Theybothlaughastheir
glassescli
ck.Thesmil
esontheirfacesdoesn'
tlast
l
ongasNomt hawalksinuni
nvit
ed.
“Defi
nit
elynotthet
ypetomoparound.”Nel
ialmost
dropsherglassbutNomthacat
chesitandsips.
“Mmm, tast
esl
ikeheaven!Whatar
ewecelebr
ati
ng?
Imeanwedon'tjustpopchampagnebot
tl
esforno
reason?
”
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“That
'snowayt
ogreetsomeonewhomadeyou
whoyouareMrNgcobo.Ipr
eparedt
hatseatf
or
youshowsomerespect
!”
“You!
--
”Nel
itr
iest
ouseherpower
stof
ini
shof
f
Nomthabutshebl
ocksher
.
“Iknowwhoyouare,
thesexydangerousmermai
d.
Butyoudon'
tknowwhoIam?I '
mt hedaught
erof
thestor
m,Icandestr
oyyouinlessthanhalfa
second.Don'
ttestmypat
ienceNeli
siwe.”
“Shouldn'
tyoubetryi
ngt
ohelpyourhusband?”
Nomt halaughssendi
ngchi
ll
sdownMrNgcobo's
spine.
“I'
m backMrPhi l
ipt osett her ecordst r
aight.Ididn'
t
l
eavebecauseIwasscar edofyouIl ef
tbecauseI
wasscar edofwhatIwoul ddot oyouandyour
fami ly.Iknowyouar et r
yingt oframemyhusband
butyouhaveanot hert hi
ngcomi ng.Youdon' twant
tomesswi thaber eavedsi ster,t
hel oveIhavef or
Lil
lycanqui ckl
ytur ni ntoaver ydangerouspoi son
anddest royeverythingIt ouch.Bewar ned,I
'm not
her et oplaygamesbutt or eclaim whatsmi ne
startingbyt hatseat .Yourdownf al
lhascome
Mi ster,doyourwor stwhi leyoust i
llcanbecause
youhavenof utureatal l
.”
“Iknewyou'dcomerunningtome.Welcomehome
myl ove,
myeverydaycrush.
”Si
yawalksinusi
ng
thebackdoor.Hetr
iestohugNomthabutshejer
ks
him away.“
Comeonsweet hear
t-
-”
“Heyhey,getyourf
il
thyhandsof
fherbef
oreIbl
ow
yourbr
ainsoff!
”Sbuisalsocomesi
n.
“What ?Youbr oughtyourbr other-i
n-lawslash
boyfri
endher e?Wonder sshal lneveren--
”Ahot
slapsendsNel icr ashingont hefloor.Si
yaandhi
s
fatherlookon, t
heshocki nt heirfacesreall
y
deservesapi cture.It'
spictureper fect!
“Iwi l
lbebackandyouwi llknowi t'
smebecauseI '
m
goingt ohi
twhereithurtsthemost .Gameon, br
ing
yourweaponsandl et'
sfi
nisht hi
sthing.Youhave
threehours27mi nutesand11secondst obri
ngmy
sisterbacktome,deadoral ive.Wewi lldi
scussthe
consequenceslater.”
*
*
*
*
*
*
Seeyounextyearont
he2nd.Pl
ease,
pleasedon'
t
overcel ebrat eandforgett hatthere'sli
feaft
erNew
Year '
sEve, t
here'sli
feaf t
er0000hour soft
onight,
there'sli
feaf terallt
hosef ir
ecrackers,enj
oy
responsi bly.Don'tgett oodr unkandf indyoursel
fin
somesi tuationsyouwi llneverbeabl etogetoutof.
Iloveyoual landst i
llwannaseeal lofyouin2020,
bebl essedandbeabl essingwher everyougo.
[
07/
21,
13:
49]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er31.

“YouknowIdon'
tunder
standNomt hasometi
mes!I
knowshe'
shidi
ngsomethingbutIcan'
tgetmysel
f
topoi
ntatt
hethi
ng--
”
“
DaddyIthi
nkyouworr
ytoomuch.Thi
sisnotyou
t
alki
ngbutpar
anoi
a.”
“WatchyourwordsboyI'm st
il
lyourf
ather
.”Bab'
uMahlangusaysinajokingmanner.“Whywould
thepoli
cearr
estson-
in-
law?Yoursist
erisoddly
chi
ll
edabouti
t,somet
hing'
sfi
shyher
e?”
“Comeonol dman, f
orgetaboutsi
sterhidi
ng
somethi
ng.Thi nkaboutitli
kethi
s,i
fshe'sreall
y
hidi
ngsomet hingthenit'
sprobabl
yf ort
he
bett
ermentoft hi
sfami l
y.Si
sterwouldratherdi
e
thanhurtherlovedones.Stopwor r
ying,okay?”
Luckytr
ieshisbestt oconvincehi
sfather.
“Fi
ne.Ijustpr
ayandhopenot
hingbadbef
all
smy
daughterandson-
in-
law.”
“Yeahlet'
skeepf ai
th.I
'
vesomewor ktodoatthe
hospit
alIwillseeyoulater
.Don'tovert
hinkt
hings
Daddy,loveyou.”Luckykisseshim onthecheek
befor
et aki
nganappl efrom thef
ridge.

“Darli
ng,whyareyounotopeningthedoor ?”Zandi
rushestoopen.“Ooh,QueenMot her!Comei n,
please.Come.”Sheushersherinsi
de.“Havea
seat.”TheQueenisnostrangertotheMahl angu
house.Thetwof amil
ieshaveastrongr el
ati
onshi
p.
“
MyQueen.
”Bab'
uMahl
angugr
eet
sherwi
th
r
espect
.
“Youdon'thavetobef or
mal .Idi
dn'tcomehereasa
Queenbutasyouri n-
law.I'
m her etoseemy
grandchil
drenIcouldn'twaitfortheceremony.I
knowt hi
sisnotther i
ghttimebutwecan' tal
lbe
sadandf orgett
olive.Ourchi l
drenwi l
lmake
everyt
hingright
.”
“I
t'
str
uemyQueen.Yourdaught
er-
in-
lawwentout,
whatcanIof
feryout
odri
nkwhil
eyouwaitforthe
chi
ldr
en.”
“
Waterwi
lldo.Ir
eal
lycan'
twai
t,I
'
m sur
etheycan
wal
kontheirownnow.”
“Onl
yOkuhlei
ssti
lll
earni
ngtowalkbuttheot
her
thr
eerunthewhol
eplaceandtalkalot
.”Thet
hree
comeinrunni
ngholdi
ngthei
rtoys.
“Guysstop,youwillf
all
!”Kiar atri
est ost
opt hem
buttheyrunevenmor e,giggl i
ngatt hesamet i
me.
TheQueenl ooksatthem, tearsofj oyrunni
ngdown
hercheeksasf oronceshef orgetswhattit
leshe
holdsandrunst omeetthem.Thei rbodiescr ushon
hersandtheyhugbutMbal iquicklypull
soutoft he
hug.
“Hey,I
'm yourgrandmother
,comeher
e.”She
shrugsandhi desbehi
ndKiarawhohasOkuhl
ein
herarms.
“Enhle,
she'
syourgr
andmot
hergot
oher
.Go.
”Enhl
e
screams.
“Okayf i
nedon'tcomet ome.St opcr yi
ng,okay?”
Nkosiphil
eandLunapaci fytheirsister
.Thef ourof
them cryandlaughtogetherbutsomet i
mest hey
fi
ghtlikecat
sanddogs.“ LetmeseeOkuhl e.
”They
allt
alkabouthowst rangeiti
st hattheotherthree
areabletowalkandt alkbutnotOkuhl e.Bab'
uMahl anguseemst obeovert hinki
ngonceagai n.
*
***
***
***

TWOWEEKSLATER.

It'
stheheari
ngday!Pr i
nceSphawasdeniedbai l
,
thejudgetr
eatedhiml i
keacri
minalandlabel
led
him adangertothesociet
y.TheKingwasf ur
ious,
sowasever yoneelse.Nomthatr
iedherbestto
cal
m ever
yonedown.
“
Babe,
Ibr
oughtyousomet
hingcl
eant
owear
.”
“Ihopeit
'snotasui
tbecausethere'
snowayI '
m
goingtobehangedforsomethingIdidn'
tdo
wearingatux.
”Sphajokes.
“Whosai danythingabouthanging?Aftert hisyou
willbefr
eeofal lyourtroubl
es.Fat
her-
in-lawcan
notwaittoseehi ssonback.Yourchildrenar e
cryingf
oryout oo,forgetaboutbei
ngconvi ct
edand
focusonhowyouwi l
lcelebrat
eyourvictory.”
Nomt hakissesSpha.
“Real
ly?Ithi
nkIknowhowIwantt ocel
ebrate.Can
youpleasehelpmeweart hesecl
eancl
othesmy
dearwife?
”Hewi nksather.
“Oohreal
lynowdarl
inghusband?Areyousur
eyou
canhandlemytouch,Imeanit'
sbeentwoweeks.
”
Nomthasaysrunni
nghertongueonherlowerl
ip.
“St
op!Don'
tdothatbaby,
don'tmakemet akeyou
hereandri
ghtnow.Youdon'tknowhowmuchI
missthi
ssexybodyofyours.Comehere-
-”
“
No!Someonemi
ghtseeus.
”
“Youarenuts!Whosai dIwanttohavesexwithyou
i
nt hi
sholdi
ngcel l
?Ist i
llhavemydigni
ty,come
here.
”Nomthar unsi ntohisopenarms.“Il
oveyou
MyRose.Idon' tknowwhoIwoul dbewi t
houtyou,
thankyoumyl ove.Iwi l
lsurel
yrepayyouforal
lthe
painyouaregoingt hroughbecauseofme.Ilove
you.”
“IloveyoutooMrTshabanguJr .
”Thei
rli
pscrush
ast heypassi
onatel
yki
ss.Thehunger,
lust,
longi
ng
anddesper at
ioncanbefel
tinthewaytheyare
kissing.“
Youhavetogetreadynoworyouwi l
lbe
l
at e.
”
“
Asyouwi
shmyQueen.
”
“It
'sti
me.Allt
hebestbro,gooutt hereandshow
them whytheFBIbowsdownwhenevert heysee
you.Iknowyouwillbevictor
iousandLi l
ly,wegot
ta
fi
ndheratanycost.”Sbuemot ionall
yhugshis
brother.

Peopl
ehavegat
her
edi
nthecour
troom,
hisMaj
est
y
andtheQueen,PrincessNombulelowhot ri
edbyal
l
meanstoletthefamilyagreetoherdefendi
ng
Pri
nceSphabutt heyallfl
atl
yref
used,Bab'
uMahlanguandLucky, theNgcobosintheir
expensi
vetuxedosbutNomt haisnowher etobe
seen.
“It
hinkwehavewont hi
sbef
oret
hej
udgecan
announcet
heverdi
ct.Thewi
tchi
snother
e--
”
“Dad,leaveheroutoft
his!
”Si
yahissesthr
oughhis
gri
ttedteeth.“
Idon'
tmindyoutr
oll
ingtheroyal
familybutIdomi ndi
fyoucal
lherthat
,she'snota
witch.”
“
ComeonSi
ya,
thewomandoesn'
tevenl
ookyour
way-
-”
“YoumeantheoncehomelessboyLuckywhowas
notevenent
hral
ledbyyou?
”
“
Stopityoutwo!Focusononethi
ngf
ir
st,
other
t
hingswillbedeal
twit
hlat
er.
”
“Whereisyoursi
ster
?”Bab'
uMahl
anguquest
ions
Lucky.
“She'
sar
oundIguess.Shel
efthomeear
lyt
obr
ing
clot
hesf
orbr
other
-i
n-l
aw.”
“Tel
lme,areyoual
lupt
osomet
hing?Sheshoul
d
behere,
right
?”
“
Daddy,pleasestopt
his.Let
'
sallfocusonthecase
whet
hersisteri
shereornotitwon'tst
opthej
udge
f
rom gi
vingtheverdi
ct-
-”
“Al
lri
se!
”Everyoneariseasthejudgewalksin.
Pri
ncessNombul el
olooksatherbr ot
herwhol ooks
uncomfor
tabl
eandsad.Theyl ockthei
reyesunt i
l
Pri
ncessfeel
stearsthreat
eningtofall
.Herbrother
shakeshi
sheadsmi li
ngbuthi seyesaresayi
ng
somethi
ngelse.
“DearGodpl easesavehi m, pleasepl easeIpromi se
toneverlietothosemenwhokeepf ol l
owingme
everagain.Iwi l
ltell
thetruth,Iwil
ltelleveryoneat
workt hatI'
m apr i
ncessandI 'm notmar r
ied.Pl
ease
savemybr other.
”Shesi l
entlyprays.Thesamet i
me
thekingispleadingwi thhisancestor stosavet heir
grandchild,t
hehei rapparenttothet hrone.
Pri
nceSphamandl aismadet oswear .Heswearsto
tel
lonlythetrut
h.Helooksaround,probabl
y
searchi
ngf orhi
swifebutshe'snowher ei
nthe
courtr
oom.Thest at
eprosecutorchargesSphawith
molestat
ion,abduct
ionandmur der.QueenNozizwe
cri
es,peoplechant“
Thiscannotbet rue!OurPri
nce
i
sinnocent!”
“
Sil
ence!
”Thecourt
room goescompl
etesil
ent.
“
SphamandlaTshabangu,howdoyouplead?”
“Notgui lt
y,YourHonour.”MrNgcobomumbl es
somet hing.TheprosecutorasksifPri
nceSpha
wouldl iketochangehismi ndandbr i
nginhi
s
l
awyerbuther efuses.Theprosecutorgoesahead
andt hrowsquest i
onafterquest
ionathim.Heonly
repl
ieswi thyesorno.
“DidyouseeLi
ndaMahl
angut
hedayshe
disappear
ed?”
“
Yes.
”
“
Whatdi
dshesayt
oyou?
”
“Whateveri
nfor
mat
ionshegaveme,
iti
s
conf
identi
al.
”
“Wereyouhavi
nganaf
fai
rwit
hyoursi
ster
-i
n-l
aw?”
Pri
nceSphaisnowevi
dent
lyf
uri
ous.
“
NoIdi
dn'
t.”
“Thenexplaintomewhyyourf ingerprintswer e
foundonherunder wear?”Sbuisaboutt osnapbut
theKingforceshimtositdown.“Expl aintomewhy
shetoldshewaspr egnantandyoubot hbr oke
down?Whydi dshetel
lyouallofthati fyout wo
werenotinvolvedi
nsomeki ndofr elationship?”
“Idon'tknowwhatyouar etalkingabout .Ionly
huggedLi ll
y,that'
sall.Yes,Lill
yandIhavea
rekationshi
p,she'smywi fe'
ssi st
erandwegot
alongver ywell.Don'tyouhaveanyr el
ationship
withyourbr other-
in-
laworsi ster-
in-l
aw? ”People
mumbl e.Hecont i
nuest ogrillSphawi thquest i
ons
untilheloseshi scoolandal mostat tackshi m.The
Ngcobosar ehappyaboutal lofthis.Himl osinghi
s
patiencewor ksintheirfavor.

Aft
erfi
fteenmi
nutes,
thej
udgeisr
eadytogiveher
ver
dict
.TheTshabangusar
eprayi
ngforPr
ince
Spha.
“Af
tercarefull
yconsideri
ngthefactsandthe
evi
dencepr ovidedbytheprosecutor,
Pri
nce
Sphamandl aTshabangui sherebyfoundguil
tyof
abducti
on,undersection--
”TheNgcobosar e
smil
ingfrom eartoear.Theirmoneyseemst obe
worki
ngf orthem unt
ilsomeonebur stst
heirbubbl
e.
“Excusemeyourhonour ,sorryI'mlate.”Ever
yone'
s
headst urnt
otheentrancei ncludingPrinceSpha.
OhHeaveans!Abeaut i
ful,nicelycurvedwoman
gracefull
ywalkstowardst hejudge.Herf aceis
smoot hli
kethatofababy, hercurvesandback
haveever ymaninther oom dr ooli
ng,thewayshe
walkst el
lsi
tall
.She'
sf rom theelitegroup!Oran
angelsentbyGodhi msel f
!
“Hol
ycow!Suchbeaut
yandshapei
noneper
son!
”
Sbuexcl
aims.
“Shutup!Whydoyoual
wayst
hinkwi
thyour
pants?”
“I
'
mj ustgi
vingacompl
imentwhereit
'sdue.No
needtobeangryfat
her
..
..
butIst
il
lthi
nksist
er-
in-
l
awi
sthemostbeaut
if
ulwomani
ntheent
ir
ewor
ld-
-
”
“
Sbu!
”Nombul
elopi
ncheshi
m.Hest
if
lesal
augh.
“Sorr
ybutwhoar eyou?Sphamandl adoesn'
thavea
l
awyer ?
”Thepr osecutoraskswit
hashakyvoi ce.
Thejudgelooksonandpr aysf
oreverythi
ngtobea
dream,anightmar et
hatshewillsoonwakeupf rom.
“Hedi
dn'tnowhedoes.Sor
ry,
Ial
mostf
orgotmy
manners.MynameisAdvocat
eAmandaDaniel
la
Dlami
ni-
-”
*
*
*
*
*
Lookwhoj ustar
rived?Wil
lshebeabl
etosave
Pri
nceSphamandl aorit
'stheendoft
heroadf
or
theroyalf
amily?
*
*
Hidar
lings,
Ihopeweal lenj
oyedt
hehol
idaysand
weareallsafe.Al
lthebesti
n2020aswestartona
newcleansheet.Il
oveyouall.
Myoneweekinter
netsubscri
pti
onisexpi r
ingtoday
12:
12noonandIdidn'
tpaymyWi Fisubscript
ion,
mayyouallpl
easehel
pwi t
hairt
imeI '
mr eall
ydown
andout
.Mascom +26771612512orBemobi le
+26773245320.Thankyouinadvance.
[
07/
21,
13:
50]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er32.

“Hedidn'
tnowhedoes.Sor r
y,Ialmostforgotmy
manners.Mynamei sAdvocateAmandaDani el
la
Dlamini
--
”Sphalooksatthevoluptuouswoman
t
ryingtofi
gureouti
fthey'
vemetbef orebuthis
mindisblank.
“
Sor
ryMi
ss,
whyar
eyouher
e?”Hef
inal
lyasks.
“
Todomydutyasalawyer
.Myfell
owlawyer
,I
meanMrPr
osecut
orcanwegetthi
sthi
ngdone
wit
h.”
“Thisisani
nfr
ingementofthelaw!Thiscrimi
nal
heresaidhehasnolawyer.What '
sgoingonhere?”
Siyasaysasanattempttosalvagethedisast
erhe'
s
foreseei
ng.
“MrPhil
ipSi yabongaJrNgcobo,
ifImayaskunder
whichsectioni smebeingher
etorepr
esentmy
cl
ientaninfringementofthel
aw?”Si
yafeel
sli
ke
someonej ustpunchedhim onhi
sstomach.
“Howthehelldoessheknowwhoyouare?
”Mr
Ngcoboaskshisvoi
cecomingoutasawhisper
.
“Ohhell
!Theladyhasabeaut i
fulvoi
ceandcantal
k
ser
iousl
ytoo.Wow, whoeversentherhereknows
howtotwistacase.”Luckycomment s.
“Wher
eisNomtha?Somet
hingisnotr
ighther
e,I
'
m
goi
ngtofi
ndher.
”Bab'
uMahlanguatt
emptsto
l
eave.
“
Dad,si
tdown.Si
sterNomt
hai
sperf
ectl
yfine
wher
evershei
s.Whoknowsmaybethequadrupl
ets
werethrowi
ngtant
rumsli
ketheyalwaysdoandshe
hadtorushbackhome?Let'
swaitandseewhatthe
l
adyherehastooffer
,br
other
-i
n-l
awisnotgoingt
o
j
ail
,never.
”
“Si
lence!”Thefemal
ejudgeshout
s.“
Thi
scour
tis
adj
our nedunti
ltomor
row--
”
“Noyourhonour .Thiscour tisgoi
ngt ogivei t
's
verdicttodayandr ightnow.Mycl i
entwasdeni ed
bail,hisnamewaspr i
nt edalloverthepaper sf or
somet hingt hepr osecut ionhaven'tprovedyet .Your
honour ,ifyouhaveaf ami lyyoumustknowhow
thi
saf fectsnotonl ymycl i
entbuthi sfamilytoo.My
cli
enthasasonwhoi sat eenager,imaginehowhe
feelsseei nghisf atherinever ydailynewspaper ?”
Thej udgeswal lowshar d.Sphastilldoesn't
under standwhati sgoi ngonandwhocal ledthe
l
awyerf orhim.“So?Yourhonourar ewedoi ngt hi
s
noworwhat ?”Advocat eAmandaaskswi t
hher
raisedbr ow.
“
Ummmm, i
t'
sokaywecancont
inue.
”Uncer
tai
ntyi
s
wri
tt
enal
loverJudgeMenel
i
saKhumalo.
“Fi
rstofal
l,
I'
dl ikerequestacleanpr ojector
.”The
Ngcoboslookateachot herandswal lowhar d.
Amandawal kscl osertoSpha.“Youl ookl i
ke
someonewho' vej ustseenaghost ,smi l
eal i
tt
le
yoursoniswat chingtheliveproceedingsoft hi
s
case.”
“
Whereismywi
fe?
”Hef
inal
lymast
erst
hecour
age
t
oask.
“Idon'
tknowwhoyourwi f
eisallIknowisyourare
thehott
estcl
ientI'
veeverhadinages.Imustsay,
photosanddescript
iondoesn'
tdoj ust
icet
oyour
handsomeself.”Advocat
eAmandasayswi thher
softsweet
estvoiceever.
“Mywi f
ewillmurderyou, beli
eveme.Youdon't
wanthertofindyouf li
rt
ingwi t
hherhusband,your
cli
ent.
”Sphasmi l
esr eveali
nghisdimples,
Amy
smilesbackreaveal
ingherownnat uralbeaut
y
feat
ures.
“Allri
se!
”Onceagai npeoplestandastherealj
udge
wal ksi
n.Theprosecutorisonceagainaskedto
presenthiscase.Theylettheprosecut
oraccuse
Pr
inceSphaofal
lthebadt
hingshedi
dn'
tevendo.
“YourHonour ,mycl i
enti sinnocentandIhaveval id
evidencet opr ovet hat.Ifyoumayal l
owme, hereis
ther ecordingofLi ndaandsomeoneI 'm notableto
name.I nthisrecording, LindaMahl angut hreatened
someonewi ththeevi denceshehadt hatmi ght
bringt hewhol ewor l
dt oitsknees,theper son
soundedt hreatenedwhi chi senoughf ormet o
believet hi
sper sonhadt hemot i
vetoabductandki ll
Linda. ”SuddenlyMrNgcobof eelspressed, an
urgentneedf orapr i
vater oom seeshi sslowly
wal kingoutoft hecour t
room t othegents.
“
Obj
ect
ionYourHonour
!”
“Obj
ecti
onover
rul
ed.Advocat
eDl
ami
ni,
youmay
cont
inue.
”
“Theprosecuti
onaccusedmycl i
entofhavi ngan
extr
amar i
talaff
airwithLi
nda, hi
ssister-
in-
law,my
cli
entl
oveshiswi feandwillnevercheatherwi t
h
anyone.Lindaknewi twoul
dcomet ot hi
sbecause
manyt i
messheconf i
dedinmycl ientnothersister
.
Reasonsforthatbeingsoar everyconf i
denti
aland
Iwil
lnotshar ethem withthecour t
.Myclientwas
notthelastpersont oseeLindaasi ti
sal
leged,
I
wast helastpersontoseeher .Lindacamet ome,
shetoldmeshewasbei ngfoll
owedandgaveme
theevidenceagainsttherealculpritwhorapedand
wantedt okil
lher--
”
“
Shutup!Justshutup,
okay!”Si
yabl
urt
sout
.
“
Order!
”Thej
udgeshout
s,pol
iceof
fi
cer
sfor
ceSi
ya
t
ositdown.
“AsIwassayingbeforeIwasrudel
yint
err
upted,not
onl
ydidLindatel
lmet hatSi
yabongaNgcobo
for
cedhimselfonher,shegavemeproofofi
t.She
waspregnantatthatt
ime--
”
“Wear edoomed! ”Nel
iwhispersi
nfrustr
ati
on.
Peopleexclaiminhorrorastheyal
lturntol
ookat
Siya,thei
rfavor
it
esinger.Somestartt
hrowing
thingsathim.
“
Sil
ence!
”
“Wit
ht hecourt
'sper
missi
onIwoul dli
ketosubmit
al
ltheevidenceIhaveagainstSi
yabongaPhil
ip
JuniorNgcoboandhisfatherwhichmayhelpsolve
t
hiscaseandIwoul
drequestf
ormycl
ientt
obe
r
eleasedwi
thi
mmediateeff
ect
--”
“I
fIwereyouIwouldn'
tdar
edothat
?”Nelipoi
nts
hergunatAdvocat
eAmandlawholooksatherand
smil
es.
“YourHonour ,Ithoughtever yoneshoul dbe
protectedinthecour t
room includi
ngmet henwhyis
agunbei ngpointedatme- -”MrNgcobowal ksback
i
n, pull
shi sowngunandshoot s.Sphar unst osave
Amandabutsomeone' sal r
eadydonet hat.Allt
he
otherat t
endeesar escreami nginfear.Bab'
uMahl angusuddenl yfeelsNomt haandl ooks
aroundonl ytofindherl yi
ngont hef l
oornextt o
Amanda.
“MyRose!
”BothSphaandSburuntoher
,shehas
noscr
atchonherandsoisAmanda.
“Sbuwatchout!
”Nomthaqui ckl
ypusheshi m away
asthebull
etgoesst
rai
ghtt ooneoftheof f
icer
s'
head.“
Whatareyouwaitingfor!Ar
restthesepeopl
e
l
estweallperi
shinher
e!Sphat akecareoft he
j
udgeIhavetodosomet hingIshouldhavedonea
ver
ylongt
imeago.
”Nomt haapproachest
he
Ngcoboswhoar
efi
ringbull
ets,
Siyagetsi
n
bet
weenandget
sshot.
“It
oldyouIwouldbeback,putdownthegunyou
arescari
ngpeopl
e.Now!”Nomt hascr
eamssendi
ng
chil
lsdownthei
rspi
nes.
“No,shootherdad!Shootandl et'
sgetoutofher
e!”
Neliscr
eamsbutj ustthenthere'
sasound, i
t'
sa
gunshotwhichsil
encesever yonebeforea
thunder
oussoundf oll
owedbyl i
ghtni
ngsendMr
NgcoboandNel icrushingont hefl
oor.
..
..
.

“Wher
edidyougo?It
houghtyoul
eftmeal
one.
”
Pri
nceSphasul
ks.
“Iwi
llneverl
eaveyoualone.Ir
ecei
vedacallwhenI
wasaboutt oent
erthecourt
room.Thosebastar
ds
hadorderedtheabduct
ionofmysoni nafi
nalbid
totr
yandout smartme.”
“What?Isheokay?Youwentt
osavet
heThando?
Alone?”
“Rel
ax,babe.Theidi
otsdidn'
tevenreachhi
m our
sonisperfect
lyf
ine.Idi
dn'tgoalonebutwi
thyour
everr
eady-to-
shootauntandAmanda. ”
“
What
?AuntGugui
sher
e?How?Imean-
-”
“Iownaprivat
ejetboyandyes, youroneandonly
Auntisher
e.”Sphaslowlyturnsastheybothhug.“I
wouldn'
tmissthi
sf oranyt
hing.
..
.butIthi
nkI'
mt hi
s
closet
obehusbandl essbecauseofmyf amil
y's
neverendi
ngproblems.”
“
Shh!Youareruini
ngt hi
smomentf ormeIwant ed
t
olist
entoyourheartbeatandheareveryt
hingthat'
s
i
nyourmind.”Gugusl i
ghtl
yslapshim.“Anyway
t
hanksforcoming.Iknowyouwi llbealwaysthere
whenweneedyou. ”
“
Nowwhat
?Dowef
ini
shof
fthosear
sehol
es?
”
“No.Wel etthem suff
erinhospital
.Istil
lhaveone
movet ohammert helastnailonSiyabonga'scoff
in.
Afterthat,
I'm goi
ngtobeher oandsaveMrNgcobo
fr
om t heclutchesofthelawonlyforhimt oendup
sixfeetundernexttohiswi f
eanddaught er
.
Siyabongawi l
ldi
egraduall
y,thepr
ocesswi llbe
veryslow,pai
nfulandhehastogothr
ough
everyt
hingthatmysist
erwentthr
ough.”
“Howareyougoi
ngt
oachi
evethat?Imeanhe'
sin
hospi
talwai
ti
ngt
ogotohi
slastst
opwhichi
sjail
.”
“I'
m sur
ethosemeninjai
lwil
lbehappiertohave
him,Imeanthel
ocs,pi
erci
ngs,tat
toosallovera
cheeseboy'
sbody,
thatcansurelytur
nthoset hi
rst
-
for-
sexmenon--
”
“
Noway!Babe?Ar
eyou-
-”
“Ohyesdarl
ing.Thebastardisgoingtober aped
andhewillf
eeleveryt
hingmysi st
erwentt hrough.”
Sphascoopsherupandspi nsherar oundfor get
ti
ng
thatt
heKingisonlyafewst epsawayf rom them.
“Putmedown!Mot her-
in-
lawiswat chi
ngus. ”
“Whocares?Youar emywi f
e,ar
en'
tyou?”He
ki
ssesherforeheadbefor
eputti
ngherdown.“
I
mustconfess,youneverceaset
oamazemedar l
ing
wif
e.”
“Finall
y,IgettomeetthehandsomePrinceandhi
s
gor geousPrincess.
”Amandaannouncesher
presence.
“Hell
oAdvocateyoudon'tl
ookbadyoursel
fjust
thatthi
sPri
nceistakenandonlyhaveeyesfort
his
gorgeousl
adyrighther
e.”Pri
nceSphapull
s
Nomt hacl
osertohim.
“
Isee.ButIcant
rymychancesImeanmydadsai
d
I
'
mt hemostbeauti
fulwomanonear
th.
”
“
Hel
iedt
oyou.
”Theyal
llaugh.
“St
opt
alki
ngaboutmeasifI
'
m nother
e.Byt
heway,
howdoyoutwoknoweachother
?”
“Thi
sl awyeri
sveryfast
,canyoubeli
eveshewas
hit
ti
ngonmer i
ghtinthecour
troom i
nfr
ontof
everyone?”
“I
sit?Andyou?Howdi dyouresponddear
husband? ”Hebendssli
ghtl
yandwhi sper
s
somet hi
nginherear.“
Ohyeah?Thenyouar ebot
h
dead.”Theyalll
aughasSbuj oi
nsthem.
“Mi
ssAdvocateyouarereal
lybeaut
iful
,i
nacreepy
ki
ndaway.Nooffense,
arethesecurvesyour
s,I
meannat
urall
y?”Sbufeignscuri
osi
ty.
“
MrYoungerPr
incehowar
eyou?I
'
vehear
dal
ot
aboutyou.
”
“
Didtheyal
sotel
lyouthatIl
ikethem cur
vyand
f
eist
yli
keyou?
”Alreadythef
lir
tSbuisawake.
“Boy,
rememberyouhaveawi
feandthr
eekidsat
home.Stopf
li
rt
ing.
”Guguj
oki
ngl
ycrushesSbu.
“There'
snoharmi nexpl
ori
ng.Thegreatestmenon
earthwereexpl
orerswhothroughexplor
ing
discover
edmanyhi ddentr
easures.”
“Sbu!
”Nomthascol
ds,
her
aiseshi
shandsi
n
surr
ender
.
“
I'
m sorrysi
ster
-i
n-l
awbutcanIatl
easttouch
t
hem? ”Gugupusheshi
m away.Helaughsand
l
eaves.
“Hey,
youdi
dn'
thavetori
skyourl
if
eformeIknow
howtoduckabul
let
.”Amandasays.
“
ThanksAmy,
youar
ereal
lyal
if
esaver
.”
“Anythi
ngformytr
oublesomegirl
,Li
ll
y.Wherever
sheis,mayGodprotecther
.Ist
il
ldon'
tbel
ieve
she'
sdead,doyou?”
“
Idon'
tknowbutI
'
m hopef
ul.Comeher
e,Iwantyou
tomeetmyf amil
y.”Nomt hacl
utchesherar
m and
l
eaveswi thher.Reporter
saresti
llt
ryi
ngtogetthe
gistfrom t
heMahl angusandTshabangusbutthe
policeareprot
ecti
ngt hem.
“YourMajesty,
MyQueen, meetAdvocateAmanda
Daniell
aDlamini,
she'sal
sothef
ounderof
Tsholofel
o/HopeFoundati
onwhereLil
lygrewup.
Thetwower esocl oset
hatonewouldswearthey
wererelat
ed.”
“Oh!Thisexpl
ainswhyshe'
sher
etohel
pus.I
t'
sa
pleasur
etomeetyouMi ssDl
amini
.”
“Pl
easureisallmineyourMaj est
y.Bab' uMahlangu
Iknowyouandyoumi ghthavequest ionsaboutall
ofthi
s.Weonl ymetoncewhenIi ntervi
ewedyou
abouttheadoption.Youdon' tknowmuchaboutme,
oneofthethingsyoudi dn'tknowi sthatI'
m actual
ly
AdvocateAmandaDani ell
aDl aminiwho'sallover
thepapersandTVst at
ions.I'
m sorryifIcausedany
i
nconvenience--
”
“Ihearal
lthatwhatIwantt
oknowiswhokil
ledmy
baby?Whowasf ol
lowi
ngher?Di
dshetel
lyou
wher
eshewasgoi
ng?
”Quest
ionsBab'
uMahl
angu.
“Shel
efti
nahurrywhenherphonerang,Nomtha
wil
lansweral
lot
herquesti
onsofyour
s.I'
m onl
ya
l
awyerhir
edtohelpacli
entoutofast
icky
sit
uat
ion.
”
“
Iunder
stand.Thankyou.
”
“Iwil
ltakemyleave.Youallst
aywelland
remember ,
everyt
hinghappensforagoodr eason.
”
SheleaveswithNomt hawhowal kshert
ot hecar.
“AreyougoingtotellmeorshouldIfi
ndoutt he
trut
hmyself?Icanbeaver ygoodinvest
igatori
fI
wantto.”
“
Iunderstandyourf r
ustr
ationbutpl
easedon'tget
i
nvolvedi
nt his.Youalr
eadyhaveyourplateful
l
wit
hyourownpr obl
emsl etmedealwiththeLil
ly
i
ssue.Everythingwil
lbereveal
edinduetime.”
“I
fyousayso.Becar
efulpeopl
echangecol
orsl
ike
chamel
eonstoo.
”
“
Iwi
llkeept
hati
nmind.Thankyouf
orever
ythi
ng,
I
r
eal
lyoweyouone.
”
“Ti
llwemeetagain.”Amysaysst art
ingtheengi
ne.
“Thatguylovesyoualot,ImeanthePr i
nceholdon
ti
ghttohim.Youhaveabeaut if
ulthi
nggoingon
don'tl
etanyoneoranythi
ngtakethatawayf r
om
youboth.”Amyisemot i
onall
y.
“Hey,
don'tbeemot i
onal.Iknowwhatyouar e
thi
nki
ng,yourf at
herneverleftl
ookinsi
deyourhear
t
youwillf
indhim andhe'sstil
lthatsameandonly
manwhol ovesyouuncondi t
ional
ly.
”
“
Thankyou.Bye.
”
*
***
***
*

NOMTHA'
SPOV.

“Feel
sgoodt obebackhome, Ireal
lymissedhome
andthis.
”Pri
nceSphagr absmyar m andt hrowsme
onthebed.Hisgazeisintenseashef ol
lowsme
andslowlycl
imbont hebed.“Babe,didyouf inal
ly
getthatshot
?”Ohfl
ip!Howt hehelldi
dIf orget
somethingsoimport
ant?“ MrsSphamandl a,I'
m
askingyousomething.
”He'snottouchingmeyet ,
onlyhisvoi
ceisenought osendelect
ri
cit
yallover
mybody.Her unshishandonmybar echestbefore
pinchi
ngmyni ppl
emaki ngmej ump.“I
'm wait
ing
forananswer.
”
“Babe,
howdoIr espondt
oyourquest
ionwhenyou
arenotgi
vingmeachancetoevenbreat
he?”I
'
m
suremybreathi
nghasaccel
erat
ed.
“
Her
e,Ihavemyhandst
omysel
fnowanswerme.
”
“No.A-af
teral
lthe-
-”Ist
utt
ernotbecauseI
'm
scaredofhim,t
hismancannotbesodamnsexy
andexpectmet obeansweringquesti
onswhenmy
eyesareonhisglori
ousbody.
“Wellt
hendon' tblamef orwhatisgoi ngtohappen
aft
erthis.Idon'tmindhavi ngthi
rteenchil
drenor
evenmor e.”Thet houghtofbeingpr egnantonce
againisveryterri
fying.Idon'tt
hinkI'mreadyto
havemor echildren.Hemovescl oser,hi
sbreathso
hotonmybar eski nandst ar
tsdoingwhatonl yhi
s
capablehandscando.OhGod!Ir eall
ymissedthis
man.“Openyoureyesbabe, Iwantt oseehowgood
youfeel
.”Histonguetwi
rl
saroundmyni pplewhi
le
hishandplayswithmycli
t.If
eell
ikehe'
st aki
ngme
towonderl
and.“Imissedyoubabe.”Thi
sfeelsso
goodIcan'tevengetmyselft
otal
kback.“Say
somethi
ng.”
“Iwantyouhoney, please.
”Myi nnergoddess
overcomesmysubconsci ous.Myeverjudgmental
subconsciousisroll
inghereyest omelike“He'
s
goingtoimpregnateyouoverandoveragai nuntil
hecan'tst
andt hesmel lofbreastmil
kandleave
youalone.”butIdon'tcareandt hi
smanr i
ghthere,
wil
lnevereverleaveme.
“
Yourwi
shmycommanddearwi
fe.
”
*
***
***
**

“Momma!Mummy! ”I'
mj olt
edawakebyt he
shoutingofmychi ldren.Ohno!Whatt i
mei sit
?I
l
ookf ormyphonebuti t'
snowheretobefound, the
bedsidewat chsaysit11: 23am.Thiscan'tbe!How
thehelldidIsleepallthesehours?“Mummy! ”Luna
call
sout .Thethreeoft hem ar
etryi
ngtoliftOkuhle
upbutshe'
stooheavyf
ort
hem.
“Comeonguysyoucandoi t
.Noonei sgoi ngto
mommyunl essyout akeherwithyou.”Justt henI
real
izemyhusbandi sfi
lmingtheneverendi ng
dramaofhi schi
ldren.Itaketheopportunit
yt o
maket hebedandr unt othebathr
oom f oraqui ck
shower.I'
m nowt r
yingt ocombmyt angl edhair
whenIf eelSphabehindme.
“
Goodmor
ningsl
eepywi
fe.
”Hebi
tesmyear
lobe.
“Whydidyoul
etmeover
sleep?Andhowcomet he
quadr
uplet
sar
ehere?Whatdidmother
-i
n-l
awsay?-
-
”
“Onequesti
onatatime,babe.Mom askedwhere
youwere,It
oldheryouwerereal
lyt
iredsinceyou
workedthewholeni
--”
“
Spha?
”
“JokingbutI'm suretheyal lknowwhathappened
l
astni ght
.Thequadr upl etsar eher
ebecausewear e
donewi ththeritual
.It
'sj ustaf i
veminuterit
ualas
l
ongasI '
mt hereandt hei rgrandmother.Il
etyou
sleepbecausei t'
smyf aul tyouwereti
red.”Hetakes
t
hebl
owdr
yerandhel
psme.“
Babe,
mom agr
eed.
”
“
Towhat
?”
“St
oppingthebreast
feedi
ng.Il
ovemyki dsa
l
ot.
..
.butri
ghtnowImi ssmysexywi f
e.Ialsothi
nk
youneedtorestyou'
vebeenwor ki
ngalotlatel
y.”
“Iagr
eebutIst
il
lhaveunf
ini
shedbusi
ness.Wanna
comewithme?”
“
Soundsint
erest
ing,
whynot
?ThandoandBukhosi
wer
elooki
ngforyou.”
“
For
?”
“
ChevkyourhandbagIsawt
hem r
ummagi
ng
t
hroughyourt
hings.
”
“
Idon'
thavetocrosscheckIknowwhattheywere
l
ooki
ngfor.Thesechil
drenar
ereal
lygoi
ngtoleave
mepennylesssomeday. ”
“Don'
twor
ryt
hatwon'thappenaslongasyour
husbandi
sst
il
lal
ive.Comeon,let
'sgetgoi
ng.
”

Webumpi
ntomot
her
-i
n-l
awdownt
hest
eps,
she
l
ooksatmeandsmi
lesbeforeki
ssi
ngmycheek
andcont
inui
ngt
owherevershe'
sgoi
ng.
“Mommywi llbebacki
nafewmi
nut
es,
okay?
”They
allnod.“
Behaveyour
sel
ves.
”
.
.
“
MrPhi
li
pNgcobo!Howar
e--
”
“Whatareyoudoingher
e?Mysonal
mostdi
ed
becauseofyou-
-”
“Shhh!Youdon'
twantt
ohur
tyour
sel
fevenmor
e,
doyou? ”
“I
'
m goi
ngtocomeafteryouandIwi
llki
llal
lofyou.
”
Il
augh,
real
lyl
augh.
“Itol
dyounott omesswi thmeMrNgcobo.Oh?The
video,Imeant heonewhi chcanbringthewor l
dto
i
tsknees, Ihaveit.
”Hiseyesareaboutt opopout
anytime.“I'
m notdonewi t
hyou,Ijusttookyourson
awayf rom you,nowI '
m comingafteryourempire
andyourwi f
e.”Iopenmyhand, Sphadr opsthe
photooni t.It
hrowi tt
ohisface,assoonasheset s
hi
seyesont heyounggirlonthephotohe'
s
attackedbyasei zur
ebutIbringhi
m backto
stabil
ity.He'str
embl i
ng,sweati
ngaswarmliquid
fl
owsf rom hispantsdowntot hef
loor
.“Nomtha,3:
0Phi li
pNgcobo. ”
*
*
*
*
Let
'sconti
nuegrowi
ngourpage.Li
ke,
comment
andsharethei
nsert
s.
Loveyoual
l.
[
07/
21,
13:
50]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er33.

SPHA'
SPOV.
Ihavehear dthelongestt woweeksofmyl i
fe.
Everythingseemedsobl eakandIf oundmysel f
al
mostdr if
ti
ngbackt othatdar khol eonlyIknow
howi tfeelsli
ketobei n.Inal lthisIkeptholdingon,
Ifoughtmydemonsonl yf ort hatonespeci al
person,mywi f
e.Don'tgetmewr ongIlovemy
chil
drenal ot,i
t'
sjustthatIcan' texistwit
houtMy
PreciousRose.It houghtshe' dcr ackbutshedi dn't
,
shekeptever ythi
ngr unningsmoot hlyandalso
managedt hequadrupletsal one.Thi swomansi t
ti
ng
ri
ghtnextt omei nthiscari sar aregem, aoneina
mill
ionlifeti
mes.But ,i
nal loft hissheanger edthe
onewhomat t
ersthemostt oher .
“
Whyar
eyout
aki
ngt
hisr
oad?
”Shel
ookspuzzl
ed.
“
Wearegoingtoseef
ather
-i
n-l
awandyouar
egoi
ng
t
otel
lhi
m ever
ythi
ng-
-”
“
But
--
”
“Thisconversat
ioni
snotupfordiscussi
on.Weare
goingthere,
apologi
zet
of at
her
-in-
lawandexplai
n
everyt
hingtohim.Youarehurt
ing,he'
shurti
ng
becausehef eel slikehiswor stfear sarecomi ng
tr
ue.Rememberwhenhef oundoutwewer ei
n
l
ove? ”Shenodst hought ful
ly.“Hewasaf raidyou
weregoi ngtor eplacehi m.Youassur edhi m,you
gavehi m yourwor dpl easedon' tbreakhi shear t,
youar ecausi ngmor ehar mt hanyoucani magine.
Wecan' tkeepl yingtot hem, notespeci allyfather
-i
n-
l
aw.Dot hi
sf orme, f
orourpeaceandf reeour
consci ences.”Nomt hahasal lt
hepower sinthis
worldbutshe' snevermademef eellessofaman
becauseoft hat .Sher espectsmei nawayInever
i
magi nedawi f
ewoul d,shel i
stenst omyr easoning
andmostoft het imesshedoesn' topposemy
deci
si ons.
“
OkayIwi
lldoi
t.
”
“That
'smygi
rl
.”Myhandsfr
eephoner
ings.“
Pri
nce
Sphamandl
aTshabangu,
hel
lo?
”
“
HidadIneedafavorandit
'surgent
.”Iwonder
what'
sur
gent
,Ihopetheyarenotinsomekindof
t
roubl
e.
“
Shoot
!”
“
What'
sthebestwi
netheworl
dhast
oof
fert
hatany
womanwit
hgoodtast
ecanlove?
”
“Son?Youar eonlythi
rt
eenifIshoul
dr emi
ndyou.
Secondly,Iwil
lki
llt
hepersonwhodar estosel
l
alcoholt
oyou--”
“I
'
m notthir
teenbrot
her-
in-
law,j
ustgi
veusthe
name.”Thankheavens!Thandogotmescar ed
ri
ghtther
enowt hatIknowhe'swit
hLucky,
Ican
breat
he.
“Youal
mostki
ll
edmeboy!Don'
tyoueverdot
hat
agai
n.”
“Daddyt
henamepl
easewehaveal
otoft
hingst
o
buy--
”
“Ifyouexhaustmydebitcarddon'tbothercoming
backhome. ”War nsNomtha.Shealwayswar nthem
butt heydon'
ttakeheedofherwords,Iwonderwhy
theypr ef
erusi
nghermoneyt otheirownmont hly
allowances.Maybemywi fe'
smoneyi ssweeter.
“Youhear
dherthi
st i
meI '
m notgett
ingi
nvol
ved.
VinhodoPort
o(Portwine)isthename.Tryt
ofinda
t
enyearoldorol
der,themat ur
ethewinethe
sweet
eri
tis.
”
“
Thanksdad,
byemommy.
”Justl
iket
hathedr
ops
t
hecall
.
“Idon'twantt ostartimagi ni
nghowmybankcar ds
willsurvivewhenOkuhl eandMbal iareoldenough
togoshoppi ng.Iwillsurelybethebrokemotherof
thecent ury.Whatift heyli
keexpensivethi
ngslike
Linda?Howwi l
lIhandl ethat?”
“Noyouwon' t
.Youwi llhandlethem thesameway
youhandl edyoursi ster.Youknowt heyl
oveusing
usingyourmoneybutt heyneverspendcar el
essl
y,
wet aughtthem wel lj
ustt rusti
nourupbr i
nging.I
f
west artr
efusingtogi vet hem moneynowt heywil
l
stealfr
om us, t
heywi llevenst artl
yinganddoingall
sortsofcrazyt hi
ngs.Theonl ywayt ostop
teenagersfrom strayingf rom t
her i
ghtpathisto
givethem authorit
y, t
hepowert odecideandt o
choosebet weenr i
ghtandwr ong.”
“
Whendi
dyoubecomet
hiswi
se?
”Shet
aunt
sme.
“
Eversi
nceIsuckedwi
sdom f
rom yourbr
east
s--
”
“
Spha!
”Shescol
ds.
“What?I'
mt el
li
ngthetruth.Anyway,wearehere
braceyoursel
ffat
her-
in-l
awdi dn'
tlookhappyatal
l.
”
“I
’m scaredbabe.Whati
fherefusest
otalkt
ome?
Whati fheshutsmeoutli
keI'
vebeendoingtohi
m?
Ican'tbearsuchfr
om hi
m--”
“Rel
ax,
breat
he.Father
-i
n-l
awl ovesyout
hat'
she'
s
angr
y.Weonlygetangrywiththosewelove,
apol
ogi
zetohim andeveryt
hingwi l
lbef
ine.
”
“Okay.Let'
sgo. ”Mywi f
eisnervousabout
everyt
hing.Father-
in-
lawisthebestfatherI
'veever
metbutj ustl
ikeanyf at
her,
hehasanugl yside.
Nomt hastandsatt hedoor,br
eathesinandout ,
wipessweatf rom herhandsusingherowndr ess
beforeknocki
ng.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?Goawayi
fyouar
enother
eto
t
ellmet
hewhol
etr
uth.
”
“
Dadpl
ease-
-”
“Il
oveyouPr i
ncess,Godknowsthat
,Iknowit,
you
knowitbutIcan'tt
oler
atel
ies.Whyareyouhurt
ing
me?DidIraiseyoutobeal iar
?Toli
etoyourown
fat
her'
sface?Youar emakingamockeryofhowI
f
eel
--
”
“Dadpl
easedon'tsayt
hat.I'
m sorry,
Ireal
lyam.Let
meinIwil
ltel
lyoueveryt
hing.Pleasedon'
tshutme
out.
”
*
***
***
***
*

Somewher
einoneoft
heexpensi
vehot
elsi
n
Umlazi
.
“Hey,
hey!Wakeup!”Ayoungmanwhol ooksl
ike
he'
sinhisearl
ytwent
iesshakesawomanwho's
l
yingfl
atonthebed.
“
Mmm. .
.l
eavemealoneIwantt
osl
eep.
”The
womanmumbles.
“
Baby?Honey?WakeupIneedsomet
hingt
oeat
.”
“
Goandfi
ndsomethi
ngt
oeati
ntheki
tchen.I
'
m
t
ir
edl
etmerest
--
”
“Si
ncewhendoIcookf ormysel
f?Af
terallt
helove
I
'vegi
venyouZodwa, thisi
showyout hankme? ”
Theguyisfur
ious,Zodwaquickl
ysit
supont hebed.
Shereal
lyl
ookstir
ed,li
kesomeonewho' sbeen
depr
ivedofsl
eepforaverylongtimeandherski
n
l
ooksevenmor edar
kerthanitusedtobe.
“I
'm sor
ryIwil
lgoandgetyousomethi
ngtoeat
.
Pleasedon'
tbeangry,
okay?”Shet
ri
estoki
ssthe
youngmanbuthepushesheraway.
“Don'tki
ssmewi thyourmorningbreathbrushyour
teethfi
rst.Also,t
akeaquickshowerbef oregoi
ng
i
nt othekitchenIli
kemyf oodmadebysomeone
whoi sclean.”Zodwadragsherfeettot he
bathroom wher eshesit
sont hetoi
letseatandcri
es.
“Ar
eyoushower
ingorwhat
?Orshoul
dIgoandeat
att
herest
aur
ant
?”Shoutst
heyoungman.
“I
’
m coming.”Shewal
ksundert
heshowert
ape,
openst
hetapeandlet
'st
hewaterr
undownonher.

Shewalksoutoftheshoweraf
ewmi
nut
esl
ater
wear
ingabathrobe.
“
Youshouldconsidervi
sit
ingthebeautytherapist
t
ohelpr
evital
izeyourski
n,youl ookl
ikeoneof
t
hoseKenyangirl
s,notdarkskinnedbutblack.”
“
Ohcomeonbabe,
isi
tthatser
ious?
”
“Veryser
ious.Notappet
izi
ngatal
l.Nowgot
othe
kit
chenbeforeIdi
eofhunger.”
“Fi
neI'm goi
ng.Iwil
lneverunder
standwhyyou
optedforsel
fcateri
ng,Imeanthi
shotelhast
he
bestchefsaround.”
“Tosavemoney.Weneedt obuyourhouseand
stopmovingfr
om onehotelt
otheother
.Atf
irstit
wassortofthr
il
li
ngbutnowithasbecomebor i
ng.”
“Butmycompanyisdoingwel
l,
Isawthef
igur
es
l
astweek.Themoneyinmyaccounti
senoughto
buyusabeauti
fulhome.”
“Themoneyi snotenoughyet .Wehavet opurchase
abiggerandbet t
erhouset hant hatpalacewher e
youwer etreatedlikeaslave.Youhavet oboast
abouthowyou' vemadei tinli
fewi thoutthem.”The
guysaysr oll
ingamar i
juanastick.Zodwadoesn' t
respond,sher oll
shereyesi nst
ead.“ Byt hewayis
yourhusbandst i
lfuck***hisbrother'swife?
”
“
Idon'
tknowandIdon'tcar
e.Aft
ereveryt
hingI
wentt
hroughbecauseoft
hem Idon'
tevenwanna
t
hinkort
alkaboutt
hem.
”
“That'
sgood.”Zodwaserveshi
m breakfast
.Toast
,
eggs,baconandhisfavori
tet
ea.“
Mmmm. .
.smel
ls
nicesweethear
t.Si
t,l
et'
seatt
ogether.
”
“I
'
m notfeel
inghungrybutf
oryou,Icando
absol
utel
yanythi
ng.”Theguytakesheronhi
slap
andfeedsher.
*
***
***
***
*

“I
fmysondi es,
Iswearonmyancest or
sPhil
ipI'
m
goingtoski
nyouali
vebef or
efeedi
ngyoutothe
pigs!
”MrsNgcobohisses.“Whyareyouso
obsessedwitht
heroyalfamil
y?Why?Whatisitt
hat
youwantfrom t
hem?”
“Mom,dadi
sinpai
n.Whatheneedsnowi
sa
suppor
ti
vewi
fenotascr
eamingwif
e--
”
“
Nel
isi
we!I
'
m st
il
lyourmot
her
!”
“Youdon'
tneedt
or emi
ndmebecauseI'm notthe
onewho'sfor
got
tenwhosheis.Youvowed,for
bett
erf
orworse,
theworsepar
tofyourmar r
iagei
s
nowl
iveupt
oyourpr
omi
ses.
”
“Iwonderifyouar eevenmydaught er!Youwantme
tosympathizewi t
hhim, whatabouttheinnocent
gir
lyouallkil
led?Shewascar ryi
ngpar tofyou,t
he
Ngcoboblo--”
“Willyoupl easest opwit
hthisnonsense!Ifwe
didn'tkil
lthatbitchyouwoul dbeoutthereinthe
coldcr yi
ngf oryourhusbandwhoi sabouttobe
hangedi fnothangedal r
eady,yourtwosurviving
chil
dr enwi l
lber otti
ngi
njailaswespeak.Idi dthat
forallofus, forallthel
uxur
yyouar eallusedt o,
nowst opscr eamingorgetoutherebeforeIlosemy
temper .”
“Andyout hi
nkyou'
vewon?Youj ustl
ostyourson
Phi l
ip!Hegotshotbecauseoft hatwoman!Doyou
thinkt hosecrazyPri
ncesaredonewithyou?Think
again!Thi sisthebegi
nningofyourend.
”Mr s
Ngcoboi soutbreathasshetri
esbyallmeansto
stopherf amilyf
rom f
urt
hercausingdamage.
“
NotwhenIendt
hem f
ir
st!Whosesi
dear
eyouon?
”
*
***
***
***
THREEDAYSLATER.
..
..

“Dad,
Ican'
treachLuckyont
hephonewhati
sgoi
ng
on?Wherei
smybr other?
”
“IwishIhadananswert
othatbutIdon'
t.He'
sbeen
notaroundforhour
snowmaybehe'swithhis
gir
lf
riend.”
“Nodaddy, somet
hingdoesn'
tfeelri
ghtabouthi
s
disappear
ance.Anyway,l
etmet ryandfi
ndhim.”
I'
ml osi
ngmymi ndtr
yingtofi
ndmybr ot
her.We
hadanappoi nt
mentatthehospit
albuthenever
showedup.Hewassupposedt ogivevaccinati
ons
tomybabi esnowI'
m stucki
nthisclinicbecause
theyareusedtohi
m.Myphonevi brates.
“
Mommy,
Ijustt
rackeduncl
e'
sgi
rl
fr
iend'
sphone-
-”
“
Didyoufi
ndher
?”Iguessshe'
stheonl
ysol
uti
ont
o
myprobl
emsri
ghtnow.
“
102QueenNombusor
oad-
-”
“
Iknowt
hepl
ace.Canyoudosomet
hingf
orme?
”
“
Yes.Whati
sit
?”
“
I'
m sendingyoursi bl
ingshomewiththedri
verand
t
hemai denst akecareofthem.Don'
tgoinsi
demy
r
oom, t
hel asttimeyoudidthatyoual
lmessedup
mybelongings.”
“
Okaysur
e..
..
.Mommy?
”
“
Yes?
”
“Besaf
eandcomebacktousunharmed.Loveyou.
”
Myson,isn'
thet
hesweet
estt
hingever
?Ifnot
,then
Idon'
tknowwhatiti
s.
“
Loveyout
oo.Bye.
”

I'
vehaditenoughwi t
ht heseNgcobopeople.Itr
ied,
Itri
edtobemer cif
ul,
reasonablebutt
heykeepon
pressi
ngthewr ongbuttons.“
DearLord,pl
ease
forgi
vemef orwhatI'
m abouttodo.”Isaydial
ing
myhusband’ snumber .
“Thenumberyouhavedi
alediscur
rent
lybusy..
”
Okay?Thi
smeansIhavetof i
ndLuckyalone.Idr
ive
asfastasIcanunt
ilIr
eachtheplace.It'
sthesame
pl
aceSphacamet orescueLindabefore.Thi
s
meansMrNgcoboi soutofthehospitalandhe
ki
dnappedmybr ot
her.

NARRATED.
.

Nomt hawalksintheyard.Theguar dssawherand

shootbutshetakesallofthem down.Theangry
Nomt haisback,she'
sbeenmi ssinginacti
onforf
ar
toolongnow.Shevi ol
entl
ypushest hedoor,
Neli
siwetri
estoblockherbutshe' ssentcr
ashi
ng
onthefloor
.
“Sist
er!Helpmeplease! ”Luckycri
es.He'
stied
downandi sbeat
ent oapul p,soishi
sgirl
fr
iend.
Somet hi
ngchangesi nNomt ha'
seyes,t
heyare
blazi
ngwi thfi
reasshet urnsandchargestowards
MrNgcobo.Shegr abshi m bytheneckandpicks
him uplikeasmallthing.
“Lethi
m goorIwi l
lshoot
!Lethi
m go!
”Nelishout
s
asherfathergaggl
es.Nomthalet
'shi
m go,hefal
ls
f
latont
hef
loorandcoughsr
epeat
edl
y.
“You!Whodoyout hinkyouare?Youkidnappedmy
brot
herandhisgir
lfr
iend,f
orwhat?Whydi dn'
tyou
comet omedirect
ly?Why? ”She'
sabouttorol
lher
eyesandsetthewhol epl
aceonf i
rewhenMr s
Ngcoboarr
ives.
“
Great
!Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”MrNgcobo
mumbles.
“
Tost
opyouf
rom commut
inganot
hercr
ime-
-”
“
Whoar
eyout
ost
opme!Huh!
”
“Justshutup!Al
lofyou!
”Nomthaisreal
lyf
uri
ous,
sheraisesherhandbutsomeonest
opsher.
“Letbrother
-i
n-l
awoutfi
rst
.”Sphasmil
esather
.He
runstoLuckyanduntieshi
mt oget
herwi
thhi
s
gir
lfr
iend.
“Getoutofhere.Waifformei nthecar.
”Thet hr ee
ofthem hesi
tantl
yleave.MrNgcobof ir
est hegunat
SphabutNomt hablocksthebull
etanddi r
ectionsit
toNeliwho'sabouttof i
reherowngun.“ There's
onlyoneNgcobowho' sgoingtosurvi
vealloft his.
Yourdaught
erMrNgcobo-
-”
“Don'
ttouchher!Iwil
lki
llyou!She'
sinnocent.
”
Nomthal aughssendi
ngchi l
lsdownthei
rspines.
“Whatdaughterar
eyout al
kingabout
?Pleasedon'
t
ki
llus-
--Nel
i!She'
sbleedi
ngpleasecal
lan
ambulance!
”Mr sNgcobocries.
“RelaxIcan'tki
llateenagerwhodoesn'
tevenknow
herfatherl
etalonehi scri
mes.MrsNgcobo,your
husbandhasani l
legit
imatedaught
erwithyourown
sist
er,theonlyuntaintedNgcobochi
ld.
“Youarelyi
ng!”MrsNgcoboshout
sunabl
eto
beli
evethetr
uth.Nomthaignor
esher
.
“AsforSiyabonga,I'
m goingtosendhimtohell
aft
ermaki nghim got hr
ougheveryt
hingmysister
wentthrough!Allofyou,mayyouneverfindpeace
eveninhellunti
lIfi
ndmysi ster
.”Sherol
lshereyes
sett
ingthewholepl aceonfir
e..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
Goodmor
ningdar
li
ngs.
It'
sthefir
stMondayoft heyearweallareexci ted
aboutit,weal lhavenewyearr esolut
ions,goals
biggerthant hoseofthepr evi
ousyear,weal lar e
prayingforthisyeartobeouryearofbr eakthrough,
etc.Youcanshoutal lyouwant ,
prayindi f
ferent
thousandt onguesbuti fyoudon'tgetupandput
somewor k,yourprayersar ej
ustbutfutil
e.Dream,
visuali
ze,getupandgett owork!
“
Donotcountthedays,maket
hedayscount
.”
-
Mar
ti
nLutherKingJr.
[
07/
21,
13:
50]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er34.

“
Nomt
hai
sint
her
e!Shewi
lldi
eal
ongsi
det
hose
cr
imi
ncr
ies.
”Fai
thcr
ies.
“Shhh,
babyr
elax,
mysi st
erwil
lbef
ine.
”Lucky
calmsFai
th(
hisgi
rlf
ri
end)down.
“
Let'
scallt
hef
ir
efi
ght
ers,
thehousei
sonf
ir
e.They
wil
ldi
e--
”
“Theydeser veitandmor e.
”RepliesPri
nceSpha
nonchalantly.“TheyshouldthankheavensNomtha
gotherefirst,Iwasgoingtochopt hem i
ntopi
eces
andfeedt hem t opi
gs!”
“
But
--
”
“Butnothing.Youareapsychologist
,ri
ght?Timeto
uset hoseadvisesyoual
waysgi vetoothers,
you
sawnot hing.Nofir
e,nokidnappingevert
ook
place.”Spha'svoi
ceisfi
ll
edwi t
hsomuchanger
andaut hori
tyatthesamet i
me.Faithnodsshaki
ly.
“
Youwi l
lbef i
ne,
Ipromise.Al
lyouneedr i
ghtnowis
alongbathandeighthoursofyourbeautysleep
t
henitwil
lbeanotherday.Youwillf
orgetallthe
t
ortur
ingtheygavetousandsooner ,
youwi llbe
MrsMahlangu.Noonecanst opusnow. ”She
f
aintl
ysmiles.
“NowIsee!Waytogobrother-
in-
law!”Sphaslight
ly
smacksLucky,
hewinces.“Canyout reatyour
self
?I
meanthebrui
sesandallt
hosecut s-
-”
“
Iwil
ldoit
.Let'
sgetouther
e.”Nomt
haj
oinst
hem
i
nthecarasthehouseexpl
odes.
“
Wher
eto?
”Pr
inceSphaasksst
art
ingt
heengi
ne.
“Somewheresaf
eandsecur
e.Wewi
llbet
hef
ir
st
suspect
s--
”
“IknowbutI'
vetakencareofthat
.Appar
entl
y,Mr
Ngcoboandhisf amil
yfledt
hecountr
yleavi
ng
behindanapologylet
tertot
hecommunity.
”Asmile
i
spl ayi
ngonhislips.
“
Ohyeah?
”Nomt
hagr
insl
ooki
ngatSpha.
“Thepol
icewil
lfi
ndthei
rremai
nsi
nthebur
ning
house.
”Fait
hpointsout
.
“Notwhenwedon' twantthem t
o.Faith,weare
reall
ygoodpeoplebutwedon'ttakefamilyfor
granted.Yout
ouchoneofus, besuret ofacet
he
fullwrat
hofus.Familyornot
hingatall,t
hat'
sour
mant ra.
”Nomthatel
lsher.
BREAKI
NGNEWS!
!!

“Afir
ebrokeoutinoneofMrNgcobo' swar ehouses.
Onlythr
eepeoplewer ei nsi
deandt heywer ebur nt
beyondrecognit
ion.Thepol i
cedepar t
mentt hinks
theywerethewor ker
satNgcoboEmpi re.
”The
femalerepor
tersaysstandingnextt othescene.
TheKingpour shimselfhiscelebr
atorydrink,scotch
ontherocksashesmi lestohimself.
“I
severyt
hingokay?Youl
ookr
athert
oohappy?
”
Quest
ionstheQueen.
“Mysonshavedonei t.Allmypr obl
emsaresolved.
”
TheQueenl ooksatt
hebi gscreenont hewal
lwhere
paramedi
csar ebusypickingupt heremai
nsof
thr
eepeople.
“
Ist
hiswhatIt
hinki
tis?
”
“Yesdarl
ing.Comeon,haveadr
inkwi
thme.Thi
s
call
sforacelebr
ati
on!
”
“Whynot .
”Shepour
sher
sel
fredwi
neandt
hei
r
glassescl
ink.
*
*
*
Att
heNgcobos,Bab'
uMahl
angusi
ghsbef
ore
swi
tchi
ngof
ftheTV.
“Whatisi
t?Youl
ookami
lesaway?”Zandiasksher
husband.
“Notr
eall
y,I
'
m actuall
yhereandhappy.I'm gl
ad
Nomthadidsomethingaboutthosepigs.I
fnot,I
wasgoingtodoitmyself
.NowIcanhavemyl unch
andconti
nuewit
hmyhappyl i
fe.MissKay?”He
cal
lsout.
“
Yesdaddy?
”
“Bri
ngmypl at
eandt
hatbot
tl
e,t
heonewehi
dthe
otherday.
”
“Dadareyousure?Si
sterwi
llki
llmei
fshef
indsyou
dri
nki
ngalcohol
.”
“I
'vebeensoberforyear
s,can'
tIcel
ebrat
e?Please
bringi
t,i
fyoursi
stercomeswewi l
ltel
lherweare
celebr
ati
ng.”
TWOWEEKSLATER.
..
.
Thepol icedepar t
ment ,t
hegover nmentandt he
communi tyasawhol ewer eshockedbyt he
apol ogyl etterfrom MrNgcobot hemayor .Unawar e
ofNomt haandgr andpa'sinvolvementi nt hecase,
theyl aterassumedhewasscar edhi scr imeswer e
aboutt ocat chupwi t
hhi m andl eftthecount ryli
ke
hedi dbef ore.Backt hennooneknewabouthi s
shenani gansbutnow, someonehadal lthe
evidenceagai nsthim.Pr i
nceSphaandAdvocat e
AmandaDl ami nihandedi ntheevi dencebutnott he
videoofwhathappenedt hosemanyyear sago.The
gover nmentwasshockedt ofindoutMrNgcobo
wasi nvolvedi nhumant raffi
cking, money
l
aunder ingandf raudulenthousi ngdeal s.Butwhat
theyal ldon' tknowi sGr andpacl eanedt he
war ehousebef oretheparamedi csandt hepolice
arri
ved.MrandMr sNgcobot oget herwi thNeliare
deadandbur iedsomewher enoonewi lleversee
them.
Si
yabongawaschargedwit
hlif
eimpr
isonment!He
cr
ied,
beggedt
hem tobeleni
entonhi
m butthe
j
udgewasnottheonetobemovedbyt ear
s.
“
Heycheeseboy,comehere.
”Atallmuscul
arguy
wit
haraspyvoicecal
lsSi
yabonga.
“
Leavemeal
one-
-”
“
Ohoh,Isavedyouyest
erdaynowyouaregi
ving
meat
ti
tude?Isthi
showungratef
ulyouar
e?”
“Youdidn'
tsaveme!Howi si
tsavi
ngmewhenyou
yoursel
frapedme!I
'm unabl
etowalkbecauseof
you!
”
“Behappyyouareunabl
etowalk.Thoseguyswho
hadyoucorner
edyester
dayweregoingtoleaveyou
dead!Idi
dyouafavorandIthi
nkIli
keyou.”The
guyli
ckshisl
owerli
pwalki
ngtowardsSiya.
“
Leavemeal
one!”
“ComeonRihanna,Icantakecareofyou.Iwi
ll
prot
ectyouf
rom everyoneaslongasyoumakeme
happy.
”
“
I'
m notgay!I
'
m st
rai
ght
!”
“Soam Ibutthisi
sjai
litdoesn'
tmatterifyouar
e
str
aightornot,
whatmat t
ersissur
vival.
”
“Leavemethefuc*alone!
”Themuscul
arguyslaps
him hest
aggersbackwardsbef
oreafi
stconnect
s
withhisj
aw.“Youarehurti
ngme--
”
“Shutup!Itr
iedtobeni cet oyoubutyourst i
nki
ng
atti
tudeiswhatpissesmeof f.Butyouknowwhat ?
Ther e'
ssomethinggoodaboutyourat tit
ude,”he
l
ower shi
svoice.“I
tturnsmeon, I
'
m hardaswe
speak.Comewi t
hme! ”Hi sgazesointense,j
aws
clenchedtheguypul l
sSi yabyhislocstakinghi
m
tothegents.
“Hel
pme!Somebodyplease!
”Siyawail
s.Other
j
ail
bir
dslookathi
m wi
thpit
if
uleyesbutnotdoing
anyt
hingtohel
p.
“TK,hel
loboss.
”Thejailguardgreat
sthemuscul
ar
guy.“Di
dyouf i
ndyourselfanot
herlady?Imeant
his
onelooksnew.”
“
Youknowme,
hey.
”Hesmi
rks.
“
Sureboss.
”ToSiyabonga'
sutt
ershock,thepeopl
e
whoaresupposedtobeprot
ect
ingthem arebusy
sal
uti
ngt
hugs.
“Arewedongt hi
sthehardwahoryouar egoi
ngto
behaveandgi veitt
ome?Whati sitgonnabe,Ri
ri
?”
TKl i
ckshisl
ipsbeforerunni
nghistongueon
Siyabonga'
sneck.Siya'
sbodycri
nges.
“
Ican'
tI'
mr eal
lysor
epleasel
etmego--”Hi
svoi
ce
t
rai
lsof
ftearsstr
eamingdownhischeeks.
“Nopr oblem.Pl easest opcr yi
ngIhat et ears, t
hey
makemer eall
yf uri
ous!Peopl ewhoshedt earsar e
weakl ingsandIcan' tst andthem. ”Si
yawi peshi s
tear s,he'saboutt oexitt hetoil
etwhenTKgr abs
him byhi sar m, pusheshi m downandf orcef ull
y
openi nghi smout hbef oreshovinghisD*i nhi s
mout h.Si ya'seyespopouti nshock, heal sor uns
outofbr eat h.TKgoesi ndeep, Si
yachokes, it'
slike
he' sfuelingTK' shungerf orsex.Hethr ustsinhar d
bef oreempt yingal lhismanl yjuicesinSi ya'smout h.
Hest epsbackbr eathingheavi l
y.Siya'sst omach
gr umbl es, hefeel sthecont entsofhisst omach
risingt ohi sthroat ,
hebendsovert hetoiletand
empt i
esever ythingf r
om hi sstomach.
“Don'
twor r
yRi hanna,you'l
lgetusedtoit.Theyall
pukeallovertheplacedur i
ngthefir
stencount erbut
theyl
earntoenj oyeverypartofit
.Cleanyour sel
f,
mybedneedssomeonet owarmi t
.Seeyoul ater,
Cuti
e.”Hegiveshi m apeckonhi scheekbef ore
walki
ngoutt yi
ngt hesleevesofhisoverallonthe
waist
.
*
***
***
***
**

NOMTHA'
SPOV

“Himama.”Juni
orbar
gesi
ntomyof
fi
cewi
thout
knocki
ng.
“
Hisonny,
youl
ook.
..
.”
“Terr
ibleIknow.Canyouspar efiveminut
esfor
me? ”Hesoundsr at
herserious.Juni
orisnotaman
ofmanywor dsli
keBukhosi,heonlyspeakswhen
hehassomet hi
ngvaluabletosayorwhenhe's
botheredaboutsomet hi
ng.
“
Anyt
hingf
oryouson.What
'sbot
her
ingyou?
”
“Twot hi
ngs.Fir
st,theissueofmymot herdecidi
ng
toleavethepalacedidn'treall
ysitwellwithme.I
knowshewasnotr eal
lythebestmot herbutshe's
stil
lthewomanwhogavebi r
thtous.Onesi sa
mi ssesher,
I'
velist
enedt ohercryingher selft
o
sleep.Whatkindofamot herjustupsandgoes
withouteventhinki
ngaboutherdaught er?Canyou
fi
ndher ,f
ormyl it
tl
esister,she'
sreall
ysuf feri
ng.
”
“
Yourfat
heri
snotreadyt
otal
kabouther,
doyou
wantmenottoi
nvolvehi
minthi
ssearch?
”
“Yes.Daddyisfuri
ousandmaybepr obabl
yhur t
aboutthedecisi
onshet ook,bel
ievemeI
understandhi
m becauseI '
dbeangr ytoo.Ifyoudo
fi
ndher ,hewi
llbefur
iousbutIknowhewi l
lnever
daretodosomet hi
ngagai nstyou.Daddyl i
stensto
everyt
hingyousay,pl
easemama. ”Hiseyesare
beginni
ngt ot
earup.
“
OkayIwi
lldoi
t.Iwil
lfi
ndherbutIwon'
tforceher
t
ocomeback.Thelastt
imeIfor
cedsomet hings
t
heycamebacktohauntme.”
“
Thankyousomuchmama,
youar
ethebest
!”Hi
s
f
acenowhascol
or.Hel
eansf
orwar
dandki
sses
myfor
ehead.
“
Don'
tyoumi
ssher
?”
“
Who?
”
“
Yourmot
her
.”
“Mamahowcanonemi sssomethingheneverhad?
Idon'tknowhowi tf
eelsli
ketohaveabiological
mot her,Idon'
trememberherhuggingorkissingme
affecti
velyli
keallt
hemot her
sdo.Idon'tmissher
butIwi shshehadt ri
edtobeamot hertomeand
mybr other.Anyway,wehaveyouandyou' vebeen
reall
ygoodt ousdespi t
ehavingyourowncr èche.”
Hej okes.
“
Theyar
eyoursi
bli
ngs,
yousi
ll
yboy!
”
“IknowandIl ovethem.Okay,secondl
y,t
her
e'sthi
s
girlIl
ikeatschoolbutsheal
wayshangsoutwi t
h
thebadboys, whatdoIdo?”
“Fi
rst
ly,youaretooyoungtobest r
essedoveragir
l.
Youar efi
ft
een,yesyouremotionsareconf
usingat
ti
mesbutpl easedon'
tloseyoursel
foveragir
l.You
al
soneednotchangewhoyouarebecauseyou
wantt
oimpresssomeone,
agir
l.
”
“ThenwhatdoIdo?Ireal
lyl
ikehermama,she
seemslikeani
cepersonbutit
'sherf
ri
endsIdon'
t
getorl
ike.”
“
Tellher
,tel
lheryoul
ikeherandseewher
ethat
t
akesyou.”
“
Ifsher
eject
sme?
”
“Arealmanaccept
srej
ecti
onandmoveson.You
aremyson,I'
m sur
eIprepar
edyouenough
mentall
ytoknowhowtodealwit
hsuchmatter
s.”
“Whatmatt
ers?Whatar
eyout wotal
kingabout
?”
Sphawalksi
ncarr
yingatakeawaybag.
“Not
hingyoushouldconcernyoursel
faboutuncl
e
Daddy.Mama, t
hankyousomuch.Seeyouathome,
byeuncledaddy.
”Hewal ksoutleavi
nghi
suncle
wit
haf r
ownonhi sface.Heturnstome.
“Notsayinganyt
hingdearhusband.Whatdi
dyou
bri
ngforlunch?Ididn'
tknowyouwentout,Ical
led
youroff
iceaboutanhourorsoback.”
“Sor
ryaboutthat
.Ihadbusi
nesst
otakecar
eof
.
Comehere--
”
“
No!I
'
m st
il
lwor
king-
-”
“Babe?Comeher e.”Hecommands.Il ikei
twhenhe
playstough.Hepullsmet ohim Fr
enchkissi
ngme.
“Imissedyouwifey.Itf
eltl
ikeseveral
yearswit
hout
you.”
“
Imissedyout
oo,honey.Idon'
tknowwhymot
her
-
i
n-l
awhadtosepar
ateouroffi
ces.
”
“Togett hewor kdone.Accor dingt oher,wear enot
abletokeepourhandsof feachot her.”Hescoops
meupandt akesmewi t
hhi m ont hecouch.“ Ihave
asurprisef oryou.Wait--
”,Hetakesoutanenvel ope
from hi
sj acketinnerpocket.“Here, openit
.”Iripthe
envelopeopenwi thouthesit
ation.Myj awdr ops.
“Hel
lno!Youdi dn'
tjustdothi
s?Spha? ”Hissmil
e
growsuponseei ngmyr eacti
on.“Tr
ipfortwoto
Zanzibar,
fiveweeksi naf i
vestarhotel
,al
l
expensespai d!Allt
hisforBanele?Babe--
”Myvoice
tr
ail
sof ft
earsofj oyrunningdownmycheeks.
“
Whyar
eyoucr
ying?It
houghtyouwant
edt
his-
-”I
sur
pri
sehi
m wi
thadeeppassi
onat
eki
ss.
“Youarenotonl
ythebesthusband,
thebest
employert
oo.Thankyousomuchbabe.”
“I
twasyourideasoi t
'st
hankst oyourkindhear
t.I
don'
tknowifshehasaboyf r
iendornotbutIknow
aholi
dayisn'
tthatthr
il
li
ngandenj oyabl
ealone.
That
'swhyIbookedf ortwo.Shecant akewhoever
shewantstoIdon'tmind.”
“
Thankyousweet
hear
t.Youar
ethebest
.”Heki
sses
myfor
ehead.
“Lunch?Ibroughtyourfavor
it
e.”Heusesonehand
toreachforthetakeawaybag.Ipushmyselfof
fhim
anddi shf
orus.“Babenowt hattheNgcobochapt
er
i
scl osedwhat'
snext ?
”
“Siyabongaisst
il
lal
ive.Remember,
hemademy
sistergothr
oughhel
landhehast opayf
ort
hat
.”
*
***
***
**

“
Mom canIaskyousomet
hing?
”Sbusaysr
ubbi
ng
t
hebackofhi
sneck.
“Youonl ycometomewhenyouar
estr
essedwhat
i
si tnow?Haveyouimpr
egnat
edanot
hergir
l?”The
Queent aunts.
“Nomom!I '
m notthatbad,
infactI
'
vebeencel ibate
formor ethantwoyearsnow.Thisdryspelli
ski l
li
ng
me,Idon'tknow,I'
m usedtohavinggirl
salloverme
butrightnowtheydisgustme.Somet i
mesIgoout
hopingtof i
ndacleandesperategi
rlbutIendup
comingbackhomeorsnappi ngatthepoorgirl
.”
“
Whyi
sthat
?”
“Ican'tgetsist
er-
in-l
awoutofmymi nd.Iknowi t'
s
wr ongandcr azyorwhi cheverwayyou' dwantt o
puti tbutthetr
uthisthet houghtofcheat ingmy
l
ovef orherissi
ckening.Isomet imesvomi taft
er
tryingtokissagirlandIf eell
ikeshe'swat chingme
wher everIgo.”Sbuhasneverbeenamant obeat
aroundt hebush.Hesaysever yt
hingasi tis.
“
Whatdoyouwantmet
odo?
”
“
Idon'tknow.Tel
lmethatIwillbefi
ne,Iwi
llgetmy
moj
obackandgobackt obeingmyselfandstop
f
antasizi
ngaboutmybrother
'swifeorfi
ndZodwa
andbri
ngherbackhome.Withher,
Iwasabl eto
enj
oymyselfal
thoughIcoul
dn'
tgetmyselftolove
her
.”Hepausesgauginghi
smom'sr eact
ion.
“
Inot
herwor
dsyoumi
ssyourwi
fe?
”
“Yesmom Idomi ssher .Idon'tknow, Ifeellikeshe
missesmet oo,li
keshe' sinsomeki ndofan
unhealthyrelati
onshi pandshe' swai ti
ngformet o
comeandsaveher .Icandowi t
hbei ngsavedt oo.I
misshernoIr eall
yneedherr ightnow.Si ster-i
n-l
aw
understandswhatI '
m goingt hroughbuthavi ngher
comf ortmei sli
kepour i
ngfuelonf i
re,onl
yherhug,
thesmel lofheruni queper f
umemakesmel osemy
reasoningandI 'm afraidImightendupdoi ng
somet hingstupidlikebefore.Thist i
mebr other
won'tbef orgi
ving,I'm surehewi llki
llmewi thout
hesit
ation.”
“WhoaI
'
mlosthere,
whathappenedbefor
e?Didyou
sl
eepwi
thoneofyourbr
other
'sgi
rl
fr
iends?”
“Evenworse.Pleasedon'tj
udgeme,Ican'
tst
and
j
udgement aleyesandwor ds,
youcanscol
dmeor
beatmeifyouwantt o.”
“WhatdidyoudoSbu?Whatisit
?Whateveryoudid
backtheniswei
ghi
ngyoudownyoust i
llf
eelgui
lt
y
aboutit
,tel
lmeandIpr
omiseitwil
lbeoursecr
et.”
“
Shewaspr
egnant
!”
“
Who?
”
“Florencia,brot her '
sgirlf
riend.”Het urnsawayf rom
theQueenandl ooksout sidet hewi ndowt ears
blurri
nghi svi sion.“ Shewasbeaut i
ful,sassyand
daringlikeal ltheot herri
chwhi t
eki ds.Shewast he
baddestofal lt hegi rl
sImetbacki ncollegebutshe
wasal soagoodact ress.Tobr other,shewasan
angel ,
toallofusshewast hatwhi t
egi rlwhot aught
youngboyshowt omove, Imeansexmoves.She' d
l
ur eyout oherki ngbedanddoal lthenast ythings
toyouunt i
lyoul oseyourmi ndandst artthinki
ng
withyourpant s.Damn!Shewasgoodatwhatshe
did,shet aughtmeever ythingIknowaboutgood
sex.Ibecameaddi ctedtoher ,herfilt
hinessmade
mewantmor eofherandwest artedhavi nga
sit
uat i
on-ship, aki ndofar rangementIwasnot
proudof .Br otherf oundout ,hewasr eallypissedhe
almostbr okemyj aw, Iapol ogizedt ohim.Fl orencia
playedt hevi ctimi nallofi tandIt ookt hebl ameof
beingar apist.I'veneverr apedsomeonebef oreif
anythingshe' st heonewhovi olatedme.Anywaywe
stoppedseei ngeachot herbecauseIhavesomuch
respectf ormybr other.Br ot herbr oughtherhome,
i
nt hispal aceandt henshest artedbl ackmai l
ingme.
SheknewIwasnotgoi ngt ol etmybr ot hermar rya
sexanddr ugaddi ctli
keher ,shewasnotgoodf or
mybr other,hedeser vedt hebest .Florenci atoldme
shewaspr egnantandshewasn' tsurewhot he
fatherwas.Sheexpect edmet okeepsuchsecr et
andl etmybr ot hermar ryherbutIcoul dn'tletthat
happen.Notwhenmybr otheri st hef ut ureKing, I
kil
ledher .Iwast heonewhocausedt heacci dent
thatalmostcostmet heonl yper sonwhodeepl y
caresf orme.Idi ditmom, Ikill
edawoman- -”His
voicet rai
lsof f.“I'
m sor ry,Ir eallyam.Icoul dn'tl
et
anythinghappent omybr ot herhedeser vedbet ter
,
hedeser vedar ealwomanf i
tt obet hef utureQueen
notsomeonewhopr etendst olovehi m.I '
mr eally
sorry--”TheQueen’ ssilencebot her shi m.Het urns
onlyt ocomef acet ofacewi thhi sbr ot her..
...
*
*
*
*
Youarenotcomment i
ngguysandi t
'snot
moti
vatingatal
l.Si
lentreader
spleasedotryand
l
eaveal i
keandevenonewor dcomment sI
'dreal
ly
appr
eciatei
t.
[
07/
21,
13:
50]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er35.

“Brot
her-
-”Sphachargestowardshim andpunches
hisbrot
herhard.Sbutri
estoblockhim butanot
her
punchconnectswithhislef
tjaw.
“Spha!Sphastopthi
smadnessyouar egoi
ngtokil
l
him!He'syourbrot
her!
”TheQueenstepsbetween
them,Sphaglaresatherbef
orest
ormingoutofthe
room wi t
houtawor d.“Sbuareyouokay?”The
Queenkneel snexttohim onlytoreal
izet
hathe'
s
heavilybleeding.“Shit
!Sbuyouar ehurtl
etmecall
anambul ance--
”Sbugr absherhandandbegsher
usingonl yhiseyes.“That '
srubbi
sh!Your
brotherhoodwi llconti
nueaf t
erwegetyoutreat
ed.
Youar ebl eedi
ngheavi l
y--”
“M-o-
m p-
l-
e-a-
se--
”Hest
ruggl
est
osay.Nomt
ha
stor
msintotheroom.
“IbumpedintoSpha-
-”Shefreezesassheset sher
eyesonSbu.Thewor l
dseemst ohavestopped
aroundher
,theti
mecl ocki
snol ongert
ickinginher
mind.
“Nomtha,youhavetohel
pmepl ease.
”Queen
mothershakesher.“
Nomtha!Justsnapoutofi
t!
Sbuneedsourhelphe'sheavi
lybl
eeding.
”
“Di
s-dislocat
edjaw.He-hehasadi sl
ocatedjaw.
Mostpr obabl
yhebithistonguehencet hebleedi
ng.
”Nomt hasaysf eel
ingabitdizzy.Sheknowsher
husbandandhi sbrotherf
ight
sl i
kenooneel se
doesbutt hi
s?
“Helpme!Let
'stakehimtothehospit
al,hewil
ldi
e.”
BegstheQueen,Nomt habl
inksr
apidlyasif
recal
li
ngsomething.
“Nohewon' tdie.Thef i
rstai
dkit
--
”Queenmot her
runsoutandcomesbackal mostimmediatel
y.
Nomt hahel psSbusi tupandbandageshi shead.
Sheal sosuppor tsSbu' sjawswithabandage.“ I
needabot tl
eofst rongwhi skey.
”QueenMot her
againr ushesout si
deandcomesbackwi thabot tl
e
ofgin.Nomt haquickl yopensitandpoursinto
Sbu'sopenmout h.“SbuIknowi t'
spainf
ulbutyou
havet ohelpmeher e.Tryandswallowthedrink.”
Shef orcesthewhol e750mlofgi ndownhi sthroat.
“
Hewi
llpassout
,that
'st
oomuchal
cohol
.”
“Bet
teri
fhepassesoutr athersoonerthanlat
er.His
j
awi sprobabl ynumbf ornowaf t
erthenumbness
comesther ealpai n,hewon' tbeabl etobeari
t.
Guards!
”Theyal lcomer unning.“Takehimtothe
car,
mycar .”Theycar efull
ypi ckhim up
communi catingwi ththeireyes.“Let'
sgomom. ”The
tworunbehi ndtheguar ds.Queenmot herget
si nt
o
thecarandsi tsnextt othegr oaningSbu.Nomt ha
st
art
stheengi
neandf
li
esoutdi
ali
ngherbr
other
's
number.
“He’
sintheER.CanIgetamessagef
orhi
m?”Fai
th
answersLucky'
sphone.
“Ihaveasit
uat
ion.
..
.di
slocat
edjawandabi t
ten
tongue.Bl
eedi
ngheavil
yandt hepati
enti
sinpain.I
don'tknowhowyouwilldoitbutIneedhi
shelp
whenIgetther
e.”
“Idon'
tthi
nkthat'
spossibl
ebutmyf atheri
sfr
ee.
Heasksal otofquest
ionsbutI
'm sureyoucandeal
withhi
m. ”
“
Sur
e.I
'
mfi
vemi
nut
esaway.
”

Nomthapar
ksthecarneartheemer
gencyentr
ance.
Fai
thcomesrunni
ngfol
lowedbytwonurses
pushi
ngastr
oll
er.
“Wher
eisyourfat
her?Ineedhi
mi nt
heORasap.
He'
sinalotofpai
n.”Nomthaasksasthenur
ses
hel
pSbuoutofthecar.
“
You?Whathappenedt
othi
sthug?
”Fai
thl
ooksat
hi
m,adi
sgust
edexpr
essi
onal
loverherf
ace.
“Yourdiff
erencesasi de,weneedtohelphim.You
canfightallyouwantl ater
,thi
sthugi
st he
i
mpor tantpuzzle-
pieceofmyl if
e.Dothisforme,
l
et'sgotalktoyourf ather.
”
“Fine!
”Fait
hsnaps.It'
scl
earPr inceSbuhas
steppedonmanypeopl e'
st oes.“MyQueen, youcan
wai tf
orusatthewaiti
ngroom. ”Nomt haisalr
eady
knockingonMr( Fai
th'
sfather'soff
ice.
)Thedoctor
i
sont hephonewhenshewal ksinuninvi
ted.
“Doc?”Her ai
seshishandsi
lencingher
,she
snatchestherecei
verandputsitdown.“Someone
i
sdyi ngoutthere,
he'
sinalotofpainandIreal
ly
needyourhelp--
”
“Whoa?That '
snotmyj ob,Ipaypeopletowor kfor
me.Wai tf
ort hedoctorondut y.
”Nomt haclenches
herjaws,Fait
hi nvol
untari
lyfl
inchesonbehal fofhi
s
fat
her.Aft
erseei ngherinactiontheotherday,she
vowedtost eerclearf
rom herpat h.
“Youar
edoctor
,yourj
obi
stosavepeople'
sli
ves.
Youaregoi
ngoutther
eandsaveSbutheeasyway
ort
hehar
dway.”
“
Dadpl
easehel
pthem.
”Fai
thbegsherf
ather
.
“Fine!Whereishe?”Heaskst aki
nghisglasses,
stethoscopeandhisjacket
.“Let'
sgo.”Theyallr
ush
towardst heOR.Thedoctorisabouttoenterthe
room whenNomt hat
apshisshoul der
.
“Begentl
eonhimifyoudoitt
heor
alway.Al
so,
I
gavehim af
ullbot
tl
eofgi
n.”

“
Daught
er-
in-
law?
”
“
Yesmot
her
.”
“Don'
tyouthinkyouhavet
ogohomeandat
tendt
o
yourhusband?”
“Bel
ievememom, Idon'tknowwhatt r
anspi
red
betweenthesetwocrazysonsofyour sforSphato
beathisbrot
herli
kethisbutifIhappentoseehim
ri
ghtnow,oneofuswi lldieIswear.
”
“Isee.Youbothhavetemperissues,asawoman
youhavet oalwayscont
rolyoursel
fandlethi
m
havethelastsay.”
“Mom thi
sist
he21stcentury,I'
m notandwil
lnever
applyt
hatshi
ttomymar r
iage.Webot harehumans,
wehaveeveryri
ghttobeangr ybutwhoeveri
s
wronghastosubmittot
heot her.He'
sinthewrong,
I'
m not
.”
“
Doyouwantt
oknowwhyt
heyf
ought
?”
“
Idon'
tthi
nkI'
mreadyforthat
.LetSbu'
sjawbe
f
ixedf
ir
stthenwewil
ltal
k.”
*
***
***
**

NOMTHA'
SPOV.

Idon'tknowwhat '
swr ongwiththesetwobr ot
hers,
theysomet imesbehavelikepossessedsouls.I
reall
ycan'tdealwit
hthiscrazi
nessr i
ghtnow.My
chil
drenar emissi
ngmeandher eIam wai t
ingfor
someone' sjawtobef i
xed!Theperpetrat
orisnot
evenher etoshowifhe'sremorsefulornot.
Knowi ngthatsometimescrazyhusbandofmi ne,
he'sprobablydri
nkingbeeraswespeak.Ther ewas
somethi
nginhi
seyeswhenhebrief
lylookedatme,
i
tlookedli
keat
ingeofgr
iefmi
xedwithanger.
..
..
and
al
lthefl
ari
ngemoti
ons.
“MyPr i
ncess.
”Thenursebringsmebackwher eI
am.“He'sbeentakencareof,youcanseehim now.”
ThankyouLord.Isil
ent
lythanksheavens.Mother
-
i
n-lawseemslostinherownt hought
sthatshe
didn'
thearwhatthenursesaid.
“
Mom?Mot
her
-i
n-l
aw?
”
“
Huh?”Sheli
ter
all
yjumpsbackf
rom wher
evershe
wasl
ost.“
Youwer esayi
ng?
”
“Wecannowseehi
m.Goahead,
Ihavet
oseet
he
doct
orf
ir
st.
”
“Okay.HisMajestyisonhiswayher e.
”Shesays
moret oher
self.Il
eaptomyf eetandheadtothe
doctor'
soff
ice.Ili
ghtl
yknocks,helooksatmebut
i
gnor esme.
“
MayIcomei
n,pl
ease.
”
“
Youar
ethePr
incess,
dowhat
everyouwant
.”
“
I'
m sor
ry.
”Myapol
ogycat
cheshi
m of
fguar
d.He
l
ooksr
athermor
eshockedbyi
t.
“
What
?”
“I
'm sorr
yIdidn'tmeantodisrespectyou.Iwas
shocked,scaredandworri
edaboutPr i
nceSbu,my
mindwasr acingandprobablywasangr yabout
somet hi
ngthathasnothi
ngt odowi thyou.I'
m
sorr
y.”Helooksatme, maybet ryi
ngtoseeifmy
apologyisgenuineornot.
“
Okay,
comeandhaveaseat
.”
“
Thankyou.So?Howi
she?Wi
llhebef
inei
nno
t
ime?”
“
Sedatedunt
ill
atert
odaytomini
mizet
hepai
n.Car
e
t
ototellmewhathappened?”
“Idocare,doc.I
'
m gratefultoyoubutIcan'
tshar
e
thati
nformati
onwithyou.Thankyouf orsavi
nghim,
howdowehel phim healfaster
?”
“Hehastoeatsoftfoods, avoi
dopeni
nghismouth
ali
tt
letoowideandcl enchinghisj
aws.Healso
havetobeveryconsci ousofhisyawni
ng,gi
vehim
pai
nkil
ler
sandantibioticsfort
hecutonhi
stongue.
That
'sal
l.
”
“
Thankyousomuchdoct
or.Il
ikeyourdaught
er,
a
l
ot.
”
“Butshe'
sscaredofyou.Idon'
tknowwhat
happenedtheotherdayshecamehomelooki
ng
real
lyter
ri
fi
edandjumpy.”
“Real
ly?Iwasn'tawar
eoft
hat,
Iwil
lhavet
oaskher
whyshe'sscaredofme.Maybeshesawthewr
ong
sideofme.”
“Seem toberesurfacingalot
,Imeanthatwrong
sideofyours.Yousomet imeslookr
eall
yscarymy
princessl
ikeearl
iertoday.
”
“Iapol
ogi
zef
ort
hatonceagai
n.Iwi
llseemysel
f
out.
”
“HeySi
s,what'
sup?Whyar
eyouher
e?”Luckyasks
uponbumpingint
ome.
“
Ibr
oughtSbu.
”Inar
rat
ethewhol
est
oryt
ohi
m.
“
That
'st
err
ibl
e.Wher
e'sbr
other
-i
n-l
aw?”
“
Idon'
tknow.LetmecheckonSbuandheadhome,
Muziwon'
tgotobedwit
houtseei
ngme.Hewalks
met otheroom whereSbui sfastasl
eep.Afil
m of
sweatandacr easedforeheadmakesi tcl
eartome
thathe'
sinpain.Idon'
tknowwhybutIf eelt
ears
threat
eni
ngt ofal
l,
Ibli
nkf i
ght
ingthem totheback
ofmyeyes.
“Looksreall
yseriousbuttomor r
owhewi l
lbeable
tospeak.”Ifeelalumprisi
nginmyt hr
oat.“Pl
ease
don'tcr
y.Theset wobrothersloveeachothermore
thananythingtheywon'tkil
leachother,never
.”
“Iprayyouar et el
lingthetruth.Ialsohopei twasn't
becauseofme, Sphawi l
lhur tanyonef orme.CanI
haveamomental onewi t
hSbu? ”Heagr ees,ki
sses
mycheekbef or
eexi ti
ng.“Sbu, I'
m sorry.Idon't
knowwhatyoudi dt odeser vethisbeat i
ngf rom
yourbr otherbutI'm sureyouguyswi l
lresolvethis
matterinapeacef ulway.Thesepastdayshave
beenr eallyhardonmeIdon' tthinkI'
mr eadytosee
youguysbr eakingeachot her '
sbones.Pl easebe
wellandcomebackhome. ”Fort hefir
stt i
mei nmy
l
ifeIreal i
zehowdeepl yIcar eforthistroublesome
pri
ncewhot othewor ldisagangst erbutt ohis
family,thesweet estofthem allandt hemost
sensitive.Myhusbandmayl ookallcalm and
charmi ngbutaf tertodayIt hi
nkIknowwhohe
reall
yis.He'soneoft hosemenwhof al
ldeeplyin
l
ovewi thawomani naver ydanger ousandsel f
destructivewayi fthewomani snotsensible
enought ohelpwi t
hhi stemper .Also,hehasaver y
verydar ksidewhi chmakeshi mr eall
ydanger ous
becausehe' sunpr edict able.Sbumoveshi shandin
hissleepandgr oans.Il eanf orwardandki ssesthe
frownonhi sforeheadawaybef or
ewi pi
ngt he
sweat .“Youwi l
lbef ine. ”
*
***
***
Father
-i
n-l
awi
sreal
lyf
uri
ousbutmot
her-
in-
lawi
s
cal
mernow.She'
stheonetr
yingt
ocal
m downher
husband.
“Mamawhathappened? ”Bukhosiaskswi t
ha
str
aightf
ace.I
'
mt emptedtoli
etot hem buttheywi
ll
fi
ndoutsoonerorlat
er.
“
Yourf
atherhadami
noracci
denthewi
llbef
ineby
t
omorr
ow.”
“
Youmeant
heki
ndofacci
dentt
hathappenswhen
twobrot
her
sfi
ght
?”Juniorsays,
mor
eli
kea
stat
ementt
hanaquest
ion.
“
Boys-
-”
“Mamaweknowt hosetwofightmorethanwedo
andweal soknowdadi stheonet oal
wayscause
tr
oublealthoughheknowsuncl edaddybeat sthe
helloutofhim whenhedoest hat
.Youdon' thaveto
coverupf orthem,weknowt hetr
uthandt hatwil
l
neverchangehowwef eelaboutt
hem.Br others
fi
ght,it
'snormal.
”Bukhosisays.
“Uncl
edaddy'sbeencryingeversi
nce,goandtalk
tohim.Weloveyoumama, seeyoutomorrow.”
Theybothki
ssmycheeksbef oreheadi
ngtothei
r
room.Theyarereal
lygrownup.

IopenthedoortofindSphasitt
ingonthefloorwith
hi
sheadbur i
edinhi shands.Heiscryi
ng,l
ikereal
ly
cryi
nginaverypainfulway.Myangertowar dshim
di
ssolvei
namat terofjustasecondasIfind
myselfsi
tt
ingnexttohim andhugginghimt i
ght.
“
Babe,
you'
rebr
eaki
ngmyhear
t.Whyar
eyoucr
ying,
whati
sit
?”
“
I’
m sor
ry.
”
“
Forwhat
?”
“
Forbr
eaki
ngmybr
other
'sj
aw.I
'
mreal
lysor
ry.
”
“I
t'
sokay.Hewil
lbefi
neandyout wowi l
lfi
ghtonce
agai
nandbreakeachother'
sbones,youalways
fi
ghtandsayyouaresorr
ylater
.Stopcryi
ngand
comehaveashowerwi t
hme. ”
“Don'tyouwanttoknowwhathappened? ”Ishake
myhead.“ Iwil
ltel
lyouanyway.Heki l
ledFlorenci
a-
-”Ichokeonmybr eath.I'
vealwaysknownt here
wasamyst er
ysurroundingherdeathbutIwasnot
readytoacceptthetrut
h.“Hedidit-
-”Onceagai nhe
cri
es.
“I
’m sor
rybabepleasecalm down.Iunderst
and
yourpain.
”Idon'
thaveanymor ewor dstosay.I
she
cryi
ngforhisexgir
lfr
iendorwhat?
“Iwi
llbefineonceIseemybrotheri
nthemorni
ng.”
Myhear tpoundsinmychestandhenoti
cesi
t.“I
'
m
notgoingtokil
lhi
m, r
elax.
”Hefai
ntl
ysmil
es.
*
***
***
***

Pr i
nceSbuwakesupf r
om hisdeepsl
eepand
freezesuponsett
inghi
seyesonhisbrot
hersi
tt
ing
nexttohisbed.Theexpressi
ononPri
nceSpha'
s
faceisunreadabl
e.
“I
’m sor
rybr o.Pl
easedon'
tkil
lmemychi
ldr
ensti
ll
needme. ”PrinceSbubegs.Tohi
ssur
pri
sehis
brot
her'
sf acesoftens.
“YouknowIcan' tkil
lyoubecausemywi fewi l
lhave
mybal l
sf orbreakf ast,becausedadwi llsurelyuse
hisswor d,becausemom wi l
ldisownmebutabove
allthat ,becauseIl oveyoubr other .Myl i
fecannot
bet hesamewi thoutyou. ”Sbur elaxes.“Iheard
ever ythingyout oldmom, Iwasn' tangrybecause
youki l
ledt hatbitchbutbecauseyouchoset obear
thebur denoft hatsecretal one.Iwasangr y
becauseyoudi dnott rustmeenought oshar eyour
probl emswi thmebutmom.If el tli
keyoudi dn't
trustmeanymor e.I'
m sorr yforput ti
ngyout osleep
foraf ewhour s.”
“I
t’
sokaybrotherIunderst
and.Ist
il
lhaveonemor
e
secr
et,
pleasedon'tst
rangleme.”
“Maybeki
ckyouonthegroi
ndependingonthe
dept
hofyoursecr
et.
”Sbunervousl
ylooksathi
m.
“
Ihel
pedmymot
hercommi
tsui
cide.
..
..
.”
*
*
*
*
[
07/
21,
13:
51]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er36.

SPHA'
SPOV.

“
Sbu!What?”I
'
m unabl
et odigestmybrot
her'
s
wor
ds.Iknowheli
kesjokingbutthi
ssoundsli
keno
j
okeatal
l.“
Tel
lmeyouarejoki
ng?Tel
lmeyou
want
edtoseemyreact
ionorsomethi
ng-
-”
“I
'
m notjoki
ng.It'
sthetrut
h.”Hesaysflatl
y.Ona
gooddayIwoul dhavekickedhim onthejawand
makesureheswal lowsoneortwoofhi steeth,but
nott
oday.Ifeell
ikeI'
veheardmor esecretsi
nt he
l
asttwentyfourhoursthanIhavemyent i
rel
ife.
“
Why?Shewasyourmot
herdude,
thewomanwho
r
aisedus!Thi
sis-
-”
“Ifyouwantmet osayI 'm sorr
yf orgetitbecause
I'
m not .Thatwomanwasaser pentinhumanf l
esh.
Shewasgoi ngtodest royourf amilywi thher
wi t
chcraftanti
cs.
”Ist hisi
diotreall
yr elatedt
ome
bybl ood?Howcanoneki l
lhismot herandnotf eel
anyr emor seaboutallofit?“Ididn'
tkillhernordidI
forcehert odoitIjusthelpedher .”
“How?Howt hehel
ldoyoumean? ”Calm down
Spha,cal
m down.Icanfeelmytemperri
singandif
Idon'
tcontr
oli
tIwillendki
ll
ingt
hiscr
azybrotherof
mine.
“
Okayher
e'swhathappened.Al
lthoseapol
ogi
es
weref ake, shepr etendedt ohavechangedbutshe
wasst illthesamesnake.Kayi sehadherdoubt s,
shepl antedacamer ai nherr oom.Onedayshe
wentoutandcamebackl ooki ngl i
keherol dsel f.
Kayisecal l
edme, wewat chedherever ymovement s
andf i
ndoutshehadacqui redmut hitokillthe
Queen, dadandNomt ha.Wehear dhert alkingt o
someoneovert hephone.Thatver ysamedayshe
prepareddi nnerf oral lofusbutKayi seempt iedt he
twopoi sonedpl at esandl eftonewhi chweswi tched
withher s.Sheat et hepoi sonbutshedi dn'tdie
becausesheknewhowt ost opi t'
sef fectiveness.
Wehadaser iousf al
lout,Kayi sewasr eallyfur i
ous,
i
nf actt hatwast hef irstti
meIsawhert hatangr y.
Shesl appedmom andbr okeal lti
eswi t
hher .They
becameenemi esl ivi
ngundert hesamer oof.She
couldn'tst omacht hehat r
edherdaught erhad
developedt owar dsher ,t
hat 'swhenshehanged
herself.Ihappenedt obel ooki ngatt hemoni torat
thetime, Isawhercr yingwr i
tingt hesui cidenot e, I
sawherr et r
ievingar opef rom t hebedsi dedr awer
andhangi ngher self.Shehadachangeofmi nd
beforeki ckingof ft hechai r,I'
m sur eshewant edt o
l
iveandendureallthepai nbutIhadhadenoughof
watchingmysistertur
ningintoamonst erbecause
ofher.Iwal
kedintoherr oom,kickedthechairoff
andmadesur eshewasr eall
ydeadbef oreIwentto
havefunatthebar.”Ireall
ydon'tknowwhatt osay,
Ireal
lydon'
t.“
Brothersaysomet hing-
-”
“WhatdoyouwantmetosaySbu?Wel
ldoneand
actual
lycl
apf
oryou?Oryouwantmet
opatyouat
thebackandsi
ngprai
sestoyou?
”
“Scol
dme,shoutatmeorstr
angleme.Idon'tl
ikeit
whenyouhavenothingt
osaybecausethat
'swhen
yourmindpl
aystri
cksonyouandyoubecomet he
mostdanger
ousanimaloneart
h.”
“I
'
mr eal
lyatal
ossofwords.Idon'
tknow,
does
Kayi
seknow?”Thi
sisreal
lymessedup.
“Nooneknowsthetrut
hexceptus.Theyal
l
beli
evedwhatt
heysawont hefoot
age.”St
il
lno
feel
ingorwhat
soeveri
nhi
svoice.
“Okay.Let
'skeepi
tthatwayIdon'
tthi
nkt
heywi
l
lbe
abletodealwit
hsuchnews.”
“
Youar
enotangr
y?Ar
eyounotgonnapunchmeat
l
east
?”Li
keal
unat
ichei
shegr
ins.
“
Don'tmoveyourj
awsal
it
tl
etoomuch,
doct
or'
s
i
nst
ructi
ons.
”
“Tohellwit
htheinstructi
ons.Whereisyourwife?”
Everyti
meSbuasksaboutmywi f
emyhear tskipsa
beatbutthen,he'
smybr ot
herandIknowhewon' t
darecrossthatli
ne.Evenifhedoes,Nomt hawill
neverall
owsuchat hingtohappen.
“Dudeleavemywifeal
one.Fort
hatwomanIcan
kil
lanyoneincl
udi
ngyoubett
erwatchi
tboy.
”
“Justaski
ng.I
sshest
il
langr
y,shewasf
umi
ng
yester
day.”
“No.Youknowhershecan' tbeangr
yformor ethan
tenmi nut
es.Shedi dn'tevenscoldme, Isai
dI'
m
sorryandshesaidunt ilyoubrokeeachother'
s
bonesandapol ogizeagai nandagain.”Sbulaughs
butstopsimmedi ately.“Stopmisbehavingyouhave
toletyourjawheal fi
rst .
”
“Idon'
tknowwhati
swrongwi t
hourfami l
y,Aunt
Gugushotyouri
ghtonthechestoutofanger,you
brokemyjawtwi
ce,Ial
mostkil
ledKayiseby
stompingonherthr
oat,
what
'swrongwit
hus?”He
asksthequest
ionI'
veal
waysaskedmyself
.
“Nothi
ng.Iguesst hat'
swhatmakesourf amil
y
unique,
wef ightbutourbondsareunbreakabl
e.I
hopeandpr aytheboyswi llt
akeaft
erus.They
shouldlear
nhowt orespectandval
uefamily
bonds.”
“Ithi
nkBukhosii
sgoingtotroubl
eusverysoon.
Thatboyhasseriousunsol
vedissueswait
ingt
o
explodeanddestr
oyeveryt
hingaroundhi
m.He
hateswomenl i
ketheywerethecauseofhis
problems.”
“Inoti
cedthatbutIwasgladt
ofi
ndouthestil
l
caresabouthismama, gr
andmaandhissi
sters.I
wasaf r
aidhewillst
rangl
emydaught
erssomeday.”
“Met oobutIguesshehasitinhimt or
espect
famil
y.”Pri
ncessNombulelowalksin.Mydear
sist
er,t
heonlysanepersoninthi
sf ami
ly.Sbul ooks
atherthenbacktomewi thasmi l
eonhi sface.It
takesmeasecondt ofi
gureoutwhathe' sthinki
ng.
“
Hey.
”Shewal
kscl
oserwavi
ngherhai
rfr
om si
det
o
si
de.“
Youbot
hlook.
..
wei
rd,
what
'sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Nothi
ng.”Sbubur
stsi
ntol
aught
er.Ican'
thel
pbut
l
aughtoo.
“Bett
erstar
ttal
kingorIswearIwil
lbr eakyour
bones!What'sf
unnywi thme?”She'sget t
ing
annoyed.Iknewt heappledi
dnotfallfarfrom t
he
tree,
she'
stherealTshabanguwithaser ious
temper.
“Okaydearsist
er,
that
'st
hereacti
onwewant
ed
fr
om you.Wewer ewonderi
ngifyouar
eoneofus.
”
Iinf
orm her
.
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“
TheTshabangutr
ait
,hott
emper.”Shepul
lsmeby
myearbef
orepunchi
ngSbu'schest.
“Ouch!
”Shecr
iesout
,herknuckl
esar
ereddeni
ng
alr
eady.
“Don'tpunchaman'schestifyouarenotfi
tenough.
Lookyou'vehurtyoursel
fnow.Comeonl etmer ub
thepainawaybef or
eitstar
tsswel
li
ng.”Iappl
yal ot
ofpressurerubbi
ngherbutonceagainshecries.
“Eish!Thi
soneissosoftandf
ragi
lei
t'
sannoyi
ng.
Maybeweshoul dtr
ainherali
tt
lebi
t.
”Suggest
smy
crazybrother
.
*
***
***
***
***

Att
hehot
elwher
eZodwaandherBen8ar
est
ayi
ng.
“Goodmorningbaby?”Ben8plant
sakissonher
for
ehead.Shelookson,conf
usedaboutthi
ssudden
showoffofaffect
ion.
“
Whatdoyouwant
?Howmuch?
”
“Ouch!Thathurts.Can'
tIbenicetomygirl
fri
end
wit
houtexpectingsomethingi
nr et
urn?Idon'
twant
anythingj
ustthoughtIshoul
dspoilyou.I
t'
sbeen
l
ong, youknow.”Hel i
es.
“
Thankyou.Il
oveyou.
”
“
Iloveyoumor
e.Getupandhaveyourbr
eakf
ast
.”
“
Whower
eyout
alki
ngt
oont
hephone?”
“
Pleasedon'
trui
nthemood.I
'
minaj
ovi
almood
t
oday.”
“Justaskingbutdon'tt
ellmei
fyoudon'twantto.
”
Sher edi
rect
sherattent
iontoherpl
ateandeatsin
sil
ence.
“
Iwasthinki
ng..”Zodwalooksupandnodsf orhi
m
t
oconti
nue.“Isawani ceJordansneakeratt
he
mal
landIwanti t
.”
“
Howmuch?
”
“200bucks.”Zodwachokesonhercof f
ee.“I
t'
sjust
200bucksbaby, yourcompanyi sgenerat
ing
thousandsifnotmill
ions.Pl
ease,onl
ythisoneandI
stoplooki
ngatexpensi vecl
othes.
”
“
Whathappenedt
osavi
ngf
orahouse?
”
“200buckswon'
tmakeanydiff
erence.Pl
easebaby
don'
trui
nthi
sformeIreal
lyl
ikethesneaker
s.”
“Fi
ne.Br
ingmesomet
hingt
owearonyourway
home.”
“Oneoft her
easonsIloveyouthismuch.”He
kissesheronthecheekbeforeopenthedrawer,
retr
ievesabankcardandexittheroom whist
li
ng.
*
***
***
***
*
Att
heRoyalPalaceNomt
hai
shel
pinghermot
her
-
i
n-l
awi
nthekitchen.
“
Mom,
areyouokay?
”Nomt
haquest
ions.
“Yeahj
ustali
ttl
ebitworried.Youknowyourf at
her
-
i
n-lawhasi
ssueswi t
hhi sbloodpressure,Idon'
t
knowwhatwillhappentohi mifthesecrazysonsof
minedon'
tst
opf ight
ing.I'
m scaredforhim.”The
Queensaysl
ookingintospace.
“Nothi
ngwillhappentohim.Hehast ocomego
ter
mswi t
htheircrazi
ness.Theywil
lalwaysf
ight
buttheywil
lneverkil
leachother
.”
“I
fyousayso.Tel
lmesomet
hinghaveyouseen
Zodwa?”
“No.IonceaskedaboutherbutSbushutmedown.
Idon'
tknowwher esheis.Whydoyouask?”
“Ineedyoutofi
ndherandbri
nghert
ome.Iwantt
o
haveawor dort
wowi t
hher.
”
“Okaymom Iwil
lfi
ndher.”Theycont
inuetochat
unti
lthel
andl
ineri
ngs.“
Iwillgett
hat
.”Shewipes
herhandbef
oreanswer
ingt
hecal
l.
“
TshabanguRoyalPal
ace,
hel
lo?
”
“Goodmorning.CanIpl
easespeakt
oMr
s
SphamandlaTshabangu?”
“
It
'smeont
hephone,
tal
ktome.
”
“
MyPri
ncessyouhavetocometotheschool
i
mmedi
atel
y.I
t'
surgent
.”Thel
adydropsthecal
l
.
“GodknowswhyI 'm bei
ngsummonedt
oschool.
Can'tIhaveadaytomyselfandr
estal
it
tl
e?”She
sighsfrust
rat
edl
y.
“
Goondeari
tmaybei
mpor
tant
.”

Attheboyspri
vateschool.TheTshabanguboysar
e
cover
edinblood.Thandoisstil
lthrowi
ngafi
t
despi
tethepri
ncipal
'
seffortst
ost ophi
m.
“Alwand'ut
handostopthismadness!Doyouwant
togot ojai
lforagir
lyoumer el
yknow?”Thando
stormsoutoft hepri
nci
pal'
soffi
cesheadedtot
he
toil
ets.
“Wehavetofol
lowhi
mt heymi ghtat
tackhi
m when
theyseehi
m al
one.
”Juniorsuggeststohi
stwi
n
brother
.
“Noyouarenotgoi
nganywhere.Youarestayi
ng
her
eunti
lyourmotherar
ri
ves.
”Theprinci
palsays.
“Whoareyou?Evenmymotherwon'
tsayshittous,
whodoyout hi
nkyouar
e?Huh?”Bukhosisays
glar
ingatt
hepri
nci
pal
.
“
Bukhosi
!I'
m yourel
dershowsomer
espect
!”
“Respect?Ma'
am respectisearnednotdemanded.
Nowl eaveusal
oneourbr otherneedsus.”They
pushpastherbutbeforetheyexitthepr
incipalpul
ls
them back.
“Don'
tyoudar
edisr
espectme!
”Theprinci
palsl
aps
Bukhosi
.Tear
srundownhischeeks.
“Youdon'tunderstand,
doyou?Thatboyoutt here
coveredwithbloodismybl oodbr ot
her.Thatboy
I'
mt r
yingtoprotectismybr ot
herwhoi sselfl
ess
enought osharehermot herwit
hus, doyou
understandwhatImean?Nowl etmego- -
”
“Ohheavens!Pl
easetel
lmeI '
m busydr
eamingr
ight
now.”Nomthathrowshersel
fonthechai
rand
buri
esherheadinherhands.
“MrsTshabangusor r
yMyPr i
ncess, Al
wandegot
i
ntoaf i
ghtwithotherboysinhi sclass.Thi
ngsgot
worsewhent hetwinssteppedi ntohel phi
m defeat
theboys.Idon'
tknowwhatt r
anspir edorwhatled
tothefi
ghtbecausetheyar eallnotr eadyt
osay
anythi
ngtome. ”
“Boys,Iwi
llaskt
hisonl
yonceandyouwi l
ltel
lme
nothi
ngbutt het
rut
h.Whathappened?”Both
BukhosiandJuniorshr
ug.
“Don'
ttel
lmeyoubeatupotherki
dsonlybecause
yourbr
otherwasi
nvol
vedinthatf
ight
?”
“Sorrymamawer eallyhavenoi deawhost ar
tedthe
fi
ghtorwhywer etheyf i
ght
ing.Agi r
lcamet ous
andt oldusourli
tt
lebr ot
herwasi ntroubl
e,wewent
ther
e, somethi
ngledt otheot her
,fewpunchesand
fewki ckst
henthepl aceturnedbloody.ButIcan
assureyou,thi
sisnotourbl ood.Wear enothur
t.
”
Juniorsays,Nomthacan' thelpbutlaugh.
“Reall
yJunior?Thisi
sfunnytoyou?Pri
nci
palI'
m
real
lysorryaboutthi
sIwil
ltal
ksomesensetothem.
Theywi l
lnevercausetr
oubl
eagain.Whathappened
totheotherboys?”
“
Theyr
anaway.
”
“Pri
ncipal,
yousureshouldstar tpunishingthese
pupils.Mychil
drenincl
uded.”Thet wi nslookather
l
ikeshe'sgrownat hir
deye.“CanIgowi ththem?I
usuallydealwi
thmychi l
dreni nprivate.
”Juni or
almostpeeshimself.Nomthacanbeal lsweetand
everythi
ngbutshedoesn'ttoleratenonsense.
“
It
'sokayMyPri
ncess.Makesuretheydon'
trepeat
t
hisorIwi
llbef
orcedtosuspendt
hem.”
“Thankyou.”Shet
urnst
otheboys.“
FindMuziand
getinthecarnow.
”Theybot
hrunoutside.

Thethreeofthem si
lent
lysiti
nt hecarwai
ti
ngfor
hertosnapbutshesaysnot hing.Thandoi
ssti
ll
fuming.Nomthaparksinfrontoftheicecr
eam
shop,buysthreeconesforthem andatubfort
he
youngeronesathome.
“
Here.Eatt
his,
that
'sal
lyoueatf
ort
her
estof
t
oday.”
“Mamapl
easeyoucan'
tdot
hist
ous.
”Bukhosi
begs.
“
Wat
chme.Thando,
whathappened?”
“Idon'
twanttot
alkabouti
t.
”Heroll
sthewindow
downandt hr
owstheicecr
eam coneoutsi
de.
*
*
[
07/
21,
13:
51]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2.
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er37.

“Muzi?Pleasedon'
tletmet hr
ashallofyoutot
he
extentt
hatyourgrandfat
hergetsangrywithme.I
'
m
goingtoaskthisonceagain,whathappenedat
school?
”Nomt haisreall
yangry.
“IsaidIdon'
twant
--
”Abel
tcr
osseshi
sback,
he
screams.
“I
’m notrai
singchil
drenwithhottemperssothey
cangr owupandki l
lsomeonet omorrow!I
'm goi
ng
tobeatallt
hiscrazinessoutofyoursyst
em,doyou
getthat?”Shehitshim onceagain,
Bukhosiand
Juniorcomei nbetween.
“Mamapl easedon'tdothis.Dudewhatt hehel li
s
wrongwithyou?Doyouwantmamat okillus?No
oneisgoingt ocometoourr escueandyouknowi t
.
Ifuncl
edaddycomesher ethenwear ealldead!Is
thatwhatyouwant ?Pleasetellherwhathappened
andsaveal lofus.
”Juniorbegshi scousin.
“
FineIwi
llt
alk!
”Hesnaps.
“
Stopwi
tht
heat
ti
tudeMuzi
,Idon'
tli
ket
hisatal
l.
”
“I
'
m sorrymommy.Canyoupl easeputdownthe
bel
t?IpromiseIwi
llt
ellyoueveryt
hingthat
happened.”
“
Fine.Youcanallsi
tdownnow.”Juniorsmil
es,
t
hey'vebeenstandi
ngformor
ethanthreehoursas
apunishment.
“
Theywereteasi
ngagi
rl
.Thoseboysi
nmycl
ass
wer
eteasi
ngagirl.
”
“
Whydi
dyouf
eel
theneedt
ofi
ghtt
hem?
”
“Mommy, thatgir
lhadherfi
rstmenses,shestained
herschoolunifor
m andeveryonest
artedteasi
ng
herincl
udingtheothergi
rl
s.Shepanickedand
star
tedcrying,
theteasi
ngevengotwor se.
”
“
Andyoubeatt
hem up?
”
“No.Idi dn'twanthert ofeel moreembar rassed, I
escor t
edherout sidetheclasst ot hetoi
lets,toldher
towai tasIwentandboughtpadsatt heschoolt uck
shopf orher .Toaddt omyf rustrations,t
hewoman
behindt hecount eralsoteasedmebecausei t'
srare
toseeboysbuyi ngpads.Ii gnoredher ,paidf or
everythingIboughtandwentback.Iexpl ainedt o
thegi r
lwhatwashappeni ngt oherandt oldhert o
readt heinstructionsonthepackageonhowt ouse
thepads.Wel l,Iaskedourcl asst eachertol ether
gohome.WhenIr et
urnedtocl asst heyst art
ed
teasingmeaboutt hewhol ethingandIl ostit.How
canpeopl eteasesomeonebecauseshegother
menses?If eltl
ikethoseguyswer et easi
ng
womanhood, li
ketheywereinsulti
ngt hemost
i
mpor tantpersoninmyl i
fe,mymot her.Likethey
werei nsul
ti
ngmyaunt s,
sister
sandever ywoman
outt here.I'
m sorr
ymommybutIwi llneverl eta
womanf eelembarrassedforbeingawoman.I t'
s
natur e,noonecanchanget hat.
”Theyar eal li
n
tears.
“
Sonny?Whydidn'
tyoutel
lmet
hough?Lookat
whatIdi
dunknowi
ngly?”
“MaybeIneededi
t,Ineededsomeonet
ocont
rolmy
anger
.”
“
Okay,comehere.It
'sokaystopcryi
ngmommywi l
l
f
ixthi
s.Iwi
llt
alkt
ot hepri
nci
palnoonewi l
lever
t
easeanyoneagain.
”Nomt hapromises.
“
Woo!”Juniorbl
owssomeai rmakingeveryone
l
augh.“
Whataspeechbr o!Youshouldconsidera
moti
vat
ionalspeakercar
eerpath,youwilldoreal
ly
wel
lint
hatindustryt
rustme.”
“Youarer
ightbr
o.Heshoul
dstopthisboxing-
karat
ethi
ngbecauseheal
readyt
hinkshe'sJetLi
.
Dude,
inreall
if
eyoudi ei
fyoutr
yandactl
ike
Romeo.Actual
ly,
ther ealRomeodi
edbecauseofa
woman.”Bukhositeases.
“Stopit
!Theybot
hdiedbecauseofl
ove.
”Muzi
playf
ull
ysmacksBukhosi
.
“
Boys!Mycouch!That
'snopl
aygr
oundoryouwant
metofl
ogyouagain?”
“Sorrymama.GuysIdon'tknowaboutyoubutas
forme,I'
verecei
vedenoughbeati
ngfortheday.
Pleasespar
emeandbehave. ”Juni
orscoldsthem.
“Boysbef oreyoul eave,anger
, hottemper ,
these
twot hingscandest royaman.Youdon' thaveto
alwaysr eacttoever ythi
ngever yonesays.Ifyou
nurt
ur ethosetwoyouwi l
lendupbei ngami serabl
e
andlonel ysoul.Nowomanwi llwanttobef r
iend
someonewhol osesi tever
yti
mesomeonest epson
histoes.It'
sokayt obet heher obutdon' tl
etitbe
thethingofever yday.Learntocont rolyour
emot ions.Thestrengt hofamani smeasur edby
howher eactswhenhe' sangry.”
“
Okaymamaweunder
stand.Thankyouf
oral
ways
mouldi
ngustobebetter.SomedayIwil
lmarry
someonej
ustli
keyou,someonewhowi lll
ovemy
chi
ldr
enbutnotspoi
lthem.”Muzisays.
“Luckyyouboy,
I'
m notget
ti
ngmarri
ed.Mar
ri
ages
don'tl
ast,
mostofthem.
”Bukhosi
'
smoodchanges.
“Notal
loft
hem son.Lookatmeandyouruncl
e
daddywearehappyandr ai
singyouki
ds.
”
“
Butmydadismiser
abl
e.”Hest
ormsoutoft
he
r
oom l
eavi
ngNomthast
unned.
*
***
***
***
*

ONEWEEKLATER.

Siyabongaisl
yingont
hebedcoveredinbandages.
Hisjailmat
esbeathi
m bl
ackandblueonlybecause
he'sthesonofMrNgcobo.I
fitwasn'
tforTKhe'd
bedeadaswespeak.Sphasitsnextt
ohi sbed.
“Hell
oboy.Jai
lisn'
ttr
eat
ingyouanybetter,
what
happened?Whyar eyoucover
edinthese?”Siya
tr
iestoreachf
ortheemergencybut
tonbutSpha
st
opshim.“I
'm bei
ngpoli
teher
epl
easedon'
tmake
mefi
nishyourfri
ends'
job.
”
“
Whyar
eyouher
e?Tomockme?
”
“No.Alit
tl
ebirdwhisper
edtomet hatnoone'
sever
visi
tedyousinceyougothere.Ikeptwonderi
ng
whathappenedt odaddy?Imeant heguycouldki
ll
anyoneforhisdearson.Whereishe?What
happenedtotheunbreakabl
ebondyoual ways
preachedabout?”Heconti
nuestomockhi m.
“
Leavemeal
one!Gett
hef
uckoutofher
e!”
“Ohoh!Thatat t
itude,
iti
sthatatt
it
udethatmade
mebr eakyourjawi nthefi
rstpl
ace.I
tisthatsame
atti
tudethatl
andedyouher e,youwil
lhaveto
changethisatt
itudeofyoursbeforei
tlandsyousi
x
feetunder.
”
“
Areyouthr
eat
eni
ngme?Whatdi
dyoupeopl
edot
o
myfamil
y?”
“Yourf
amily?Oh!Ir
emember,
Ibroughtyouthi
s
newspaperyoucanseef
oryoursel
f.”Si
ya'
sheart
poundsinhischest
.
“
What ?Fledthecount
ry?Thiscan'
tbe!Myf
ami
l
y
wil
lneverabandonmei nthi
shellhol
e.”
“Bet
terbel
ieveit
.Thi
sisyournewhomeunt
ilI
deci
deyourf at
e.”
“Whatdoyoumean?Youar
enoGodt
odeci
de
someone'
sfat
e!”
“Bel
ieveme,I'
vechangedsomeone'sfatebefore.
Don'tmesswithaguywhohast hegutst o
chall
engethegodstohavewhathewant swher ever
andwheneverhewant s.
”Pri
nceSphamut t
ers
thr
oughhisgrit
tedteet
h.Si
yafeel
sevencol deras
Spha'swordssendschil
lsdownhisspine.TKwal ks
i
nandf rownslooki
ngatSpha.
“
RiRi
,ar
eyoucheatingonmewit
hthePr
ince?The
whol
eroyalPr
inceRihanna?
”
“No!TKI'm notcheat
ing-
-”Sphabur
stsi
ntolaught
er.
Hewant stosaysomet hi
ngbuthefi
ndsitf
unnyhe
can'
tstoplaughing.
“
Wait?Ri
hanna?Wow!Siyabongayounevercease
t
oamazeme.Youmeanyou- -”Hesti
ff
lesalaugh.
“
List
enbuddyIdon'
teatf
rom behi
nd,i
fyouget
whatImean.Ihaveaver yverybeauti
fulpreci
ous
rose,mywi fe,
Icannotreallybecheati
ngonher
withanotherman.”TKrelaxes.“Anyway,seeyou
around.Enjoyyournewfoundl oveRiRi.
”Hewal ks
away.At earrunsdownSi yabonga'
scheek.
“
Whywast
hePr
inceher
e?”
“
Idon'
tknow,
tomockmeIguess.
”TKgr
abshi
m by
t
heneck.
“Ar
eyoucheat i
ngonme?Wi thaPri
nceRiRi
?What
am Isupposedtodo?Ki
llyouorwhat?”
“Youarehur
ti
ngme,
pleasel
etmego.
”Si
yabegs
gaspi
ngforai
r.
*
***
***
***
*

“Ma-a-ma.Ma-a-
ma!”OkuhlejumpsonNomt ha
feeli
ngshythatshecaughtherpr
acti
cinghowto
callhername.
“That'
sr i
ghtbaby.Sl
owlybutsur
eyouwi l
lget
there.
”Dur i
ngthefi
rstdaysNomthawouldget
surpri
singlyemoti
onall
ywhenOkuhlet
riedtospeak.
Maybeitsbecausetheothert
hreenowspeakli
ke5
yearol
ds.“SayDaddy.Comeonyoucandoi t.
”
“Da-
da!
”Okuhlegigglesr
eveali
ngherti
nyteet
has
Nomthati
cklesher.Theothert
hreej
ointhem ont
he
bedandtheyconti
nueplaying.
“Daddy!”Lunaexclai
msjumpi ngoffthebed.Spha
pickshim upandt ur
nshim upsidedown,hegiggles.
Nkos'iphil
ealsorunstohi
sf atherwhopickshim by
histi
nyar m.
“Babe,don'
thur
tmychil
drenplease.”Juni
orknocks
befor
eSphacangoonwi thhissermononhow
boyshavetobetreat
edi
nar ough-toughki
ndalove.
“Hiuncledaddy,himama.Ineedyourhelp,mama.
Onesisa’
sbeencr yi
ngsincemor ni
ngandshe
doesn'twanttoeatanyt
hing.Grandmahastri
edall
thetr
icksbutshewon'ttelluswhat'
swrong.Daddy
alwaysforcehertospeakupbuthe'snotathome.”
“
OkayI
'
m comi
ng.
”

“
Sisa,
what
'
sthemat
termychi
ld?
”
“I
’
m notyourchi
ld!Ihat
eyou!”Si
sascr
eamsat
Nomtha.TheQueenwant st
oshuthermout
hwit
ha
sl
apbutNomt habegshernotto.
“
CanIt
alkt
oheral
one?
”
“
Yeah.Cal
lmei
fshekeepsbehavi
ngl
ikear
etar
d.”
“
Sisa,
what
'
sthepr
obl
em?Whydoyouhat
eme?
”
“Idon'
twantt
otalkt
oyou!Youar
eaver
ybad
person!
”Shesobs.
“OkaymaybeI '
m bad,
maybenot.YouandIhadno
probl
em bef
ore,youoncetol
dmeIwast hebest
sweetestmotheroneart
hwhathappenedtot
hat?”
“
ThatwasbeforeIknewyouwerether
easonmom
l
eftus!Youar
everybad,
verybad.
”
“
Wher
edi
dyougett
hat
?”
“Mymothert
oldme.”Nomt hai
sshockedbut
qui
ckl
yrecol
lect
shersel
f.
“Idi
dn'tknowyouandyourmot herseeeachot her
behindeveryone'sback?Whyt hesecr ecy?Anyway,
Sisawedon' thavetobelieveeveryt
hingpeoplesay
eveniftheyareourtrustedlovedones.Bef or
e
reacti
ngtoever yt
hingyouhearont hestr
eets,you
havetoverifythatinf
ormation.Iagree,Iwascaught
upinyourpar ents'ar
gument sbutIcanassur eyou
thatI'
m notthecauseoft heirseparati
on.Sisa,t
her
e
aresomet hingsyoucannotunder standnowbut
youwi l
lunderstandasyougr ow.I'
m sorryyoufeel
thatway.Iloveyoul i
keyouwer emyownpl ease
don'tl
etthewor dont hestr
eet schangeyout o
someoneyouar enot.”
“Canyoubri
ngmymot herback?Useyourmagic,
castaspel
lonherifneededbecauseshelooksli
ke
someonewho'ssufferi
ngalthoughshewon'
tadmit
toit
.Ial
sodon'tl
ikethatguyshe'sl
ivi
ngwit
h.”Si
sa
wipeshert
ears.
“
Canyout
akemet
oher
?”
*
***
***
***
***

Aft
eranhourNomthaandSbu'
schil
drenar
e
knocki
ngonthedooratt
hehot
el.
“Honeycheckwhoi
satthedoor
,Iordered
somethi
ngonli
nemaybeit
'st
hedeli
very.”Ben8
cal
lsouttoZodwawhoi
swashingpl
ates.He'
s
busybrowsi
ngthr
ought
heDStvchannels.
“Okayl etmecheck. ”Sheapproachest hedoorwi t
h
onlyat owelwr appedaroundher .Sheopensthe
doorwi thoutaskingwhoi sit
,hermout hgoesdr y
whenshecomesf acetofacewithNomt haandt he
kids.Nomt halooksatandswal l
owal umpr i
singin
herthroat.Zodwal ookedbetterwhenshewasa
mai dthannow.
“
Ummm.
..
hi.
”
“
Hell
o.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”Zodwaf
indsher
t
ongue.
“Yourchil
drenwantedtoseeyou,Ibr
oughtthem
here.
”Nomt hacalmlyr
epli
es.Theboysarefeel
ing
sadlookingatthei
rmotherwhohasturnedi
nto
somethingunrecogni
zabl
e.“Canwecomei ntal
k?”
“No.Youarenotwelcomeinthishouse.Il
eftt
he
palacebecauseofyouwi
tch!”Nomthaclenchesher
j
awsbutkeepsacal mface.Ben8approaches.
“
Babe,whoarethey?
”Heput
shi
shandsar
oundher
wai
stacci
dent
allydr
oppi
ngt
het
owel
.Nomtha
swif
tlypushesthechildr
enasi
debef
oret
heycan
seetheirmothernaked.
“Whatthehelliswr ongwi thyou?Di dn'tyour
parentst
eachyouanyt hi
ngaboutr espect?Howcan
youactasifyouacci dentallydroppedt het owel
whenyouknowwhatyouri ntenti
oni s?Ifyour eal
ly
l
oveherthenbemat ureenought or espectherand
notmakeoutwi t
hheri nfrontofherchi l
dren!”
Nomt hafumes.Ben8bi t
esZodwa' sear l
obemaki ng
herjumpal i
tt
le,giggling.
“Youknowwhatmama?Let '
sgetoutofher ebefor
e
Idosomet hingIwillnotbeproudof.Mom Zodwa,
wet houghtmaybeyoumi ssedusal i
tt
le,we
thoughtmaybewecoul dconvinceyout ocome
backt ousbutwewer ewrong.Youseem t obe
enjoyingyourli
fewithoutus,Ihopeandpr ayit
l
ast s.
”Juniorcl
ickshistonguebefor
edr agginghis
sist
eralongwi t
hhim.
“Youshouldhaveatl eastfoundsomeoneofyour
age.Whydoyoukeepdegr adingyour
sel
fli
kethi
s?
I'
mr eal
lydisappoi
ntedinyou!Let'sgomama.”
Bukhosialsoturnstoleave.Zodwalooksathi
m,her
eyesareshinni
ngwit
htear
s.Oneofthethi
ngsshe
wishedforcameknocki
ngonthedoorbutshej
ust
blewitaway.
“HerMaj est
yt heQueenorder
syourpr esenceatthe
palace.It
'surgent
.Thankyou,bye.”Zodwawat ches
them leavi
ng.Ben8turnsheraroundandFr ench
kissesher.Thekisskeepsgett
ingdeeperuntil
someonecoughs.Zodwa' sheartskipsabeatas
shehidebehi ndBen8who'salsoshakinginfear.
“Rel
ax,I
'
m nother
etof
ight
.CanIcomei
n?”Sbu
asksinapol
it
emanner
.
“
Y-yes,
comei
n.”Heget
sinandsi
tsont
hecouch.
“Niceapart
ment.Hibaby. ”Zodwaisunableto
respond.Thel
astti
met heymetatt hemallSbu
call
edherbabyandshehadt odealwithherangry
Ben8athome.“Nevermi nd.Ihaveonequestionf or
you.Areyouhappyher e?”Sbuasksl ooki
ngst r
aight
i
ntohereyes.Ben8tightenshi sgr
iparoundZodwa.
“YesI'
m happy, veryhappy.Whatdi
dyouthi
nk?
ThatIwillneverfindlove?Wel
l,
youwerewrong
aboutthat!
”
“I
sitworthyhur
tingyourchil
drenfor?Imeant hi
s
l
ove?”Zodwa'stongue-
tied.“
Thinkaboutit,I
'
m not
sayi
ngyoushoul dn'
tbehappybutr emembert he
sayi
ng,youshouldn'
tbreakyouroldrelat
ionsfor
newones. ”
“Idon'tneedt hem,youkeptt hem awayf rom mef or
year swhyar eyounowusi ngt hem toemot ionally
blackmai lme?Whati sit
?Noonei sreadyt osat isfy
yourmanl yneeds?”Shelaughs, hershr i
ll
ingvoi ce
piercethroughSbu'sheart.“ Ihopeyouneverget
yourwaywi thwomenunt ilyouf uckyourbr other's
wife!Thenyourbr otherwillkil
lyourpat het i
csel f
anddumpt hatwit
ch!Thewhol er oyalfami l
ywi llbe
mi serabl
el i
keyoumademyl i
fe.”Sbuf eelslikeshe
justpunchedhi mint hestomach.Hequi et l
yleaves
theapar tmentasat earr
olldowndownhi s
cheek. .
..
..
*
*
*
*
WARNI NG:.Thenextchapt erswi l
lber eal
lydark.
Wewi l
lbeint r
oducedt oSbuot hersidesnoonei n
thef amil
yisawar eof
.Nomt hawi llfi
ghttoothand
nailtosaveSbuf rom himselfandt osaveBukhosi
from thepat hofdestructi
onwhi lemaki ngsureshe
doesn'tdest r
oyherownf amilyandt heRoyalf amil
y
ast hewhol e.Ont hel
ighternote,thereturnof
daddy'sgirlPrincessKayise.Thist i
meshe' snot
alonebutwi t
hanunknownper sonwhosef acewill
ber eveal
edl aterandchangemanyl i
ves.
[
07/
21,
13:
51]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er38.

Pr
inceSbui
sinanudul
tent
ert
ainmentcl
ub.
“
Dudewhat
'
sup?You'vebeendri
nki
ngf
orthel
ast
t
wohour
spleasegohome.”Thebar
mansays.
“Iwantt
ohavef
un,
real
fun.
”Sbusmi
lesl
ooki
nga
hisl
ips.
“
No!I
'
m engaged,
babes!
”Thebar
manexcl
aims.
“Notwit
hyoumot herfucker!Youdon'ttur
nmeon
anymore,Iusedtoli
keyoubackt henbutyouhadto
rui
nital
lbysleepi
ngwi ththatChinesetwogoody-
shoesofaguy.”Helaughs.“ Ithoughtyouhadtast
e
butnotanymore,howdoyouevenenj oyayel
low
D*?”
“
F*ckyou!Whatdoyouwantmet odot
ohel
pyou
wit
hyouranger
?”Theybot
hlaugh.
“2gays,
twosexyl
apdancer
s,womenweari
ngsexy
l
inger
ie,
condoms,
pri
vat
eroom,sevent
ytwohour
s
andkeepmyusualwi
necoming.Dowehavea
deal
?”
“Whygays?Youl
ovewomenSbu,
what
'swr
ong?
Youcanconfi
dei
nme.”
“Becauseanei ght
eenyearboyisouttherefucki
n'
someoneIcar eabout!Ei
ghteenyears,
canyou
i
magi nehowt hatfeel
s?No,ri
ght?Youar eri
ght,
I
l
oveandr espectwoment hat'
swhyIdon' twantto
ventmyangeront hem.Amani smessingupmy
chil
dren'
sli
fe,amanhast opayf ort
hat!”Sbu
cl
encheshi
sjaw,
hishandf
ir
mlyhol
dingt
hegl
ass.
“
Howmuch?Youareaski
ngfort
heimpossi
blebut
moneycanmakemechangemymind.
”
“Onemi l
li
onbucks.
”Theguygasps.“Onlyifyou
agreetokeepitasecr
etandyourpeopleshouldn'
t
sayawor daboutit
.YouknowwhatIcandot o
protectmynameandmyf amily,
right
?”
“
Transf
erorcash?
”
“Cash.Tr
ansf
ersar
etr
aceabl
eandcanl
andmei
n
deepshit
.”
“Deal.Her e'
sthekey, r
oom 911.Soundpr oof
edand
hasal ltheequipmentyoul ove,ordercomingup.”
Sbuf l
asheshi m asmi lebefor
et aki
nghisglassand
headingupst airs.He'
smetbyabeaut if
ulgir
l,she
l
ooksl ikeadancerorsomet hing.Hereyesare
hypnot i
zing.Shewal ksuptohi ml i
cki
ngherupper
l
ip,shehasar ingonhert ongue.
“Heyhandsome?”Thegi r
lgreetshim wi
thapeck
onhischeek.“Comewithme, Icanmakeyou
happy.”Shewhisper
sbeforerunni
nghert ongueon
hisneck,hesqui
rms.“Rel
ax,Idon'tbi
te.
”
“Li
sten,Iappreci
ateyourofferbutIdon'
tmakeout
i
npubl i
cletalonewi t
hastranger.Goodni
ght
,bye.
”
Heleavest hegir
lstunned.
*
***
***
***
***
**

AttheRoyalPal
aceBukhosihast urnedhi
sroom
upsidedown.Sphabreaksthelockandwalksin
observi
ngthemess,piecesofglass,br
okenchai
rs,
tor
nbooks...
.
“Ohboy!Whatthehel
lisgoingonher
e?”Bukhosi
glar
esathi
m.“ I
'
m aski
ngyouaquestionBukhosi
,
whathappened?What'
swr ongwit
hyou?”
“
Don'
tyel
latme!Leavemeal
one!
”He'
sseet
hing.
“Boy,
don'tyoudarerai
seyourvoicewhenspeaking
tome,I'
m youruncle,
yourfat
her'
selderbr
other
,
haveyouforgot
tenthat?”Spharepri
mandscalmly.
“
No.Ij
ustwantt
obeal
one,
please.
”
“Wheredidyougowithyourmama?What
happenedwhereyouwent,youar
eher
ebreaki
ng
thi
ngs,Juni
orhasbeenintheswi
mmingpoolsi
nce
t
hen,Si
saiscurledupi
naballi
nherr
oom st
ari
ng
i
ntospace.Tal
kt ome,
Icanhel
p.”
“
Givemeagun.
”
“
What
?Ar
eyounut
s?”
“Thenyoucan'thel
pmeuncledaddy,
I'
m sorrybut
youhavetoleavemyroom bef
oreIdi
srespectyou.
”
“Whathascomeoveryouchi l
dren?Doyouwantt o
seeyourgrandfatherdead?He'sbeenconstantl
y
si
ck,hecan'thandleyourunrulybehavi
orsatthe
moment.Pleasespar ehim.Cleanthi
sroom beforeI
comebackher e.”Sphaexit
s.

“
Babe?MyRose?
”Sphat
apshi
swi
fe'
sshoul
der
.
“Hmmm!”Nomt
hal
ooksl
osti
nsomedar
kfor
est
s
ofAf
ri
ca.
“Whathappenedtothi
sfamilytoday?Mom i slosti
n
herownwor l
d,t
hekidsaresad, Bukhosiisbr
eaking
thi
ngsandhereyouarelostinyourt hought
s,
what'
sgoingon?Pleasetal
ktome. ”
“
Zodwahappened.Imadeabi
gmi
stakeSpha.I
shouldn'thavef or
cedSbui ntoamar r
iage, maybeif
thechildrengrewupknowi ngt hetr
uthaboutwhat
happenedbet weenthei
rpar ent
stheywer enot
goingtosuf ferli
kethi
s.I
t'
sal lmyfaulttheyare
suffer
ingt oday?It'
smyfaul tHerMajestytheQueen
wasdi srespected,i
t'
smyf aultSbuisoutt her
e
doingGodknowswhat .WhathaveIdoneSpha? ”
“Babe?Comeher e,l
et'ssitdownandt alk.
”Het akes
herhandandl eadshert othecouch.“ Nooneoft his
i
syourf aul t.Youdi dwhatyout houghtwasbestat
theti
meunawar eofwhatwi llhappent omor r
ow.I f
youdidn' tf orcethem t ogetmar ri
ed, whoknows
whatwoul dhavehappenedt hen?St opbl ami ng
yourselff ort hi
smess.SbuandZodwaf ail
edt heir
ownmar riage,it
'snotyourf ault.Stopwor r
ying
aboutthoset wor atherfocusyourener gyont he
chil
dren.Bukhosi ,JuniorandSi saneedyou, they
needyout owal kt hem pastt hisphase.Youcannot
accompl isht hatifyout akeal lt
hebl ameonyour
shoulder .I'm here, l
ikeIpromi sedt hefirstdayyou
acceptedmeasyourboyf ri
end, wewi l
lgot hrough
thi
stoget her .
”
“
Real
ly?Youwon'
tcompl
ainaboutmegi
vingt
oo
muchatt
ent
iont
othechi
ldr
en?”
“Iwil
lifyoumakemef eelneglected.Youar ea
str
ongwoman, asuperwomanandI '
m sureyoucan
handlemeandt hechildrenwi t
houtf or
sakinganyof
yourduties.Iwi
llbeherebyyoursi deandyouwon' t
havetodealwi t
hSbu.Iwi l
lbehi sshouldertocry
on,he'
saTshabangu, hewi llgetthroughthispai
n.”
“
Thankyou.
”
“Ishoul dbet heonet hankingyou.Iwouldn'thave
donehal foftheshi tIdor i
ghtri
ghtnowwi thoutyou.
Believeme, Igrewupi nthejungl
e,mypar entswere
milesawayandIhadt otakecareofmysi bli
ngsin
afor eigncount ry.Ididtakecareofthem butnotin
alovi ngwayl ikeyouhavet aughtmehowt odeal
withourchi ldren.”
“I'
m notonl yworr
iedaboutmyf amil
y.Zodwa
doesn'tlookhappy,allt
hethi
ngsshesai dback
theredidn'tsoundli
keherownwor ds.Idon'
tknow
butIfeellikeshe'
sinsomeki ndoftr
ouble,l
ikeshe
needssavi ngfrom t
hatkidshe'
ssleepi
ngwi th.
”
“She’
sagrownupwomanr esponsibl
ef orher
acti
onsandchoices,i
fshef eel
strappedshewi l
l
reachoutt
ousandwewi l
lhel pher.Ifwemeddlein
herbusi
nessri
ghtnowi tmightbackf i
reandwewi l
l
beblamedforseparat
ingtwol overs.
”
“I
fyousayso.Letmegoandcheckont
he
quadr
uplet
s,I
'
m suret
heymissme.”
“Okay.Iwilltal
ktothet
wi nsandseeifIcanget
thr
ought heirthi
ckskul
ls.Theseboysarereal
ly
somethingel se,t
heyar
ebot hhottempered.
”
“
Sayst
hef
athert
heyt
ookaf
ter
.”
*
***
***
***
**

Afteraverylongtime, yearstobespecifi
c,Sbui
s
smoki ngacigarett
e.Hel ooksatthetwosexyladies
givi
nghi m alapdancewhi l
ethetwoguyshe
orderedarebusyl i
ckingeachot heronthebed.He
feelsalit
tl
ebitnauseousbutpushesi tback.“Not
todayNomt ha.Iloveyouwi t
hallthef
ibresinme
buttoday,Ireal
lyneedt his.
”Hesi l
ent
lysaysbefore
droppingthecigarett
ebut tintheasht
ray.
“Makemef eelgood, Iwantt ofeelyou. ”Heor ders
thegirls.Theot hergi rlt
wer ksonhi swhi letheot her
massageshi sshoul der.“No!Nott hemassage
please.”Hegr abst hegi rl'
shands, pul l
shert ohim
andki ssesherhar d.Thegi rlmoans, hesmi l
eshi s
devili
shsmi l
ebef oregr abbingtheot hergi r
lwi t
hhi s
l
ef thand.Heswi ftl
ypushesherpant i
esont hesi de
revealinghercleanl yshavedvul va.“Soni ce.”He
i
nser tshismi ddlef i
ngerwi thoutawar ning,thegi r
l
gasps.I t
'snotpar tofwhatt hesegi rl
sar epai dfor
butwhocansaynot othisGreekgod?Hecont i
nues
toplaywi ththebot hoft hem untiltheyar ebot h
pant i
ng.
“Mmm! ”Theymoanatonce, hefeelsgood.Itfeel
s
goodtoknow thathesti
llhasthateff
ectonwomen.
Shepushesbothofthem asideandchar ges
towar
dst hebedwherehisotherorderi
swai ti
ng.
“Thisi
snotfair
!Wearetheoneswhot urnedyouon,
youcan'tgi
veittot
hem!”Oneoft
hegi rl
ssulk.He
tur
nsback,hiseyesar
enowsmal l
erasheswi f
tl
y
pull
shisshir
toverhi
shead.Thef
ouroft hem can'
t
helpbutgaspatthesi
ghtofhi
sglor
iousbody.
“Yout wocanpl easeeachot heryoucan' thandleme
att hemoment .Don'tcomeunt i
lIsayso, arewe
clear?”Heor dersthegi rl
s.Thet woofthem swal low
i
nant i
cipati
onhopi nghewoul dchangehi smi nd
buthecont i
nuest othebed.Oneoft hegay- guys
makesamovet otouchhi m butSbusl apshi m hard,
hegr oans.“Idot hetouching,don'ttouchme! ”He
openst hedr awer ,
retri
evesanumberofboxesof
condoms, aflogger,pinkandr edhandcuf fs,
blindfol
derandabel t.“Yourhands!”Hecuf f
sthem
bef or
ebl i
ndfoldingthem.“ Yournames? ”
“
M-Mat
hias.
”
“Marko.
”Thetwoguyssaysynonymously.Ther
e's
somethi
nginPrinceSbu'
seyes,
Ican'
treall
yputmy
fi
ngeronitbuti
t'
sther
e.
“Fine.You, t
urnaround.”Heor ders.Markoquickl
y
turnsar oundi nantici
pation.Sbuspankshi m
repeat edlyuntilhi
sbuttchangescol or.Thegir
lsare
salivating,roughsexiswhatt heyarecravi
ngfor.
Hegr abst hebeltwhichisonMar ko'
sneckand
pullsitback.Wi t
haswi ftmoveusi nghisfr
eehand
het earsacondom wr apperandput si
ton.His
speedsayssomuchabouthi ssexualexperi
ence.
Heenterstheguyfrom thebackwithoutwarning.
He'smovingfastandroughashet hrusts,
getti
ng
deeperwithever
ythrustwhil
eholdinghiminpl ace.
Markocriesoutbuthedoesn'tst
opunt i
lhepasses
out.
“Y-youki
ll
edhi
m--
”Oneofthegi
rl
ssayswi
tha
shakyvoi
ceatt
empti
ngt
oleavet
heroom.
“Nobabygirl
,nooneisleaving.Seventyt
wohour s,
that
'swhatyougetpaidfor.Continuewit
hwhatyou
weredoing.
”Theothergir
lscreamsf orhelp.Ital
l
happenssofast,
thefl
oorisbl oodyredast hegir
l
l
iesli
fel
esswithabull
etonherskul l.
“
Noo!
”Thesur
vivi
nggi
rlscr
eamst
oo.
“Shutup!Getbackt owhatyouwer edoi
ngbef or
eI
l
osemyt emper.
”Thegi r
lfear
ful
lysit
sont hecouch.
“Matthi
as,yourt
urn.Turnaround.”Matt
hiasis
unawareofwhatj usthappenedtohisfr
iendsince
he'sbli
ndfol
ded.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Af
teral
ongt
alkwit
hhi
snephewsSphai
sfi
nal
ly
al
onewi
thhi
swife.
“
Whatal
ongday!
”
“
Youcansaythatagai
n.I
'm ver
yti
redIdon'
tknow
i
fIwi
llbeabl
etofal
lasl
eep.”Nomthayawns.
“
Comeandsi
ther
e,l
etmehel
pyour
elax.
”
“
Oohr
eal
lynowdar
li
ng?Ar
en'
tyout
ir
edyour
sel
f?”
“No.Youandmychi l
drenar ethesourceofmy
ener gy.AslongasIhaveyouandmyt roublesome
children,I
'm good.”Nomt hasitsi nf
rontofhi m.He
slowl yremovesherbr aki ssi
ngheront heneck.
“Yousmel lgood,iloveit.
”Avi deocallcomes
throughNomt ha'slaptop.Het urnsthelaptopaway,
makesherwearherni ghtgownbef oreturningthe
screenbackt othei
rdirection.
“
Thatt
ookl
ong.
”
“
Kayise!
”Nomthascr
eamswi
thj
oy.“
Youar
enot
f
air
,notfai
ratal
l.
”
“Hayi
bo!Iusedtocallyouwhenyouwer
eon
vacat
ionbutthathusbandofyour
sal
waysgaveme
anexcuse.Oneofhi sexcusewaslike“Ntombi,
pl
easeletmywi ferestsheworkshardalltheti
me.
”
Iwouldjustr
ollmyeyesandswi tchoffmyl apt
op.
Howar eyoudarli
ng?”
“I
'
mf i
nedar
li
ng.Imi
ssyou,
whenar
eyoucomi
ng
back?
”
“AsyoucanseeIcanbar el
ysitstr
aight
,I'
m
seri
ouslypr
egnant
.”Theybothlaugh,Sphamakes
faces.“
Hell
otoyoutoobrother
.”
“
Hey,
how'
sshe?
”Quest
ionsPr
inceSpha.
“Tr
eadingonthelastsheetofpat
ience!I
'
m sofed
upwi t
hherat
tit
ude.”Someonestandsnextto
Kayise.
“I
'
mf ineasyoucansee.Nowstopaski
ngaboutme
asifyounolongerhavemynumber.
”She
di
sappears.
“
SeewhatIhavet
odealwi
thever
yday?
”
“Don'
twor r
yyouwi
llbot
hbefi
ne.”Theycont
inue
chatt
ingforsomeminut
esunt
ilKayi
sesaysher
goodnight
.
“Wherewerewe?”Sphaaskspushi
ngNomt
haback,
shefal
lsonherback.
“
Ihaven'
thadti
met ogotothehospi
tal
,I
'm not
r
eadytobepregnantagai
nbabe.”
“
Iknowthatbutyouwil
lalsohavet
ounderstand
t
hatI'
m notusi
ngacondom.Sweetheart
,I'
m
f
ait
hfult
oyouforareason.Ihat
econdoms!”
“
Real
ly?That
'st
heonl
yreason?
”
“Ofcour
senot.Il
oveyou,
noI
'
m cr
azyaboutyou.
”
HeFrenchki
ssesher.
“
Babest
op!IwantyoubutI
'
m scar
ed.
”
“Rel
axbabe.Ibroughtmorni
ngaft
erpil
ls,
wear e
good.
”Shemel t
sunderhisbroadshoul
ders.
..
.
*
*
*
*
Goodmorningdarl
ings.Ihopeyouallhada
fant
ast
icweekend.Haveabl essedweekahead,
l
oveyouall
.
[
07/
21,
13:
51]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er39.

FOURDAYSLATER.
..

Sbu'
sbeenmi ssingfr
om thepal acef
orfourdays.
HisMajest
yisreall
ystressedoutandhasbeenver y
si
ck.Nomthahast ri
edeverythingshecanto
connectwi
thPrinceSbubutal lsheseesisblood.
“Spha,I
'm worr
ied.Sbuisnotokaywher
everhei
s.”
Nomt hafi
nall
yconfessesherfear
s.
“I
'
m worr
iedtobutwhatcanbedone?Idon'
tknow
wher
etofindthiscr
azybr
otherofmi
ne.Bukhosii
s
al
sostr
ayingfrom t
hepat
h,doIwast
emyt ime
sear
chingforafullgr
ownupmanort ryandsave
Bukhosi?Hel
pmeoutMyRose, whatdoIdo?”
Pri
nceSphawi peshisfacei
nfr
ustr
ati
on.
“Thi
nkharderbabe, whatpl
acesdoesSbul iketogo
towhenhe'sangr y?Iknowonet hi
ngisforsure,
whereverheis,he'ssober
.He'sbeenpretendi
ngto
dri
nkalcoholbuthe'ssober.
”
“Whatdoyoumean?Pr
etendi
ngt
odr
inkal
cohol
how?”
“Youwon'
tunderstand.Justsitdownandt hi
nk
harder
,wehavetof i
ndhim beforeit'
stoolat
e.
Findi
nghi
m wil
lalsosaveHi sMaj estyandmaybe
wecansaveBukhosit oo.
”PrinceSpha'sphone
ri
ngs.
“
Pri
nceSphamandl
aTshabangu,
hel
lo?
”
“Hibabes,pl
easecomeandt akeyourbr
other
befor
et hepol
icear
riveher
e.”Amalevoi
cef i
ll
ed
withfemini
tysaysandtheli
negoesdead.
“
Whatt
hef
uck?Whowast
hat
?”Hecur
ses.
“
I'
m hopi
ngyou'
dtel
lme,
hesoundedgay-
ish.
”
AddsNomt
ha.
“Theclub!Adultent
ert
ainmentcl
ub!That'
swher
e
Sbuwent ,IswearI'
m goingt
okil
lthi
s--
”Nomtha
putsherfingeronhisli
pssil
enci
nghim.
“
Don't!Youdon'
tmeanthatandyoucannotswear
i
nvain.Goandhelpyourbrot
her
.Promisemeone
t
hing?”
“
What
?”
“Don'
tevent
hinkofhit
ti
nghi
m.Sol
vehi
spr
obl
ems
andbri
nghim backhomesaf
e.”
“
Fine.Ipr
omi
se.
”
*
***
***
***
*

Attheboys'
school.I
t'
sbreakt
ime,Bukhosii
snoti
n
agoodmood.He'shadt woconfr
ontat
ionswit
hhis
cl
assmatesalr
eady.
“Dude,youhavetostopwi t
hthef
ight
ing.Mamawi ll
kil
lusallf
oryourmistakes.Weareal
linthi
s
toget
herbutpleasestopbeati
ngpeopleupasifit
's
thei
rmistakeourmotherisaharl
ot.
”Juniorsays.
“Lunguagebrother.Mommydi dn' tteachustosay
suchwor ds.Iunderstandbrot
herKhosi 'sangerbut
ventingyourfr
ustrati
onsonever yonewhocomes
beforeyouwi l
lnotsolveyourproblems.Chi l
lout,
bro.”ThandoandBukhosibumpst heirshoul
ders.
“Youknowi t
'snotaboutZodwabei ngasl ut,
ithas
everythi
ngtodowi ththatkidshe'
ssleepi
ngwi th.I
mean, whatkindofamat urewoman, amot herto
fi
fteenyearol
dboysi nvit
esaboyt oherbed!I '
m
reall
ygoingtokil
lthatguy.”Bukhosiswears.
“Idon'tcarewhoshesl eepswithbutmypr oblem i
s
withhernott akingcareofherself
.Shelookssi ck,
ti
redandbor edwi t
hthatBen4ofher sbutshewon' t
agr eetobeingsuf f
ocatedbecauseofherpr i
deor
what everiti
s.”Juniorsaysandquicklytur
nshi s
attenti
ont othegirlapproachi
ngthem.Hewonder s
whocoul dshebeandwhywoul dshecomet othem
withherover sizeduniform.
“Higuys.MrThando,hi
.”Thegi
rlsaysl
ooki
ng
downont heground.
“
Hi.Wear
eAl
wande'
sol
derbr
other
sIguesswe
deser
vet
het
it
lemor
ethanhedoes.
”Juni
orj
okes.
“I
'
m sorrywon'taddressyouasguysagai
n.Mr
JuniorPri
ncethando,mayIpleaset
alkt
oyoui
n
pri
vate?”Sheshylyasks.
“Yeahsure.Wewer eli
vinganyway. ”Bukhosisays
standingupf r
om thebench.“ Hey,yourunifor
mi s
toohideous,pleasedomakeapl anabouti t.
”The
girll
ooksdownembar rassed.“I
'm notteasi
ngjusta
fri
endlyadvice.”Thetwinswalkawayl eaving
Thandowi ththegirl
.
“
I-
-”Theysayatonce.
“
Yougof
ir
st.
”Thandogi
vesherper
missi
on.
“Iwant
edtothankyoufortheotherday.Thankyou,
Idon'
tknowwhatIcouldhavedonewi thoutyou.
Youarereal
lysokindMr.Thando.Iwil
lpayyou
backyourmoney.”
“Hey,MrSomebodyismyf ather.Pleasecal lme
Alwandeoranythi
ngbutnotMr .Ifeelsool dwhen
someoneaddressesmewithat itl
e.Youdon' thave
topayanythi
ngbacktome.”Thegi r lshylysmiles.
Thandofi
ndshimselfadmir
inghersmi le.“What's
yourname?
”
“
Nal
edi
.”
“
Whatl
anguagei
sthat
?”
“
Tshwana.
”
“Okayseeyouar oundNal edi
.”Hernamef eelsso
goodi nhisli
psthathefindshimselfcrossi
ngthe
l
imi tsofki
ndness.“Canyoujoinmef orasnack
sinceyouchasedmybr other
saway, I'
m notusedto
eatingalone.
”
“
Butyourar
eroyal
ty!
”
“
So?
”
“Ican'
teati
nthesameplat
ewithyou.I'
mj usta
nobody,Idon'
tdeser
veal
loft
hatkindnessfrom
you.”
“Fir
stofal l
,neveragai
nregardyourselfasanobody.
Youar esomeonespeci al,Godcreatedal lofusfora
specialreason.Secondl
y,Idon'tdif
ferentiat
e
mysel ffrom ot
herpeopleonlybecauseIhaver oyal
bloodr unninginmyveins.So?Ar eyouj oini
ngme
ornot? ”Shelooksdownf eel
ingshy.Al lherli
fe
she'sneveri maginedher selfeati
ngwi t
hsomeone
from thehi ghersocialgroup.“Iwil
ltakethatasa
yes.”Thandoopenshi slunchbox, hesmi l
esashis
eyesl andonasmal l f
oldednot e.‘
Thisistoremind
yout hatmommyst il
llovesyou.Enj oyyour
breakfast.’Heneat l
yfoldsthenot eandst ashi
tin
hisbagbef oreservi
ngNal edi.“Here,washyour
hands. ”Hepour swat eroverherhandsaswashes
them pr ayi
ngandhopi ngthisisnotonei fher
nightmar es.Theyeati nsil
ence.
“
Thankyou,
youar
esoki
ndMr
.sor
ryThando.
”
“Youshoul
dbet hankingmymommynotme. ”She
curi
ousl
ylooksathim wonder
inghowitf
eel
sli
keto
growupwithapr esentl
ovi
ngmother
.
*
***
***
**

PrinceSbui ssi
tt
ingontheedgeofthebedf eel
ing
guiltyofwhathe'
sdone.Threedeadbodies,oneli
ve
gi
r lwhoi sst
andi
ngbetweenhim andhisfreedom.
Hesl idesdownthebedwithhishandsoverhisface
crying.
“WhathaveIdone?Br
other
,Nomt
hapl
easecome
andsaveme.”Hesobs.
“
Whoi
sNomt
ha?I
ssheyourwi
fe?
”Thegi
rlasks.
“
Nowhy?”Hi
svoi
cei
sraspyandshaky.
“
I'
vebeenwonder i
ngwhyyouhavesomuchanger
wit
hinyoubutsti
llpr
oudl
ywearyourweddi
ngband
whereveryougo.
”
“
Whatdoyoumeanwher
everIgo?
”
“Imeant hi
sclub.Mostmenhi detheirwedding
ri
ngsbef or
ecomi nginhere.
”Helooksathi slef
t
hand,hisangerresurf
acesatthesightofthestil
l
shinygoldri
ngonhi sfinger
.Hetri
est opulli
toff
butit
'sstuckinhisfi
nger.Onceagainhe'sdrawn
backintothedarkness,whereonl
yoneper soncan
savehim.Hi sbrot
her.
“Sbu!Whatthehel lman?”Hehearsavoice,hi
s
brother
'svoi
ce!Hewi peshiseyesmist
akingitfora
dream butit
'snotadr eam,hi
sbrot
herreal
lycame
forhim.“I
’mt al
kingtoyou?Whatisthi
sSbu? ”
“
I-
-”Sbust
utt
ers.
“Hekil
ledt
hem,
hehasyopayf
ort
his!
”Thegi
rl
blur
tsout.
“Brotherpl
easesaveme, Ican'taff
ordtogotojail
,
I'
m sor r
yIwasangry,Il
ostit.Idon'tknowhowbutI
reali
zeditwhenitwasalreadylate.Ican'
tgotojai
l
andl eavemychil
drenalone,please!”Hecont
inues
tocry.
“I'
m goi
ngt ot
esti
fyagai
nstyou!Youshoul
dhaveat
l
eastallowedmet otast
eyou,youaregoi
ngtopay
forrej
ecti
ngme--”Pri
nceSphapull
shisgunand
sil
encesthegir
lwithabull
etonherchest
.Sbu
gasps.
“Youar enotgoi ngtoprisonnotwhenI '
m sti
llal
ive.
Imadeapr omisetoprotectyoual waysandIwi lldo
j
ustt hat.Ihaveaf eel
ingthisr oom isunder
surveil
lance,anyideawher et hemoni toris?”What ?
Sphaj ustkill
edsomeonebuthe' scontinuingwith
hismi ssiontosavehi sbrother,notevenbot hered
bythef reshbloodf l
owingont hefloor
.
“
No.Whatareyouplanni
ngtodo?”Sburecovers
f
rom hi
sshock.He'
sagangsterbuthi
sbrotheri
s
t
heworstoft
hem all
,al
thoughpeopl
eal
ways
mist
akehi
mf oranangel.
“Cl
eanupyourmessli
keIalwaysdo.Getoutof
her
ebeforet
hepoli
cearri
ve,t
hesepeopl
ecall
edthe
pol
iceonyou.
”Sphaorders.
“
I'
m notl
eavingyoual
one.Si
ster
-i
n-l
awwon'
t
f
orgi
vemef or--
”
“Justgett hehelloutofhere.Iwi
llhandl
et hi
s.”
Policesirensar egett
ingcl
oserandcloser.“Just
go!”SphapushesSbuoutoft heroom.PrinceSbu
hesitantl
yl eaves.Sphaistr
yingt
ot hi
nkofawayof
disposingt hebodiesleavi
ngnotracebehind.His
cell
phoner ings.
“
BabeI'
m--
”Hedoesn'
thavet
ocheckt
hecal
leri
d,
t
heri
ngi
ngtonesaysi
tal
l.
“
Gett
hehel
loutoft
hatr
oom!Now!
”Nomt
haor
der
s.
“
Babe-
-”
“
Spha,I'
m notrai
singthesekidsal
onewhil
eyour
ot
i
njai
l.Getoutofthatr
oom! ”Nomthascr
eamson
t
heothersideofthespeaker.
“
ButSbu-
-”
“
Sbuwil
lbejustf
ine.Usethef
ireescape,
youhave
t
wominutestodothat.
”Shedropsthecall
.

Thepoli
ceoffi
cersar
riveatt
hecl
ub,t
heyar e
escor
tedtotheroom bythecl
ubowner.Theyknock
butnooneresponds.
“Poli
ce!Opent
hisdoororwewil
lbreaki
tdown!
”
Sti
llnosoundofanyoneoranymovement.
“Thewholeplaceissurrounded,
comeouti n1,2,3-
-”Theyatt
emptt obreakthedoorbutt
ot hei
r
surpri
seit
'sunl
ocked.Theowner '
sheartpounds
andher emember swhathesawont hefootage,he
shutshiseyesinvol
untari
ly.
“Ar
eyousur ethisi
stheroom? ”Theof
fi
cerasks,
he
openshiseyestothecleanroom.Nodeadbodies,
nobloodspots,not
hingclat
ter
edaroundandthe
bedismade.
“I
'
m sur
ethi
sistheone.Idon'
tknowhowhedi
dit
,
hecoul
dn'
thavemovedfourdeadbodi
eswi
thi
n
thi
rt
ymi nut
es.Checktheclosetandt
hebathroom.”
Thebathrooms,cl
osetsaresqueakycl
ean.Theclub
ownercannotbelievehi
seyesandear s.
“Mr.wehaveal otofworkasoff
icer
s,canyou
pleaserespectt
hatatl
east
!”Theotheroff
iceri
s
angry.Theyjustwast
edgovernmentresourcesf
or
nothing.
“Ihavet hefootage,I'
m notlying.Comewi thme. ”
Theypacebehi ndhimt ohi soffi
ce.Hequickly
i
nser tst heDVDonhi slaptop, t
otheshockofhi s
l
ife,thesongvi deo‘Parti
cular’pl
ays.“No!No!No!
Thiscan' tbe,Ihadithere.Let'scheckthemoni t
or.”
Her epl aysthevideo,there'snot r
aceofanyvideo
orpict ureofr oom 911.Pr i
nceSbui sonlyseen
arri
vingatt hecluborderingbeerandchi tchatt
ing
witht hebar man.Not hingmor e.
“Nextt
imewearegoingtoar
restyouforwast
ing
ourti
meandresour
ces.”Theoffi
cer
sleave.
*
***
***
***

Pr
inceSphaandSbuwal
ksi
nthepal
aceusi
ngt
he
backdoor
.Spha'
sbeenoddl
ysi
lental
lthewayback
home.
“
Brot
her
--
”
“Don'tyouevenst
art!YouareluckyImadea
promisetomywi f
eot herwi
seI'dhavealr
eady
kickedyourbal
lsandleftyoutodieonthestreet
s!
Gays?Gaydudes, Sbu?Whatt hefuckiswrongwith
you?Doyouevent hinkbeforeacti
ng?”Pri
nceSpha
i
senr aged.
“I'
m sorry.Iwasangr y,Iwenttothecl ub,seei
ngall
thosemenpr obablycheatingont heirwiveswit
h
younggi rl
sf ueledmyanger .Theyr emindedmeof
mysi tuati
on, akidissleepingwi t
hmywi f
ewhileI
'm
stil
lfait
hfultoher ,
I'venevercheat edZodwa!Why
doesshehavet heaudaci t
yt ocheatonmewi tha
kid,akidbr other?Aboywhoi syoungenought obe
myson? ”Tear srol
ldownhi scheeks.“ Icoul
dn'
t
taket hepainanymor e,Iwantedthosepeopl etofeel
thepai nIwasf eel
ing,Ifel
thatredf oreveryman
henceIpuni shedthoseguys. ”
“
Kil
ledt
hem!Theywer
einnocent
,theyknewnot
hing
aboutyourpai
nandmar
it
alpr
obl
ems!”Mut
ter
s
Spha.
“Theywer emen- -”Ahotsl apsendshi m cr ashing
onthechai r.Her ubshi scheekbuthi sfat her
puncheshi m hard, f
eelingal ittl
ebitdizzyher ubs
hisothercheekbl oodoozi ngf rom hi
snose.“ Fat her
,
I'
m sorry.I'
mr eall
ysor ry.
”Hekneel sdownashe
furt
herbr eaksdown.Nomt hacannotseehi ml ike
thi
s,hispai nsli
cest hroughherhear t.Adr opoft ear
escapeshereyeasshewat chesHi sMaj estybeat s
thehelloutofhi m.“I'm sorryf ather
,Ireallyam. ”
TheKi ngkickshim ont hest omach, hef allsonback
hisheadhi tti
nghar dont hef loor.HisMaj estyis
aboutt ostomponhi schest --
“St
op!”Nomthaqui
cklykneel
sbef
oretheKing.
“Pl
easedon'
tdothi
stoyourson.He'
ssufferi
ng,
havemercyonhim--
”
“Nomtha?”QueenMothercannotunder
stand
Nomtha'sint
enti
ons.
“Nomom,Idon'tmeant
odisr
espectanyonebutI
can'
tst
andther
eandwatchallofyouki
ckingt
he
manwhoi salreadydown.IunderstandSbu'
spai n,
givehimtimet omakeyouunder standhowhef eels.
Onhi sbehalfYourMajest
y,Iapologize.
”Sheturns
toPrinceSpha.“ MyPri
nce,he'
syouronl ybr
other,
pleasedon'tdothistohi
m.”
“Babe?”Sphapullsherupandhugsherti
ght.“
I
didn'
tbeathim,IkeptmypromisebutIki
ll
ed
someonef orhi
m.Pl easef
orgi
veme.”
“Iknowandyouarefor
given.MakeHi
sMajesty
underst
and,
don'
tlethi
m beathi
mt oapul
p.”
“Getup!Getup!”TheKi ngshouts,PrinceSbuisnot
moving.Sphaqui ckl
ykneelsdownandt ri
estoget
him upbuthe'snotmovi ng,he'
sbleeding!Spha
slowlyr
emoveshi shandfrom hi
sbr other
'shead,
showshisbl oodyhandt ohisfat
her,theKingfall
s
unconscious..
..
..
.
*
*
*
*
*
Goodmor
ningdar
li
ngs.

I
'm nothappywi t
hthelikesandcommentsI'
m
recei
ving.Fort
hatreasonI'm goi
ngt
oleaveout
manydet ail
softhi
sstorysowecangetoverwithi
t.
I
'm sureyouallcan'
twai tt
oseethewords‘
THE
END’.
[
07/
21,
13:
52]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er40.

TWENTYHOURSLATER.
..

HisMaj estyandPri
nceSbuwer erushedt othe
hospit
al.TheKinghadami norheartattackwhile
Pri
nceSbuf ai
ntedbecauseofbleedingwhi l
st
dehydrated.Queenmot herhasbeencr yingsince
then,Sphai
scal
m butanyonecanseehi
sangeri
n
hiseyes.
“
Mom?Mot
her
-i
n-l
aw?
”Nomt
hat
apshershoul
der
.
“
Idon'
twantt
otal
ktoanyone-
-”
“Nomom, I'm nothavi ngt hat.Youaret heQueen,
youarestrong,youar ethemot hert
ot hesecrazy
sonsofyours, awi fet otheKi ngwho' ssleepi
ngin
ther
e,agrandmot hert oei ghtcrazygrandchil
dren,a
mother-
in-
lawt ot hisdef iantdaughter-in-
law-
-”The
Queenlaughswi t
ht earsinhereyes.“ Yousee?You
can'
taff
ordnott ot alktoanyone.Thi sdaught er-
in-
l
awofyour sisver yst ubbor nandwon' thaveyou
cryyour
selftot hebednextt oyourhusband' s.”
“
Nomt
ha!That
'syourf
ather
-i
n-l
aw,
yourKi
ng-
-”
“Yourhusbandbef oreallt
hoset hi
ngs.So,yousee?
Youhavet obestrongf orallofus.Weneedyou
mom, thesecrazysonsofyour swhoarebusy
acti
ngtoughbutt heyneedyou.Ever yoneneeds
thei
rmot her
'sshouldertocr yonnomat t
erhowol d
theybecome.Youcandot hismom, bestr
ong.”
“
Whoneedst
obest
rongwhenyouar
ether
e?Idon'
t
knowwhatgooddeedIdi dbef or
etobeblessed
wit
hadaught er-
in-
lawlikeyou.Thankyou,Ireall
y
appreci
ateyou,yourstr
ength,audaci
tyandef f
ect
youhaveonmysons.I fyouwer en'
ther
e,thesetwo
wouldbel ongdeadifnotlockedupinpri
son.”They
bothlaugh.
“I
'm her
emom,stopgossipi
ngaboutmeandmy
brot
herasi
fI'
m nother
e.”Sphasi
tsnextt
oNomtha
andputshi
sarm ar
oundherbeforeki
ssi
ngher
cheek.
“Tel
lme,ifIhear
dyoucorr
ect
lySbukil
ledf
our
peoplewhathappenedtot
hebodi
es?”Sphalooks
atNomthawhoshr ugs.
“
WhathappenedSpha?Youwer
ether
e--
”
“Nothi
ng.YousaidIshoul
dleavet
heplaceandIdid
j
ustthat.Sbuki
ll
edthreeoft
hem,Iki
ll
edtheother
gir
l-
-”
“
YourMaj
est
y!”Luckybowshi
sheadt
otheQueen.
“
Howi
smyson?
”Quest
ionst
heQueen.
“
He'
sawakeandhungr
y.He'
sref
usi
ngt
ohavet
he
hospi
talf
ood.
”Luckyi
nfor
mst
hem.
“ThankyouIwil
lgoandseehi
m.Daught
er-
in-
law,
organi
zethef
oodforhi
m.”
“Sis,howareyouhol
dingup?
”Luckypickshi
s
sisterupl
ikeheal
waysdowhengr eet
ingher
.
“I
'
m okaybr
other
.Youlookti
redandhungr
y.”
Nomthahasherarmsaroundhisneck.
“Iwor kedtwoshif
tsi
nthel
astt
wentyfi
vehours,
I
canr eall
ydowithahomecookedmeal,abat
hand
atleasttenhoursofsl
eep.
”Hefai
ntl
ysmil
esbefore
putti
ngherdown.
“
Youwi
llbef
inebr
other
.Whydon'
tyougohome?
”
“I
'
m wai
ti
ngforFai
th,shesaidshewi
lldr
opme
homeIdon'
tthi
nkIcandrive.
”
“Whereisshe?
”Luckyshrugs.“
Letmedr
opyou
off
.”Pri
nceSphaoff
ers.
“Nodar l
ingyoucan'
t,
I'
m sur
et heKi
ngwoul dwant
toseeyouwhent hedoctori
sdoneiswi t
hhim.Let
medosomet hi
ng--
”Nomthafishesherphoneoutof
herjacketanddi
alssomeone.“HeyDaddy?”
“
Pri
ncess,
howar
eyou?
”
“I
’mfinedaddy.Canyoucomeandpi
ckupyourson
atthehospi
tal
--”
“
Isheokay?Whathappenedt
omyson?
”
“
Relaxdaddy,
he'
sfi
nejustt
ir
edandsl
eepyIdon'
t
t
hinkhecanmanagetodri
ve.
”
“
Okay.Youhadmescar
edt
her
e,Iwi
llbet
her
ein
f
iveminut
es.
”
“
Bri
ngf
oodf
rom t
her
est
aur
ant
.”
“
Whatf
oodexact
ly?
”
“Beefcurr
y,veget
abl
esbutnocar
rot
sandpepper
s,
garl
icbreadandfrui
tjui
ce.
”
“OkayI
'm comi
ng.
”Sphat
hought
full
ylooksat
Nomtha.“What
?Whyareyoul
ookingatmel i
ke
t
hat?”
“Nothing.Iwil
lgoandcheckonmyf at
her
.”He
kissesNomt ha'
sfor
eheadbefor
eleavi
ng.
*
***
***
***
***
NOMTHA'
SPOV.

Youcanhideyourf
eeli
ngstot hewholeworldbut
nottomedarli
nghusband,Iknowyout hesame
wayIknowthebackofmyhand.Youdon' thavet
o
sayital
oud,
Iknoweverythi
ngt hatcr
ossesyour
mind.
“Mymoney?”Dadi
nqui
resput
ti
ngt
hef
oodbasket
onthebench.
“
What
?”LuckyandIaski
nuni
son.
“HeyI'
m notrunningachari
tyorganizat
ion,Isel
l
foodtoprovi
deformychi l
dren.Paymepl ease,
here'
stherecei
pt.Don'
tfor
getmyt ip.Ican'
tdeli
ver
forfr
ee.”Hefei
gnsseri
ousness.
“
Wondersshallneverend!Doest
hismeanI
'
m no
l
ongeryourdaughter
?”
“Nomthapaymepl
ease,
Ihavet
ogobackhomeas
youcanseehowsl
eepymysonis.
”
“
Fine.”Igivehi
m ahundr
eddol
larnot
efr
om Spha'
s
wall
et.“Happynow?CanIgetmyhug?”
“Yeahyoucan.”Weal
llaughasIr
uni
ntohi
sopen
arms.“Ihear
dwhathappened,
howar
eyouhol
ding
up?”
“I
’mtryi
ngdad.
”Idon'tknowwhybutnomatt
erhow
hardItr
ytobestrongmyf at
her
'sembr
aceal
ways
makemeweak, thismanismyweakness.
“Don'
tcr
ymybabyeverythi
ngwil
lbefi
ne.
”Lucky
andIbot
hlookatourf
ather
.“What?
”
“Youjustsai
dmybabyt
oSi
sNomt
ha,
doyoumi
ss
herthatmuch?”
“
YeahIdo.Imi
ssmybabyever
ysecond-
-”
“Enoughaboutt hesadst uffI
'vealottodealwit
hat
themoment .”Ican'
taffordtotal
kaboutmysi ster
Lindarightnow.Isti
llhaveSbuandt heKingtodeal
with,Bukhositoowhom Ihaveaf eel
ingisuptono
good.
Wechi tchatafewmor eminut
es.Mother-
in-
law
comesoutoft heroom whereSbuisinandinfor
ms
mehewantt oseehisfat
herbutshecouldn'
tbe
braveenoughtotellhi
m whathappenedtohis
father
.
“I
t'
sokaymom, SphaandIwi l
ltal
ktoSbu.
Everyt
hingwi
llbefine.
”Iassureher.
“Letusgiveyouspacet odealwi
ththisasafami
ly,
MyQueen, myprayersarewit
hallofyou.
Everythi
ngwi l
lbefi
ne.”Dadsayspatti
ngher
shoulder.Yeahthat
'showmyf amili
esarecl
ose.
“Thankyousomuchi n-
law.”Mot
her
-i
n-lawswift
ly
standsandherbodycrushesonmyfather'
s,she
sobs.Dadcalmsherdown.

“
Hey.
”Igr
eetmycr
azybr
other
-i
n-l
aw.
“
I’
m sor
ry-
-”
“Noyouar enotorshoul dIsayyouarealwayssorry?
SbuIcar eforyoubutt hismadnessofyour s,
Ican't
standit.Youwi llhavet ositdownandthinkhard,
searchyoursoul ,f
indoutifyouwanttoloseyour
l
ifeoryourf r
eedom f orsomeonewhodoesn' tcare
foryouandyourchi l
dren.Iunderst
andyoucar e
deeplyforherbutgoi ngaroundhurti
nginnocent
peoplef orsomet hingtheyknownot hi
ngabout ?
Whati swr ongwi thyou? ”Someti
meswehavet o
t
ight
enupandshowt oughlovet
oourl
ovedones
whenit'
stheonl
yopt
ionlef
ttotr
yandsavet
hem
f
rom thei
rsel
ves.
“
I’
m sor
ry-
-”
“StopsayingI'
m sorrybefor
eIslapsensei ntoyour
alr
eadyhur tskul
l!Youarenotsorry,youar e
pretendingtobesorrysowecanal lf
orgiveyou
thentomor r
owyouwi l
ldosomethingwor se.Ican'
t
keepcl eani
ngupyourmessSbu, youar eabusi ng
mypowerandi t'
snotfunnyatall!
”
“You?Youcl eanedupt heroom tosaveme? ”YeahI
wast heonewhocl eanedthebloodydamnr oom,
withthehelpofgr andpaofcourse.Ialsodel
eted
thefootage,IknowI '
m abusi
ngmypowerbutwhat
canIdo?Ican' traiseei
ghtchi
ldrenalonewithout
thefather.
“Nonott osaveyoubutmyhusband.Youknowhe
can'tseeyouhur torgoingt oprison,t
hatsameway
Ican'taff
ordtolethim got oprison.Ihaveei
ght
chil
drentoraiseSbu, fourteenagersandfour
toddler
scanyouatl eastthinkaboutthatbef
ore
messingup?”Hesmil
es.Whatt
hehel
l?I
'
m her
e
scoldi
ngthi
sguybuthethi
nksI
'mj
oki
ng?“What'
s
funny?”
“Nothing.I
'mjustgladyouar ereferr
ingtomy
chi
ldrenasyour storaise,t
hankyou. ”Hesur pri
ses
mewi thapeckonmycheek.If reeze!IknowI
somet imeski
sshisf oreheadbutthis?Itfeelsali
en
andallkindsofunset t
li
ng.ComeonNomt ha,i
t'
s
j
ustapeckonyourcheeknot hi
ngsi gnifi
cant.
“
Ibr
oughtyouf
ood.Yourf
avor
it
e.”
“Myfavorit
e?”HismouthdropsasIopenthelunch
box.“How?Howdoyouknowt hisismyfavor
it
e?”
HowdoIknow?Imean, Ihaveonlyser
vedhim
maybeoncei fnott
wicethenhowdoIknowi t
'shis
favor
ite?
“Yourbr
othertol
dme.”Iblat
antl
yli
e.“Luckytol
dme
youhavetostayinbedforsomet i
me,canIfeed
you?”Hi
sf aceli
ght
suplikeI'
vej
ustgivenhim
somethi
nghe' swant
edhiswholeli
fe.
“
Yes!Yes!
”Her espondshappi
ly.Ist
artf
eedi
nghi
m,
mindyouI
'm usingmyhandher e.Myhusband
wal
ksinl
ooki
ngl
ostandal
lkindsofdi
stur
bed.He
f
rownswhenher
eal
izeswhatI'
m doi
ng.
“Babe?”Hetouchesmyshoul
derswithbothhi
s
hands.Icanfeelhi
smuscl
esti
ghtening,
whatis
wrongwithhim now?“
Whyareyouf eedi
nghim,he
caneatbyhimself.
”
“Luckysaidheshoul
dn'
tmove,
IthoughtIshoul
d
helphim eat
.”
“Okay.”Hesays.Histonescreamsangerandi t
says‘thi
sconversati
onisnotover!’
“Sbubrot
her,I
l
oveyoual otbutIthinkyouarecrossi
ngallthe
l
imits!Youcan'
tgoar oundkil
li
ngpeopleandexpect
met oalwayscomet oyourrescue.Areyoutaki
ng
advantageofmyl oyalt
ytomywi fe?Youknowshe
wil
lalwaysputmeunderoat hnott obeatt
hehell
outofyou,ri
ght?”
“
Iwasangrybrot
her,I
'
m sor
ryIalwaysmessup.I
r
eall
yam.”Li
kealwaysheapologi
zes.Someti
mesI
wonderi
fSbudoesmeanallthesewordsatal
lor
i
t'
sjustaj
okeyohim?
“
Thenextt
imeyoudeci
det
omessup,
pleasemake
sur eyouhaveapl antosaveyour self.I'
m done
comi ngtoyourrescue,I'
m doner iski
ngmyl i
feand
freedom foragrownupman, Ihavechi l
drento
raiseSbu, t
heyneedmemor et hanyoudo.Pl ease
beconsi derat
e,stopabusingourl oveforyou.”
Sphar eall
yhashadenough, hesoundsl i
ke
someonewho' sthrowi
ngint hetowel .Sbuisin
tears.
“
I’
m sor
ry-
-”
“Canyoumanupandst opbehavingli
keababy?I
hateitwhenyoumessupandst artcr
ying.Wear e
i
nt hisfi
xbecauseofyou!Fat
herhadahear tatt
ack
becauseofyou!Doyouwantt obebabysi tt
edlikea
chil
d?Noman, gr
owupSbu.Setagoodexampl eto
thetwins,t
heyareal
readyangryyounghuman
beingsdoyouwantt hem t
ostrayfrom thepath?”
“
I’
m sor
ry-
-”
“Bet
terst
opsayingthosetwowor dsmaybetr
yand
expl
aintomewhatisr eall
ypushingyouoverthe
edgebecauseI'
vetr
iedfiguri
ngitoutonmyown
butI
'mlosingmymindher e.Ist
illdon'
tknowwhat
i
swr
ongorwhat
'sbot
her
ingyou-
-”
“Sphast op!Stopit,
okay? ”Hegl aresatmebutI 'm
notbudgi ng.“No!Iunderstandyourangerandt he
emot i
onsr unningthroughyourvei nsr i
ghtnowbut
canyoust op,j
uststopmaki nghimf eelmor eguilt
y
aboutthewhol ethi
ng.Heneedsashoul dert ocry
onorhewi lloncemor egoonaki l
li
ngspr ee.The
Kingalsowon' tli
keseei ngyout wolikethis,fi
x
yourselvesoryouar egoi ngt ol
oseyourf at her
.”My
husbandangr i
lywalksout .Ifol
lowhi m.“Spha!
Babe?”
“
What
?”
“
Whathappenedwhenyouwentt
oseeyourf
ather
?”
“I
--
”Tearst
ri
ckl
edownhi
seyes,
Ileadhi
mtot
he
bench,
webothsit
.
“I
t'
sokay.Iunderst
andyourpainbutrightnowyou
needtostop,youarebehavingli
keyouryounger
brot
heranditdoesn'tsui
tyou.Don'
tventyour
fr
ustr
ati
onsonever yone.
”
“
Ican'
tlosemyf
atherNomt
ha,
Iwon'
tsur
vivet
he
l
oss.
”
“Youwon' tl
osehim.Fat her-
in-l
awwi l
lbefi
ne.”How
doItellhim?HowdoIt ellhi
mt obracehimsel ffor
morehar dshi
ps,hear t
acheandt earsofsorrow?
HowdoIt el
lhim whatf at
ehasi nst
oreforther oyal
famil
y?HowdoIbr eakhisalreadybrokenhear t?I
can'
tdot hat,
Iwillsomehowhavet obest r
ongf or
him.
*
***
***
***
**

Theboysar
ebackf
rom school
.
“Imissmommy, i
tseemstheyar
est
il
latt
he
hospit
al.
”Thandosayssadl
y.
“Brot
her
,canyoust
opbehavi
nglikeagir
l?Comeon,
wehavetogoanddealwit
hthatboy-
-”Bukhosi
says.
“
No!NoBukhosi
,I'
m notdoi
ngthat
.I'
m st
il
lyoung
t
ogotoj
ailordi
e.”Juni
ordef
ieshi
stwin.
“Met oobrother
.Ifdaddyeverfi
ndsoutwet al
ked
aboutt hi
s,hewil
lkil
landburythethreeofus.Why
nottellhi
m orunclehowyouf eelaboutt
hatboy?
I
'm sur
etheycandealwi
thhi
mi nabet
terwayt
han
wecando.”Suggest
sThando.
“Youtwoareuseless.
”Bukhosil
eaveshisbrother
s
andrunstohi
sroom upstair
s.Athoughtcrosses
hismind,
hesmi l
esandlockshisroom f
rom the
i
nside.
“Bingo!Igotyou. ”Heopenshisl
aptopandstart
s
typingsomet hing.“I
fyoucan'
tsaveyour
sel
fthenI
willdoitforyoudaddy.Zodwahasbeennot hing
butat horninyourl i
fe,
timet
oeraseherandallthe
memor i
es..
..
..
..”
*
*
*
*
Goodmor
ningdar
li
ngs.
Nextchapteri
snotforthefai
nthearted,
it'
sgett
ing
darkeratt
hepalace.Sphaisl
osingcontrolofhi
s
emot i
ons,
SbuisalsobeinghimselfandBukhosi
doestheunthi
nkable,whowil
lNomt hasave?
[
07/
21,
13:
52]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er41.

It
'sbeent wodayssincetheKi ngandhi ssonwere
dischargedfrom t
hehospital
.HisMaj estydoesn'
t
wantt otal
ktoanyone, hel
ockedhimsel finhi
s
chamber s.Sbuisalsobehavingweirdly,i
t'
sli
kehe's
possessedorsomet hi
ng.
“Mom, Ican'
ttakethi
sanymor e.I
'm goingtoopen
thatdoor,Hi
sMaj est
yhasn'thadanythingtoeatf
or
over48hours,whoknowsi fhe'staki
nghi smedsor
not?I'
m notgoingtositi
dlehere,
forgivemebutI'
m
goinginther
e.”Nomthasays.
“Idon'tknowwhetheryouarethecr
azyoneormy
sonsar ebutIdon'
thaveanythi
ngtosayanymor e.I
don'tknowwhat '
sgoingoninthi
spalace,i
t'
sli
ke
wear ecursedorsomething.
”Queenmot hersi
ghs.
“
Ever
ythi
ngwi
llbef
ine,
thi
stoowi
llpass.Pl
easebe
str
ongmom, Ineedyou,Ican'tdothisal
onemom.
Yoursonsarebothconfusingmeatt hemoment,
assuremethatIcanrel
yonyou, t
ellmeyouarest
il
l
thestr
ongwomanIsawi nmydr eams, t
heonewho
survi
vedwi
thoutherfamily,pl
easemom? ”
“What
'sgoi
ngonNomtha?Whydoyousoundl
ike
somet
hingbadi
sabouttohappen?”
“Not
hingmom,I
'
mj ustconcer
nedabouttheKi
ng.
Letmegoandseehim.”Nomthaleaveshermot
her
-
i
n-l
awwi t
hmanyunansweredquesti
ons.

SheknocksonHi
sMaj
est
y'sdoor
.
“Idon'twanttotalktoanyone!Goawayf rom here!
”
Nomt hashudder sinfear
.She'sneverheardHi s
Majestyshoutthismuch, thattoohisvoi
cefi
lled
withsomuchangerandhur t.Shetakest
imet o
calm hersel
fdown.
“YourMajesty,I
'm beggingyouonbehalfofyour
grandf
ather.Justl
ikeyouI '
m al
sowor r
ied--
”The
dooropens.ThankHeavenshe' ssti
llal
ive.“Thank
you.Iapol
ogizeifIforcedyouintoopeningforme,
I
'
m wor
ri
edYourMaj
est
y.”
“Whenam Idying?Who'
sgoingt
okillme,
Bukhosi
,
ThecrownPrinceort
hecrazyPr
inceSbu?Whoisit
goi
ngtobe?”
“Nooneofthem willki
llyoubutwear eaboutt
obe
hithar
d.WhatdoIdoYourMaj esty?WhodoIsave?
Myhandsar etied,Ican'tdoanythingtostopt
his
fr
om happening.”
“Ial
sodon' tknow,Ihadabaddream aboutallof
thi
s.Iknewt hi
swasgoi ngt
ohappen,l
etital
l
unfoldonit'sownitistheonl
ywaythoset wo
brother
s'angerwil
lbeconquered.It
hinkyou
shouldsaveBukhosi ,t
hosetwocanprotect
themselves.”
“HowdoIt el
lhi
mthatIalsohavet
oprotecthim?
HowdoImakehi m under
standhe'
stheonein
ser
iousdangeri
nalloft
his?”Nomt
hasil
entlysays.
“
Bef
orethatyouhavet
oeatsomethingYour
Maj
est
y.”Nomthachangest
hesubject.
“Who'
stal
kingr
ightnow?”Hejokes.Wi
thNomtha
youhavet
oknowi fshe'
sthesweetdearNomt
haor
t
hedaught
eroft
hest
orm.
“Yourdaught
er-
in-l
aw,theonewhowi lldoanyt hing
foryou.I
t'
syourturntodosomet hi
ngf orme, eat
yourfoodandapologi
zet oyourwifeforshutt
ing
thedooronherface.She'sreal
lyhurt
,father
-i
n-law.
”
“OkayIwi
ll
.Orderfl
owers,t
hebestwi
ne,
chocol
ates
andagoldnecklaceforme-
-”
“
Formot
her
-i
n-l
aw?”
“Yeswhoelse?YousaidImustapologi
zet
oher,
t
hisistheonl
yapologysheaccept
s.”Wow!The
Kingcanberomantict
oo.
“
Whi
chf
lower
s?Chocol
ates?
”
“Sunfl
owers,Ferrer
oRotcherandapur egol
d
pendant.I'
m suremysonhast aughtyoualotabout
wines,choosethebestone.Youcant akemybank
card-
-”
“
NoYourMaj
e--
”
“It
houghtweputt
het
it
lesasi
defornow.Iwantt
o
dothi
swithmymoneynotthecompany'
smoney.
ThatwayIwi l
lfeelgoodaboutthewholesurpri
se
apologybrunch.Don'tf
orgett
oorderherfavori
te
food.Takethi
sandgodoyourwor k.I
’m sureyou
sti
llr
emembert hesecurit
ycode.”
“Okayfather
-i
n-l
aw.YeahIdor
emember
.”She
smiles,
hesmi l
esback.
*
***
***
***
*

It
'slat
eintheaf
ternoonHisMajest
yhasthe
surpri
setabl
esetbythepool.Nomthadid
everyt
hingheaskedfor,
he'snowwaiti
ngforhi
s
Queen.
“Nonocheat ingmom.Don' topenyoureyes.”
Nomt hasaysescor ti
nghermot her-
in-l
awt oher
surpri
setable.“Youcanopenyoureyesnow. ”The
Queen'smout hdr ops.“Okay,l
etmel eavebefor
e
youbothstar tyourthing.
”Nomt hagivestheKinga
reassuri
nglookbef oresheleaves.

QUEENNOZI
ZWE'
SPOV
“YourMaj
est
y--
”I'
m st
il
lshockedbyal
lthi
swhenhe
goesdownononeknee.
“Nozi ,
themostbeaut if
ulgirl
inthewholeuniverse,
willyoupl easeforgiveme? ”Thisi
s..
.st
range,unli
ke
him.I t
'sbeenyear ssincehecal l
edmebymyname.
He'sal sonotwear inghisroyalatt
ir
eanddamn, he
sti
lllookshandsomel ikethefir
stdayImethi m by
ther i
ver.“Please,
I'm sorr
y.”He'shol
dingabunch
ofsunf lowers,myf avori
te.
“
Getup,youshoul
dn'
tkneeldownf
orme,
youar
e
t
heKing-
-”
“I
’m yourhusbandbef
oreallt
hosethi
ngs.I'
m not
gett
ingupunt i
lyouf
orgi
veme.Mydearwi fe,I'
m
sorr
yf orshut
ti
ngyouout,f
orgivemedarl
ing.”He
begs.
“If
or giveyou.Nowst andup.”Ihelphi
m up.He
surprisesmewi t
hapassionateFrenchkiss.Holy
Mar y!Itfeel
slikepar
adise,
IthoughtIhadst opped
havinganysexualf eeli
ngsbutthismanher eis
doingt hingstomybodywi thhistongue.The
twi
rl
ingofourt
onguessendsel
ect
ri
cit
yal
lovermy
body.
“
Thankyou.”Hesayslookingdeepi
ntomyeyes
wit
hhisseduct
iveeyestakingmebacki
nti
me.“I
l
oveyouNozizweKhumal o.”
“Il
oveyout oodarli
ng.”Wear est i
llstanding, our
armsar oundeachot hersavoringthemoment .He
pull
soutt hechairforme, Isi
tdownobser vingthe
tabl
eset t
ings.Hest andsbehi ndme, Icanhear
movement s,I
'm wonder i
ngwhathe' supt owhenI
suddenlyfeelsomet hingonmyneck.O.M.G!I
sil
entl
yscr eam li
keasi xteenyearol dgirl.“You
boughtmeaneckl ace?Agol dpendant -
-”Hesl i
ght
ly
ti
lt
smyheadandki ssesmyf orehead.
“Yesdarl
ing.It
houghtIshoul
dspoilyou,
remind
youofthosedayswhenwewoul descapeour
parent
s'err
andsonlyforaromant
icpicni
c.”
“
Thankyou.Iloveit!
”I'
m sur
emyfaceisgl
owi
ng,
I
'
mr eal
lyhappy.RightnowIcanf
orgetal
lmy
t
roubl
esandenj oythi
smoment.
“
Ther
eismor
e.Hol
don-
-”Hepi
cksupashoppi
ng
bagundert hetable.“
Foryout heQueenofmyhear t
,
thegirlwhostolemyhear tandnevergaveitback.
Thisistosaythankyouf orlovingmewithallmy
fl
aws.”Ican'thelpbutbeemot ional
.Heleans
for
war dandwi pesmyt ears.“
Theseareprecious
don'twastethem.”
“Theyar et
earsofjoy.Fort hefi
rstti
meeversi nce
wer econci
ledIcanf eel l
ikeme,Icanfeelandsee
yourloveformei nyoureyes.Enoughwi t
hthe
emot i
onalspeechesl etmeseewhatyouboughtf or
me.No, youdidn't
!”Il i
teral
lyf
lytohisarms,forget
myagehey, l
ovecanmakeyouyoungonceagai n.
“Mydr ess,
youst i
llr
emember ?Thechocolates?
FerreroRotcher
?”
“Ir
emembereveryt
hingsweet
heart
.BackthenIhad
nomoney,
Icouldn'
tbuyyouallt
hisstuf
fbutI
vowedt
omakeyourdr eamscomet r
ue.”
*
***
***
***
***

Thandoisonhi
swaytothetr
aini
ng.Hemissedt
wo
sessi
onsandheknowshe'
sgoingtopayf
orthat
.
“
MrThandowher eareyout
akingmeto?Myaunt
wil
lbeangryi
fIarr
ivehomelate.
”Nal
edisaysshyl
y
l
ookingathi
m.
“Iwil
ltakeyouhome.Iwantt oshowyousomet hi
ng
thatwillanswerthatquest
ionofyoursyouasked
earl
ier.Wewon' tbelong,t
hir
tyminutesonl
y.You
cant el
lyourauntyouwer edoingextr
awork,
copyinghomewor korwhateverl
ieyoucantel
l.
”He
smilessqueezinghersmal lr
ough-cr
ackedhand.
“
Doyoual
sol
iet
oyourmot
her
?”
“No.Mymotheri
s..
.dif
fer
entorl
etmesayspecial
.
Sheknowsmel i
kesheknowsherbody,Ican'
tli
eto
herandgetawaywithit
.”
“
Doessheal
sobeatyoui
fyoudosomet
hing
wrong?
”
“Yes.She'
sasweetwomanwhodoesn'
ttoler
ate
nonsense.Iwasbeat
enupt
heot
herday,foryou.
”
Naledigasps.
“
I'
m sor
ry-
-”
“
Don'
tlooksoshockedanddon'
tbesor
ryi
twasn'
t
yourfaul
t.I
twasmyfaul
tIcoul
dn'
tcontr
olmy
angerandshebeatt
hemadnessoutofme. ”Nal
edi
sti
fl
esalaugh.“
Anywayt
ellmeaboutyoursel
f.”
“I
'
m Naledi.Mymotherdi
edwhenIwas12t hatis
whyIhadt ocomeli
vewithmyauntinthi
skingdom.
Ori
ginal
ly,
I'mfr
om t
henearbyTshwanakingdom.”
“
I’
m sor
ryaboutyourmot
her
.”
“
It
'sokayI
'veaccept
edi
t.Godl
eti
thappenf
ora
r
eason.”
“
Wher
eisyourf
ather
?”
“
Inevermethim.”Muzi'
sheartcl
enchesforher.He
i
nvol
untari
lypul
lsherf
orahug.Thedr i
verlooksat
t
herearvi
ewmi r
rorandcoughs.
“ComeonMr
.it
'sj
ustahug.Don'
ttel
lmymot
her
abouti
t.
”
“Youknowtherul
esMrMuzi,
Iwon'tt
ellherj
ust
promi
sethatyouwon'
tcr
ossthel
imit
s.”
“Iwon'
t.YouknowIcan'
tdowhatyouar
ethi
nki
ng.
She'
sjustafri
end.
”
Thedr
iverpar
ksi
nfr
ontoft
hegym.Muziget
s
downt hecarandopensthedoorf
orNal
edi
.He
takesherhandandhelpsherdown.
“
Youcanl
eaveyourbagher
e,wewon'
tbel
ong.
”
“
Agym?Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
e?”
“Foll
owme. ”Shesil
ent
lyfol
lowshim.Thedriver
l
ooksatMuziandsmi l
esshakinghi
shead.They
aremetbyMuzi '
strai
ner,
hisgrandf
atherBab'
uMahl angu.Het
hrowsapunchatMuzi ,Muzi
blocksit.
“Youarelateboy.Wherehaveyoubeen?”Bab'
uMahlanguattemptstoki
ckMuzibuthej umpsand
l
andsbehi ndhim.Nal
ediisshel
lshocked.
“I
'm sorrygrandpa-
-”Onceagainhisgrandfat
her
tr
iest opunchhim butheblockshisf
ist.“
What '
sthe
schedule?Whenam Ihavi ngmynextf i
ght?”They
continuetheirpr
e-t
rai
ningbanter
.
“Nextmonth.Juni
orheavywei
ghtchampi
onshi
p.
Areyouready?”
“Iwasbor
nreadygrandpa.
”Hef
li
est
othewal
lli
ke
howJetLidoesi
tinmovies.
“
Who’ sthegi
rl
?”Bab'uMahl
anguaskswi
thhi
sfi
st
ainchesawayfrom Muzi
'
sface.
“
Afr
iend.
”Hebendsbackwar
dsj
erki
ngt
hepunch.
“
Hername?
”
“Nal
edi.
”Final
lyt
heystoptheexchangeofpunches
andblocki
ngofthepunches.
“
Ledi
,meetmypr of
essionalboxi
ngtrai
ner.My
mom'sf
atherandmyf avori
tegrandf
ather.He'
sal
so
mysecr
etkeeper
.”Muzismi l
esathisgrandfat
her
.
“
Dumel
ang.(
Greet
ings)
”Nal
edisaysi
sset
swana.
“
Himygi
rl
,howar
eyou?
”
“
I'
mfi
ne,
Sir
,thankyou.
”
“IhopeI'
veanswer
edyourquest
ionnow.
”Muzi
smilesather
.
“
Boxingandkarat
echampi
on!Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
methisbef
ore?
”
“Youwoul
dn'thavebel
ievedme.Mostpeopl
ethi
nkI
haveasecr
ettwinorsomethi
ng.”
“
I’
m shockedMrThandobutt
hent
hisexpl
ainsyour
di
sci
pli
ne.
”
“Youwi llknowwher eIgetmydi scipli
nethedayyou
meetmypar ents.
”Het ur
nstohisgr andf
atherwho
i
ssi l
ent l
yobser vi
ngthem exchangingwor ds.
“Grandpa?I '
m sorrybutcanIskiptoday'ssession
andt akeherhome?Pl ease?IfIdon'tdothatt
hen
shewi llbeintroublewithheraunt.
”
“Youhaveamat chi
nfiveweeksAlwande,
mayt
his
bethelastdayyouski
ptrai
ning.Go.
”
“
Thankyou,
thankyou!
”Muzipunchest
heai
r.
“
Don'
tdosomet
hingthef
our
teenyearol
dme
woul
dn'
tdo.
”WarnsBab'
uMahlangu.
*
***
***
***
***
*

BukhosiknocksatZodwa'
shot
elr
oom.Zodwai
s
shockedtoseehim.
“
Khosi
,myson-
-”
“Don'
t‘
Khosimyson’me!I
'm notyourson,
Idon'
t
knowwhoyouare.”Hehi
sses.
“
Thenwhyar
eyouher
e?”Ben8i
nter
fer
es.
“Thisi
diot!Doyouevenknowt hi
sismyf ather'
s
moneyyouar esquander i
ng?Whatki ndofaboyar e
you?Don'tyouf eelashamedt osleepwi t
hsomeone
oldenought obeyourmot her
?”Ben8char ges
towardsBukhosibuti tseemshedi dn'tdohis
homewor kver ywellasBukhosisendshi m crashi
ng
onthefloorwi t
hhisr i
ghthand.“Don’tyoueven
thi
nkabouti t
!I'm aTshabanguandI '
m notaboutt o
l
etmyancest orsdownbyl ett
ingsomeonel ikeyou
touchme!Youdi sgustme!”
“
Bukhosist
opthi
smadness!Wher
eareyour
manner
s?”Zodwascr
eamsatherson,
helaughs.
“Manner s?Whatmanner sareyoutalkingabout ?
Whowassupposedt oteachmet hosemanner s
whent hewomanwhogavebi rt
htomechoset obe
asugarmama?Tel lme, whowassupposedt odo
that
?”Zodwabl inksrapidly.“
Youknowwhat ?
Forgetthis,
signthesepaper s!
”Bukhosigi vesher
anenvelope.Zodwa' smout hgoesdr y.Divorce
papers!
“
W-whati
sthi
sBukhosi
?”
“St
opaski
ngquesti
onsandsignthem.Idon'thave
ti
metoansweryourusel
essquesti
ons!”Ben8
snat
chest
hepapersandseesSbu'ssignatur
e.
“
Whati
ssheget
ti
ng?Theywer
emar
ri
edunder
--
”
“
Canyoutel
lyourdogtoshutupbeforeIl
osemy
t
emper!
”Bukhosipul
lsoutagun,Zodwascreams.
“
Shhh!Si
gnthepaperstheeasywayorthebloody
way.
”
“
BukhosiI
'
m yourmot
her
--
”
“Don'
tinsul
tthatword, don'
tyouevendar
e!Signthe
damnpaper s-
-”Hereleasesthesafet
ybutt
on.Ben8
l
ooksonasZodwat akest hepenandisaboutto
signwhenheal sopullsouthisowngun.Hepoints
i
tatBukhosi.
“Youcan'
tpointaguntomyson!Ar eyoucrazy?”
Zodwaslapshim har
d.“Iwil
lsi
gnthepapersput
downyourguns.”Shequickl
ysignsandtearf
ull
y
handsthepapersbacktoBukhosi.
“
Nowyoucanbot
hdi
epeacef
ull
y--
”Bukhosii
s
abouttopul lt
het
ri
ggerwhenaladywhosefaceis
coveredwi t
hapinkmaskappearsfr
om nowhere
andkickshisgunoffhi
shandsendingthebul
letto
theroof.ZodwaandherBen8scream ast
hebullet
hit
sther oof.
“Getoutofher
ekid,
nextt
imef
indasi
lencert
o
avoidthenoi
se.
”Thewomansays.
“
Whoar
eyou?
”
“Itdoesn'tmat t
erwhatmat t
ersisIcan'
tletyougo
toprisonf orthi
s.Comewi thme, t
healarm'sgone
offalready.”Theladyforcef
ull
ypullshi
m andr uns
totheemer gencyexi
t.Shegiveshim backthe
envelopewhent heyreachgroundfloor
.“Runas
fastasyoucan.Don' tyoueverdosomet hi
nglike
thisagain,go!”
*
***
***
***
*

Nomt haandBab'
uMahlanguar
ebothsensing
danger.Nomthai
ssweati
ngsoisherf
atheronthe
othersi
de.
“
Babe,
what
'swr
ong?
”
“
Wher
ear
emydaught
ersSpha?Wher
eisMbal
i?
”
“Whatar
eyoutalki
ngabout?Mbal
iispr
obabl
y
playi
ngwit
hhersibl
ings-
-”
“No.Somethi
ngiswrongIcanfeeli
t.
”Sheruns
downstai
rstothenur
ser
y.“Mbali
?Okuhle?”
“Mama!Mama!”Thet
hreeoft
hequadr
upl
etsr
unt
o
her
.
“Luna,wher
eisMbali
?Samkel
isi
we?Maids!
”They
allcomerunni
ng.“
Wherei
smydaughter
?Wher ei
s
Mbal i
?”
“
Pri
nceSbutookherout--
”Shepushespastal
lof
t
hem l
eavi
ngherotherchil
drencr
yingf
orher.
“Babe?What '
sthemat t
eri
fSbut ookher,youknow
helikeshermore.”Sphacal
lsfrom behi
nd.She
doesn'tst
op,shegrabsthefi
rstkeyfrom thekey
holderandrunstotheparki
nglot.
“
WhichcarMyPrincess-
-”Shepushestheguard,he
f
all
shar
dont hepavement.Shereal
izesshetook
t
hemotorbi
kekeys.Sphaonlyseesherfl
yingoutof
t
hecompoundwi
thoutevenwear
ingahel
met
.

SBU'
SPOV.

Haveanyoneevert oldyouhowEnhl elooksl

ikeher
mother?She'
sthespi tt
ingimageofthegorgeous-
st
unningNomt ha.Thewomanwhohasmyhear t
butIcan'
thaveher s.Whyi slif
esounfai
r?Whywas
mybr ot
hergi
venever ythi
nghedeser veswhi
leI
don'
thaveanything.Hehast hecr
own, t
hebeauti
ful
wif
eandf amil
y,Ihavenot hing.
“UncleSbu? ”Mi ni
-Nomt hacal l
sme.Whenevershe
doest hi
sIf eelmyi nsi
desmel t,
hervoice,hersmile,
hair,
everythingaboutherscr eamsNomt ha.So
whatifIcan' thaveNomt ha?Icanhavet hemi ni-
Nomt ha,ri
ght ?Atleastthatwaybr otherandIwi l
l
bothhaveher .“
Uncl eSbu? ”Shecall
sagai n,heri
ce
cream ismel ti
ngalloverher .
“
Whatsweet
hear
t?Tel
ldaddywhatyouwant
?”
“
Tis-t
issue.
”Shest
ruggl
est
osay.Yousee?Iwasn'
t
l
ying,she'sbravej ustl
ikeher,j
ustli
ketheQueenof
myhear t.I
'm sorrydaddy, mom, br
other,Nomtha
butyouwi llhavet ofor
givemeonel asttime.IfI
can'thaveNomt hathenI '
m goi
ngtoaf araway
placewithEnhl e,shewi l
lbemyNomt ha.Il
ost
everythi
ngbecauseofmyl oveforNomt ha,Ino
l
ongerr ecognizemysel fbecauseofthisstrong
feeli
ngIhavef orher .
“Enhl
e,youandIaregoingtopl
ayhideandseek.
Daddyandmommywi t
hcomef i
ndus,okay?”Ipark
mycari nfr
ontofoursecr
ethouse,noonewillf
ind
meher e.Bythet
imetheygethereIwil
lbelong
gone.

NARRATED.

Anhourlater
,Mbalii
ssl
eepingpeacef
ull
yonthe
bed.Sbuiswerdl
ylooki
ngather.Hetouchesher
cheek,hi
ssmilegr
owswi deronhi
sface.
“Youar
egoingtosol
veal
lmyproblemsmymi ni
-
Nomtha.Il
oveyourmot
hermor
et hanyourf
ather
does.Il oveherwi thever yfibreinme, Idon'tcar e
whatpeopl esay, IlovehernoIt hinkI '
m crazyf or
her .Whowoul dn' tbecr azy?Hert ouchmakesone
wonderhowi tf eelsl iketobet ouchedbyherdur i
ng
sex, shehast hesi lkiestski nt hatmakesmehar d
withoutevent ouchi ngher ,hereyesseduceme
withoutevenput tingal otofwor k, thewayshet alks,
ever ythingabouthermakesmer eal i
zehowmuch
I'
m mi ssing.I'm mi ssingal ot,herhoneypot ?Iwant
tot astei t.I
'm sur ei t'
ssweet ert hanal lthesweet
thingsi nt hiswor ldt hat'swhymybr otherwasabl e
toshootf ourbul letsatonce.Butt hatmusthave
takenagr eatposi ti
ont oachi ever ight ?”Inallthis
hehashi shandmovi ngupanddownonhi s
manhood.He' shar dasar ockasher unshi stongue
onMbal i'
sinnocentf ace.Movement sf rom outside
bringhi m backt owher ehei s.Het akesouthi s
swor d,gun, knivesandl i
net hem up.“ Noonei s
takingyout ooawayf rom me, youar emi ne.Not
agai nNomt ha--”Inhi seyeshe' sseei ngNomt ha
l
yingont hebednotat oddl er,Mbal i
.Nomt ha
pushest heunl ockeddoorandf reezes. ..
..
*
*
*
*
Goodmor
ningdar
li
ngs.

Iwant edtoshor t
ent hi
schapt erbutt henyoual l
woul dbel ef
twithmanyunanswer edquest i
ons, I
decidedt osti
cktot heoriginall
ayoutwhi chmakes
thef ol
lowingchapternotf orthef ainthear ted.We
areaboutt owitnessashowdownl ikenoot her,a
battlewhichwilldeterminewhodeser vesNomt ha
betweent hetwobr others,bul l
etswi llf l
y,swords
willbeusedandl i
veswi l
lbel ost.Thegodsar e
l
ettingt hi
soneunf oldoni t
'sown, i
t'
sf orthebest.
Stayt uned.
[
07/
21,
13:
52]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
Chapt
er42.

Shefeel
sairleavi
ngherlungs,
thesametimeBab'
uMahlanguishavingt
roublebr
eathi
ng.Thesurf
ace
underherf
eetseemstobemovi ng,herworl
djust
st
ops.
“Sbudon'tdot
his,
she'
sjustat
oddler
,lethergo
please.
”Shebegswit
hashakyvoice.
“I
’m doneli
steningt oyou!Youalwayst ake
advantageofmyl ove.Ibecameagoodboyf oryou,
Istayedfai
thfultomymar ri
ageforyou, Icouldn't
sl
eepwi thanyonebecauseofyouwhi leyouandmy
brothergl
owwi thaf tersexhappi
nessever yday!
Whyshoul dIkeepl isteni
ngtoyou?Why?I t'
seither
youcomewi thmeorIt akeherwithme. ”Sbupi cks
upEnhl efr
om thebed, Nomthafeelsl
ikeshe's
l
osingherbr eat
h, herkneesareaboutt ofail
.
“
Sbudon'
tdot
his,
itwon'
tendwel
l
.”
“Youarer
ightt
hisisnotgoingt
oendwelli
fyou
stopmefrom t
akingyoualongorher
.Thechoi
cei
s
yours.
”
“Youcan'
ttakemybabySbu,
youcan'
tdot
hat
.
Pleasel
ethergo.
”
“
Areyoucomi
ngwi
thme-
-”
“Putherdownbefor
eIbl
owyourbr
ainsof
f!
”Spha
hisses,
Sbulaughs.
“Tr
ymebr other
,justt
rymeandseewhatI
'm
capableof
.”Sbupointshi
sownguntohi
sbrot
her
sti
llf
ir
mlyholdi
ngEnhle.
“Bot
hofyoustop!Mybabyi snotaboutt
oseeyou
shooti
ngeachother,
she'
sjustachil
dforcr
yingout
l
oud!”Nomthascreams,Enhlegr
oansinhersleep.
“I
’m notleavi
ngwithoutNomt
haorEnhl
e.The
choiceisyours-
-”
“Whoa!Whatdoyoumeanyouarenotleavi
ng
wit
houtNomthaorEnhl
e?Areyououtofyourmi
nd
Sbu--
”
“
YesIam!I '
mf ucki
n'losingitbecauseIl
oveher,I
l
oveNomt hawi t
heverythingthat'
sinme,youknow
i
t,sheknowsittoo.Ideservesomet hi
ng,
Ideservea
l
it
tlebi
tofherlovebutno, shelovesmybrotherl
ike
nootherwomanhaseverl ovedherhusbandbefor
e.
Ideser
vetobelovedtoo,Iwanthertoo,youcan'
t
haveever
ythi
ngbrother
.”
“
Sbu-
-”
“Shutup!Justshutt
hehellupbeforeIblowher
brai
ns!”Nomthagasps.“NonotEnhle,Iknowyou
caneasil
ymakeanot herchi
ldbutifIkil
lyou,
my
brot
herandIwi l
lbeeven,wewillbothbe
miserabl
e.”Pri
nceSbusmi l
eshisdevioussmile.
“Youcanki l
lmeifyouwanttojustl
etmybabygo,
please.She'
stooyoungtowitnessal
loft
his.
”
Nomt hacan'tdoanyt
hingbutbeghim.
“SbuEnhleisyourblood,youwon'tbeabl
etolive
withthegui
ltofhurti
ngher.Letmydaughterand
Nomt hagothenyoucanki llme.Lett
hem go.
”Spha
real
izest
heonlywayt ogetthr
oughhisbr
otheris
byusingthesoftroute.
“Yourgun?Putitdownandpushi tt
ome.”
CommandsSbu, Sphaobliges.“
Move!Bothofyou
movet othatcorner,move!”Nomt haandSpha
fol
lowhisorders.Het akeshissword,kni
vesand
exi
tst
her
oom.
“Pr
inceSbusi
soputyourweaponsdownandput
yourhandsup,youar
esurr
ounded.
”Thepol
ice
havearri
ved.
“Reall
y?JustwhatIneededri
ghtnow!Didyouhave
tocallthepol
ice?Ican'
tst
opSbufrom doi
ng
anythinghewant st
oandyouhadtomakei twor
se
byinvolvi
ngthepolice!
”Nomt
hasnaps.
“
Ididn't
.Maybesomeonedid.Sbuisgett
ingaway
wit
hmychi l
dandallyoucareabouti
sthepoli
ce'
s
i
nvolvement
?Reall
ybabe?”Theybothfol
lowSbu.
“Don’
tcomeanywher ecloser
,Iwil
lkil
lheri
fyoudo.
Iwon'tshootherbutsl
ithert
hroatopen.
”Sbu
warns.
“Son,t
hisi
swrong.Wecant
alkaboutt
his,
wecan
solvet
hesepr
oblemsi
napeacefulmanner-
-”
“Don'tyouevenstart
!Allyoucar eabouti
syour
elderson,younevercaredaboutme.Yout hi
nkI'
m
theblacksheepofthisfamilyhenceyougavehi m
everythi
ngamandesi res.I'
mt akingwhatIwantthe
onlywayIknowhowt o.Tellyourpeopletodrop
thei
rweaponsorIwi
llsl
itherthr
oat
,af
tert
hatIwi
ll
kil
lmysel
f.
”Hedefi
estheKi ng.
“Sbusi
sowecant alkaboutthis.Pl
easedon' thur
t
yourownblood.”TheKi ngbegs.Thereportersare
busycli
cki
ngphot os,goingl
iveonairforeveryone
toseethedramaunf oldi
ng.Bab'uMahlangusees
thenewsont el
evi
sionandr ushtohiscar.
“
Dad,
what
'
sgoi
ngon?
”
“
Nomt
ha'
sli
fei
sindanger
--
”Hedr
ivesof
f.
“
Mama?Lucky?
”Ki
aracal
ls.
“Whatisi
t?Whyar
eyoushout
ing?
”Lucky'
s
annoyed.
“
Nomt
ha'
sli
fei
sindanger
.Dadj
ustl
eft
--
”
“What ?Checkt henewschannel -
-”Lucky'
smout h
goesdr yuponseei ngSbuhol dingakni feonEnhle'
s
throatwhoi sscr eamingherl ungsout .“
Wher ei
s
sisterNomt ha?Whyi sshenotst oppingt hi
s
monst er,I
'm goingt here.MissKayt akecareof
mom. ”Zandiisjustst andi
ngt hereli
keast at
ue.I
t's
l
ikeshej ustzonedout .
Nomt
ha'
sphoner
ings.
“Mommywhatt hehel
lisgoingon?Whydoesuncl
e
haveakni
feonEnhle’
sthroat?”Nomtha'
shear
t
ski
psabeatheari
ngherson'svoice.
“SonIhavet ogo.Takecareofyoursi bl
ingsfor
me.”Sheswi tchesherphoneof f
.“SphaI'm goi
ngt
o
stopSbuf r
om hurtingEnhle,
ifImanaget ogether
from hi
m dist
ractthepoli
ceandl etSburunf r
om
here.Iwil
ldealwithSbumysel f
--”
“
No!I'
m doi
ngnosucht
hing,
I'
m goi
ngt
oki
llSbu
wit
hmyownhands.Howdarehe?”
“Canyoupl easethi
nkaboutyourdaught erbefore
actingst upid?Ican'tl
oseEnhl e.No, I'
m notl
osing
anot herchi l
dagainbecauseoft hi
sf amil
y.Letme
takemydaught erandleavef rom her e,aft
erthat
youcanki lleachotherforallIcar e.”Sheleaves
Sphast unned.Sbuget sinhiscar ,he'saboutto
driveoffwhent hepoli
cest artshoot ing.
“St
op!Don'tshoot!
”Nomt hastandsi
nfrontofhis
car.Bab'uMahlangualmostfaint
sseei
nghis
daughterst
andingbetweenPr i
nceSbuandt he
poli
ceof
ficer
s.Sbugetsdownt hecarholdi
ng
Enhlewi
thonef oot
,she'
snolongercryi
ng.I
'm sure
she'
scri
edenoughf orherl
ungstostopfunct
ioning
foramoment .
“Tellt
hem t
oleavef
rom her
eorIwi
llcutheri
nto
pieces-
-”
“Sbu, youloveme, youknowyoucan' tdot hi
stomy
daught er,myownbl ood.Youwon' tbeabl etodo
that,yourloveformewon' tal
lowyout o.”People
exclaimi nhorr
orast heyfi
nallearnther oyalsecret
.
“Ican'tloseanotherchil
dSbu, l
ethergot henIwill
doanyt hingyouwantmet odo. ”Sbu'
sf acelights
up.
“
Brot
her,di
dyouhearthat
?Shelovesmet oo,
she'
s
r
eadytodoanyt
hingforme.”Sbulaughs,
hismock
l
aughigni
ti
ngPri
nce'
sSphaalreadyburni
nganger
.
“
IswearI
'
m goi
ngt
oki
llyouf
ort
hisyoubast
ard!
”
“
It
'syourfather
'sf
aul
tI'
m abast
ard,
he'
stheone
whofel
linlovewit
hanotherwomannotme.”Sbu
f
ir
esback.
“
Sbu,
youar
ehur
ti
ngmybabyatl
eastputheron
thedashboar
dbefor
eyoubr
eakherbones.I
'
m
beggi
ngyouinthenameofyourl
oveforme.
”
Nomthabegs.
“Youknowwhat?IwilldothatforyoubecauseI
l
oveyou,damnI'm cr
azyaboutyou! ”Hecaref
ull
y
putst
hesobbi
ngEnhl eont hedashboard.“
Nowt hat
I'
vedonewhatyouwant ,what'
snext?”
“Comet ome,
youcanhavemebutnotmyEnhl
e
please-
-”
“What?Nomt haareyoucrazy?Howcanhehave
youjustl
ikethat
?Thismonst erdeser
vest
odi
e--
”
Bab'uMahlangushouts.
“Daddypl
ease,don'
tdot
his.Youarenotamur
der
er,
youcan'
tkil
lhi
m andyouknowit.
”
“Well
,IcanandIwi l
lki
llhim wit
hmyownswor d.
Let'
sseewhi chswordwillwinthis!
”Sphachar
ges
towardsSbut hesametimet heladywit
hacovered
facesnatchesEnhlefr
om thedashboardandruns.
“She’
srunni
ngawaywi ththebaby!Cat
chher?
”
Nomthasendseverymani nunifor
m cr
ashi
ngon
t
hepavement .Ever
yoneisshockedaboutt
hetur
n
ofevent
s.
“Noone, Imeannoonewhoval ueshi s/herlifewil
l
foll
owher .”Sphai saboutt obebeheadSbubut
Nomt hacat cheshi sswor d.“Noonei skill
ing
anyone.Getoutofher e,allofyou! ”Sbuseesa
chancet oescape.Bul letsflyasNomt har unt osave
Sbu.“ Don’ tshoot !Pleasest op!”LuckyandSpha
bothf ir
et heirgunst hesamet imeThandor unsto
hermot her.Nomt hagr absSbuandpusheshi m
down.“ St aydownoryouwi l
ldie!”Sbuobl igesbut
notf orlongasheal sof i
reshi sgun.TheKi ng
pushesSphaawayandt hebul l
etblowshi sbr ai
ns
off.Noonei sawar eoft hisast heycont inuef i
ri
ng
guns, Nomt har eali
zesMuzii sr unningtoher ,a
bullethitshi m ont hechestandhecol l
apsesbl ood
oozingf rom hischest !“Alwande!Myson! ”She
rushest ohi m sodoesLuckyandt akeshi m away.
ThePr i
ncesar el eftaloneont hecent erstagebot h
readyt oki l
leachot her.Thepol icecan'tdoanyt hing
abouti t,Nomt ha'sor dersast hePr incessst and.
“Iwoul
drat
herl
ivewi
thoutabr
other
,youboth
deser
vetodi
e--
”Nombulel
oshaki
lyf
iresherguni
t
hit
sSbu'sar m.Hecol l
apsesont hefloor,
Sphapull
s
thetr
iggertofini
shoffSbubutNomt hacomesi n
between,thebull
ethitsherchest.Bab'uMahlangu
coll
apsesasdar kcloudsgatheront hesky.The
wholepavementi scoveredinapoolofbl ood.
Pri
ncessNombul el
opullsanothertr
iggertohit
SphabutNomt hapushesSphaaway, t
hebull
ethi
ts
Nomt ha'
sleftupperarm.
“YourMaj
esty!”QueenNozi
zwear
ri
vesatt
hescene
andimmediatelyf
aint
s.
“MyRose!”Sphai saboutt
okneelbeforeherwhen
athunderoussoundsendshi m al
mosttenmet ers
awayfrom her.Thewholekingdom i
sdarkerthan
everbefor
e,theonlyvi
sibl
ethingisl
ight
ning.
..
...
.
*
*
*
*
I
sthist
heendofSbu?WhatofThandoandhis
mother
?CanSphasurvi
vei
fhelosesf
ivepeopl
eat
once?
[
07/
21,
13:
52]Tat
e:SPONSOREDI
NSERT!
!!
!

Chapt
er43.

<<<<<<<Somet i
meslifeisisn'tf
air
!Wecanal lblame
l
ife,t
heuni ver
se,ourstars,ourancest
ors,t
he
Almighty,
ourpar ent
sandwhoeverwemi ghthold
accountableforwhatlif
ehasgi ventousbutt he
factremains‘I
fit'
smeantt obe, i
twil
lbe.’
>>>>>>>

“Mom!Mot her?”Nombulel
oshrill
ingvoicescreams
i
ndar kness.She'stryi
ngtogettohermot her,the
wholeplacei sdarkandit'
srai
ninglikeneverbefore.
Aflashoflightningbri
ngswithitl
ightandtheRoyal
seer.
“Iti
sfini
shed!”Heannounces.Justt
henSpha
real
izesNomt haisnotwhereshewasbefor
ethe
darknessbefellt
hewholekingdom.
“
MyRose!
”Hescr
eamshi
slungsoutashebr
eaks
downfeel
ingweakandfal
lsonhi
skneesi
napool
ofbl
oodyflowi
ngwater
.
“Daddy!”PrincessNombul el
of all
sonherfather'
s
coldbody.Hi sfaceunr
ecogni zable,
thebull
etreal
ly
hithim bad.“No!Youcan'tdiedaddy, wakeup!You
can'tl
eavemom al one,youcan' tl
eavemedaddy- -”
“
Pri
ncess,
pleasegetagr
iponyour
sel
f-
-”
“HowdoIdot hatMr .Off
icer,how?Myf ather--
”
Sphapul l
sherupi naf orahug, shetri
estof i
ght
him buthefor ceful
lyholdshert ight.Hesobsi nhis
chest,“
He's-he' sgonebr other--you-youki ll
edour
ownf at
her--youbot hkill
edhi m!”Shest rugglesto
fi
nishhersent ence.Thepar amedi csarerunning
aroundwitht heirst
retcherspicki ngupbodi es.
“Youcan'
thel
ptheKingupwhi
lehe'
sweari
nghis
crown.
”TheRoyalseerwar
nst
heparamedi
cs.
“
Whatdowedot
hen?
”Theyal
lquest
iont
heseer
.
“MyPrince,
”Theseerbowshisheadbeforea
dej
ectedCrownPrinceSphamandla.“
Thisisyour
cal
l.
”
“HowcanIdethr
onemyf at
her?How?HowdoIl
i
ve
knowi
ngthatIwastheonewhodethr
onedhi
m?”
Spha'
svoi
ceislacedwi
thpainandgri
ef.
“Notyoubutdesti
ny.Wi
llyoupr
efert
oleavehis
bodyhereforever
yonet
oseeHi sMajest
y'sdead
bodyuncovered?”
*
***
***
***
***

AtZodwahotelroom.Thenewsofwhatofwhat
happenedar
ealloversoci
almedi
a,r
adi
o,TV
channel
sandallnewspapers.
“
Whyar el
ooki
ngsosad?I
sn'
tthi
swhatyouwant
ed
-
-”AsksBen8.
“Ihatethem forwhatt heydidtomebutInever
wisheddeat hupont hem.Iwant edthem t
osuffer
nottodie.Nowwhowi lltakecareofmychi l
dren?
Theirfather
,theonlypar enttheyknowi sdead.The
otherpersont heyholddeari ntheirhear
tshas
disappeared,whatifshenevercomesback?What
willhappentot hem?”At earescapeshereye.
“Thi
sist
hechancef
oryoutogobacktothatPal
ace,
goandstr
ipt
hem of
fofthei
rweal
thy-
-”
“TJ,i
syourbr ai
nwor ki
ngproper
ly?TheKing,your
Kingjustdiedandallyoucareabouti
stheirmoney?
Areyouf orreal
?”Shesnaps.
“
Theyhur
tyou,
theydeser
vei
t-
-”
“
Justshuti
t,okay?Theymighthavehur
tmebut
t
heynevermademychi ldr
enmi ssme.I
'
m goi
ngt
o
t
hehospit
a--
”
“Hel
lno!Youarenotgoi nganywher e,haveyou
for
gott
enthatyouar enol ongerthei
rdaughter-
in-
l
aw?Youj ustsignedyourdi vor
cepaper safew
hoursback,youar enotgoinganywher e,doyou
hearme?”Hewar ns.
“
Whathappensi
fIgo?
”
“I
fyougetoutofthatdoorj
ustknowthatweare
done.”ZodwagaspsinshockasherBen8utt
ers
nonsense.
*
***
***
***
PRI
NCESPHA'
SPOV.

Ifeelempt y,sadandl ost.MyRosei snowher et obe

found, I'vesear chedal mostever ywher ef orherbutI
coul dn'tfindher ,myson' sli
feishangi ngonat i
ny
threadofhope, father-i
n-l
awi sunconsci ous, my
brotheri sal soinbet weenl i
feanddeat h, mom
doesn' tevenwantt oseemyf ace.Shehat esme,
shebl amesmef orever yt
hing.Shebl amesmef or
takingawayherhusband, myf ather.Mysi st
er,
Nombul elo,shejustzonedout !Asi fIhaven' thad
enoughf oraday, myot hersi
st er
,Kayi se, sawt he
newsonl ineandf ainted!Doyouknowwhatt hat
means?Shecoul dloseherbaby, somet hingshe' s
prayedhar dforovert heyears.WhathaveIdone?
“Uncledaddy--”Myhear tski
psabeat .HowdoIdeal
withthetwins?HowdoIhandl ethem whent hey
startt
hrowingaf iti
nthishospit
al?“Youdon'thave
tosayanything, wesawever yt
hingont henewsbut
there'
ssomet hingyouhavet odo.Findourmama,
bringherbackt ousafterthatmakesur eour
brothersur
vivest hebul
letyouyourselffi
red!
”
Bukhosisaysst
ernl
ylooki
ngst
rai
ghti
ntomyeyes.
“
What
?”Di
dIr
eal
lyshootmyson?I
'
m dead!
“Whyar eyousur prised?Mamat ol
dyout ostop
shooting,shewar nedal lofyoubutwhatdi dyoudo?
Youshotyourownson, yourhei
r,knowthatyouare
responsibleforhim beinginthatICUroom- -
”Ican'
t,
Ican'ttakethisanymor e!Thepainisjusttoomuch
formet ohandl e.Ishotmyson!Iputt hebul l
eton
hischest !
“Wher eisgr
andma?”Iwanttorespondbutmymind
i
sr eeli
ng,If
eell
ikesomeonejustst
abbedmei nt
he
heart.“Wher
eisgrandma?”Juniorasksagai
n.
“
Fir
stf
loor
,room 2.I
'
m sor
ry-
-”
“Wearenottheonesyoushoul dbeapol ogi
zingto.
Youknowwhatt odo, uncledaddy.Asf orme, I
'm
notangrynordoIhavet oquestionyourdeci si
ons
butwewi l
ldef
ini
telyhaveapr oblem i
fyoudon' t
fi
ndmamaoranyt hinghappenst oAlwande.”
Juni
or'
sneverbeent hisangryandf i
rm.I've
dest
royedmychildren' sl
ives.
“
Yourf
ather
,Imeanmybr
otheri
shur
ttoowhyar
e
younotwor
ri
edabouthi
m?”
“
Sor
rytosayt
hisbutIt
hinkhedeser
vesi
tand
mor
e--
”
*
***
***
***
**

Somewher
eundert
hedeepwater
sofUmlazi
river
.
Nomthai
sfumi
ng,she'
sbr
eat
hingfi
re.
“Youareresponsibleforeverythingthathappened,
youareresponsiblefortheKing' sdeath!I
fSbuand
mysondi esIswearonever ythingthat'
sdeartome,
allhel
lwi
llbreakloose--
”
“Cal
m downNomt
ha-
-”Gr
andpat
ri
est
ocal
m her
down.
“Youdon'tgettotellmet hat!Iaskedyou,you
assuredmenoonewasgoi ngt odie!It
oldyou
everyt
hingaboutmyvi sionsbutyoual ways
changedthesubj ect,
howcoul dyou?Howcoul d
youletSbukillhisownf ather?Howwi l
lhesur
vive
theguil
tofkil
lingtheKi ng?How? ”
“
I'
m sor
rybutt
her
ewasnot
hingIcoul
ddot
ost
op
whathappened.I
'
mreal
lysor
ry-
-”
“St
opapol ogizi
ngandf
indasoluti
on!Youst
art
ed
thi
s,youar egoingt
ofi
nishi
t!Youaregoi
ngtofr
ee
Sburightnow- -
”
“
Ican'
t-
-”
“Thatcan'
tworddoesn'texi
stinmydicti
onary,I
don'tcar
ewhoyouhavet ochall
enge,
Idon'tcar
eif
youhavet ochal
lengeourdeit
ytodoit,j
ustdoit!
He'ssuff
eredenoughalready!
”
“
Mydaught
er.
”Asweetvoi
cesays.
“Mother
,I'
m nothappyatal
l!Howcoul
dyoul
ett
his
happen?”Nomthaquesti
onsthedei
ty.
“Noonecanchangedest
inymychi
ld,
ithadt
o
happen.
”
“Iknowt hatbutIhaveapr obl
em withhowt hi
s
happened.Sbuhassuf f
eredenoughi nthiswor l
d,
nothingevergoesrightforhim,hedeser vesto
knowwhatyoudi dtohim don'tyouthink?Youhave
tolethimf r
ee,l
ethimlivehisownl i
feandmake
him overcometheguiltofwhathedi dtoEnhl eand
ki
ll
inghi
sfat
her
.”
“
Howdowedot
hat
?”Thevoi
ceasks.
“Thesamewayyout
ookhi
shear
tandl
ockedi
t
away.”
“
It
’snott
hateasy-
-”
“Sorrytoi
nterruptbutIdon' tcar
eifit'
seasyornot!
Yousentmet ot hepal acet
obr i
ngpeacebutI
broughthavoci nst ead.Twobrothersarefi
ghti
ng
formyaf f
ection, whatdoyoucal lthat
?TheKi ngi
s
nomor ewhatmor edoyouwant ?Doyouwantt he
twopr i
ncestoki lleachother?Whowi llr
uleyour
kingdom then?”
“I
twon'tbeaseasyasyout hi
nkbutIwil
lsethim
fr
ee.Hemi ghtnotsurvivet
heguil
tal
thoughit
'snot
hisfaul
tatall
.TheKing'sti
mehadcome, inour
soci
etyakingdiesbyt heswordofhisownblood,
hisheir
s.Pri
nceSbuwasusedf ort
hat--
”Thevoice
says
“
Andmyson?
”
“
AKi
ngshoul
dn'
tgodownal
onesomeonehast
o
accompanyhi
mtol
astpl
aceofr
est
--
”
“No!Mysoncannotdi
e!You'
drat
herki
llmenot
him--
”
“Wi
llyoushutupandli
sten!Thandowon'
tdi
e.Now
gobackhomet heQueenneedsyou.”
“
WhatdoIdowhenIgett
her
e?”
“Dowhat '
ssupposedtobedone.Theroyalseerwi
ll
helpyoudeli
verthenewsaboutPri
nceSbut o
everyoneint
hepalace.Goandpeacebewi thyou.
”
“
Thankyoumother.
”Nomt
habowsherheadt
oan
i
nvi
sibl
evoi
ce.Shetur
nst
ogr
andpa.
“
I'
m sorr
yaboutal
loft
his.
”Gr
andpaapol
ogi
zesf
or
t
hemi l
li
ont
hti
me.
*
***
***
***
*

Alwandeisoutoft
heICU,he'
simpr
ovingandthe
bull
etwasremovedsuccessf
ull
yal
thoughhe'
sin
aninducedcoma.
“
Brot
heryouhavet
owakeupdude-
-”Bukhosi
’
s
voicetr
ail
soffashefeel
salumpri
singinhi
st hr
oat
.
“Youaretheonlysaneonewecan'
taff
ordtolose
you.Whowi l
lscoldusandr
emindusofour
mot her
'st
eachi
ngswhenyouarenothere?Pl
ease
comebackbr o--
”
“Alwandebr other,thiswor l
dneedsyou, youcan' t
dieapr ematuredeat h.Youhavet ofi
ght ,fi
ghtl i
ke
i
t'syourchampi onshi pmatch,doitforusbr ot her,
wi nthisbatt
leforus.Youar eourchampi onandwe
trulybeli
eveinyou- -”Juniorcoll
apsesont hechai r
nextt oThando'sbed.Hebur i
esheadi nhi shands
andsobs.“ Brother,youhavet owakeup.Thi ngsar e
reallybadhere,grandpai snomor e-
-”Muzivi brat
es
i
nhi sunconsciousst at
e.TheECGmachi nest art
s
maki ngoddsounds, thesoundsarescr eami ng
danger .BukhosiandJuni orareter
ri
fied.
“
Whatdowedo?Cal
lthedoct
or-
-”Nomt
hafli
esint
o
t
her
oom andput
sherhandonhersonf
orehead.
“Mommyi sher
esonnothi
ngwillhappent
oyou.”A
tearrunsdownhercheekseei
ngallthedr
ipsonher
son'sbody.
“Mama!You-youcameback-
-”Bukhosir
unst
oher
andhugsherti
ght
,sodoesJunior
.
“I
'
m sor r
yforal
lofthi
s.Ican'
tbr
ingbackyour
grandfat
herbutIcanmakeotherthi
ngsri
ght.
Forgiveme--
”
“I
t’snotyourf
aultmama.Youal wayssaydestiny
canneverbedefiedandwebel i
eveyou.IfGod
didn'
twantgrandpat odi
ethenhewoul dhave
survi
vedthatbul
let.Weunderst
and.”Juniorsmil
es
withtear
sonhisf ace.
“That
'smyboys.Yourbr
otherwi
llbefi
neandyour
daddytoo.
”Thetwinsl
ookateachother.“
Boysr
ule
numberone?”
“Neverquest
ionwhatt
heel
der
sdo.
”Responds
Bukhosi.
“Good.Noonei sgoi
ngt
obehaver
udel
ywi
th
anyone,okay?
”
“
Yesmama.
”
“
MyRose-
-”Spha'
sfacel
ight
sup.
“
Don'
ttouchme!It
houghtyouandIhadan
underst
andi
ngbutIwaswr ong.YoushotmeSpha,
becauseofyourbul
letIbl
ed.Notonl
ythatyoushot
myson--”
“
BabeI
'
m sor
ry-
-”
“Youknowwhat?Youcant aket
hatsorr
yandshove
i
tdownyourthroat!Nx!
”NomthapushesSpha
asideandl
eavestheroom i
nahuff.
“Uncledaddyyourdar
kdaysjuststar
tedmamais
real
lyangry.Dosomethi
ngtopacif
yherbefor
eit'
s
toolate.
”Suggest
sBukhosi
.He'scrazy,
someti
mes,
buthei swise.
“
I'
m sorr
yboys.Ir
eal
lyam.
”Thetwinshughi
m
t
earsfr
eelyf
lowi
ngdownhischeeks.
Nomt ha'
sr et
urnmeansBab'
uMahlanguisnow
conscious.Hetooi
sangrywit
hthePrinces.
“Whydidyouri
skyourli
feforpeopl
ewhodon'
t
val
uethei
rownlives?Why?Doyouwanttodie
Nomthandazo?”
“Daddy,
yourdaught
erisi
mmor t
alyouknowthat
.If
Ihadn'
tdonewhatIdidIwoul
dbeherestandi
ng
befor
eyouasawi dowwi thfivechil
dren,
fourof
them beingtoddlers.Notonlythat,t
heQueen'spai
n
wouldbet ri
pled.Icouldn'tl
etthathappenfat
her,
I'
m sorryyouhadt osl eepforawhi l
ebecauseofme.
”Shesmi l
esathi m.
“
Yout
hinkt
hisi
saj
oke?
”
“NodaddyI'm sincer
elyapol
ogi
zingtoyou.Mom i
s
notherebecauseshehast obabysither
grandchi
ldr
en--”
“
AndEnhl
e?Whowast
hatwoman?
”
“
Mbalii
sfine.Idon'
tknowwhoshewasbutI
'
m
r
eal
lygrat
efultoherforwhatshedi
d.”
“
Stopl
yingt
omeNomt
ha!
”
“I
'mtel
li
ngyouthet
rut
hf at
her
,Idon'tknowwho
shei
s.I'
m goi
ngtoseetheQueenpleasecomewit
h
me.”

NOMTHA'
SPOV.
Mother-
in-l
awi sstaringi ntospace, hereyesblood
shotandherl ipsdryandcr acked.Princess
Nombul el
oi ssobbingi naver ypainfulway.Ican
underst
andt heirpain,Ifel tthesanewaywhenmy
si
sterSnedi ed.Atfirstonecanf eelthepai nunt
il
yourbodyget susedt oitandyoubecomenumb.
Thenumbnessf adesast heempt inessclicksi
nand
youjustexistinthi
scol d, alienplace.
“Mom-
-”Mother-
in-
lawwail
s,shescreamsherl
ungs
out
.Il
it
eral
lyr
unt oherandembraceher.
“He'sgoneNomt
ha.Myhusbandi
sgone,
hel
eftme
alone-
-”
“Youar
enotalonemom, I
'm her
e.Pr
incess
Nombulel
oishere,
yoursonsareher
et oo.
”
“Idon'
twantanythi
ngtodowit
hthoset
wo.They
cangot ohel
lforal
lIcar
e--
”
“Mom don'
tsayanythinginanger
.Iunder
standt
he
pai
noflosi
ngfather
-in-l
aw,pl
easedon'
tswearin
vai
n.”
“
Theykil
ledhi
m Nomtha,
theykil
ledt
hei
rownf
ather
,
t
heKing.
”Hervoicei
shoarse.
“Mot her
-i
n-law,Ithi
nkweshoul dtakeyouhome.
Queenmot hershouldn'
tcryinpubl i
c,it
'snotri
ght
foreveryonet oseeyourtears.Dadpl easehelpher
t
ot hecar .
”Daddyhel pstheQueendownt hebed.
“Pri
ncess--”Nombul el
ojuststares.I'
m sureshe'si
n
astat eofshock.“DearLord,pleasehelpher.”Isay
asilentprayerbeforehel
pingherup.
Iwaitfort
hem togetint hecarandl eavethe
hospit
alpremises.ThankHeavenst heQueen's
si
sterhasarri
vedIdon' tknowi fIwasgoingtobe
abl
et oconsol
eever yonealone.AuntGugui salso
onherway.Ihaveonel astpersontodealwith
befor
eIgohome.
PrinceSbui slyingonthebedwi t
htheoxygen
machi necover i
nghismout handnose,anumberof
i
nt r
avenousdr i
psonhisbody.Hewasonl yshoton
theshoul derthenwhyi sheunconscious?Istep
closer,t
hesi ghtofhim holdingaknif
eonmy
Enhle'
st hroatfloodsmymi nd,mytemperisr
isi
ng.I
fi
ndmysel fchockinghim almosttodeath.
“Si
sterwhatar
eyoudoing?”Luckypushesmeoff
him.“Haveyoulosti
t?Whatdi
ffer
encewil
lbet
here
betweenyouandhimifyoukil
lhi
m?Youwi l
lboth
bemur der
ers!
”Sbucoughsr
epeatedl
ytr
yingto
regi
sterwhati
shappeni
ngaroundhim.
“W-wat
er-
-”Hestruggl
estosay.Luckyi
saboutt
o
givehi
m waterbutIsnat
chtheglassawayf
rom
him.
“Water,ri
ght?Youfeell
ikeyouar egoi ngtodie?
That'sexactl
yhowIf el
tSbu,Ifeltairleavi
ngmy
l
ungsf oramomentIst oppedbr eathing,Idieda
thousandt i
meswhenyouhel dt hatkni f
eonmy
baby'sthroat.I
twasthi
spainfulbutyouwon' t
understandbecauseyou'venevercar edabout
anyonebutyou!Youar ejustaspi neless,coward,
self
ishpieceofshit
!”
“Sister,thi
sisapat i
ent.Iunder standyouranger ,
I
alsof eelthesamebel ievemeIf eltl
ikeki
ll
inghim
i
nst eadofsavi nghislifebuttherewoul dbeno
differencebet weenmeandhi m.Lethi m be,lethi
m
l
ivesohecanseewhathedi d.Hehast opayf or
ever ysingleli
fehehasdest royed, hehastoseehi s
deject edfamily,hehast ohisfather'
sskullwhom
hehi msel ffi
redabulletthatblowedhi sbrainsoff--
”
Gr
eat
!Justgr
eat
!Sbuj
ustf
aint
ed.
“Youarenotget
ti
ngawaythi
seasyyour
ascal
!You
havetoseeever
ythi
ngyou'
vedone,
wakeup!
”
*
*
*
Goodmor
ningdar
li
ngs.
Thi
sinserti
ssponsoredbyMariaFanhil
oDenhere,
al
lsponsoredi
nsert
sarelongdon'tcomplai
non
Mondaywhenyouseeashor terinser
t.Haveagr
eat
weekend.
[
07/
21,
13:
53]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er44.

TWODAYSLATER.
..
TheRoyalseercameandaskedt
ospeakwi
tht
he
Royalf
amilyinpri
vat
e.
“MyQueen,thegodssai
dIshouldletyouknowi
t
wasn'
tthei
rfaul
t.ThePri
nceswereusedas
vehi
clest
oreachthefi
naldest
inat
ion-
-”
“Howcanyousaysuchrubbish!Theykil
ledmy
husband,t
heyki
ll
edhim-
-”Queenmot her'
svoi
ce
tr
ail
edoffasshecoul
dn'
thol
di nthepainanymor
e.
“Mother-
in-
law,
lethi
m speak.Hewassentbyour
ancestor
s.”Nomthatri
edtoconsol
eher.
“Pri
nceSbusisowasnoti nhi
srightsenseswhenhe
didever
ythi
nghedi d.He'
sneverbeeni nhisri
ght
senses,t
hegodsusedhi m ashisbrother'
sshiel
d.
Toaccomplishthattheymadehimf alli
nlovewi t
h
hisbrot
her'
swifeinordertopr
otecther.”Expl
ains
theseer.
“
What
?Whatar
eyousayi
ng?
”AuntGuguquer
ies.
“WhatI'
m sayi
ngi spl
easetakei
teasyonhi m,
sometimesit
'snothisfaul
t.Hetr
iedtofighthi
s
dest
inymanyt i
mesbutendedupmessi ngupand
hurt
ingthepeoplehelovesthemost.Thegodsare
goingtomakeeverythi
ngright
.Pr
inceSbusi
so's
heartwil
lbesetf
ree.Thegodshavespoken,peace
beunt oal
lofus.
”Withthatsai
dheleftt
hem i
n
tears.
*
***
***
***
*

Tosayt heRoyalfamil
yisdejectedwil
lbean
underst
atement.Theyareallj
ustexist
ing.Pri
nce
SphaandPr i
nceSbubot hreceivedhotslapsfr
om
auntGugu,shewasr eall
yangrybutaboveher
angerwaspainandgr i
ef.Shewasr eall
y
heart
broken,
stil
lis.
“Nomthahaveyoulostsomeonecloset
oyou?”
AuntGuguasksstari
ngoutsi
dethewindow.
“YesandIcanunder st
andyourpai nandanger .I
t'
s
okaytoexpr essyourfeel
ingsjustbewar enotto
l
osewhat 'sleftf
orsomet hi
ngt hat
'sgoneandyou
cannevergetback.Fat her-
in-
lawisgoneyes, but
I'
m sureifyousear chwit
hinyoursoulandhear t
youwi l
lfi
ndhi m verymuchalive.Darl
ing,fat
her-
in-
l
awl ovedyou, headoredyouandwoul dgive
anyt hingtoseeyousmi le.Bestrongandl ethim go
i
npeacehewoul dn'
twanttoseeyoul i
kethis.I
t
surewoul dbreakhisheart-
-”AuntGuguwi pesa
tear.“ I
t'
shard,Iknow.Youar estrongsweet heartdo
thisf oryournephews.Theyar elosingtheirminds
asi tis.”NomthaconsolesGugu.
“
Ithoughtyounol
ongercar
eaboutt
hem?
”
“Icare,Ideepl
ycarealthoughI '
m st
illangryand
pained.Thepictur
eofSbuhol dingakni f
eonmy
daught er'
sthr
oatseemst ohavebeencement edin
mymi nd.I'
mtryi
ngver yhardt ocompl et
elyer
aseit
butI'mf ai
li
ng.Themor eIforceitawayt hemor eI
seemysonbei nghitbyabul letwhichhisown
father,myhusbandf i
red.”
“Youwillgetthr
oughitbutI'
m notsureQueen
motherwi l
lneverf
orgetwhatevershesawont hat
scene.Youhavet obestrongforherNomtha,she
needssomeoneasst r
ongasyouar etohelpherout
ofthi
sgr i
efphase.”
“
Iwi
llt
ryt
obest
rongf
orher
.”
*
*
*

Awomanwi t
hherpinkmaskwalksi
nPr i
nceSbu's
room andclosesthedoorbehi
ndher.Shecatwalks
tothecorneroftheroom wher
ePri
nceSbui scur
led
upinabal landcryi
ng.
“Youknowifcr
yingcouldsolveourproblemsthen
noonewouldbet r
oubleinthi
swor l
d.It
'sokayto
crybutr
ememberyouhavechi ldrenwhoar eal
so
l
ookinguptoyou,theyarewaiti
ngforyouto
consol
ethem--
”
“
Leavemeal
one-
-”
“I
’m notgoi
nganywhereunti
lyougetupf
rom ther
e
andtakeabath.Yourwoundsneedtobetakencare
ofortheywil
lneverheal
.”
“
Whydoyoucar
e?”
“
BecauseI
'
m human,I'
vealsol
ostpeoplecl
oseto
meandIunder
standwhatyouaregoingthr
ough-
-”
“
Noyoudon'
t!Iki
ll
edmyf
ather
,Ishothi
m,my
chil
drensawmebl owi
nghisbr ai
nsoff
,everyone
sawt hat
,Ideservetobepunishedfort
his.My
famil
yshouldsendmet oj
ailforhur
ti
ngthem the
wayI '
vedone.”Pri
nceSbusobs.
“It
'snotyourf ault.Thegodsusedyousot heKing
canr eachhi sf inaldest inati
on.It'spai
nfulIknow
butgr i
evingl i
ket her e'
snot omor rowandbl aming
yourselfwi l
lnothel pyoui nanycase.Youhavet o
forgi
veyour selfbef oreyouaskf orgi
venessfrom
others.Getup, Iwi l
lpr epareabat hforyou.”She
helpshi m andwal ksi ntot hebat hroom.“Your
bathroom i sver ymessy, don'tyouhavecl eaner
sin
thi
spal ace? ”Sbuf aintlysmi lesatheraudacityto
quest i
ont hecl eanlinessoft heroyalpalace.
“
WedobutIneededspace,
Ilockedmysel
finsi
de.
”
“Fi
ne.Gi vemef iveminutestoclearitforyou.”The
l
adycl eansthebat ht
ubbef orefi
ll
ingitwithwarm
water.Shepi cksupSbu'sbl oodyclothesfrom the
fl
ooranddumpst hem i
nt hewashi ngbasket.Sbuis
sit
ti
ngont hetoil
etseatashewat chesherqui ckly
mopt hef l
oor.
“
Whoar
eyou?
”Hef
inal
lygat
her
scour
aget
oask.
“That'snotimpor tantwhat'
simportantistogetyou
cleanedup.I '
m doneher e.”Sheclosesthet apt
o
stopt hebubblywat erfr
om overf
lowing.“Five
mi nutesofmedi tati
oninawar m bubblybathcando
wonder s,tr
yit.Tryt or
ememberonl ythegood
things.”Sbuwat cheshowshemovesherhands
whenshespeaks.“ Don'
tdrownyour sel
fplease.
”He
l
ightlylaughs.
“Iwoul
dn'
tdare.Wi
llyoust
andher
ewhi
leIt
akemy
bathorwhat
?”
“
NoI
'
mleavi
ngj
ustdon'
ttakel
ong.
”
Shedial
ssomeoneonthephone,af
ewmi nut
es
l
aterSamkebr
ingssouptoPri
nceSbu'
sroom.
“
That
’sal
l.Thankyou.
”Samkef
rownswat
chi
ngher
.
“
Whoar
eyou?Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nhi
sroom?
”
“It
hinkitwil
lbebett
erifyousti
cktowhatyouget
paidfor
.WhoIam i snotyourconcer
n.Getgoing.
”
Themaskl adyshowsSamket hedoor,she
hesit
antl
yleaves.Pr
inceSbucomesoutoft he
bathr
oom onl
ywr appedinatowel.Hishear
tski
psa
beatwhenherealizesshe'
ssti
lli
nt her
oom.“Rel
ax,
I'
veseenworse.Sitdownletmedr essyour
wounds.”
“Youref
usedt
otellmewhoyouar
ebutyouar
e
beingni
cetome,why?”
“
Eventheworstpeopl
eint
hewor
lddeser
veal
it
tl
e
l
oveandcar
e.”
“
YoumeanI
'
mthewor
stcr
eat
ure?
”
“
Notfornow.Ireadt
hingsaboutyouonpaper
sI
wonderi
ftheyareal
ltr
ue.”
“
Mostofthem ar
etrue.Whatnow?Wi
llyoul
eave
mywoundsnottakencareof?”
“I’
m nosainteit
her.Ican'tpossibl
ybej udgi
ngyou
ri
ghtnow. ”Shedresseshi swoundsandsi l
entl
y
feedshimt hesoup.Af t
erthatshehel pshim wear
hisPrinceregal
iafortheKi ng'
sburialarr
angements
meeting.
“
Idon'
tthi
nkIcandot
his-
-”
“
Yesyoucan.I
fyour
unt
oday,
tomor
rowi
twi
llbe
evenhar
dert
ofaceever
yone.
”
*
***
***
***

PeopleofUml aziaremorningthei
rgreatKing.
Everyoneissad,thedrearyweatheri
snotmaki ng
thei
rgrievi
nganybet t
erinsteadi
t'
sdraggingthei
r
spir
itsdownwi t
hi t
.
“Ourdeepestcondol
ences,YourHi ghness.
”Chief
SokheleandchiefMsel
ekubowst heirheadsbefor
e
Pri
nceSpha.“Youhavet obestrongYour
Highness.
”
“
Thankyou.”Pr
inceSphawi
pesat
ear
.“Iwoul
dli
ke
t
obelef
talone,pl
ease.
”
“It
’sokay.”Theyexitther
oom.Pr i
nceSphat
akes
hisfather'
spict
ureframefrom thebedsi
det
abl
e,
tearsfreel
yrunningdownhi scheeks.
“
Daddywhy?Whydi dyouleaveinsuchapai nful
way?Whydad?Wewer eclosefatherbutyoujust
l
eftwi
thoutevensayinggoodbye,howdoIcont i
nue
wit
hthi
slif
e?Wher edoIbegintomoveonwi thout
you?”Hesobspai nful
ly.“Father
,yourdeparturedid
notonlytakeyouawayf rom mebutmywi fetoo.
She'sveryangry,
I'
veneverseenhert hatangryat
me...I
'm sor
ryfat
her ,
pleasef or
giveme--”Kayise
walksinfoll
owedbyauntGugu.Theybot hbreak
downseei nghi
ml ikethis.
“Br
other
--
”Kayi
sef
li
esi
ntohi
sar
mswi
thherbi
g
bump.
“Ntombi
--
”Sphasni
ff
lestryingbyal
leanst
ostop
cryi
ngbutthepai
nisjusttoomuch.“Whatdi
dIdo,
sist
er?Whyme?Why? ”
“Heybrot
her
,lookatme,youdi
dnotf
irethatbul
let
brot
herSbudid--
”Kayi
setri
est
ocomforthim.
“I
tmakesnodi f
fer
enceIshoul
dhavelist
enedtomy
wife-
-”AuntGugusecret
lywipesherowntearsand
st
epscl oserhuggi
ngbothofthem.
“It
'sokaymydar l
ings,pleasestopcryi
ng.”She
consolesthem.Nomt hahasbeenwat chingher
husbandf r
om theentrance,herhusband'spain
sli
cesthroughherhear tstr
aighttohersoul.She
runsfrom ther
egoingt otheterracewhereshecries
herhear
tout
.
*
***
***
***
*

Lat
erinPr
inceSpha'
sroom.Nomt
hawal
ksi
n
hol
dingat
rayinherhands.
“
Babe?
”Spha'
sfacel
ight
sup.
“
Ibr
oughtyouf
ood-
-”
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“I
fit'
sabouttheshooti
ngnowecan' ttalk.I
'
m st i
l
l
tr
yingtocomet otermswithyoushootingmyson
I'
m notreadytorel
iveal
lthat
.I'
m st
il
ltraumatized
byeverythi
ng,gi
vemet i
met oprocesseverything.”
“
Okay,
I'
m sor
ry.
”
“
Sphaeatyourf
ood.
”
“
I'
m nothungr
y--
”
“Ididn'
taskifyouwer ehungryornot,eatyourfood
youneedt hestrengthtoarr
angeeverything.
Everyoneisexpectingyoutoactli
ketheCr own
Princethatyouare.Themeet i
ngisin45mi nut
es
betterbequick.
”Sphacannott akeNomt ha's
treatmentanymor e.Herbeingcol dtowardshi mis
maki ngeveryt
hingwor se,hecol l
apsesonhi sknees
andcr i
es.Nomt hasecretlywipeshert earsand
kneelsinfrontofhim beforehuggi nghimt i
ght.He
sobsi nherembr ace.“
Best rongmyl ove,
Ifelli
n
l
ovewi t
hyoubecauseyoushowedmeyoucanbe
strongenought otackleanypr oblem li
femight
throwyourway.Takehear t-
-”
“Ineedyou, Ineedyoubymysi de,
you'remy
strengt
hNomt hapleasedon'tl
eavemeal one.I
'
m
sorryforeverythi
ng,Iwil
lspendtherestofmylife
atoningforwhatIdi dbutpl
easedon'tleaveme
alone.I'
m scared.”
“I'
m st
il
langryyesbutIhaven'tf
orgottenmyvows,
thi
smar r
iageisforbett
erforworse.Iwillal
waysbe
withyou,I
'm notgoinganywhereIjustneedtimeto
healfr
om everythi
ng.”
“Thankyou.Iapol
ogi
zedtoThandoearl
ier
,he
acceptedmyapologyIdon'
tknowifi
twasgenui
ne
orhefeltobl
igedt
oaccepti
t.
”
“Muziisasai
nt,
hedoesn'
tholdgrudgesand
doesn'
twanttoseepeopl
efi
ghti
ngespecial
ly
famil
y.”

THREEDAYSLATER.
..
.

It
’sthedayoft hebur i
al,i
t'
srainingcat sanddogs.
Kayiseearl
iergavebi r
thtopr ematuret wins.
Unfort
unatelyoneoft hem didn'tsurvive.Pri
nceSbu
blameshimselff oreveryt
hingbutsodoesPr i
nce
Spha.PeopleofUml azihavegat her
edt osaytheir
fi
nalgoodbyest otheirKing.Theywi llallbeall
owed
toseehim onel astti
mebutnocommoneri s
all
owedatt heRoyalgr aveyard!Onlyt hosewith
Royalbloodcangot otheKi ng'
sf i
nalr est
ingplace.

QueenMot her
'sbeenfaint
ingagainandagai
n,
Pri
ncessNombul eloi
slookingbett
ernow.Muzii
s
outofthehospit
al,hi
sbrothersar
ehappytohave
hi
m backdespitethesit
uationint
heirf
amil
y.
“Doyouthi
nkgr
andpawasangr
ywhenhedi
ed?
”
Juni
orasks.
“No,Idon'tt
hinkso.Ithi
nkheforgavehi
ssons
beforebreat
hinghislastbr
eat
h.”Muzisays
adjusti
nghiscrown.
“Ihopeso.”Juniorsighs.“
Youknowwhat?Ilove
beingthejuniorpr
incebutthi
s?Wear
ingthese
tradi
ti
onalroyalcl
othesiswheremyprobl
em is.
”
“Br
otherAlwandelookscutemorelikeuncl
e
daddy.
”Theyalllaugh.“
Okaycarefulnott
ohurt
yourwoundotherwisewewi l
lhavetoburyyounext
toyourgrandf
ather.
”Bukhosisayswithasmil
ethat
doesn'
treachhiseyes.
“
I'
m notdyi
nganytimesoon,brother.
”Theyboth
t
urntoBukhosiwholookslosti
nhi sownworld.
“
Brot
herKhosiisever
ythi
ngalright?
”
“Yeah.Ididsomet hing,
willt
ellyouallabouti
taft
er
theburialri
ghtnowever yoneathomei sver
ytense
andgrieving.Let'
sgetgoingbef or
ethatdemonof
anaunt( AuntGugu)comesher eandhar assour
alr
eadynotsof eel
ingwellbodies.
”
“
Thatonei
sthemostcr
azyper
sonI
'
veevermet
.”
*
***
***
**

PeopleofUml aziwer egivent heoppor tunit

yt osay
thei
rf arewellmessagest otheirKi ngnowhi sfami l
y
andtheRoyalchi efsar egather edatt hegr aveyard.
Ther oyalpoetchant st heTshabangut otems, Sbu
l
ooksathi sbrotherandat earescapeshi seye.
They'venott alkedorsai danyt hingt oeachot her
eversi ncetheinci dent.PrinceSphai st heone
holdi
ngt heroyalspearst andingnextt ot heKi ng's
coffi
n, AuntGugui sst andingnextt ot heQueent o
givehersuppor tsinceshe' sfeel ingtooweakt o
standonherown.Bukhosi ,Juni or,Luna, Nkos' i
phil
e
andMuziwho' sleadingt hem br i
ngt hef r
eshcow
hideast heywer einstructedbef ore.
“Don'
tputi tdown,layi
tdowni nhisgr ave.”The
seerinstruct
s.Bukhosii
shelpeddownt hesixf
eet
deepgr aveandlaysitdownper f
ectly.“Your
Highness, t
imetolethi
m go.Wear er unningoutof
ti
me, Kingsarelai
dt or
esti
nt heafternoonnot
eveni
ng.”Pri
nceSphawipesatear
,Nomt
har
ubs
hisback.“
Lethi
m go,hi
stimehascome.
”
“Fat
her ,
Ihavesomanyt hi
ngstosaytoyoubutI
don'tknowwher et
ostar
t.Far
ewelldearFat
her
,
KingofUml aziunt
ilwemeetagai
n.”.
..
..
..
*
*
*
Goodmorningdar
li
ngs,
Ihopeyouhadagr
eat
weekend.
Thoseaskingaboutsponsori
ngani
nser
t,pl
easedo
sendyourmessagestomyWhat sAppnumber
+263775907564fordetai
ls.

Ialsowrit
er equestedpoemsf oranyonewho
wishestotickletheirl
ovedones,appreci
atet
hei
r
parents/
guar di
ansoranyt hi
ngyouwantf orasmal
l
fee.Yoursuppor ti
sgr eat
lyappr
eciat
ed.
[
07/
21,13:
53]Tat
e:Wr
it
tenbySukol
uhl
eN.
Mdl
ongwa
Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er45.

Att
heRoyalpal
ace.
“
Himommy, Ibr
oughtyouteaandsamoosas.
”Muzi
moti
onstothemaidtoputthetr
ayonthetabl
e.
“
Pleasesi
tdownmommy. ”
“
Whyar
eyoubei
ngt
ooni
ce?
”
“Well,
I'
m al
waysani ceguy.IjustwantyouandIto
tal
k,IknowIdon'thavetherightt
oquestionyour
decisi
onsbutIhavether i
ghttoknowwhymydear
mommyi ssoangryrightnow.”
“
I'
m notangr
y--
”
“MommyI '
m nott
woyearsoldanymor
e,Icanf
eel
thetensi
onbetweenyouanddad.Mommyyouof
allpeopl
eshouldunder
standhowthegodswork
becauseyousometi
mesdi r
ect
lyspeaktothem.
Pleasemommyf or
givedaddyanduncle-
-”
“I
’m amotherMuzi,amot herwhosawherhusband
shooti
ngherfi
rstborn,herpride,
Idiedami l
li
on
ti
meswatchingyoulikethat,Ican'
tloseyou,no!
”
“Iunderstandthatdearmommybutyouar e
forgett
ingsomet hi
nghere.I
'm dad'
ssontoo,his
heir,hedidnotmeant ohurtmei twasamistake.I
wasshotbecauseIwant edtosaveyou,pl
ease
mommy. ”
“Notnowson,Il
oveyourf
atherver
ymuch,wit
h
ever
yfibr
einme.Howcouldhehur tmet
his
much?”
“Youalwayssaypeopl edostupi
dthingswhen
angry,hisemotionsover
poweredhisreasoning
hencet hechaos.I'
m her
emom, Ididn'
tdieandI'm
notdyinganytimesoon.”Muzismileshischarming
smil
ewhi chmakeshim moreofhisfather
's
photocopy.
“
Iloveyouson.
”
“
Mommy?
”Lunaf
rownsast
ear
sthr
eat
ent
ofal
l.He
al
waysdoeswhenhefeel
sli
kehisolderbrot
heri
s
get
ti
ngthemostoft
hei
rmotheratt
ention.
“Ei
sh!Thi
scrazyl
it
tl
ebr
otherofmi
ne,
whatar
eyou
doi
nghere?”
“Il
oveyoumoremydearsonmor ethanyour
brot
her
.”Nomthapickshim upandtickl
eshi
m,he
l
aughswitht
earsroll
ingdownhischeeks.
“
Real
lymommy?
”Muzif
eignssadness.
“Youarebothcrazy.
”Nomt hal
aughs.Afteraver
y
l
ongt i
meshegenui nel
ylaughsanditfeel
sgood.
“Comeonsi ther
e,Ihavetodri
nkmyt eabeforei
t
getscold-
-”
“
Biscui
t-
-”Lunaaskssomef
rom hi
smot
her
.
“No!Nosweetsforyouforatl eastsi
xmont hsyou
hadenoughsweet sduri
ngt hepastweek.Goand
fi
ndyoursist
erinherroom, tel
lheryouwantmi l
k,
prepar
esomef oryourbrotherandsister
s.”Luna
j
umpsf rom t
hesofaandr unsout .
“
Hewil
lfor
getever
ythi
ngyousaidandstart
swit
h
t
hecr
yingt
henmysi st
er,
Sisa,
willhavenoi
dea
whati
swrongwithhi
m.”Muzil
aughsbutqui
ckl
y
st
opsashewinces.
“
Heyar
eyouokay?Di
dyout
akeyourmeds?”
“
I’
mfi
nemommy.
”Ar
oyalguar
dknocks.
“
Goodaf
ter
noonYourHi
ghness.
”Hegr
eet
sthem.
“
Goodaf
ter
noon.Howcanwehel
pyou?
”
“Ayounggi
rli
satthegateaski
ngtoseet
heyoung
Pri
nce.
”Muzi'
sheartski
psabeat.
“
Agi
rl
?Son?Who'
sthegi
rl
?”
“
Idon'
tknowmommy-
-”
“
Shesai
dhernamei
sLedi
.”Sayst
heguar
d.
“OkayI'
m comi
ng.Letheri
n,Iwi
llbet
her
eina
giphy.Mommy?MayI ?”
“Goaheadifyouhavenothi
ngtohi
de.It
rustyou
sondon'tbr
eakmyt r
ustbecauset
hatwi
llhurtmor
e
thanl
osingyoutodeath.
”
“Iwon'
t.I
'
mt aki
ngyourcarandthedri
ver,
thank
you.
”Heleavesbef
orehismothercansayanythi
ng.
Nomthashakesherheadsmili
ngtohersel
f.
*
***
***
***
***

“Heybr
other
,mayIcomein?”Hi
sRoyalHighness
Pri
nceSphamandl
aknocksonhisbr
other
'sdoor.
“Yeah,comeinbrot
her.I
'm sor
ry-
-”Sphastr
idest
o
him andhugshimtight
.Theybothcryineach
other'
sembrace.
“I
’mtheonewhoshouldbeapologi
zing,
I
misunder
stoodyoubr
other
.HowdidInotseet
hat
youneededmyhelp?Thisi
sallmyfault
--
”
“Stopblamingyoursel
fbrother.Webothcr ossed
theli
ne,maybeIwast oost ubborntotr
yanddef y
desti
ny.I'
m sorr
yforputt
ingt hewholefami l
y
thr
ought hi
s,Ir
eall
yam.I '
m sor r
yforhurtingEnhl e,
I'
m sureshehatesmenow, Iwi l
lunder
standi fyou
punishmei nwhicheverwayyoudeem f it.For gi
ve
mebr other
.”Sbuapologizes.
“I
t'
sokay,Idon'
thateyouandyourni
ecedoesn'
t
hateyoutoonorisshescar
edofyou.She'
sbeen
cal
lingyou.
.”
“
But?”Sbufeelst
hathi
sbrotherishi
dingsomet
hing
f
rom hi
m.Pr i
nceSphastepstothewindowand
l
ooksoutsi
de.
“Mywi feisreal
lyangry.ShehatesmeSbu, I
under standwher eshe'scomingfrom butIwon'tl
ie,
thisdistancebetweenusi skil
li
ngme.HowdoI
survivewi thhersocloseyetsof ar?
”PrinceSpha
sighs, defeat
ed.
“
Sist
er-
in-
lawlovesyoubr
other
.Herangeri
s
j
usti
fi
ed,givehersomet
imeshewillcomearound.
”
“
Ihopeso.Ican'
tlosemyf
atherandhert
oo.
”
“Youwon'ttr
ustme.Doyouwantmetotal
ktoher
?
”Pr i
nceSphalooksathi
sbr
other
,hi
sexpr
essi
on
unreadabl
e.
“Ar
eyounuts?No!Idon'tneedyoutot
alktoherf
or
me,Idon'
tneedanyonefight
ingmybatt
les.I
'
ma
man,aTshabangu,Iwi
llwinmywi f
ebackonmy
own.”
“Heycalm down,she'
syour
s.I'
m notgoi
ngtosee
thi
sasanoppor tuni
tyt
ohavehertomyself
.
BesidesIt
hinkthegodshavesetmyheartf
reebutI
stil
ladoreherf
oragr eatwomanshei s.Idoubtany
womanwoul dhavesurvivedhal
fofthethings
sister
-i
n-l
awhavesur vi
ved.Imeanhavingyouand
meundert hesamer oofisthegr
eatestchall
enge
i
tself.
”Sbustepsawayf rom t
hewindowandsi tson
thecouch.
“
Butyouaretheonewhodri
vesmecr
azymostof
t
heti
mes.”Sphapoint
sout
.
“YeahI'
m sor
rybr
other
.Iwi
llt
ryandbeagood
brother
.”
“
Youwi
llst
opki
ll
ingpeopl
etoo?
”
“No,
notthat
.That
'si
nmyDNAandyouknowi
t.
”
Thebrot
hersl
augh.
“
Man,Imisshi
m al
ready.”Sphaf
inal
lyt
alksabout
t
hei
rfat
her.
“Metoo.Istil
lhadsomanyt hi
ngstosaytohi m, I
wantedtotellhi
m howmuchofagoodf atherhe
was.Iwantedt otel
lhi
m Ilovehim,Iwantedt o
apol
ogizeforallthet
roubl
esI '
vecaused--
”Prince
Sbu'
spainr esurf
acesthi
st i
meheavierthanbef ore.
Hecrieshi
shear tout.
“Heyyoucansti
lltel
lhim al
lthoset hi
ngs.Hisspi
ri
t
wil
lfor
everbewithus.”Sphacomf ort
shim.
Pri
ncessNombulelowalksinst i
llwearingher
Pri
ncessatt
ir
e.Shejoinsinthehug.
“Somet
hing'
smi
ssi
ng.
”Sphasayspul
li
ngoutoft
he
hug.
“Yeahandthatsomet hi
ngispr
obablyfeel
ingl
onel
y
atthehospit
al.Let'
sgoandseeournieceandthe
babyofthisfamily,
daddy'
sgir
l.
”Pri
ncess
Nombulelosuggests.
“
Goodidea.Iwil
lletmywif
eknowwear
egoi
ngt
o
t
hehospit
alincasesheneedsme.
”
“Youaresuchahenpeckedhusband!Willi
tki
llyou
todosomethingwi
thoutherknowledge?”Pri
nce
Sbujokes.
“
Youdon'
tlovemebr
other
,youwantmywi
fet
oki
ll
me.
”
*
***
***
***
**

“
MrThando!
”Lediexcl
aimsandj
umpsonhi
m.He
wi
nces.“
Sorr
y,I
'mreal
lysor
ry.Di
dIhur
tyou?Let
meseethewound-
-”
“
Hey,”Muziput
shishandonhert
inyshoul
der
s.
“
I'
m okay.Whyareyouher
e?It
'sl
ate.
”
“
Icametogivemycondolencesandtoseehowyou
wer
edoi
ng.I'm sor
ryf
oryourloss,
mayhissoul
r
esti
npeace.”
“
Thankyou.Mybrot
her
stol
dmeyouwer
eher
ea
f
ewdaysback?”
“YesIdidcomebuttheguardsr
efusedt ol
etmei n.
Yourbrother
,Idon'
tknowwhoiswhobutoneof
them t
oldmeyouwer eatt
hehospitalanditwasn't
agoodt i
me.”
“Theytoldme.Listen,Icannotstandforlong,
doctor'
sorders.Comel et'
ssither
e.”Ledi'
sheart
almoststops.She'sneverthoughtofherselfasa
guestinthepalace.Muzileadshert othegarden
chair
s.Themai dbr i
ngsjuiceandsnacks.
“MyPr i
nce.
”Themai denbows.“
HerRoyal
Highnesssentthese,
”shel
owershervoi
ce.“
She
l
ooksbeautif
ul.”
“
Thankyou.Youcanl
eave.
”
“
Sot
heyal
ltr
eatyouwi
thsomuchr
espect
?”
“
Yeah.I
t'
shar
dbei
ngme.
”Muzisays,
Ledif
rowns.
“TheKi
ng,yourgr
andf
ather
,whatwashel
ike?I
heardal
otabouthim?
”
“Hewasagr eatman.Agoodf ather,agreat
grandf
atherandar ol
emodel .Hewast hebest
,let
meshowyouhi spict
ure.”Muzit akesouthis
i
Phone, Ledicannotcont ai
nhershock.Seei ng
someoneheragewi t
hsuchani cebr andnewphone
i
ssomet hi
ngsheusual l
yseesont elevi
sionwhen
herauntallowshert ogoandwat chTVnextdoor .
Muzibrowsest hroughhisgal l
eryandhandshert he
phone,sheshaki l
ytakesit.
“
Youcoul
dtakesel
fi
eswi
thhi
m?”
“Yes.Heknewhowtobalancehi
sduti
es,wehada
greatt
imetoget
her
.I'
m goi
ngtomisshim.”
“Timehealsever
ythi
ng.
”Lediswi
peslef
t,hermouth
drops!“
MrThando, t
heyar
eyourparent
s?”He
peeksatthephoneandnods.“Wow!Yourmom, she
l
ooksso..
..
beaut
if
ul,
sexyandal
lki
ndsof
gor
geous.
”
“Iknowhey.Youarebeauti
fult
oo.”Sheblushes.
“Keepswipi
ngyouwillseemysiblings.
”Sheswipes
andadoreseachandeverypict
ure.
“Youraretr
ulybl
essed.Iwi
shIhadmetmyfat
her.
Yourslooksli
keacoolguy.Youl
ookal
otl
ikehi
m.”
“Thankyou.Letmet
akeyouhomebef
oreyouraunt
comeshereandkil
lusbot
h.”
“
Howdoyoumeant
akemehome?
”
“
Ihavemymommy'
sper
missi
on,
let
'sgo.
”
OntheirwaytoLedi '
shomeMuziasksi fhecanbuy
somethingforher.Sherefusesbuthei
nsist
sunti
l
sheagrees.Hegivest hedri
verhi
scardandtel
ls
himtobuyt heessential
s.
“
Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hisf
orme?
”
“Youri
skedyouraunt'
swr athbycomi ngtoseeme.
Iknoweveryt
hingLedi,yourefusedtotel
lmethe
trut
haboutherbutIknow.Iknowshebeat st
hehell
outofyouforever
ysill
ymi stakeyoudoasachild
thatyouare.Forr
iski
ngyourpeacepl
easeal
lowme
toretur
nthefavor
.Letmetakecareofyouandyour
needs.”
“Shewon'
tacceptal
lthesethi
ngs,shewi
llki
llme
MrThando.
”Lediburstsint
otear
s,Muzihugsher
andconsol
esherunti
lshecalmsdown.
“Shewi l
l,Icanbever ycharming,ifIfailtoconvi nce
herthenmymot hercanbever yinfl
uent ial.Her
nameonl ycandowonder sdon'twor ryabouti t
.The
otherthing,Idon'twantyoutof eelindebt edt ome.
I'
m doingt hi
sfrom thegoodnessofmyhear tnot
becauseIwantt obef amousnordoIwant
somethingi nreturn.Iwantyou,mynewl yf ound
fri
endtobehappy.Idon' tunderstandhal fofthe
hardshipsyougot hroughbutIcanatl eastbeyour
support.Wecanchangeyouraunt '
spoi ntofvi ew,
l
etmehel pyou.”
*
***
***
***

It
'sbeentwodayssi
nceQueenMot herl
ocked
hersel
finherr
oom.Atfi
rstauntGuguadvi
sed
ever
yonetogi
veherspacet
ogri
eveherhusband
butnowtheyar
eallget
ti
ngwor
ri
ed.
“It
hinkweshoul
dtryandgethert
oopenf
orus.
”
Pri
ncessNombulel
osuggest
s.
“
Goodi
dea.Whowi
lldot
hat
?”
“Iwi
llI
'
m sur
eIcant r
yandbl
ackmai
lher
.”Pr
ince
Sbusaysandleaves.
“Ihopethi
sworksoutfort
hebest
,weallhaveto
moveon.It'
spainf
ulbutwecan'
tchangeit
,it
's
done.”Nomthasays.
Pr
inceSbuknocksont
heQueen'
sdoor
.
“I
’
m coming.”Sherespondsshocki
ngalloft
hem.
Thedooropensalmostimmediatel
y.“
Whyar eyou
al
lshocked?
”
“
Mom-
-”
“Shutup!Don'
tyou‘
mom’ me!Youkil
ledmy
husband,weburi
edhim andyouareallher
emovi
ng
onlikehemeantnot
hingtoyou-
-”
“That
'snotfai
rsi
ster
-i
n-l
aw-
-”Gugut
ri
est
osay
something.
“I
’m notdonet al
king.Youtwogoodfornot hing
Pri
ncesIwantyououtofmyhouset hisinstant!
”
Theyal lgaspinshock.“Youcan'
texpectmet oli
ve
i
nt hesamehousewi t
hmyhusband'skill
ersplease
getout!Idon'teverwanttoseeyourfacesagai n-
-
”..
...
..
*
*
*
It
'sbackt
oschoolti
me!Iwi l
lbepost
ingearly
around6-7inthemorning.Iwil
lbebusythewhol
e
daysopleasebepati
entwhenyousendpr ivat
e
messagestomyinboxorWhat sApp.

Pleasedof
oll
owmeonWat
tpad@SukueN19.
Thankyou!
!!
.
[
07/
21,
13:
53]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
Chapt
er46.

“
Mom-
-”Nomt
haat
tempt
stosaysomet
hing.
“Don'
tevensayawor d!You'
vebeenpr ot
ecti
ng
them al
lthi
slongbutnotanymore.Theycangoand
diej
ustli
kehowt heyki
ll
edmyhusband- -”
“Mother
!Thatwasn'tt
heirf
ault
--
”Ahotsl
apcr
osses
Pri
ncessNombulelo’scheek.
“I
t'
sthei
rfaul
t!Thei
rsandthei
rsonl
y!Getoutofmy
house!
”Shepushest het
wobrother
sout.
“Sist
er-
in-lawIthi
nkyouar eabusi
ngyourpower
here,I
'mt heelderPri
ncess,asi
stert
ot hathusband
ofyoursyouar ef i
ght
ingfor,
youcan'tkickoutthe
futur
eKi ng.Whatwi l
lthecommunitysay?”Gugu
tri
estost optheQueen.
“Tohellwit
hthecommunity!Tohel
lwit
hal
lofyou!
”
ScreamsQueenmot her
,hervoicel
acedwi
thpai
n
andgrief
.
“Noneedtoinsul
tever
yonemom,wewi l
lleave.
”
NomthalooksatPri
nceSbuli
kehe'
sjustgrown
hor
nsonhi
sfor
ehead.
“Areyoucrazy?Whowi llanswerthequest
ionsof
theenragedpeopleofUml aziwhentheyfi
ndout
thatthehei
rapparenttothethronehasbeencast
ed
outofthepalace?Youtwoar enotgoi
nganywher
e,
mot her
-i
n-l
awplease.”Nomt hadefi
estheQueen.
“Soyouthi
nkyoucanchallengemer i
ght,
I'
m going
todragyououtwiththem!
”TheQueenchar ges
towardsNomtha,she'
sabouttoviol
ent
lygrabher
arm butPr
inceSphashockseveryonebystoppi
ng
her.
“I
'm sorrymom, Ireallyam.Thi sisthesame
womanIvowedt opr otectwit
hmywhol ebeingI
won'tletanyonehar assmywi f
e, I
'm sorrymom.My
wifehasnot hingtodowi tht
hisleaveheral one.
Andt here'snoneedt odr agusoutwear eleaving
becauseweunder standyouranger .Ifthisi
st he
pri
cewehavet opaysobei t
.Babe, t
akecar eofmy
chil
drenf orme.Il oveyou. ”
“Brother?Whatareyousaying?”Nombul
elosays
sti
llholdingherbur
ningcheek.
“I
t’
sokaySi
s,wewi
llbef
ine.
”Hi
sHi
ghnessPr
ince
Sphahugsher
.
“Good.Carkeys?”TheQueenst r
etchesherhand.
“Youareoffi
ciall
ysuspendedf r
om anyof f
icework
regar
dingTshabanguEnt erpri
sesLtdand
Tshabanguhot el
s.”Thebrothersrel
uctant
lyhands
overthecarkeys.“Hotelaccesscards?”
“Mom?”Nombulel
opr ot
ests.Queenmothergives
heraki
ll
erl
ook.ThePr i
nceshandovereveryt
hing
toheri
ncl
udi
ngtheirbankcardsandwalkout.
“Mybr ot
hershouldbetur
ninginhisgrave!
”Gugu
walksawayf ol
lowedbyat ear
yPrincessNombulel
o.
Nomt harunsupstai
rsandquickl
yr unsdownthe
stai
rsfol
lowingthePri
nces.
“
Babe?
”
“Heywhyar
eyouher
e?Mom wi
llgetangr
ywi
th
you?”
“Ar
eyoubothgoi
ngtoleavej
ustli
ket
hat
?What
happenedt
oyourf
ight
ingspi
ri
ts?”
“
Wel
ostourbi
ggestst
rengt
hther
e'snousegoi
ng
towarwhenyoual readyknowyouwillbe
def
eated.”Nomthaswallowshardashereyesbegin
tot
ear.“Don'tcr
yyouhaveeveryri
ghttobeangry,
MyRose, I'
m averypati
entman,Iwil
lbewait
ingfor
youtocalm down.Gobacki nsi
de.
”
“Here,
youcanuseourhouse.I
'm sur
ethereare
enoughgrocer
iest
her
e.Thereareser
vantstoo.
”
Shehandsoverabunchofkeys.
“
Thankyousist
er-
in-
law.Buthowwi
llwesur
vive
wit
houtj
obsorcars?
”Sbu'ssad.
“Youcanusemyot hercarthere.Yourbr
other'scar
i
st heretoojustpraymot her-
in-
lawdoesn'tknow
anythingaboutthosecar s.
”Pr i
nceSbupicksherup
andspi nsheraround.“Putmedownyoui diot!I'
m
sti
llangry.
”Hesl owlyputsherdown, Sphapul l
sher
i
nf orahugpr ayingshedoesn' tfi
ghthi
m off.
“Il
oveyou.Pr
omisemeyouwon'tchal
lengemom,
she'
syourmother
-i
n-l
aw,
theQueen,l
etherbeunt
il
shecal
msdown. ”
“Iwon't
.Gonowbeforeweallgetki
ckedoutof
here.
”Theyhesi
tant
lyl
eave.“
Babe?Iloveyou.
”
Sphal
ooksbackandsmi
les.
Ont
hei
rwayt
ohot
elacarf
lashes,
theyst
op.
“
Hi,hopi
nIwil
ldr
opyouwher
eyouar
egoi
ng”A
l
ady'
svoi
cesays.
“
Nowear efine,
wej usttaki
ngawalk.
”PrinceSpha
r
efuseswit
houtevent aki
ngalookattheownerof
t
hevoiceal
thoughitsoundsandfeelsfamili
ar.
“ComeonYourHi ghnessIdon'
tbit
e.Youcanask
yourbr
otherher
e--”Heswif
tl
yturnsandlooksat
her.
“
What
?Bro,howdoyouknowt
hewomanbehi
nd
t
hemask?”
“Idon'
t.Ionlyknowt hemask,
Idon'
tevenknow
whatshel ooksli
kebutshehelpedmetheotherday.
Comeonl et
'sgo.”Theybot
hgetinthecarandshe
dri
vesof f
.
“
Wher
eto?
”
*
***
***
***
**
Bukhosiwakesupear
ly,
it'
sunl
ikehim.He'
sal
ways
theonetowakeuplat
eforschool.
“
Isever
ythi
ngokayPr
inceBukhosi
?”Oneoft
he
mai
densasks.
“
Yes.Whydoyouask?Sincewhendoyouquest
ion
whatIdo?I
nfactwhodoyouthi
nkyouar
e?”
“
I’
m sor
ry-
-”
“Sor
ryforyour
sel
f!
”Hepushesherasideandenter
s
theki
tchen.Hepr
epareshi
msel
fbreakfastandf
or
someone,maybeforhist
winbr
other
.
“Thi
swilldo.Coffee?No.Mamaonl ytakest
ea,
rooi
bostobespeci f
ic.”Heremindshimself
,he
walksaroundsear chingforever
ythi
ngheneeds
andstopsadmi r
ingt hewor kofhi
shands.
“
Hel
loboy-
-”
“Auntpl
easestop!I
t'
stooearl
y,Idon'
twantto
disr
espectyouthi
searl
yinthemorning.”Gugu
l
aughs.
“Comeon,I'
m sor
ry,
okay?I'
m notasbadasyou
boyspor
traymetobe.I'
m act
uall
yaveryni
ceand
sof
tper
son.”Bukhosir
aiseshi
seyebr
ow.
“Tr
yanotherjoke.You,
niceandsoftcanneverbein
onesentence.Iwonderhowyourchil
drentol
erate
youandyourdemands, theyar
ecrazymostoft he
ti
mes.”
“Iknowbutbel
ievemeI'
m averyniceper
son.
”Aunt
Gugustret
chesherhandtoareser
vedplat
e.
“No,notthi
sone.Il eftsomei nthemi crowaveyou
canhavei t
.”Hetakest hetrayandl eaves.In
Nomt ha'
sroom, shef i
ndsherst i
llfastasleepont he
covers.Heputsthet rayont hebedsidet able,
walks
i
nt othewalk-
inclosetandcomesbackwi thasmal l
blanketwhichheusest ocoverher.Hepensanot e
putsitunderthemugandexi t
s.Onhi swayouthe
checksthequadr uplets,takeswi t
hhi mt hei
rmi l
k
bottl
es.
“
Heybr
o,wher
eismommy?
”Muziasks.
“Ithi
nkweshouldlethersleep.Thequadrupl
ets
troubl
edheralotatnight
.Theywer ecal
li
nguncle
daddy.”Repl
iesBukhosi.
“
Iknewt
hisdeci
sionofgr
andmawasgoi
ngt
ocost
mamaherpeaceofmi
nd.
”Juni
orscowl
s.
“Wehavet odosomet hingaboutthi
s.Ican'
tloseal
l
thepeoplethatmattert
ome.Zodwal ef
tus,now
grandmahaschasedoutourf at
hers.Can'
tshesee
wear et
heonessuf feri
nghere.Can'
twehavea
normalfamily?I
sthattoomucht oaskf or
?No
man!”Bukhosileavesinahuff.
*
***
***
***
***

AtZodwa'
shot
elr
oom.
“
Goodmor ningbaby?
”Herboyf
ri
endkissesher
f
orehead.Sheyawnsrubbi
nghereyes.
“
Morning.Whyar
eyoudr
essedup?Thatt
ooi
n
f
ormalwear.
”
“
I’
m goi
ngt
owor
k--
”Zodwaqui
ckl
ysi
tsup.
“
Whatwor
k?Wher
edoyouwor
k?”
“Toouroff
ice,ZeeEvent
scompany.
”Zodwachokes
onherbreath.
“
TJwhatmakesyout
hinkyoucanr
unmycompany?
Whogaveyout
her
ight
?”
“Whyshoul
dn'
tI?I
'
mthemanofthi
shouse,I
'mthe
onewhoshoul
dbeworki
ngt
oprovi
deforyou.
”
“Notinmycompany.Thatcompanyholdssomany
senti
mentstoit
.Whatki
ndofsmanar eyou?Di
dn'
t
youevenfeelashamedt
odressuptogoandrun
thecompanymyexhusbandgift
edtome? ”
“Youknowwhat?It'
sfi
ne,Idon'
twannaf
ightwi
th
youtoday.Si
nceIcan'
tbethemanofthi
shouse,
I'
m out
.”
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
”
“Toseemysi
ster
s.Theyl
andedyest
erdayf
rom
UK.”
*
*
Afewhour sl
aterZodwawal ksoutoft hebathroom
wit
hat owelwrappedaroundher.Shel ooksher sel
f
i
nthemi rr
or,
hereyeswi thr
ingsaroundt hem, her
ski
nroughandl ooki
nglikeahomel essSomal ian.
Shesighsandsitsonthebedapplyi ngmoi st
urizer
.
Herphonebeepsast hescr eenf lashes.It'
sa
Facebooknot i
fi
cat i
on.Shequi cklylogsi nand
viewsapi ctureofhersonsl ookinghandsomeand
cleanlikealways, inthei rschooluni f
or ms.The
photoiscapt i
oned#Mama’ slovekeepsust ogether
.
Shemovest ot henextphot owher eallthe
Tshabangugr andchi ldrensmi l
edwi t
ht hei
r
grandfatherwi t
hacapt ion#Gonebutnever
forgot
ten,thenextonei st heKi ngsi t
tingonhi s
thronecapt i
oned#For everi nourhear t
sGr andpa.
Shemovesont oherot herFacebookcont acts,to
herutterdisbeliefPr i
nceSbupost edapi ctureof
him andhi sbrot hercapt ioned#Br otherhood, t
he
otheronei swi t
ht heKi ngcapt i
oned#Ourancest ors
l
egacywi l
lli
veon.Shedi alsSbu'snumberbut
disconnectsthecal lbef oreitgetst hrough.She
typesamessageonWhat sApp.
***
**Mydeepestcondol
ences.Mayhi
ssoulr
esti
n
peace.
***
**
Sbusimplyrepl
ieswi
tha‘t
hanks.
’Shewipesher
tear
sanddecidesnottodwel
ltoomuchon
memories.Shelogsi
nbacktoFacebookand
comesacr osstheshockofherli
fe.TJisi
na
swimmi ngpoolwithtwosexyladi
esweari
ngonly
toomuchr eveali
ngswimsuit
s.Theyarebothal
l
overhisbodyasi ntheot
herpict
uretheot
hergir
lis
kissi
nghim.Thephot osar
ecapt i
oned#Li
feisgood.
*
***
***
***
***

Nomthawakesupt
othesoundoft
heknockont
he
door
.
“
YourHi
ghnessareyoual
ri
ght
?”Herf
avor
it
e
mai
dencal
lsout
.
“YeahI'
mfine.Comein.
”Sheyawnsl
ooki
ngatt
he
clock.“
What?12noon?”
“Yes.Iwasstart
ingt
ogetworri
edaboutyou.Ar
e
youokay,though?Youl
ookti
redMyPr i
ncess.
”
“
I’
m abi
tti
red.Wher
ear
emychi
ldr
en?
”
“Theirgr
andmot
her,yourmothercal
ledandasked
forthem t
obebroughttoher
.Wet ookthem t
here,
I
hopeyoudon'tmind.
”
“
Idomi
ndbuti
t'
sokay.I
t'
sjustt
hatIdon'
twantnot
tobepar tofmychi l
dren'severydayrouti
ne.And
this?Whobr oughtt hishere?”Sheasksl ookingat
thet r
ayont hebedsi detable.Asmal lpi
eceofpaper
catchesherat t
ention.***DearmamaI 'm sorryyou
havet odealwithquadr upletsalone.Iheardt hem
cryingatnight,Ihopeever ythi
ngget sbettersoon.
Eatyourbr eakf
astandr est,pr
eparedwi t
hl ove.
Bukhosi.**
*Shesmi l
eslookingatthenot e.
“Hesai
dIshoul
dwar
mitupf
oryouwhenyouget
up.
”
“Thankyou.Letmebathfir
st.
”Theroom phone
ri
ngs,shehesit
ant
lygetsdownthebedanddr ags
herfeett
othethecornerwheret
hephonei s.
“Fi
nall
y!Whyar eyouignor
ingmycall
s?I
s
ever
ythingokay?”Sphashoutsf
rom t
heot
hersi
de.
“
No!Nothingisokayhere.Howdoyouexpectmet o
t
akecareoffourchil
drenwhoonlyknowthatit
's
t
hei
rfather'
sdutytoputthem onbedandcheckon
t
hem atnight?Idi
dn'
tsleepawinkSpha!
”
“
I'
m sor
rybabe.
”
“
Yeahyoushoul
dbe.It
oldyout
hiswasgoi
ngt
obe
hardformetotakecar
eoft
hem atni
ghtbecause
theyareusedt
oyoubutyousai
dIwastalki
ng
nonsense.”
“
I'
m sor
ry,
okay.Howar
ethey?
”
“Fi
neIguess.Mom,mymom t
ookt
hem f
ort
heday.
Iwil
lpi
ckthem upl
ater
.”
“Youcanbri
ngt
hem t
ome,youknow.ThatwayI
canhavesomet
hingt
okeepmysel
fbusysinceI
won'tbegoi
ngt
owork.”
“That
'snotanopt
ionSpha.Ineedyoubackhome
notyoutaki
ngeveryt
hingawayfr
om me--
”
“
MyRose, wait
,Idi
dn'
tmeani
tli
ket
hat
.Itwasj
ust
asuggest
ion.
”
“Yoursuggest
ionwon'
twork,
thi
nkofawayt
o
comebackt ous.Wemissyou.”
“
Youmi
ssmet
oo?
”
“
No.Yourchi
ldr
ennotme.
”
“Iwi
llmakeapl
antotr
yandpacifymymother
.I
can'
tbeart
oseeyousuff
erbecauseofmychi
ldr
en-
-”
“
Ourchi
ldr
en.
”
“Yeah,
truet
hat.Babe?Iknowmom i scount
ingon
youtohandl
et hecompaniesbutIhaveaplan.Can
youbri
ngmyl aptopandSbu'slapt
op?”
“
YeahIwi
llt
ry.
”
“
Okay.Seeyoul
atert
hen,
Iloveyou.
”
*
*
*
AttheMahl anguhousehol d,t
hechildrenareplayi
ng
outsidewit
ht hei
rtoys.Okuhlepicksupt hetoyguy
andai msitatLunawhogi ggl
esandr unsaround.
Theybot hfal
lonthegr ound,EnhlehelpsLunaup
whileIphi
lehelpsOkuhleast heyallkeepfall
ing
againandagai n.
“Mommy!Mommy! ”Enhl
escr eamsassoonasshe
seesthei
rmother
.Theyallrunt oherandhugher
feet
.Nomthasquatsbefor
et hem, t
heyallki
ssher
cheeks.
“
Hel
lomydar
li
ngs.Mommymi
ssedyoual
ot.
”
Zandicomesoutofthehouseandpani
csnotabl
e
toseethechi
ldr
en.
“
Luna?Mbal
i?
”Shecal
lsouthear
tpoundi
ng.
“
Grandma!
”Theyal
lgiggl
erunningbackt
oher
l
eavi
ngNomthasmil
ingtoherself
.
“Ialmosthadahear tatt
ack!”Al
ltheeventsoft he
pastni ghtcomebackrushinginNomt ha'
shead,
shef l
iesintohermother
'sarmsandl et'
sthetears
fal
l.“Hey, what
'st
hemat t
er?”Zandiasks,confused.
“Ican'
tdothi
smom,
Ican'
tdot
hisal
one-
-”Her
voicet
rai
lsof
f.
“Whatareyout
alki
ngabout?”Zandist
il
ldoesn'
t
under
standwhyshe'scr
ying.
“
Mot
her
-i
n-l
awchasedhersonsoutoft
hehouse.
..
”
*
*
*
Forgi
vemef orbeingafewhour
slat
erthanIhad
promised.I
'
m sti
lladj
usti
ngmyti
metable.
Pleasefol
lowmeonWat t
padandvoteformybook.
@SukueN19pleasepl
ease,al
soinvi
tef
riendst
o
foll
owme.Wattpadi
sfreeinmostsout
her nAf
ri
can
countri
es.
[
07/
21,
13:
54]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
_

Chapt
er47.

“Sunshi ne, marriagei snotal lroseylikeyouseei n

movi es.Ther ecomesat imei nmar ri
agewhenyou
feelli
kegi vi
ngup, li
ker unningt othet henear est
mount ainandneverl ookbackordi sappeari ntothe
darknessandvani shi ntothinairwithal lyour
problemsbutal lthosear enotsol ut
ions.At r
ue
womanf ightsforherf ami l
ytost aytoget her,she
unitest hef amilynomat terwhati tt
akes.Fi ghtfor
yourf ami lyNomt ha,yourchi ldrenarel ookingupt o
you.Don' tdisappoi ntallofus, youcandot hi
s
starti
ngbyf or
givingyourhusband.He' sthe
strengthyouaremi ssi
ng,hecan'tdoanyt hi
ng
withoutyouandyoucan' teither
.Ifyouf i
ght
togetheryouwi l
lwinbutifyoudon' tunit
etobri
ng
theRoyalf amil
ytogetherthenber eadytoseeyour
fami l
ygoingastraybeforeyoureyes.Wi peyour
tearseverythi
ngwi l
lbeokay.”Zandiadvises.
“Thankyoumom buthowdoIhandl
emother
-i
n-l
aw?
She'st
heQueenIcan'
tgoagai
nsther
.”
“Whoi st hemosti mpor tantpersonher e?Your
husbandormot her-
in-l
aw?Whodi dyouvowt o
alwayssuppor t
?Whochangedyourname?Your
answerl iesi nthesequest i
ons.Itr
ustmyandyour
father
'st eachingst olightyourway.I '
m alsosure
thegodswi l
lpaveawayf oryout wot odealwi ththe
Queen.I '
m notsayi ngshe' swrong, no.Thepai nyou
fel
twhenMuziwasshotmaybedoesn' tcompar eto
herpain, shej ustlosthersoulpar tner,thefatherof
herchildr en.She'sgoingt hroughal otri
ghtnow, l
et
hergrieve, suppor therandl etherknowshecan
countonyou, behershoul dertocryon.Event uall
y
shewi llpourherhear toutt oyouandt hehealing
wil
lst
artt
henshewi
llf
orgi
vehersons.
”Nomt
ha
hugshermother
.
“WhatdidImiss?Pri
ncessyouwerecrying?”Bab’
uMahlanguhugsherdaughtert
ight
.“Idon'tl
ike
seei
ngyoulikethi
s,what'
sthematt
er?”
“
Don’tworr
ydaddydear
estmom hashel
pedme
wit
hthat
.Tellme,
howareyou?
”
“Ican'tcomplai
n,I
'mfi
nemyPrincess.Zandi
darli
ng,Ifoundthi
spar
celonmyt abl
eatworkI
don'tknowwhosentit.
”Heputsagi f
tbagonthe
tabl
e.
“
Letmesee.”Zandiopensthegiftbag,i
t'
saphoto
f
rame.Actual
lyi
t'
sthei
rpictur
e,customizedand
wri
tt
en‘BestPar
entsEver
!’,
theyallfr
own.
“
Nomt ha?
”
“
Notmemom, maybeMissKayorLucky.Askt
hem
whent
heycomebackhome.”
“Yeahmaybeyouar eright
.It
'ssonice,ourbest
pict
ureever.
”Zandirunsherfinger
sont hephot
o
framefeel
ingalit
tl
ebitemotionalaboutit
.A
memor ycrosseshermind,atearescapeshereye.
“Darli
ng,it
'sokay.Ial
sof eltt
hesame, sheusedto
blackmailuswi t
hexactlythesamest atement
whenevershewant edhercost yclothesandbags.
Mybaby, I
'
m stil
lhopeful
, Iknowwewi llmeet
someday.Deadoral i
veweshal lmeetagain.”Bab’
uMahl angusighsrubbingZandi 'sback.
“
Aunt!Aunt
!Aunt!
”Thequadrupl
etschantsrunni
ng
t
owardsthegat
ewhereKiaraiswavi
ngt oher
f
ri
endsontheschoolbus.
“Kuhle!”Shepi cksherupandt i
cklesher ,she
l
aughsbutwai lswhenshet hrowsheri ntheai r
.“I’
m
sorrybaby, I'
m sorryokay?”Sheput sherdown.
“I
phile!”Shespi nshim ar
ound, hegi ggles.“Luna!”
Shepi ckshi m upandspinshi mt ooandf inal
ly.
“Enhle!”Shepi cksherandt hrowsheri ntheair,she
giggles.“Okayenoughnowl et'
sgoi nside.Theyr un
i
nsidel eavi
ngherbehi nd,theirfootstepsleaving
muddymar ksont hefl
oor.Theyj umpont heoff-
whitecouch, Nomt haawai t
shermot hertosnapbut
shesmi l
esinstead.
“
Whoa!Mom?Isthi
syou?Youusedtoscol
dusfor
mispl
aci
ngt
hecushi
onsbutyourgr
andchi
ldr
encan
pl
ayont
hecouchl
i
ket
his?
”
“Youhadnomoneytoreplacemysof
abuttheycan
easi
lyrepl
acemysof
a,that'
swhy.
”Repl
iesZandi
.
“
What?
”Nomt
hacannotbel
ieveher
otherj
ustsai
d
t
hat
.
“Simple!Youhavemoney,yourchil
drenar
e
messingar oundonmysofasoyouhavet omakea
plan.Getitcl
eanedorbuyanotherone.
”
“Thisi
snotfai
r!I'
m yourdaughtermom--”Ki
ara
standsbehi
ndNomt haandcoversher(Nomtha)
facewit
hher(Kiara)hands.“
StopitMissKay,I
knowit'
syou.”
“Howdi
dyouknow?”Ki
araaskshuggi
ngherf
rom
behi
ndandki
ssi
ngNomtha'
scheek.
“Yourperf
umeandyourti
nysof
thandsthatdoesn'
t
suityouandyourage.
”Nomt
hateases.
“
Ilovemyhandst
heyar
euni
que.”
“Okayokay.Theyhaveluckypal
mli
nes,
uni
que
colorbl
ahblahblah-
-”
“
Youar
esomeansomet
imes.Anyway,
Imi
ssed
you.Imi
ssbr
other
-i
n-l
awt
oo,
how'
shehol
dingup?
”
“
NotgoodbutI
'
m sur
ehewi
llpul
lthr
ough.
”
“Yeaheish, l
if
eisunpredictabl
e.”Ki
arastepsaway
from Nomt haandputsherbagdown, shekisses
hermom t henherfather.“SorryIdi
dn'
tforgett
o
greetyouIgotsohappyandl osti
nthemoment .”
“I
t’
sokaydon'tst
ressabouti
t.Ar
eyouhungr
y?”
Zandiquer
ies.
“
Dependsonwhatyoucooked.
”
“Thenyouarenothungr
y.”Theychatunt
ill
ater
duri
ngtheday.
“Mom,daddy,
Ihavetogo.Iwi
llcomeandvisit
soon.Mi
ssKay,cat
chuplunchonSaturday?”
“
Def
ini
tel
y!Ihavesomucht
otel
lyou,
Ican'
twai
t.
”
*
***
***
***
*

I
ntheRoyalcar
,al
ltheboysar
eont
hei
rwayback
f
rom school
.
“
Brot
herAl
wande,
doyoul
iket
hatgi
rl
?”AsksJuni
or.
“Yesbutnotinawayyout hink.She'
sint
ell
igent
,
fragi
leandl
onelyIj
ustwantt obetheref
orher ,
you
know?Shecandowi thafriendwhodoesn'tjudge
heraccordi
ngtoherbackground.”
“
Yeahri
ght.Justdon'tgeti
ntr
oubl
eforagi
rl
,mama
won'
tbeforgi
vingtr
ustme.”
“Iknowhey.Iwi shtherewassomet hingIcandot o
stopthatauntofher sf r
om abusi ngher .Theot her
dayIboughtst afff
orher,theauntwasadamant
abouttakingthegoodsbutl ateragr eedonl yt ofind
outthef ol
lowingdayt hatshegotpuni shedf orit.
Youknow, Ievenboughtmoi sturi
zingcr eam tohelp
revi
tal
izeherski nbuttheevil aunttookever ything
awayf rom her.”
“
That
’ssadman.Haveyouconsi
der
edaski
ng
mamatohel
p?”
“YeahbutLedidoesn'
twantmeto.Shefeel
s
i
ndebtedtoherauntforr
aisi
ngherwhenher
parent
spassedon.”
“
Who’
spayi
ngherf
ees?
”
“
Thegover
nment
.She'
sver
yint
ell
igent
,shet
oldme
thegover
nmenthasbeenpayingandbuyingbooks
forhersi
nceshewasingrade2.Theyevengiveher
all
owancebutherauntr
eckl
essl
yspendsallt
he
money.”
“That’
sseri
ous.Can'
twer
epor
tthewomant
o
authori
ti
es?
”
“Thatwi
llonlymakeLedi
'
sli
femoredif
fi
cul
t.We
havetofindawaytosoft
enherhear
t.
”Muzisays
thought
full
y.
“Money!Shelovesmoney,ri
ght?Wecangiveher
exact
lywhatshelovesinexchangeoft
hatgi
rl
's
fr
eedom.”Juniorsuggest
s.
“Wecanbutallourcardsarel
inkedt
othebusiness
banki
ngsyst
em.Themomentwedot hat,t
he
companyworkerswillknowandwemi ghtgeti
n
tr
oubl
e.”
“Thental
kt omamaoruncl edaddy.
”Juni
ort
urnsto
histwi
nbr otherwho'
slooki
nglosti
nhist
hought
s.
“Khosi
,areyouokay?”
“
Yeah,
I'
mfi
ne.
”
“
Youarel
yingman,
what'seat
ingyouup?Youcan
t
alkt
ousyouknowthat
.”Thandoinsi
sts.
“
Youbot
hwon'
tunder
stand.”
“Tryus.Dr
ivercanyouparkt
hecari
nt henextst
op
youseeandgetoutofthecarforaminute?
”Junior
request
sseeinghowserousthi
smaybe.
“YesMyPri
nce.
”Theywai
tfort
hedr
ivert
obeoutof
earear
shot
.
“
Tal
kMr
,what
'sgoi
ngon?
”
“Zodwaanddaddyar edivorced--
”Juni
or'
sface
l
ightsupashewhi stl
es,happinesswri
tt
enallover
hisface.“
I’
m notdonetalki
ng--”
“Thi
sisgoodnewsbrot
herwhyar
ebeingsour
abouti
t?”Juni
orf
rownsl
ooki
ngathi
stwin.
“
Youdon'
tunder
stand,
daddydoesn'
tknowabouti
t-
-
”
“Bukhosi
!Youf
orgedhi
ssi
gnatur
e?”Al
wandecan
nothidet
hehorr
oronhi
sface.
“I
’
m sor
rydon'tj
udgeme,okay?Iwantmyfathert
o
befr
eeofthatwoman,hedoesn'
thavetokeep
pretendi
ng.Wear eallgrownupnowandweknow
whathappenedf orust obeconceived.Everyman
deservesawomanwhol oveshim,justl
ikemama
l
ovesuncl edaddy.That 'showmar ri
ageshouldbe
notwhatourpar ent
shad.Thatwasn' tamar ri
age
butjail
.Ididn’tf
orgehissignatur
eIcopi editf
rom
thecompanydocument s.Theyusuallysign
electr
onicall
ysoi twaseasycapt uri
ngthe
signatur
e.”
“Wearealldead!Idon'
tknowwhowillki
llusbutwe
aredead,
defini
tel
y!”Juni
orsi
nksdownhi sseat
.
“Youreall
ywentt
oofarbr
otherbuti
t'
sdone.We
needawayf or
ward.
”Alwandehugsbothhis
brot
hers.Amessagecomesthroughthei
rphones.
**
* **
Goingtoseeyourfather
sIwi
llbebacklate.
Pleasebehaveyour
selves.Mommyl ovesyou.
****
**
Theyallsi
gh.
“
Wehaveti
metothink,
let
'sgohomer
elaxandf
ind
asol
uti
ont
othi
s.”
*
***
***
**
TJwal ksinther
oom carr
yingabott
leofgolden
pil
sener,Zodwalooksupathim,hesmiles.Just
thenZodwanot i
ceshisnewpier
cings,oneont he
l
efteyebrowandt heot
heronhislowerli
p.
“
Hibaby.
”Hest
umbl
esonsomet
hingandf
all
son
t
hebed.
“
Wher
ehaveyoubeenTJ?
”
“
IthoughtImademysel
fclearbef
orel
eavi
ng.Iwent
t
oseemysi st
ers.What
'st
hemat t
er?”
“
Isawyoui
ntheswi
mmi
ngpool
--
”
“
Wai
t?Ar
eyouspyi
ngonme?”
“
No.Whywoul
dI?Shoul
dIspyonyou?
”
“ZodwaI'mthemanoft hi
shouse!Nowonderyour
husbandcouldn'
tstandyou,
wheredoyougetsthe
gutstoquesti
onthemanoft hehouse?Ar
eyou
crazy-
-”
“I
’
m notspyi
ngonyou,Isawyourphotoson
Facebookki
ssi
ngot
hergirl
s--
”Heburstsi
nto
l
aughter.
“
Othergi
rl
s?Somysi
ster
'snamesar
enow‘
other
girl
s’
?Mysi st
ersl
iveinUK,kissi
ngisnotabigdeal
buthowwoul dyouknow?Youhaven' tt
ravell
ed
outsideofUmlazi
.Whyar eyoubeingparanoidr
ight
now?AtyourageIt houghtyouhadpassedt hat
stageofall
owingparanoi
amessupyour
reasoning.
”
“Iwon'
thaveyoudi sr
especti
nmyhouseTJ, ifyou
deci
detostaywithmet henyoushouldsti
ckwith
me.I'
mt i
redofbeingusedbymanf orthei
rself
ish
needs.
”
“Ican'
tdot
hisr
ightnow.It
houghtyoumi
ssedme
butIwaswrongit
'sbet
teri
fIl
eave-
-”
“Wher
eareyougoing?Whydoyoual
wayswal
k
awaywhenI'
mtalkingt
oyou?
”
“Becauseyoualwaysaccusemeofdoi ngthingsI
didntdo.Youtr
eatmel i
keyourtoy,
I'
m gett
ingtir
ed
ofthis!
”Heswiftl
ystandsandisabouttoexitwhen
Zodwaapol ogi
zes.
“
I’
m sor
ryIdi
dn'
tmeant
o.Pl
easedon'
tgo.
”
“
Youwon'tdoitagai
n?”Sheshakesherheadwi
th
t
ear
sinhereyes.“Okayt
henstopcryi
ng.Iwon'
tgo
j
ustpromi
semeyouwi
llt
reatmel
ikeamant
hatI
am.”
“Iwi
ll
.Wewi
llgot
owor
ktoget
hert
omor
row.
”TJ
gri
ns.
*
***
***
***
**

Thegateslowlyopens,Nomt hasi
ghsputti
ngher
headont hesteer
ingwheel.Lunastar
tsshouting,
shelooksatthem ontherearvi
ewmi r
roranddr i
ves
i
n.Shepar ksthecari
nfrontofthehousebef ore
sli
dingbackherseatandclosinghereyesfeeli
ng
real
lyexhaust
ed.

SPHA'
SPOV.

Istepclosert
ot hecarasmychi l
drenscream
“daddy!Daddy”,Iopenthedoorandunbuckl eallof
them.Theyalljumponmeki ssingmeal lovert
he
face.Oneofther easonsIboughtthissevenseated
wassomychi l
dr encanhavefreedom inthecar.
“
Whatdidyoudot
omommy? ”Iaskthem,Okuhl
e
f
rowns.Shej
umpstot
hef
rontseatandshakesher
mother
.
“
Mommy!Mommy!
”
“Kuhl
e,mommyi sreal
lytir
edpleasegotodaddy.
Sphatakeyournoi
sychildrenandgetoutoft
hecar.
Ihadaverylongandti
ringday.”Mywife
commands.
“Guys,l
et'sgoi nsi
de.”Theyallruninsi
det r
ippi
ng
overandhel pingeachot herup.Yeah,that'
sthe
storyofthei
rlives.Theyar eal
waysr unningaround,
screamingal t
ogetherandsomet i
mest heydofight
.
“Uncle!
”Enhlejumpsonhi m,Sbutensesclosi
nghis
eyes.Istepbehindhim andsqueezehisshoul
der.
Heopenshi seyesast earsr
undownhi scheeks,
Enhlewipeshist ear
sandkisseshim.
“I
'
m sorr
yEnhl
e,Ir
eal
lyam.Pl
easef
orgi
veme-
-”
Hisvoi
cebr
eaks.
“Don’
tdot hi
sbrother,
noti nfr
ontofthem,youknow
them,theywil
lstartcr
yingsimplybecauseyouare
cryi
ng.Bestrongandf orgetaboutwhathappened,
she'
syourni
ece, yourfavori
te.Don'tbr
eakher
hear
t.
”Igointothekitchenandbr i
ngwat erforhi
m.
“Her
e.Dri
nkthisandf orgetaboutthepast.
”
“Thankyou.It
'shar
dbutIwi
llt
ry.
”Hesayswi
tha
breaki
ngvoice.
“Themor eyour unfrom them t hemor eyouwi l
l
continuef eeli
nggui lt
y.Spendt imewi tht hem l i
ke
youal waysdi dt henever ythi
ngwi l
lf allbacki ntoi t
's
place.Remember ,youwer etempor aril
yi nsaneat
thetime.Ican’ tuset hecr azybecausewhenyou
arecr azythat’swhenyouar enor mal .Ifor gaveyou,
Enhledoesn’ trememberanyt hingabouti t.Timet o
moveon. ”Nomt hasaysencour aginghi m.Who
woul dn'tl
ovet hiswoman?Imeanshesur prisesme
eachandever ydayandnomat terhowmanyyear s
wespendt ogether,Ikeepf al
lingdeeperf orher .
“Herear eyourl aptops.Ifmot her -
in-lawki cksme
outoft hehouset henIwi l
lhaveyout wot obl ame.”
Shef aintl
ysmi l
es,it
'sclearshe' stryingbutal lthese
thingshappeni ngaroundherar estar ti
ngt owei gh
herdown.
“
Act
ual
ly,
Iwantt
ohel
pyou.Iwi
lldomywor
kfr
om
homethenyouwi l
lhandleever
ythi
ngattheoffi
ce.
Sbuwil
lalsodohisjob,wearetryi
ngtol
essenthe
l
oadforyouuntilmom calmsdown.”Shethrows
her
sel
font hecouch.“Ar
eyouguyshungr y?”
“Idon'tt
hinktheyarehungr
yjustt
ryt
hem si
ncei
t'
s
eveningalready.Whatar
eyoueati
ng?”
“Macandcheese,
ovengr
il
ledst
eakandgr
een
sal
ad.
”
“
Themenusoundsf
ami
li
ar,
whopr
epar
edi
t?”
“I
t’
sobvi
ous,t
hat'
smysignat
uredi
sh.
”I'
m gl
adshe
st
il
lrememberourgoodt
imes.
“
Thatst
eakisali
tt
let
oospicyfort
hechi
ldren.Let
memakethem somet
hingelse.
”Sbuof
ferstocook.
“
Whoa?Wher
eist
hechef
?”
“Wegavehim somedaysof
f.Wej
ustwant
edt
obe
al
one.
”Iinf
orm her
.
“Okaysor tyour
selvesoutguys.I'
m goingt
osleep
for30mi nutesaft
erthatI'
m headingbacktot
he
palace.
”Shest andsanddr agsherfeettot
hemain
bedroom, ourbedroom.
*
*
Afewminut
esl
atermybrot
heri
sdonecooki
ng,
nowpr
epari
ngt
of eedt
hequadr
upl
ets.
“Hey,
gotoyourwif
eIgott
his.It
hinksheneeds
youmore,
Iwon'tdosomet
hingstupi
dIpromise.
”
“It
rustyoubr
other
.Letmet
akef
oodt
oherIdoubt
sheatesomethi
ng.”
“Sur
e.Giveherwine,
makehert
ipsyal
itt
lesoshe
canfor
getherstr
essesf
orsometime.
”
“Notagoodidea.Shedoesn'
tdowellwit
halcohol
maybeahalfglassofredwinewil
ldo.
”Iknowmy
wif
e,al
coholdoesn'
treal
lyworkhandinhandwith
herbl
ood.
Inourbedr oom, she'
sfastasleepwit
hhershoes
stil
lon.“Mypoorbabe, whathaveIdonetoyou?”I
kissherforehead, r
emovehershoes, wat
ch,
bracelet(theoneIgi f
tedher)andneckpi
ecebefor
e
maki ngsureshe' ssl
eepingalri
ght
.Ihavenever
seenhert hist
ired,maybei t
'sthel
ackofsl
eep.She
mi ghtbeasuper womanbutshel ovesherbeaut y
sleep,sixhour stobepr ecise.Iswi t
chonmyl aptop
andgot hroughmyemai l
s,Ihaveat onsof
remi nders,postponedmeet i
ngsandmany
condol encesemai lsfrom mywor kers,business
par t
nerset cet
era.Icli
ckonmypr ivatefil
esand
startwor ki
ngonournewpr oj
ect,investorsare
wai t
ingforust of i
nishthepr oposal.

Nomthawakesupl ooki
ngpani
cky.Iquicklyputmy
l
aptopdownandj umponthebed,shef l
iesint
omy
ar
ms, herbr
eat
hingishotandherheartispounding.
“I
’m her
e,youareokay.Wasi tt
hatbad?”Shenods
snuggli
ngcloser
.Shesomet i
meshaveni ght
mares
orshouldIsayscaryvi
sions.Shefi
nall
ycalms
down.
“
Whatt
imei
sit
?”
“
2337.
”
“
Spha?Whydidn'
tyouwakemeup,
mot
her
-i
n-l
aw
wil
lki
llmef
orthi
s.”
“Relax.Youarenotdoingsomethi
ngbadyouar e
wher eyoushouldbe.Nexttoyourhusband,ifnot
met henwhowi l
ltakecareofyou?Pleaseallowme
toloveyouandt akecareofyouandmychi ldren
justli
kehowIhadpl annedto.Wewilldealwith
mom i nthemorningfornowjustrel
ax.Letmehel p
your el
ax--
”
“
No-
-”
“
Areyoust
il
langr
y?”
“No,I'
vef orgivenyou.Yoursongavemeat hr
ee
hourlect ureaboutf orgiveness.Iloveyou
sweet hear t
, Ican'tst ayangr yatyouf orl ong.Ireal
ly
l
oveyoudearhusband. ”Myhear tmel ts,Ifeel
everythingi nsi dememel t,Ican'
tdescr ibethe
feeli
ng.I fther e'scl oudni net henI'
m oncl oud27
becauset hisj oyisundescr ibabl
e.Isl owlymove
closertoher ,slowl ycl osingmyeyesasmyl i
ps
crushwi thher si nahungr yandpassi onateway.
Damn!I 'vemi ssedt hesesweetl ips,thewar mthof
herbodysendsel ect ri
cityshockwavesal lovermy
body.Shemoans, myhandsmovet oherbl ouse
andIt eari tapar tt oget herwi t
hherbr af oll
owedby
herski
rt
.ForgivemebutIcan'
twaittoseeher
,it
's
l
ikethefi
rstdayaft
erourmarr
iage.
..
..
..
[
07/
21,
13:
54]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er48.

PRI
NCE'
SSPHA'
SPOV

“Goodmor ni
ngMyRose.”Igiveherapeckonher
cheek,shemumblessomethi
ng.“Comeon,it
's11
am ti
met ogetup-
-”Shequi
cklysi
tsup.
“11what?Whatdi
dyoudot
omeSpha?You
druggedme?”
“Idon'tknowifmyspermshaveahighpercent
age
ofalcoholornot,
ifyes,t
henIdr
uggedyoumydear
wife--
”Shehitsmewi thapil
l
ow.
“
Youareaboutt
obetheKinggr
owuppl ease.”She
t
ri
est
oleavethebedf
eel
ingshybutIpullherback.
“Wherear
eyougoi
ng?Am Inotget
ti
ngmymor
ning
glor
y--
”
“
Spha!Whatcameoveryout
oday?
”
“I
’m happyandcontent
.Iknowmymom i sstil
l
angrybutwithyoubymysi deIcandoabsolut
ely
anythi
ngincl
udingwinni
ngmymom' st
rustagain.
”
“
Yeahyouhavetowor
kforthat
.She'
sreal
lyhur
ti
ng
l
et'
sgi
vehersomet
imefornow.Whydidn'
tyou
wakemeup?”
“
Youwereti
red,
youdeser
vedt
orest
.Howar
eyou
f
eel
ingnow?”
“
Superr
echar
ged!
”Shesmi
lesnaught
il
y.
“Don’tbit
eyourli
p!”Shemakesitevenworsewhen
shelooksstrai
ghtintomyeyesrunningherfi
nger
s
onhert hi
ghs!“Goddamni t
,Nomtha!”Sheruns
from mebutt r
ipsandfal
lsonthecouch.
“
Ouch!Myar
m,It
wist
edmyar
m Spha.
”
“Stopbeingababyyoudi dn'
ttwi
styourar
m.You
aretryi
ngt odiver
tmyatt
enti
onbutI'
m nothavi
ng
that.I
'm goingtopuni
shyoufort
his-
-”
“Daddy!Daddy!”Fuck!Mychil
drenarebangi
ngt
he
door.Li
keseriousl
y?Didtheyhavetobehere
part
icul
arl
yatt hi
stimewhenI'm aboutt
ogetmy
glor
iousbreakfast
.
“Yourchi
ldrenarecall
ing,goandopenthedoor.
”
Shelaughsget t
ingoffthecouchandintot
he
bathr
oom.It akeafewsecondst ocalm my
heart
beat,checkifmypant saresaf
etogooutsi
de
withgi
vent heteasi
ngmywi f
ejustdi
dtome.
“
Daddy,Aunt-
-”Okuhl
efai
lstoconveywhat
ever
messagetheysentwi
thher.
“OkayPrincessl
et'
sgo.
”Ipi
ckherupandcl
oset
he
doorbehindmeheadingout
sidewher
eSbuwas
seated.
“Haa,man!Youareglowing,doesthi
smeansi ster
-
i
n- l
awhasforgi
venyou?”Mycr azybrot
herteases.
I'
mt empt
edtoswearathi m butnoti
nfrontofmy
kids.
“St
opi
tbrotherSbuI'
m notsupposedtobehear
ing
sucht
hings!”Mysist
er,Nombulel
o,l
aughs.
“
Isai
dnot
hingwr
ong.I
sther
esomet
hingwr
ong
wit
hhim gl
owingandbei
ngf
orgi
ven?”Sbu
cont
inuest
olaughatme.
“HowareyouSi s?”Ideci
detochanget hesubject
befor
ethisconversat
iongetstooawkwar dprett
y
soon.Icannotdiscussmybedr oom businesswith
mysibli
ngsnotevenmyf r
iendAnthonyknows
aboutit
.It
'smineandMyRose’ ssecr
et.
“I’
m goodbutIcan'
tsaythesameaboutourmother
.
Shesnappedwhenshef oundoutNomthaspentthe
nightwit
hyou.Shefeel
slikewear
eallmovingon
toofast.
”
“
Howdi
dshef
indout
?”
“Logi
c.Nomt
hacomplainedaboutnotsleepi
nga
winkadaybef
ore,
yesterdayshedi
dn'tcomehome
andyouaret
heonlypersonwhocanhandl eyour
‘
rats’
-
-”
“
Iwil
lsl
apyoui
fyoucont
inuecal
li
ngmychi
ldr
en
r
ats.
”
“Mybad.Li
sten,
youbot
hhavetocomeupwi t
ha
plant
opacif
ymom.Ihavetogobacktowork,I
haveapendi
ngcasebutIdon'
tknowhowtotel
lher
thi
s.Shewi lldi
sownmet oo.
”Mysistersays,
seri
oust hi
st i
me.She'sonet
oughlawyerIknow
andI'm surehercli
entiswai
ti
ngforhertocome
backsooner .
“Noshewon' t
.Mom' sgri
evi
ng, shedoesn'thateus.
Maybeweshoul dtalktouncle,herbr
other.I'
m sure
shewi l
lopenupt ohim.Asl ongasshedoesn' tget
theangeroutofherchestandacceptt hatdadis
gonethenshewi llneverheal.
”Isuggest.Idon'tli
ke
thatuncleofminebutIcan'tthinkofanyoneel se.
“
YeahIguessyouar er
ight
.”Sbusayswavi
nghis
l
efthand.Pr
incessNombulel
ofr
ownslooki
ngatit
.
“
Yousti
llweari
ngyourweddi
ngband?
”Hervoi
ce
l
acedwi
t hconf
usi
on.
“I
fthere'ssomet hi
ngmybr ot
hert aughtme, i
t'
show
torespectt hi
sr oundgol d-shinylit
tlethi
ng.IknowI
messedupatt heendbutbef or
et hosegays,Ihad
never,Imeannevercheat edonZodwa.Wehadour
dif
ferencesbutIr espectherf orgivingmet he
wonder fulgif
ts;mychi ldren.I'm notgoingtotakei
t
offuntilshedeci destodi vorceme, t
helastti
meI
sawhershesai
dshewashappywi
thherki
d
boyf
ri
endandIrespectt
hat
.”
“
Wow!HereIwast
hinki
ngmybr
otheri
sthe
womani
zer
?”
“Si
s,Idon'tcheat.I'
m al
waysopenandhonestwi t
h
peoplejustthatmanymi sunderst
andmebecause
I'
m agangst er.Evenbefor emarri
ageInever
cheatedanyonebecauseIneverdat edanyone.I
boughtwhatIwant edatt hetime,satisf
iedmy
needsandmovedon.Nost r
ingsattached.”
“I
’
m gladItaughtyousomethi
ngbr
o.Butaqui
ck
quest
ion,
doyoul oveZodwa?”
“Myanswert othatisst
il
lthesame,Idon'
tloveher.
Iknowt hegodssetmef reeandal
lbutIsti
lldon'
t
feell
ikeshe'
stheone.IfshedoescomebackIcan
all
owherbacki ntoourl
ivesandconti
nuewher ewe
start
edbutafterbloodt
esting.
”
“
Cont
inueaswhat
?”
“Amarr
iedcoupletoler
ati
ngandrespect
ingone
anot
her
.Withoutthe‘Il
oveyou’st
atementofcour
se.
Tomethatsoundsr eal
lydeepandIcan'
tbetr
ayit
's
meaningbylyi
ngt oher
.”Haveyouevermetan
honestgangst
er?Mybrotherdoesn'
tli
enomatt
er
howuglythetrut
his.
“Thenthere'
snopointgetti
ngbackt ogether.Li
fei
s
tooshorttospendwithsomeoneyoudon' tlove
whenyoucanst il
lfi
ndyoursoul mate.Lethergo
man,maybeshe' sscaredofservingyout hedivor
ce
papers.Talkt
oherandhearwhatshehast osayso
youcanbot hfi
ndawayf or
ward.”
“Iwil
lbutnotnow.Ihaveal oti
nmyplat
efornow,
mychi l
drenaremypriori
ty.Unt
ilI
'
m sur
etheyar
e
allf
inethenmaybeIwi l
ltal
ktoher.
”
*
***
***
***
***

Queenmotheri
shavingameet
ingwi
tht
heRoyal
chi
efsandtheseer
.
“YourMajest
y,thegodsarenothappy.Wher
eist
he
heirappar
enttothethr
one?”Chi
efSokhel
e
questi
ons.
“
Howmanyt
imesmustIt
ellyout
hatmysons
neededfreshair
!Theytr
avel
edi
nor
dert
odealwi
th
thei
rfat
her'spassi
ng.”
“Igett
hatbutHisRoyalHighnessPri
nce
Sphamandlaknowshecan' tj
ustupandleave.What
dowet el
lthepeopleofUmlazi
?Howdowemove
onwi t
houtaKing?”Theykeepgri
ll
ingheral
ready
workedupselfwithquest
ions.
“Myhusbandjustdi
edandal
lyout
hinkabouti
s
crowni
ngthenextKi
ng?Didhemeanthatl
it
tl
eto
youall
?”Shesnaps.
“I
t’snott
hatMyQueen, i
t'
stradi
ti
on.Wemaynot
crownhistoday,nextweekornextmont hbuthe
hastobeher etoaddresshispeople-
-”
“Theyarenothi
speople!Myhusband'sspir
itisst
il
l
withus.Wedon'tneedanot
herKingl
etalonet he
one--”Nomthabargesi
nandgreetstheelders.
“
MyPr
incess.
”Theyal
lbowt
hei
rheads.
“
Mom,
canwet
alkf
orasecond,
please-
-”
“
Whati
sit
?”
“
Please?
”Shebegsunt
ilQueenmot
hergi
vesi
n.
“Shewil
lbebackinamoment
,thi
sisur
gent
.I'
m
sorr
yforthedi
stur
bance.
”
“
What
?Whatdoyouwant
?”QueenNozi
zwehi
sses.
“Pleasemom, inpri
vat
e.”Nomt haopenst heguest
room andcl osesthedoorbehindthem.“ I
’m sorr
yif
I'
m oversteppingmyboundar i
es.Mom, youcannot
l
ett hechiefsknowaboutwhathappenedbet ween
youandyoursons.I twon'
tlookgood, peoplewill
startquesti
oningthestabi
li
tyofthisfamily,i
sthat
whatyouwant ?”
“SoshouldIbr
ingt
hem evenwhent
hewoundi
s
sti
llf
resh?”
“No,nott hat.Takeyourtimemom, Iknowyoust ill
l
ovet hem andyoudi dn'
tmeanal lt
hoset hingsyou
saidtot hem.Youar egrievi
ng, i
t'sunder standable.
WhatI 'm sayingisyoushoul dn'
tbet ell
ingt hesame
thi
ngst oever yonebecauseyouwi llfor
gi veyour
sonsbutt hecommuni tywillsti
llhavequest i
ons.
Familiesf i
ght,alotbutwear enotsupposedt olet
otherpeopl einourfight
s.Peopl echoosesi desand
beforeweknowi twewillhaveadi videdki ngdom.
Mom,father-
in-
lawr
eallyl
ovedyouandI '
m sur
e
he'
snotresti
ngseei
ngyouhur tl
iket
his.Lethi
m go
mom,lethim goandresti
npeace.”
“How?HowdoIl
ethi
m gowhenhe'
sst
il
lmuch
ali
vei
nmyhear
t?”
“Whenmysi sterdiedIneverwant edt olethergoto
apoi ntoft ryingtodef ythegods, Itr
iedtomakeher
staybuthert i
mehadcome.Shehadt ogo, Ismil
ed
andwavedgoodbyet oherbutIneverki l
ledherin
myhear t.WheneverImi ssherIlooki nmyhear t
andIal waysf i
ndher .Thecir
cumst ancesi nwhich
father-
in-lawl eftaremaki ngithardforyout olet
him go, t
akeyourt i
memom, j
ustdon' tl
ethis
passingdest roywhathewor kedhar df or.Forfort
y
yearsher uledt hi
ski ngdom andmadesur epeace
prevail
ed, lethi m notgowi t
ht hepeaceheal ways
foughtt obest ow.”QueenMot herisintears.“We
l
oveyoumom.I twi l
lgetbett
erwi thti
me, bestrong
forusweneedyou. ”
“Letmegoandt ellt
hem t
heheirappar
entt
othe
thronewil
lbebacksoon.Idon'
twhenissoonbut
hewi l
lbeback,
right?”
“
Yesmom.Al
lthebest
.”
*
***
***
***
***

Lat
eri
ntheaf
ter
noon.
“
HiDaddy'
sgi
rl
!”Nomt
haknocksonKayi
se’
sdoor
.
“Hey.Wherehaveyoubeen?It
hinkyounol
onger
careaboutme.”Shepout
s.
“Youlookcutewhenyouarepout i
ng.Yourbrother'
s
chil
drenshowedmef l
amest heothernightandI
hadtogot ohim.Iwasreal
lyti
red,I
'm sorr
yyouf eel
thatway.Letmeseemywhi teniece.
”
“She’
ssleepingbutyoucanseeher.
”Nomt
hawal
ks
overandkissesthebaby'
sfor
ehead.
“
Howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
”
“Mixedemot ions.Sad,hurt
,heart
broken,
happy,
it'
s
j
ust...
.Idon'tknow.Ithurt
sal ott
hatmyf at
heri
sno
mor e,i
thurtsevenmor ethanmybaby
accompani edhim.”
“
Youwi
llgetbet
terwi
tht
imedar
li
ng.I
t'
sokayt
o
feelt
hatway.Justrememberhowmuchheloved
youandsoldierf
orwardwi
ththosememor
ies.
”
“
Thankyou.Haveyouf
orgi
venmybr
other
s?”
“Yeah.Ascr azyastheyareIcannotst ayangr
yat
them forlong.Il
ovemyhusband, Princess,
Iwas
j
usthur tandmaybeIwashavi nghar dtime
acceptingwhathappened.Butwear egoodnow. ”
Shesmi l
esbutquickl
yherfacefal
ls.“Hey,what
's
wrong?Whyt helongfacenow?”
“YouknowwhenIgotmar r
iedIthoughti
twas
goingtobejustli
keyouandbrotherbutIwas
fooli
ngmyself.YouknowthatsongbyTamar
Braxton?Loveandwar?”
“
Yeah?Whataboutt
hesong?
”
“That'
sthestoryofmymar r
iage.Onemomentwe
areonthehighandt henextwear edryi
ngourt ear
s.
Wecan' tski
padaywi t
houtquarreli
ngandmyi n-
l
awsmakei tapointthateachandever ydaythey
haveabadt hingtosayaboutmet omyhusband.
Him beingmomma’ sboyhebel i
eveseverythi
ng
thatwomansays. ”
“I’
m sorr
ydar li
ng,comeher e.
”Nomt hahugsher.
“It
’snotalwayssunshi neandr osesinmarri
age
somet i
mesi tdoesrain.It'
syourdutyasawoman
tobuildahomewhi chwi llbeabletoprot
ectyour
familywheni tstar
tsraining.Tal
ktoyourhusband,
setboundariesandr emi ndhim ofhisvows.
”
“Wil
lthatwor
k?Ilovehim si
ster
-i
n-law,
rightnow
he'
snotevenheretoseehi schi
ldbecauset hose
peopl
ehaveaproblem withmebei ngblackandthe
chi
ldbeingofmixedraces.”
“Timetor epr
ogram t
hei
rthi
nki
ng.Makethem see
thatwear eallt
hesameatheartj
ustcol
or
diff
erence.”
*
***
***
***

THREEDAYSLATER.
..

Bukhosirol
lsoverhi
sbedandal mostfal
ls.He'
s
beenturni
ngandr ol
li
ngbuthejustcan'
tsleep.
Guil
tyandfearhastakenoverhi
sbody.Het akes
hi
sphoneanddi
alssomeone.
“Bukhosi
?It
'spastmi
dni
ght
,ar
eyouokay?
”Pr
ince
Sphaasksfrom t
heot
hersi
de.
“
NoI'
m notuncl
edaddy,Ican'
tsl
eep.Canyoupick
meup?Li
kenowbecauseIdon'tthi
nkIcanlastany
mor
ehoursfeel
ingl
iket
his-
-”
“
Youar
escar
ingme,
what
'st
hemat
ter
?”
“Ican'
ttel
lyouovert
hephone.Pl
easecomeand
pickmeup. ”
“
Yourgr
andma,
yourmama,
didyout
ryt
alki
ngt
o
t
hem?”
“DaddySphaIwouldn'
tbecal l
ingyoui fthethought
oftal
kingt
omamawasnotsendi ngcol dchill
s
downmyspi ne.I
'
m scared,don'tt
ellherIcalledjust
comeandpi ckmeupIwi l
ltel
lyouever ything.”
“Okayf
ine.Bett
erbeser
iousboyorI
'
m goi
ngtoki
ll
youmyselfformaki
ngmedr i
veatni
ght
.”Hedr
ops
thecal
l.
Bukhositi
ptoest
othemaindoor
,al
ltheguar
dsare
fastasl
eep,hesl
owlyopenst
hedoorandexi
ts.
Unfor
tunat
elyt
heguar
dsatt
hegat
ear
ewi
de
awake.
“MyPri
nce,
youcan'
tgooutantni
ght
.”Thechi
ef
guar
dcalml
ytel
lshi
m.
“Pl
easeletmepassI
'm notal
one.DaddySphais
comingtopickmeup.
”Acarf l
ashesit
'sl
ight
s,
Pri
nceSphagetsdownwear i
ngonlyhi
svestand
sweatpant
s.
“
YourHi
ghness.”Al
ltheguar
dsbowt
hei
rheads.
“He’swit
hmel ethi
m go.”Theyl
ethim pass.
Bukhosishaki
lyopenst hepassengerdoorandgets
i
nt hecarfeel
ingnauseous.“Boyyoulooklikeshi
t,
what '
sup?Didyousl eepwithagir
l?”
“
Nonott
hat
.Ihat
ewomen, exceptmamaandt
he
womeni
nmyfamilyofcour
se.”
“
Thenwhati
sit
?”
“
Let’
sgetoutofher ef
ir
st.”Sphabri
eflylooksathi
m,
t
urnstheignit
ionkeyanddr i
vesof
f.Fift
een
minut
eslaterhestopsthecarinfr
ontoft hei
r
(
Nomt haandSpha)home, t
hegateslowlyopens.
“Dowegetinsi
deorwearegoi
ngt
otal
kint
hecar
?
Youlookr
eall
yter
ri
fi
ed.
”
“Iwantshowyousomething.
”Her et
ri
evesabr own
envel
opefrom hi
sbackpack.Sphalooksatt he
brownenvelopeandf
rownsbuttakesi tanyway.
“Openit
.”Pri
nce'
sSphamout hdrops,hiseyeslook
l
iketheywil
lpopoutanysecond.
“
Bukhosi
?You?”Bukhosisl
owl
ynodsatthesame
t
imeswall
owi
nghard.“Tell
methi
sisajoke?
”
“I
'
m sor
ry,Ir
eall
yam.Bef oreyoukillmecanI
pl
easetal
ktomamaonel asttime-
-”Bylooki
ngat
hi
suncle'
sfaceonly,ur
inefreel
yfl
owsdownhi s
pant
stothecushions..
..
.
*
*
Goodmor ni
ngdar lings.Let'
skeepr eadingand
voti
ngf orourstoriesonWat [email protected]
aredoingagr eatjob, ourbook‘ BROKEN’ is
curr
entlyranked#34outof1. 4kbooksundert he
hashtag#Sisterhood.Let 'smakei tahitby
smashingal lt
her ecor ds.Thankyouf orthelove
andsuppor
t.
*
*
SeeyouonMondayunl
esswegetasponsor
.Have
agreatweekend!
!
[
07/
21,
13:
54]Tat
e:Chapt
er49.

“Khosihowdoyouexpl aint hi
s?Howinthehelldi
d
youmanaget ogetyourfather'
ssi
gnatur
ewithout
him knowing?”Bukhosi
’sli
pst r
emble,hi
sthr
oat
goesdr yandwordsf ai
lhim.“I’
mtalki
ngtoyou!”
Sphahi sses.
“
I-
i-
”
“Bukhosi
!”PrinceSphamoveshi slefthandto
Bukhosi’
sdirecti
on,Khosicol
lapses.Sphasighs
l
ookingathisunconsciousnephew.Hecheckshi s
heart
beat,it
'sther
ebuttooslow.“Bukhosi,wake
up!”Hequicklytakeshi
m outofthecarandr uns
i
nsidecarryi
nghi m.
“
Andt
hen?What
'sgoi
ngon?What
'swr
ongwi
thmy
son?
”Sbupani
cs.
“Moveasi deman, bri
ngcol dwat erandatowel.He
coll
apsed.”Sbur unsintothekitchenandcomes
backwi t
hapackofi ceblocks.Sphat akest
het owel
andwr apsitaroundt heicebl
ockpackbef or
e
placi
ngitonBukhosi ’sforehead.Khosiisst
il
l
sweatinginhisunconsci ousstate,Sphaconti
nues
todabBukhosi ’
sf acebutwi t
hnol uckofhim
gaini
ngconsciousness.
“Whathappened? ”Sbuisstil
lconfused.“Brot
her
willyout el
lmewhatt hehellhappenedt ohimi nt
he
mi ddl
eoft henightwhenhe' ssupposedt obe
sleeping?Pleasetellmemysoni snotintodrugsor
anyal coholrel
atedstuff
?”Thememor yofhi s
brothermanyyear sagoinvadesSbu'smi nd,hetoo
feelsweakandi sabouttofallwhenSphacat ches
him wi t
hhislefthand.
“
Stopbei
ngdramati
c!Bukhosii
snoti
ntoanyofal
l
t
hose,
he'
sjusthi
sfather
'sson.
”
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“
Letmet
ryonemor
etr
ick,
ifhedoesn'
twakeupI
'
m
taki
nghimtothehospit
al.Yourquest
ionscanwai
t,
Iwil
lansweral
lofthem l
ater.
”Pri
nceSphaputshi
s
handoverBukhosi
’
snoseandmout h.
“
Hecan'
tbr
eat
he-
-”Sbupani
cs.
“
Sbu,Iwi
llsl
apyoui fyoucont i
nuebehavingli
kea
woman.Hecan'tbreathe,Iknowt hatandthat
'st
he
t
ri
ck.
”Bukhosistr
ugglest obreathe,heki
ckshis
f
eeti
ntheair
,hisuncler emoveshi shandashe
(
Bukhosi
)gaspsforair.
“Pl
easedon'
tkil
lme,I'
m sorry,
Ireall
yam.”Spha
l
ooksathim andshakeshishead.“Okay,
letmetalk
tomamaandmysi bl
ingsfi
rstthatwayIwil
ldiei
n
peace.
”Hisuncl
elaughs.
“Bukhosi
,whydoyoust r
ayfrom t
hepathi fyou
knowyouar ethi
sscaredoftheconsequencesof
youracti
ons?”Sphaconti
nuestolaughathim whil
e
Sbustandstherewit
hhisarmsfoldedsti
lltryi
ngt
o
fi
gureoutwhathappenedbetweenthetwo.
“
Uncl
e?You-youwon'
thi
tme?
”
“
No!Bukhosibel
ievemeyoudon'
twanttobeonthe
r
ecei
vingendofmyhand.Thesehandsarever
y
wickedboy,don'tmessupt oanextentofhavi
ngto
dealwithme.Nowt hatyouar edonebeing
melodramaticcanyout ellyourfat
herwhatyou
did.
”Bukhosislowlylooksupt ohi
sfat
her,hi
scalm
facemakeshi sstomachchur n.“
Goon,hewon'thit
youinfrontofme. ”
“
DaddyI
'
m sor
ry.
”
“Forwhatexact
ly?I
'
mlosther
eson,
what
'sgoi
ng
on?”
“
Ist
oleyoursi
gnat
ure-
-”
“
Whoa?What
?Whatdi
dyoudowi
thi
t?”
“
Isi
gnedyourdi
vor
cepaper
s--
”Sbucol
lapseson
t
heti
ledf
loor
.
“Sbu?Brot
her
,pleasedon't.Youcandowhat ever
youwanttohim butpleasedon'tcrynotwhen
Nomt hai
snotheret oconsoleyou.”Sphamaybe
toughbuthedoesn'tdowel l
withtears.
“Soyoudecidedtogetmedi vorcedwithoutmy
knowledge?Bukhosi
,I
'm yourfatherhowcouldyou
dothi
st ome,toyourmother?”
“I
’m sorr
yIst ol
eyoursi gnatur
e.Iwassoangr y
afterwewentt obeghert ocomebackt ousbutshe
choseherboyf riend.Sisa’
stearsbrokemyhear t
evenmor e,shet rustedherdad,shedefendedher
allthet
imewesai dsomethingbadaboutherbut
whatdidZodwado?Shechoseaman, notevena
manbutaki doverus!Wemeannot hingtoher!I
hateherdad!Ir eallyhateher!
”Bukhosibreaks
downi ntears,Sphahugshi m.
“It
’sokaystopcrying.Uncl
eanddadwi llfi
xthis.
Nextt i
medon'ttakesuchadr ast
icdecisi
on,youare
sti
llyoungKhosi,youdon'tknowwhyt hingsarethe
wayt heyare.Maybesomedayyouwi l
lunder st
and
whyt hingstur
nedoutt hewaytheyare.Pleaselet
thi
sbet hel
astti
meyoudosomet hi
ngdast ardl
yli
ke
thi
s.”
“I
'm sorr
yuncle.Dad,I
'
m sorr
ypleasedon'
that
eme.
Youar etheonlypar
entIknowandhave,Ican'
tlose
you.”
“Comehere.
”Sbuorder
s,Bukhosihesit
antl
ygoest o
him.“
Son,I'
m notpr
oudofthemanyt hingsI'
ve
donesofarinmylif
ebutI
'm pr
oudt obeaf ather
.I
don'tapproveofwhatyoudi dbutIdon'that
eyou.I
wil
lneverhat emyownbl ood,stopstr
essingabout
thi
sIwi l
lfixit
.Don'
tyoueverdosomet hingliket
his
orIwillki
llyoumyself
.Nowgot obed,it'
s0300
hoursandt omorrowyouar egoingtoschool.Does
yourmamaknowaboutt his?”Bukhosi’
shear t
pounds, i
tfeel
sli
keitwil
lfall
offtheri
bcage.
“Shewil
lki
llme!Pleasedon'
ttel
lher
,Ibegofyou
dad--
”Hekneelsdownbegging.
“Inthisfamilywedon'tkeepsecret
sson.Secr et
s
destroyevent hestr
ongestrel
ati
onships.Shehasto
know, yourgrandmahast oknowt oo.Yourmama
won' tki
llyoubecauseshelovesyoual ot.Beready
forabef it
ti
ngpunishmentthough.Got obed.”Sbu
i
nf ormshi sson.
“Thankyou.Goodni
ghtuncl
edaddy,
goodni
ght
daddy.”
“Thisboyist
rul
yyoursonexcepthe'sscaredof
beingthr
ashed.Ist
il
lcan'
tbel
ievehecoll
apsedin
fear.”
“
I’
m st
il
lshockedbr
other
.Ismyl
if
esomi
ser
abl
e
t
hatmychi
ldr
enfeel
theneedt
orescuemef
rom
t
hei
rownmother
?”
“MiserableyesbutIdon' tt
hinkyouneedany
saviour.Sbu, Iknowyouar eal waysopenabout
yourfeel i
ngs.Got oZodwa, speakt oher ,askher
thatbur ni
ngquest ionandst artputtingyourl i
fe
backont rack.Youknowwhatyouwant ,youknow
thelif
eyouhaveal waysdr eamedof ,i
t'
st i
met o
maket hatdr eam ar eali
ty.Bukhosihat eswomen
alr
eady, verysoonSi saisgoi ngt ohatemar ri
age
andwewi l
lhavet odealwi thr ebell
iouschi ldr
en.Fi
x
thi
smessSbu, t
hef utureandt hehappi nessofyour
chil
drenl i
esi nyourownhappi ness.Youar ea
Tshabangu, weneverst aydownnomat terhow
manyt imesl ifeknocksusdown.Iwi l
lalwaysbe
hereforyou.Takechar ge,thisi syourlifeandno
onewi llfi
xi tforyou. ”
*
***
***
***
*

Earl
yinthemorni
ng,Nomt
hawakesup,
doesher
usualhygi
ener
outi
neandgoest
otheki
tchen.She
start
sprepari
ngbreakf
astfort
hechil
dren.She'
s
sti
llbusy,
losti
nherchoreswhenthehousephone
ri
ngs.
“Whocouldbecal
li
ngthepalacet
hisear
lyinthe
morni
ng?”Sheputsdowntheknif
eandwi pesher
handsbef
oretaki
ngthecal
l.
“
TshabanguRo-
-”
“Goodmorni
ngdearwife.
”Sphasaysfr
om theother
side.“
Howismygorgeouswifef
eeli
ngtoday?”
“Whyareyoubeingsosweetandromant
ict
his
earl
yinthemorning?Whatdi
dyoudo?Conf
ess
yoursi
nsMister
.”
“Babe,ar
eyounotmygor geouswif
e?Youknow
youar et
hemostbeaut i
fulwomanintheuni
ver
se.
”
Nomt hablushes.“
Iknowyouar ebl
ushi
ngri
ght
now--”
“
Stopi
t!Whydi
dyouwakesoear
lyt
oday?What
's
t
heoccasi
on?”
“Bef
oreIanswert
hat
,howar
ethequads?Andt
hei
r
bigbrot
her
?”
“Theyareal
lfi
nebutIfeell
ikeMuziandthet
wins
arestr
essedaboutsomethi
ng.Idon'
tknowwhatis
i
tbutIwillf
indout
.”
“Noneedt
o.Ical
ledt
oletyouknowt
hatBukhosii
s
her
ewithme--
”
“What?Whendi
dhegett
oyoubecauseyest
erday
he'
stheonewhoputt
hequadst
obed?”
“Hecall
edmearound12mi dni
ght,Icameandgot
him.Hedidsomethi
ngbadandIhopeyouwon' tki
ll
himforit
.Theboy'
salr
eadyscaredofyou.
”
“
Whaydi
dhedo?
”
“
Hegothi
spar
ent
sdi
vor
ced.
”
“
What
?”
“Pleasedon'tsnap,Iwasshockedt oobutI
under standwherehe'scomi
ngf r
om.WhatZodwa
didt othem wasunforgi
vabl
e,whatki ndofamother
abandonsherchi ldr
enforaboyfriend?Aboyfr
iend
babe?Woul dyouchooseaboyfriendoveryour
children?”
“
No!Il
ovemychi
ldr
enandyouknowt
hatbut
blackmai
li
ngmewon' tworkYourHi ghness.What
Bukhosididwaswr ongandhehast oapologizet
o
hismother.Shemaynotbet heidealmotherbut
she'sst
il
ltheonewhogavebi r
thtot hem.They
havetorespectherforthat
.”
“Iagr
eewi t
hyouont hatpl
easedon' tbet oohardon
him.Ithi
nkt hey'
vetakenast r
ainfrom allofthi
s.
Teenagersar ever
ysensiti
ve,vulnerabl
e, emoti
onal
andimpulsive,wedon'twanthimt oenddoi ng
drugsbecausehef eelsunlovedorsomet hi
ng.Let'
s
conti
nueraisingourkidswithloveandl otsofit.
”
“Iunderst
andIwon'
tgi
vehi
m ahar
dti
me.Howdi
d
Sbut akei
t?”
“Shocked.Idon'
tknowifhefeelssomethi
ngforher
,
he'sverymuchclosedoffwheni tcomest
othis
mat t
er.Iaskedhi
mt omeetwithhersotheycan
tal
k.”
“That
'sgood.Letmefi
nishmakingbreakf
astbefor
e
thechil
drencomeforbr
eakf
ast.We'l
ltal
klat
er,l
ove
you.”
“
Iloveyoumor
eMyPr
eci
ousRose.
”
*
***
***
***
***

I
nthej
ailcel
l,
TKi
ssleepi
ngonhi
sst
omachwhi
le
Si
yamassageshi
sbody.
“
Whydoyoufeeldist
ract
ed,Ri
Ri?I
ssomethi
ng
wrong?
”TKquest
ionswithhi
seyescl
osed.
“
It
’snot
hing.
”
“
Youcant
alkt
omemaybeIcanhel
p.”
“I
t’
smyf amil
y.Ir
eadt
henewspaperbutIfeell
ike
somethi
ngisnotri
ght
.Dad, mom andmysist
er
wouldn'
tabandonmejustl
ikethat
.”
“Weal ltakedr
asticst
epst osaveourselves.When
mybr othersandIwer ecaughtduringtheheist
,my
olderbrothermadear unforhisli
fe.Myyounger
brotherandIwer ejai
led,
henevercamebackand
event odayIsti
lldon'
tknowwher eheis.”
“
Soyout
hinkmyf
ami
lyal
sosacr
if
icedme?
”
“Maybetheywil
lcomebackf oryou.Fr
om whatI
readonthepapers,
yourfatheri
saveryinf
luent
ial
personI
'
m surehe'slyi
nglowandwhenhecomes
backwhoeverputher
ewi
llpay.
”
“Youdon' tunderstand.Pr i
nceSphamandl aisa
devili
nsheep' sclothing.Notonlyisher uthless,he
thi
nksl i
keasecr etagentorsomet hinghe' salways
onest epahead.I fmyf ami l
yissafewher everthey
areIwoul dbegl adt ojustheartheirvoicesandl et
them staytherebecausei ftheycomebackher e
andt r
yt orevenge, Sphamandl awillki
llthem i na
secondandnoonewi lldoanythingabouti t
.He' s
onedanger ousguy, you'dswearhewasamaf ia,
FBIorat opsecr etagenti nhisformerlife.Whocan
putaguywhoout smar t
edtheFBInotonl yoncebut
fourgooddamnt imesbehi ndbars?I '
m evenscar ed
formyl i
fe.”
“
Hey,
youdon'
thavet
obescar
edIwi
llpr
otectyou.
”
“I
’m gett
ingconvict
edi nt
woweeksti
me.Theyhave
str
ongevi denceagainstmeandmyfami
lyI'
m not
sureifyouwi l
lbeabletoprot
ectme.
”
“
Rel
axyouwi
llbef
ine.
”
*
***
***
***
***
Atschool
,Muzii
ssi
tt
ingont
hebenchwhenAndi
le,
t
heheadgi
rlsi
tsnextt
ohi
m.
“Heychar
mer
.”Shesaysgi
vinghi
m apeckonhi
s
cheek.
“
HiAndi
le.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“Ineedafavor.
”Muziraiseshi
seyebrows.“
Iwant
youtotalkt
oyourbrotherforme,Ir
eall
yli
kehi
m
buthedoesn'tevennoti
ceme.Am Iuglyor
something?
”
“Youarebeaut
if
ulbutwhi
chbr
otherar
eyout
alki
ng
about
?”
“
Theonewhoonl ysmil
eswhent al
kingtoyouorhi
s
t
win.Idon'
tknowifi
t'
sBukhosiorJunior
.”
“Iwillt
rybutI'
m notmaki
nganypromises.Whymy
brotherthough?Imeanyouhaveallt
heboysinthi
s
schoolfollowi
ngyoueventheseni
orstudent
s.My
brotherisonlyfi
ft
eenAndi
le,
whatdoyouwant
from him?”
“Il
ikehi
m.AndofcourseIcanbreakt
heint
erneti
fI
managetogooutwit
hhi m,he'
sajuni
orpri
nceaft
er
all
.Yousee,
Iwantt
obef amousMrcharmer .
”She
playswithhi
st i
ethever
ymomentLediapproaches.
Ledilooksup,seesAndi
leandtur
nsback.Muzi
runsbehindherleavi
ngAndil
econfused.
“Leavemeal oneThando!Youhaveher
,she'
s
beauti
fulanddefi
nit
elyyourcl
ass-
-”
“
Stop!Youdon'tknowwhatAndi l
eandIwer e
t
alki
ngabout.Jumpingintoconcl
usionsalways
l
eadt or
egret
--
”Hef eel
spaininhischestashr
i
nvolunt
ari
lyshutshiseyes.
“
Thando?Ar
eyouokay?
”Nal
edipani
cs.
“Yeah,ummm let
'sgoandsitdown.”Nal
ediholds
hishandandleadhimtothebench.“Mypainki
ller
s
areinmybag.”Ledif
umbleswithhisbel
ongings
unti
lshefi
ndsthem.
“Here.”Heopenshismouthhi
shandsti
llonhis
chest.Ledipopsi
nthepi
ll
sandmakeshi m dr
ink
water.“Maybeyoushoul
dgotothedoct
or ,
callyour
dri
ver.”
“NoI'
mfine.Ihaven'texer
cisedeversi
nceIgothur
t,
Iguessi
t'
sthespr i
ntingIdi
df ol
lowi
ngyou.”
“
Areyousur
eyouwi
llbef
ine.
”
“YesI'
m sure.”Heopenshi
seyesasthest
rong
painki
ll
ersstartt
oki
ckin.“
Whydidyourunaway?
”
“
Youwer
esi
tt
ingwi
thher
.”
“
So?
”
“
Idon'
tknowIj
ustr
an.
”
“Don’
teverdothatagai
n.Idon'
tcl
assi
fypeopl
e
becauseofhowmucht hei
rpar
ent
searn.I
nthi
s
schoolweareallpoor
.”
“Butyouarenot
.”Muzi
'
sheartski
psabeatthi
nking
maybeLedihasdonearesear
chonhim abouthow
muchheear nspermat
chandhisnonprofi
t
organi
zat
ion.
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“Youhaveacarpi cki
ngyouupatt hegateeveryday,
youhaveexpensivephones,youhaveever yt
hing
youneedandsomeoft hethi
ngsyoudon' tneedbut
becauseyourparentshavemoneyyoubuy
whateveryourhandtouchesintheshops.”
“
That
’snott
rue.Mypar
ent
sar
eri
ch,
yesbutI
'
m not
.
Theywor kedhar dtobewher et heyar etoday, bot h
mypar entsar egr aduat
eswhowor kever ydayt o
earnt heirmoney.I '
m al
soont hatr oute,studyhar d,
passyourexamswi t
hflyi
ngcol or s,got ouni versity,
getthatdegr eeandwor kyourbut tofftot het op.
Stopt hinkingabouthowmuchal ltheseki dsspend
duringbr eaks, focusonwher eyouar eheaded.Al so,
don'tevercompar eyourbeaut ytoanyone' s,youar e
beaut i
fulLedi ,verybeauti
fuljustt hatyouar e
l
ooki ngf orbeaut yinothersthat '
swhyyouar e
unabl etoappr eci
ateyourownbeaut y.Don' tbeone
ofthosegi rl
swhol osethei
rsel vest ryingt obel i
ke
othercoolgi rls,beyouandi t
'syouwhomat ters.”
Muziki ssesherhand.Tohi sshock, herhandsar e
sti
llcrackedevenaf t
erbuyingal lthemoi sturizers.
“Myauntfor
bidmefrom usi
ngt
hem.Sheuses
ever
ythi
ngyouboughtasshepl
eases.
”Ledisays
conf
irmi
nghisdoubt
s.
“
Ledi
,thi
sisnotri
ght
.Iboughtt
hosemoist
uri
zers
f
oryou,what
'sherpr
oblem?Whyisshedoingthi
s
t
oyou?”
“
Idon'
tknowmaybet
hat
'showor
phansar
erai
sed.
”
Ledif
aint
lysmi
les,
Muzi
'
shear
tshat
ter
s.
“Comehere.
”Muzihugsherasatearescapeshis
eye.Hesecr
etl
ywipesitof
f.“
Letmehelpyou,Ican
askmom total
ktoyouraunt.
”
“NoThando.Pl easedon'
tdot hat
,myauntmaybe
badbutshe'sthewomanwhor ai
sedme.Ican'
tdo
thatt
oher,pleasedon'tt
ellyourmother
.”
*
***
***
***
***
***
Lat
eraroundfouraft
ernoon,Pr
inceSbupi
cks
Bukhosiupatschool
.Bukhositol
dhisbr
others
whathappenedandtheyadvisedhimtoapologi
ze
soeveryonecanlett
hemat t
ersli
de.
“
Hidaddy.
”Juni
orf
istbumpswi
thhi
sfat
her
.
“
Hison.Youl
ookl
ikemei
nthatuni
for
m.”
“YeahsoI
'
vebeent
old.Youl
ookr
athert
ir
ed,
what
's
up?”
“
Whatdoyouf
eel
aboutyourmot
her
?”
“Nothi
ng.Wedon'tfeel
anythingforpeoplewedon'
t
careabout.She'
sli
keoneoft hecit
izensofthi
s
countr
yIjusthavetogreetandpass, not
hingmor
e,
nof
eel
ingsat
tached.”
“
Whathappenswhenshedeci
dest
ocomeback?
”
“That’
sforyoutowor ryabout.Li
keIsaid,
she
meansnot hi
ngtomebuti fshewillmakeyouless
miserabl
ethenIwi l
lrespectthat
.Justmakesure
shestaysthehellawayf r
om mysi st
erbefor
eshe
hurtsheragai
nwi t
hherf akepromises.
”
“OkayIgetyouson.I '
m goingtomeethert
o
discusswhatyouboysdi d.Idon'
tknowhowthi
s
willworkout.Whateverhappensal
waysknowthat
dadl ovesyouthr
ee.Youar emywor l
d.”
*
*
“
Ready?
”SbuasksBukhosi
.
“Wasbornready.Let'
sgetthi
soveranddonewi t
h.”
Hegetsdownt hecarandsighs.Theywalkthr
ough
t
hemai ndoubledoor,ther
ecepti
onistsmi
lesat
t
hem fi
xinghercleavage.
“Af
ternoon.Wewoul
dli
ket
oseeZodwa
Tshabangu.”
“
Andyouar
e?”
“Pri
nceSbusi
soTshabangu--”Shef umbleswit
hher
pendroppi
ngthefil
esdownt hefloor.Bukhosi
sti
fl
esalaugh.“
Lady,r
elax.Don'tgettoo
overwor
ked,i
t'
sjustapret
tyfacedar l
ing.
”
“
Umm-ummm-
-”Shest
ammer
s.
“Thankyou.Wewi llseeour selvesup,weknowt he
room number .”Theyl eavehert odealwit
hthe
butter
fli
esinherst omach.Sbuknocks, Zodwa
openst hedoorwr appedi natowel.Looki
ngvery
darkandski nny.“Hi .Canyoupl easeputsomething
on,Iwoul dli
ket otalkt oyouaboutsomet hi
ng.
Please.”Sher oll
shereyesandcl osesthedoorin
thei
rfaces.Af ewmi nuteslat
ersheopenswear ing
somet hingthat'srathert oobigforher.Sbu'
sheart
breaksf orher.
“
HowcanIhel
pyou?”
Sheaskscr
ossi
ngherski
nny
l
egsont
hecouch.
“Bukhosi
,oursonmadeami stakeandisher
eto
apologi
zefori
t.Ihadnoideaaboutthedi
vor
ce,
I'
m
real
lysorr
y.Bukhosist
olemysignat
ure-
-”
“Reall
ySbu?Areyour eall
ygoingt
ouset hatcrapto
defendyoursel
f?Whyst oopsolowtodefend
yourself
?Huh?Can'tfi
ndanyonetosati
sf yyoursex
desir
esnowyouwantmebackbecauseI '
mt hefool
whocanst andforyourcrazyaddi
cti
on?”Sbu
swallowshardlooki
ngathissonbutquickly
composeshi mself
.
“
Zodwa?Noti
nfrontofmysonpl
ease.Hejustwant
t
oapologi
zet
henyouandIcansol
vethisdi
vorce
t
hing-
-”
“Youmayt hi
nkI'
m desperat
ebutI'
m not
!Idon'
t
wanttohearanythingyouandyourl
it
tl
ebrathasto
say,yougotthedivor
cenowgetoutofmyr oom--
”
“Youknowwhat ?Iwasgoi ngt oapol ogi
zebutI've
changedmymi nd.Idon'tregretanyt hi
ngIdid,you
don'tdeservemyapol ogy.Iprayandhopeyourki d
boyfri
enddoesn'tleaveyouhi ghanddr y!Befor
e
tryi
ngtoactlikeyouar emi ght
ypl easelookyour sel
f
i
nt hemi r
rororbetteryet,
goseet hedoct or
becauseyoul ookreallysi
ck!Let'sgodaddy! ”
Bukhosileavesinahuf fslammi ngt hedoorbehi nd
him.
“
Ist
hishowyouwantt
oendt
hingswi
thme?
”
“Yes.Idon'
teverwanttoseeyouagai
n,Ihat
eyou
Sbu!Youandever yonei
nthatpal
ace!
”
“Fi
nethen.”Sburemoveshi sweddingband.“
You
cankeept hi
sandIpromi setoneverbri
ngmyf ace
i
nfrontofyou.Ihopelifetr
eatsyouwellandyou
don'
tregretyourdeci
sions.Goodbye,Zodwa.
..
..
”
*
*
*
*
Goodmor ni
ngdarli
ngs.I
'm sorryfornotkeepingmy
promi
setopostaround6-7, sometimest hework
l
oadjustgetsheavi
erandIhavet ojugglesomany
thi
ngstokeepeveryt
hingafloat.Imaynotbeon
ti
mebutIwillmakesureyougett heinsert
.
*
PleasegoonWat t
padandvot
efort
hechapter
sI
addedyest
erday.Remembert
oreadandvoteonal
l
chapter
salsol
eaveacommenttoatt
ractmore
r
eader
s.Thankyouf
oryourl
oveandsuppor
t.
[
07/
21,
13:
55]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er50.

AMONTHLATER.
..
.

“Goodmorningmom.”Nomt
hahandst
heQueena
cupofhercappucci
no.
“Morni
ngdar
li
ng.Howar
eyou?”TheQueenmot
her
smil
esaft
eraveryl
ongt
ime.
“
I’
mfi
ne.
”
“
But
?”Queenmothersensessomet
hingel
sef
rom
t
he‘
I’
mfine’
stat
ement.
“Imi
ssyourson.Pl
easeforgi
vehim mom,Spha
l
ovesyou,hel
ovedhisfat
hertoo.Hewil
lneverdo
anyt
hingt
opurposel
yhurtthi
sfamil
y.Hewillr
ather
diet
hanputhisownfamilytoshame,thei
rlovefor
famil
yiswhatdef
inesyoursons.Pl
easebringthem
backhome.”
“Your eal
lyl
ovehim, don'
tyou?”Nomt hasmi l
esand
l
ooksdownf eeli
ngal i
tt
leembarrassed.“Noneedt o
feelshyaboutit.I
t'
swr i
tt
enalloveryourf aceand
I'
m gladhef oundsomeonel i
keyou, awomanwho
willal
waysbebyhi shusband'ssidenomat t
erwhat
butalsowi l
lneverl
etfamilyf
allapart.I'
mr eal
ly
proudofyoudaught er-i
n-l
aw.”
“
Real
lymom?
”
“Yes.Iadmi r
eyourstrengthandcour age.You
singlehandedl
ytookcar eofmycr azysons, theyare
betterhumanbeingswhenwi thyou.Youar er ai
sing
Sbu'ssonsasyourowndespi t
ehavingyourown
crew. ”TheQueenlaughs.“It
’snoteasyr ai
singeight
chil
dr enwit
hsomuchl oveandcar e.Don'tever
changewhoyouar e.”
“Thankyoumom.Willyoubr
ingt
hem back?Shoul
d
Itel
lthem t
ocomeback?”
“
No.Iwi
lldeci
dewhent
heywi
llcomeback.Don'
t
wor
ryaboutt
hat
.”
“Okaymom.I '
m goi
ngtoseewhatr
uckusyour
grandchi
ldr
enarecausi
ngnow.”
“Beforeyoul
eave,
what
'syourt
akeonSbu'
s
divorce?
”
“
Mother-
in-
lawIdecidedtoletthem deci
detheir
f
utur
e.IagreeIhadthem mar r
iedbutIdon'tt
hink
i
t'
smyplacet okeepthem t
iedtoeachot herwhen
t
heyarenothappy.”
“That
'st
ruemysonwi llbouncebackasf orthat
ZodwaIstil
lhavenowor dstosayabouther .Ihope
andpraymygr andchil
drenwi l
lbeabletoforgive
herandletgooftheiranger.Bukhosir
eallyhates
herandit'
sunhealt
hy.”
“It
hinkKhosineedssomeonet
otal
kto.Someone
hewi l
lnotbeafr
aidt
osayhist
ruef
eeli
ngsto.
”
“
Ather
api
st?
”
“
Yesmom.
”
*
*
“Mommyl ook!”Kuhleexclaims.Theot herthreeare
busyr edecorati
ngtheirbrother
'sroom.Hi swhite
favori
tebedcoverhasbeenmadecol orf
ulwi t
h
diff
erentcolorsofpencils.Lunaisbusyst uffi
ng
Muzi '
sfavorit
ebluetissuepaperint hetoi
let.Enhl
e
i
si nthewar drobeeatingchocolates.I
phil
ei ssit
ti
ng
ont hecomput ertabl
e.
“
Whathaveyoudone?
”
“
Mommy!Beaut if
ul!
”Kuhlejumpsupanddownon
t
hebed.“Al
lfourofyoucomeher e,now!
”Theyal
l
i
nnocent
lygotoher,shesighsdefeat
ed.
“
Thi
sisyourbr
other
'sr
oom whol
etyoui
n?”
“I
phi
le.”Theyal
lpoi
ntathi
m.Iphi
lei
sthequi
etone
butt
hemostmi schi
evousoft
hem al
l.Hecl
imbs
ever
ythinghecanmanageto.
“Brotherisnotgoi ngtobehappyaboutt hi
s.Thisi
s
notapl ayground,okay? ”Theyallnod.“Good.Now
goandpl ayinyourpl ayroom.”Theytakethe
remai ni
ngchocol atesandl eave.Nomthastart
s
cleaningupt heroom.
InKayi se’
sroom.Shepacki
ngherclothestear
s
freelyrunni
ngdownhercheeks.Queenmot her
wal ksintothebabycr
yingbutKayi
sei st
oo
distractedt
oevennoti
cethat.TheQueenpicksthe
babyup.
“Ntombimydaughter,what '
sthemat ter?Youhave
beenpacki
ngandunpacki ngtheseclothesformore
thanfi
vehoursnow,don'tyouwantt ogoback? ”
TheQueenasksrockingt hebabybackandf ort
h.
“Youcantalkt
omeI 'm yourmot herandI '
m sur
e
whateveri
tisIwi
llhel
pyousol veit
.”
“Theyaregoingtohatemydaught ermom.They
hateblackhair
,theyhat
ecoloreds,t
heyhate
everyonewho'snotwhit
e.”Kayisecri
esevenmore.
“Whatdoesyourhusbandhavetosayaboutthat
?
Befor
eyouanswerthatIneedyoutellmewhydidn'
t
yourhusbandcometoseethebaby?I t
'sever
y
fat
her'
sdream t
oholdthei
rfi
rstbor
nswhyi sheany
dif
fer
ent?”
“I
’m surehi
smot hert
oldhi
m nott
o.Heli
stenst
o
everyt
hingthatwomansays.Theyhat
emebecause
ofmycol
or,
mom!
”Kayi
sesobs.
“Ntombi,t
here'
snothi
ngwr ongwithyourcol
orand
yourbabyisbeauti
ful
.Putthoseclot
hesbackinthe
wardrobelet
'sgooutforsomefreshair.
”
“
Mom?
”
“NtombiI'
m notsendingmydaught erbackwhere
she'snotwanted.I
nfactleaveyourclot
hesther
e
wewi l
lpackthem l
ater,di
alyourhusbandforme.”
Kayisedoesashermot hersays.
“Howmanyt i
mesdoIt el
lyounott
ocal
ldur
ingt
he
day-
-”Thehusbandsays.
“Hell
otoyout oo.Listentomeandl ist
enver y
caref
ull
y.Mydaught erisnotonlyaPrincess
becauseshe'sr oyal
ty,it
'sbecauseshe'sourpri
de.
Whydi dyougetmar ri
edt oherwhenyouhat eher
color
?Youdi dn'tevenbot hert
ocomeandcheckon
yourdaughter,yourfirstborn?
”
“
Mot
her
-i
n-l
awI
'
m sor
ry.Myf
ami
lyf
orbademe-
-”
“Iguessi
t'
sti
meyoumadeyourowndeci
sions.I
'
m
keepingmydaught
erher
eandmybeaut
if
ul
granddaught eruntilyoudecidewhatyouwant .Iwill
bewai t
ingt ohearf rom you,haveagoodday. ”She
dropsthecal landswi tchesthephoneof f.“
Nt ombi ,
l
oveshoul dn'tmakeyoucr yallthet i
me, i
tdef i
nitely
shouldn'tmakeyouwi shtobesomebodyel seyou
arenot,loveisabeaut if
ulthi
ngandi tdoesnotask
questi
ons.Youhavemor equestionst hananswer s,
ti
met oreflectmydaught er.Ti
met ot akeast andso
yourdaught erwillloveandappr eciateherskin
color
.Nowst opcr ying.”
“
Mom hewi
lldi
vor
cemef
ort
his-
-”
“
Hewon'
t.Tr
ustme,
smi
le.
”
*
***
***
***
***

Att
hepubSbui schi
ll
ingoutbyhi
msel
f.Themask
l
adyapproacheshi
m andsit
snextt
ohi
m.Hebr i
efl
y
l
ooksather.
“
Areyouf
oll
owi
ngme?
”Het
akesasi
pofhi
sdr
ink.
“Whywoul
dI?Ijustcamet
osayhibuti
fyou'
re
goi
ngtobeajer
kaboutitt
hen,
hel
lo,
goodbye.
”
She'
saboutt
oleavewhenSbugr
absherhand.
“
I’
m sor
rydon'
tgo.Pl
easesi
t.
”
“
Whyar
eyoubei
ngsour
?Whathappened?”
“Mywife,exwi fechoseherboyfr
iendoverour
chi
ldr
en.Ist hathowwomenshoul dreactaf
ter
bei
ngrejectedbyt hei
rhusbands?”
“
Whydi dyour
ejectherwhenshewasal
readyyour
wif
e?”
“Shewasaski ngf ortoomuch.HerandIhadapai d
agr eement ,wehadsexandt henIl aterfoundout
shewaspr egnant .IknowIwasaj erkaboutt he
whol et hi
ngbutsi ster
-in-l
awt alkedsenset ome.I
agr eedt omar ryhernotoutofpi tybutbecauseI
hadst art
edt oreallycar eabouther .She
mi sunder st
oodmycar ef orl
ove.Shewant edmet o
sayt hoset hreemagi cwor dsbutIcoul dn'tli
etoher.
Idon' tli
enomat terhowugl yt hetruthis.She
star t
edt oactst r
ange, reall
yst rangel i
kean
obsessedsomeoneunt i
lshetr i
edt okil
loursons.I
forgaveherandt ookt hem awayf rom herbecauseI
wasscar edshewasgoi ngtoventherf rustrati
ons
ont hem.Nowmychi l
drenaregrown, shedecided
tomoveouti nordert
ofindlove,
Ilethergohopi ng
shewoul dbehappywithsomeoneshel ovesand
mychi ldr
enhatehert
oapoi ntofgett
ingus
divorcedbehi
ndmyback. ”
“
Soyoul
oveherorwhat
?”
“Idon'
tloveherbutIthi
nkshedeservesbet
ter.I
thi
nkshedeservesar ealmannotthatki
dshecalls
aboyfri
end.Ialsowishshecantrytounder
stand
ourchil
dren.”
“Youcan'tfor
ceanoldpersontodosomet hing.I
f
shefeelshappywheresheisthenletherbe.Stop
l
ivi
ngint hepastandmoveonf oryourchi
ldren'
s
sake.Lovethem andr
aisethem wit
hlove.”
“
Howol
dar
eyou?
”Sbui
sawed.
“
16pl
ust
enyear
sofexper
ience.
”
“Wow!Yousoundl i
kemysist
er-
in-
law,
theonl
y
sanewomanI'veevermet
.Imeansomeonewho's
notfami
lybyblood.
”
“
YoumeanI
'
m al
soi
nsane?
”
“
Yeah.Whothehel
lgoesaroundwi t
hamaskonher
f
ace?What'
swrongwithyourface?”
“
Youwon'
tunder
stand.
”
“Somethingfeelsfamili
araboutyou?Andyour
voicesoundslikesomeoneI 'vemetbef or
eonlyt
hat
youaresweetandt hatgir
lwaslikealioness
alwaysreadytoattack.HerandIneverhada
decentconversati
on,wef oughtl
ikecatsanddogs.”
Sbudescr i
besLindat othemaskl ady.
“Pooryou.Youhavebadexperiencewi
thwomen,
youneedt obecleansed.
”Theybothl
augh.They
conti
nuechatti
ng.
“
HeycanIt
rustyou?
”Sbuasks.
“
Depends.
”
“Iwantt ogoswimmingbutIdon'twanttogoalone.
Idon'
twantt opayanyoftheseladiesei
ther
becauseI '
m notr
eadytobetouchedallovermy
body,justtokeepmecompany.Youdon' thaveto
beinthepoolwi t
hme.Pleasedon'tsayno,Idon'
t
takereject
ionver
ywell
.”
“
Yetyour
eject
edyourwi
fe?
”
“
Pleasesayyes?
”
*
***
***
***
**

“
HiSupergr
andpa!
”Thandogr
eet
sBab’
uMahl
angu.
“
Heychar
merboy.Hast
hedoct
orcl
ear
edyou?
”
“YesandI’mr eadytocompet
eforthecont
inent
al
ti
tl
eafterthatI'
m goi
ngfort
heworldchampionshi
p.
Let'
sjustsaydoublechamploadi
ng.”
“
Okayt
henl
et'
sdot
his.
”
“
Howi
sauntKi
ara?
”
“
Good.Youknowshedoesn'
tsaymucht
hatone.
”
“
Yeah.Grandpaisitpossi
bletohel
psomeone
who'
sbeingmaltreat
edbyhi sguar
dianandnot
makethei
rrel
ati
onshipworse?”
“I
t’
sthegir
l,r
ight
?Youaregetti
ngt ooattachedboy
andyouarestil
lver
yyoung.Heartbreaksar er
eal
andatyourageyoudon'tneedallthatst
r ess-
-”
“Idon'
tlovehergr
andpa.Ij
ustwanthert
ofeelsaf
e
aroundheraunt.
”
“Okaythen.I
t'
spossi
ble,al
lyouneedt odoisto
underst
andwhyt heaunttr
eatsherthatwaybut
thenyouaretooyoungtobedealingwi t
hheraunt.I
suggestyoutal
ktoyourparentsaboutthisorl
etme
tal
ktoher.”
“Okaythanksgr
andpa.Butshedoesn'
twantmet
o
getinvol
vedormyparents?
”
“
Thenshedoesn'
thavet
oknowt
hatyouar
e
i
nvol
ved.
”
*
***
***
**

SPHA'
SPOV.

ThecommunityofUml azii
sstart
ingtoasktoo
manyquesti
ons.Idon'tknowhowl ongwil
litt
ake
formom tof
orgi
veus, dadwon'tbehappyif
ever
ythi
nghewor kedhardforgoesdownthedr ai
n.
“
Pri
nceSphamandl
a,hel
lo.
”Iwonderwho'
scal
li
ng
me.
“Comeherenow.
”Ha!DearLordinHeavenl
et'
s
hopeyouhaveansweredmyprayer
s.Mom i
s
call
ingmepl
easeleti
tbewhatIthi
nk.
“Okaymom Iwi l
lbethereinfi
vemi nut
es.”It
akea
turnbacktot
hePal acedial
ingmybr ot
her.YesI
wenttothePalace,mom didn'tseemebutIwas
therewit
hmywi fe.Isneakedin,cr
azyright
?Iknow
butIhadnochoi ceImissedhersomuch.
“Goodafter
noonmom. ”Ibowbeforeher.I
t'
sbeena
whil
esinceIsawher,shelookshappi
er.I'
m gl
ad
she'
saccepteddad'
sdeath.
“Youar
ethef
utur
eKi
ngdon'tbowtomeeveragai
n.
Howareyou?
”Sheaf
fect
ionat
elyasks.
“
I’
mfi
nemom j
ustmi
ssi
ngyouandmyf
ami
ly.
”
“If
orgi
veyou.Youandyourbrothercancomeback
home--
”Il
eaptomyf eetandhughert i
ght.Idon't
knowwhybutI'mfeel
ingemotionalaboutallt
his.
“
Thankyousomuchmom.Il oveyoucount
less
t
imes.
”Isayki
ssi
ngherf
orehead.
“Callt
hemeet i
ngwit
helders,
dotherit
ual
sandbe
crowned.”Huh?I'
m supposedtobetheKi
ngthi
s
fast?I'
m onl
yfort
yandtherearethi
ngsIwantt
odo
beforebecomingaKing.
“Canwedotheri
tual
sandwai
tmaybesi
xmont
hs
befor
ethecr
owning?
”
“
Why?Ar
eyouscar
ed?
”
“No.Ther e'ssomet hi
ngIhavetodo.Ipromi
sed
Lindat of ulfi
llhervow,shevowedtotheNgcobos
thatther e'sgonnabeonl yonesurvi
vingper
sonin
theirfami lybutr i
ghtnowwehavet hr
eeNgcobos
stil
lalive.”
“
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
”
“
WhatIdobestwhenpr
ovoked.Pl
easedon'
that
eor
l
ect
uremethi
shastobedone.”
“
Iwon'
t.Goaheadanddowhatyouhavet
odo.A
manwhoful
fil
lshi
spromi
sesi
sagreatmani
ndeed.
Wher
eisSbu?”
“
I’
m her
emom. ”Mybr ot
herrushesi
nandgives
mom akissonhercheek.“
Youar et
hebestmother
ever.NowIknowwhydadl
ovedyout
il
lhi
slast
breath,
youarear
aregem.
”
“
Areyoudr
unk?
”Thei
rmot
herasks.
“NoIhaven'ttouchedalcoholi
nthepastt
wo
mont hs.IwenttothepubbutIdidn'
thaveal
cohol
onlysparkli
ngwater.Youcantestmeifyouthi
nk
I'
ml yi
ng.”Sbusincerel
ysays.
“
I’
m proudofyouson.IknowwhatZodwadi d,
f
orgi
veherandmoveon.Thegodswi l
lseeyou
t
hrough.Youwil
lfi
ndanotherwoman,lovehert
he
wayeverywomandeservestobeloved.”
“
Thankyoumom.
”
*
*
*
*
[
07/
21,
13:
55]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..
Chapt
er51.

FI
VEMONTHSLATER.
..
.

SBU'
SPOV.

Fell
owni ggasIf inall
yf oundl ove!Ha!Imeanr eal
l
ovenott hesoapoper akindofl ove.Sosheki ssed
met heot herdaywhenIwasbei ngaj er
klike
always.Ical ledherwhenIwashavi ngar ought i
me,
Bukhosiwasr eall
yt hrowingt ant r
umsandhi s
behavioraf fect edmeal ot.Sheagr eed,wemetat
therestaurantbutt henIsnapped!I nsteadof
l
eavingmeal onei nthatr estaurantshewal kedover ,
satonmyl apandki ssedt hehel loutofme.Damn!
I'
veneverf el tsoconf usedyetsof reakinggoodi n
myent ir
el ife!Herl i
psar et hesweet estthi
ngI've
evertastedeversi nceIwasbor n.Herwar m body
makesmel osemyr easoni ng..
..Huh?Nott hatfolks!
Wehaven’ tdonet hedeedyet .Idon' tknowwhyI
feell
ikeIshoul dn’trushheri ntomanyi nti
mate
things.Wi thherI 'm will
ingtotakemyt ime, she's
theone, thechosenone, myPr i
ncess!Ist i
llhaven't
seenherf ace, forgethernameorwher eshecomes
from whatmat tersistheloveIhavef orher.Yeah, I
canf i
nallysayt hoset hreemagi cwor ds,she
deservesi tandmor e.Iknowshel ovesmet oo, I'
ve
seeni ti
nhereyes.Ihopemychi ldrenwon' thavea
problem wi thher .Idon'twantt ogai nloveandl ose
mychi l
dren, Iwantaper fectfamilywi t
hmychi ldren
andmyf ut urewi fe.Toomuchspeed?Iknowhey
butwhenyouf inall
ymeett heoneyouwi l
lsoon
under st
andt hatt imedoesn' tmatterwhatmat tersis
whatyouf eel .Lovehasnof or
mul a.
“Hisweetheart
.”WheneverIcal
lhershepresses
theacceptbuttonandwait
sformet osay
somethingfir
st.
“
Hihandsome.”Sher
epl
ieswi
thasl
eepyvoi
ce.
“
DidIwakeyouup?
”
“
Yes.Whyar
eyounotsl
eepi
ng?I
t'
slat
e.”
“
Ican'
tfal
lasl
eep.I
'
m busyt
hinki
ngaboutyou.
”
“
Closeyoureyesandsl
eep.St
opbehavi
ngl
ikea
l
ovestr
uckteenager
.Thatli
neshoul
dbeusedby
yoursonnotanoldmanlikeyou.
”
“
Real
ly?Am Iol
dnow?
”
“Ver
yoldMi
ster
.Yoursonsar
esi
xteenaswe
speak.
”
“
ButIcanst
il
lmakeyousweat
.”
“
Youwi
sh.
”
“Babeli
sten,
doyoumi ndmeet i
ngmyf amil
ylike
real
lysoonbecauseIcannol ongerkeepsneaking
aroundli
keat eenager.Yousaidityoursel
f,I
'
m old
soIoughttodowhatol dpeopledowhi chisfind
yoursoulmate,proposetoherandset t
ledownwi th
her.
”
“Ummmm, no.NotyetSbu.Iloveyouver ymuch,I
j
ustcan' tmeetyourfamil
ystil
lwearingthismask.
LikeItoldyoubefore,t
here'
ssomet hingIhavetodo
beforeIcanr emovethismask.Ifyoust i
lll
oveme
afterseeingther
eal methenIwillmeetyour
family.
”
“
Iwi
lll
oveyoual
ways.Idon'
tcar
eaboutyourf
ace
butyourheart
.Youar
eaverysweetwomanandt
he
ki
ndofal adyIwantt
ospendther
estofmyl
if
e
wit
h.”
“
Notsof astMr.Loverboyyousti
llhavet
oimpress
myfather.He'
snotyourbiggestf
an.”What?Her
f
atherknowsme?
“
Whoi
syourf
ather
?”
“Allanswersindueti
mebaby.Ial sohaveanover ly
protecti
vebrother
,ano-nonsensebigsisteranda
youngersisterwhoisverymuchunpr edictabl
e.”
“Don'tworr
yaboutmebaby, I
'm acharmerI'
m sureI
willwint
hem over.Butwi
llyoubeabl etowinmy
childr
en'
shearts?Thei
rmot herreal
lyhurtt
hem and
theydon'tt
rustwomeneasily.”
“Iwil
ldomybest .
”Ihopeshedoes.Thi
sismy
dream andIwil
lgogagaifsomethi
ngstopsme
from maki
ngitareal
it
y.
“
Thankyou.
”
“
Forwhat
?”
“
Forl
ovi
ngmewi
thmyf
laws,
foraccept
ingmef
or
whoIam notwhot hesociet
ywant smet obe.Iwil
l
forevercher
ishyouhoney. ”Itoldhereverything
aboutmyself, thethi
ngsIdowhenIgetangr y,t
he
gir
lsIusedtopayf orsex,al
mostever ythi
ngexcept
myt opsecrets.Likekil
li
ngFlorenci
a,thatonei sst
il
l
hardt ocompr ehend.It
hinkIwentover boardt o
protectmybr other.
“Okayst
opbeingemot i
onal.Howisyoursister
-i
n-
l
aw?”Thewayshe' ssointerest
edinsi
ster-
in-l
aw
gavemechil
lsatfi
rstbutnowIt hi
nkshejustcares
aboutmyfamil
y.
“
Good.Ver
ysoont
obet
heQueenandyoursi
ster
-i
n
-
law.”
“Aboutmeeti
ngtomorrow,Ihaveataskt
o
accomplishwi
thmybr ot
her-
in-
lawandmysi st
er.
Don'taskmewhatkindoftaskbecauseI
'm not
tel
li
ng.”Shei
nfor
msme.Ir eall
ywantedt
omeether
butthenIhaveworktodoalso.
“I
t’
sokay.Ialsohavesomethi
ngtodowit
hsist
er-
in-
l
awandbr other.Somethi
ngyoudon'
twannaknow
about
.AfterthatIwi
llbefr
eeanyt
ime.
”
“
Okay.I
’
mfeel
ingsl
eepy,
goodni
ghtIl
oveyou.
”
“Iloveyoubaby. ”I
t'
sbeenalwayslikethi
sever
sincewest art
eddat i
ng,l
ongnightchats.Idon't
knowwhyt hegodst ooksolongtoallowmet of eel
thisbeaut
ifulfeeli
ng?Anyway,i
tdoesn'tmat t
ernow,
whatmat tersi
sI '
mf i
nall
ymadlyinlovewi t
hmy
ownwoman.
*
***
***
***
***

Earl
yi nt
hemorningNomthaissi
tti
ngbythe
windowsippi
nghertea.Sphawakesup,smil
esat
her,shesmil
esbackbuthersmil
eseem for
ced.
“
What
’swr
ongbabe?
”Sphaquest
ions.
“Aft
ertodaymanyliveswillbechangedforgood,
desti
nieswil
lbedefinedandIdon'tthi
nkI'
mr eady
fort
hat.”Nomtharepli
es.
“
Yout
hinksomet
hingwi
llgowr
ong?
”
“
Notexact
ly.I
t'
sli
ket
hejudgmentdayforal
lofus.
Manyli
vesdependonthi
smissi
on.I'
m scar
edSpha.
”
“Noneedtobe.Wehavedonewor sebefore, t
oday
wewi l
lbeactuallydoingourkingdom andt he
wholeworldaf avor.Stopworryi
ngabouti t
, ti
met o
fi
nishwhatwest artedandmoveon.Ipr omi seyou
thi
s,af
tertoday,you, mychil
drenwi l
lneverhavet o
worryaboutanythingbecauseIwi llf
inal
lyhand
overmyof fi
cewor ktomybr otherandmyt r
ust ed
workersandIwi l
lfinall
yspendmostofmyt ime
wit
hyou.”
“
Butyouwi
llbeaKi
ng?
”
“IknowthatandyouMyQueenwi l
lal
waysbeby
mysi de.
”Heflashesasmi
leather
,shegenui
nel
y
smilesback.
“
Ourl
ivesar
eaboutt
ogetbor
ing.
”Shecomment
s.
“
Nonever
!Iwi
llnotl
ett
hathappen,
Iwi
llal
ways
r
emai
nthesame.”
*
*
Therepor
teri
srepor
ti
ngl
ivef
rom t
hesupr
eme
Cour
t.
“Goodmor ninglistenersandvi ewer sathome.The
dayt ofinall
ygetj usti
ceforLi ndaMahl anguhas
come.Si yabongaNgcobo’ sf atewillbedecidedby
thejudget oday.Manyyoungpeopl ehavecomeout
toprotest,todemandj usti
cef oralltheyounggi r
ls
whohavebeensexual l
yabusedandbr utal
ly
mur dered.Let'stalktooneofourl eadersof
acti
vism agai nstgenderbasedvi olence.
”The
reporterstepsclosert oayounggi rlwho'swearing
aT-shi r
tprinted‘NoMeansno! ’“
Hi.Canyout el
lus
mor eaboutwhyyoual ldecidedt ocomeher e
today? ”
“Weliveinasoci etywhereagi rlchi
ldli
vesbyt he
scri
pt,ourli
vesar eli
kescriptedseriesofamovi e.
Thesoci et
yhasbeenmadet obel i
evethatit'
sokay
foramant oviol
entlyabuseagi rlsi
mplebecause
shechoosest owearr ippedjeansandcr optops.
Ment hinkit
'salanguageweyounggi rl
suset olure
them toourbedsbutt heyar egravelymi st
aken.We
choosewhatwewantt owearbecausewef eel
comfortableinit
.Wear eheretodayt orequestthe
governmentandt hecourtoflawt odosomet hi
ng
aboutthi
s.Lett
hi sman,SiyabongaNgcobobeused
asanexampl ethatwemeani twhenwepr each
zerotol
erancet
ogenderbasedvi ol
ence.Linda
Mahlanguandal lthevi
cti
msdeser vejusti
ceand
thecourtmustensur et
hatjusti
ceisserved.”
“Justi
ceforLinda!Just
iceforLi
nda!”Ever
yone
chants.Bab’uMahlangupar kst
hecaratthecour
t,
hefeelsemot i
onall
yseeingeveryonesuppor
ti
ng
him andhisfamily.
“
Today,mybaby, i
stheday.Ift
hiscour
tdoesn'
tget
j
ust
iceforyouthenIwil
l.That'
sapromisef
rom me
t
oyou.”Hekissesherphoto.
“I
’
mf eel
ingr
eall
yanxiousaboutal
loft
his.Whati
f
herunsaway?”Zandiasks.
“Thenwewi
llf
indhi
m andt
aket
hel
awi
ntoourown
hands.
”
*
***
***
***
***
**

InablackSUV,
Pri
nceSphai ssit
ti
ngonthedri
ver
's
seat
,Sbuonthepassengerseatwhil
eNomthaisat
thebackseat.Theyalll
ookli
keabrewi
ngstorm,
whateveriti
stheyareplanni
ngseemsreal
ly
audaciousanddangerous.
“
Timetogetr
eal.Babe,areyour
eady?”Sphaasks
l
ooki
ngatherontherearviewmi
rror
.
“
Formysi
sterI
'
m al
waysr
eady.Youknowt
hepl
an,
r
ight
?”
“Ineverli
kedherbutI'm goingtodomybest .Good
l
ucksi st
er-i
n-l
aw,thecartranspor
ti
ngSi yabongais
fi
vemi nutesaway.Getdownandgetont hebike
ti
met otakeposit
ion.”Sbusaysput t
ingonhi sdark
shades.Nomt haleansforwardandki ssesher
husband.
“
Allt
hebest
.Remember
,noonei
sget
ti
nghur
t.
”
“Surebabe.Il
oveyou. ”Nomthagetsdownthecar
,
she'sweari
ngallblack,sheputsonhersaf
ety
helmetandgetsont hebikeravi
ngit
.Thepoli
ce
sir
enisgetti
ngcloserandcloser.
“BoNzuzaBoMagodongaabahlengicel
'
ukukhokhel
wayini
namathong'aki
thi.(
My
ancestor
s,pl
easel
eadme.)”Shegetsonthebi
ke
andf li
esi nfrontoft hepolicecar ,thedri
verjerks
thecarof fherway.Shespeedsonceagai nand
parksr i
ghtint hecent eroft her oad, t
hepoli
ceand
armyof ficersallgetr eadyt ofir
ebutsher ol
lsher
eyes, al
lcarscomet oast andst il
l.Sbuappear s
from nowher eandt hrowst het ear gas.Everyone
startscoughi ngast hedarkt oxicr esiduecoverst he
whol eplace.Pr i
nceSphar unst ot hebackoft he
j
eep, withoneswi f
tmovehebr eakst helockand
pullsthecuf fedSi yaoutoft hecar .Noonei sawar e
ofthisasNomt hacont inuest ouseherpower s
againstthem.Af ewsecondsl at ert hebl
ackSUV
speedsof ff
ol l
owedbyNomt haont hebikeast hey
disappeart oonl yGodknowswher e.
“Where’
stheconvict?Wher ei
she?”Theoff
icer
handli
ngthecaseshout sasthebl
ackmistbegins
towearoff.“
He’sgone,findhi
m!”Theyallr
un
aroundtr
yingtolookforhim.
*
***
***
***

Anhourl
ater
,thenewsofSi
yabongaescapi
ngf
rom
thepol
icear
eal lovert
heplace.Peopl
eareshocked,
thecommunityisenragedattheturnoft
heevents
butBab'uMahlangu'shunchissayi
ngother
wise.
“IknewNomt hawasnotgoi ngtotakechances.
Thisisdefi
nit
elyherdoi
ng,Ihopesheki l
lst
hat
bastardandburnshisbodyt oashes.Nx!
”
“
Areyousur
eshehasever
ythi
ngt
odowi
tht
his?
”
“Onlymydaughtercanoutsmartt
hepoli
cetoget
her
withthearmy.Let
'sgetoutofher
ebef
orethe
report
ersstar
tquest
ioni
ngus.”Heput
shishand
aroundZandiandwalksout.
*
*
“Heysl eepyheadwakeup! ”Sbupour schil
ledwater
onSi yabonga.Hewakesupl ookingconfused.
“What ?Youmustl ickthesoleofmyshoef orsavi
ng
yourbut t.Thosepeopleweregoingt ohangyout o
death.See?I '
m notthatbadafterall
.”
“You-yousavedme?”Si
yastammer
s.Sbul
aughs,
hisscornf
ull
aughsendscol
dshi
ver
sdownSiya'
s
spi
ne.
“Youwish!WhywouldIsaveyou?Youal
most
rui
nedmyf amil
ydoyoureall
ythi
nkyoudeser
vea
secondchancetobesaved?”
“Hel
loboy.Wemeetagai
nfort
hel
astt
ime.
”Spha
sayscal
mly.
“
Whatdoyoumean?
”
“RememberItoldthatonlyIcanchall
engef
ateand
deci
desomeone'sdestiny?”Siyaswal
lowshar
d.
“Well
,Iwasn'
tlyi
ng.”
“
Youcan'tkil
lme!Iwi
llscream andyouwi
llgot
o
j
ail
--
”Bot
ht hebr
other
sl aughathim.
“Goahead!Scream asmuchasyoucan.Foryour
owninformati
on,nooneexceptmybr other
,wi
fe
anddaddyknowsaboutt hisroom.I
t'
san
undergr
oundr oom inaver ymuchsoundproof
ed
house.Youcanscr eam allyouwantbutnoonewil
l
everhearyourvoi
cel etal
onef i
ndyou.”
“Whyareyoudoi
ngthi
s?Youki
ll
edmyfamil
y--
”
Sphatur
nswithacol
dsmil
eonhisf
ace.Si
ya
al
mostshi
tsonhi
msel
f.
“Lindamadeavow, avowt okillal
lofyouandt hat'
s
whatgoi ngt ohappen.Onl yoneort woNgcoboswi ll
sur vivebutyouar enotoneoft hoset wo.Siyabonga
Phi li
pJr .Ngcobo, youshoul dhavei nquir
edabout
mebef oremessingwi t
ht hepeopl eIlove.WhenI
wentt oanunder gr oundj ai
linAmer i
caIgott r
ained
asoneoft hetopsecr etspi esinor dertogainmy
freedom back.Iwast rainedt okill
,tothi
nklikea
chesspl ayerandmostofal l,nevertoleaveaclue
behi nd.I'm averyr easonabl eguywhodoesn' tgo
aroundl ookingfort r
oubl ebutwhenpr ovokedIcan
beyourwor stni
ght mar e.Iwar nedyouandyour
fami lybutyoual lthoughtIwasbl uffi
ng--
”
“Theywil
lfi
ndmybody,youwil
lgotoj
ail
.Pl
ease
don'tdot
his,youar
ebet
tert
hanthi
sPri
nce
Sphamandla.”
“Youareri
ght!”Sphaswift
lyturnsandt hrowsadart
guntotheboar dnotmissi
ngt hetargetevenbyan
i
nch.Siyafl
inches.“I
'
m betterthanthatthat'
swhy
I'
m notgoi
ngt oshootyouorsl i
tyourthroatinst
ead
I'
m goi
ngtof l
ashyourremai nsinthetoil
et-
-”
“
Huh?
”
“Ahumanbodycanbel i
quefiedSiyabonga.Ever
heardofwat ercremat i
onorbi ocremation?”Si ya
shudder satt hethoughtofhi sbodybei ngliquef i
ed.
“Don’twor ryitdoesn'thurt
.Af t
erthatIwi l
lflash
yourr emainsi nthetoil
etandLi nda’
svowwi llbe
fulf
il
ledbutbef oreallthat,Iwantyout omeet
someone. ”Sphapr esseshisphone.“ Comei n
babe.”Nomt hacomesi nfoll
owedbyayoungl ady
alsowear ingblackbutshehasamask;abl ack
mask.Sbu' sheartpoundsi nhischest ,
hi seyes
meet swi t
ht hoseoft hewomanbehi ndt hemask.
Hest artssweat i
ngi maginingthewor stevercase
scenar i
o.
“NomthapleaseI'm sorr
y.I
'm sorryforhurti
ng
Linda,
I'
m sorryforburyi
ngherwi thmychi ld,I
'm
sorryf
oreverythi
ng.Pleasedon'tletthem kil
lme,
helpmeplease.”SiyabegsNomt ha.
“Wil
lthatbr
ingmysi st
erback,nori
ght?Butkil
li
ng
youwi l
lsur
elymakemesl eeppeaceful
lyatnight
knowingthatIf
ulf
il
ledmysi st
er'
swish.Besi
des,I'
m
nottheoneyoushoul dapol
ogizetobuther.
”The
maskladytur
nsslowlyr
emovinghermask,Sbu
cl
oseshiseyesprayi
ngforamir
acle,
prayi
ngforal
l
ofi
ttobeadr eam.
“
Li-
li
-Li
nda?
”Si
yast
ammer
s,Sbuj
awdr
opst
othe
f
loor
.
“What
?Who? ”Sbucannotbel
ievehi
seyes.Li
nda
pat
shisshoulder
.
“Allanswer sinduet ime. ”TheshockonSbu' sf ace
i
spi ctureper f
ect!“YesmeSi yabonga.Whatdi dyou
think?ThatIwi lldi
eandyoursi nswi l
lneverbepai d
for?Youwer ewr ong, I
'm aMahl angu, i
twi llt
akea
l
ott okillme.I'm here,verymuchal i
velikeI
promi sed.Shocked, right?Letmemaket hiseasier
foryou, youandyoursi stershott hewr ongper son
thatday.Whatyoual ldidn'trealizewasIwasn' t
wor kingalonemysi sterandbr other-i
n-lawwer e
withmeal lthetime.Soher eIam.Don' tevent hink
aboutapol ogizing,youdon' tdeser veanyone' s
forgiveness.Sayhit oyourf atheri nhell..
..
”Linda
kicksSi yabongaont heforehead.
*
***
***
***
*
Sbust
il
lcan'
tbel
ievewhati
shappeni
ng.Li
nda?
Li
ndaMahlangu?Thewholethi
ngi
sconfusi
nghim.
“Brot
heryouknewwhot
hemaskl
adywas?
”Sbu
askshisbrot
her.
“
Yes.I
sther
eapr
obl
em?Youl
ookshocked.”
“I
’mf i
ne.Ihavewor ktodo.Nowt hatSiyabonga'
s
chapterhadbeenwr i
tt
enof fwecanallmoveon
withourli
ves.Seeyoul at
erathome.”Hegr abshi
s
carkeysandl eaves.Lindalooksathi
m
disappeari
ngandf eelsguilt
yaboutit
.
“Sist
er,
canyout
akemet
omydaddy.Pl
ease.
”
Lindabegs.
“
Ofcour
se.Hewi
llbever
yhappyt
oseeyou.
”
“Tomorrowwewi llr
eleaseapressstat
ement .Li
ll
y
youwi l
ltel
leveryonethatyoumanagedt oescape
thatdayandyouhavebeenhi dingyouonlycame
backtoseeSi yabongapayingforhissins.I
t’
st i
me
tohandint hosevideostoo.”
“
Sur
ebr
other
-i
n-l
aw.Thankyouf
orever
ythi
ng
you'
vedoneforme.Ireal
lyappr
eci
atei
t.
”Theyal
l
geti
nthecaranddri
veoff.

“Mom, howcant hesepeopl

eletoneper
sonr un
awayjustli
kethat?Thismeansjust
icewil
lnever
prevai
lint
hiscountry-
-”
“Justi
cewil
lalwaysbeser
vedasl
ongasIyour
sist
eram al
ive.
”Nomthasayssmi
li
ngatt
hem.
“
Iknewyoudi
dthi
s.Tel
lmehe'
sdead-
-”
“Thatchapteri
scl
osedfor
everdad.Ibr
ought
someonet omeetyou.
”Nomthastepsoutoft
he
way.
“Mybaby!”Li
ndajumpsonherfatherput
ti
ngher
armsaroundhisneckandcr
ies.
..
..
*
*
*
WhatwillPri
nceSbudonow?Doeshisromant
ic
r
elat
ionshipwit
hLindast
andachance?
[
07/
21,
13:
56]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er52.

“Whydidyouleavemybaby?Di dn'tyoumissus?
Yourfami
ly?
”Bab' uMahlanguaskst ear
sofjoy
runni
ngdownhi scheeks.Li
ndakissesthem away.
“Ineverleftfather.Maybef oracoupl
eofmonths
butI'
veal waysbeenher e.Youjustdi
dn'
tseemeor
youcoul dn'ttr
ustyourgut .Rememberthegir
lina
pinkmaskneart hebank?”Bab'uMahlangui
s
astonished.
“
Yousavedmef
rom t
hosegoons?
”
“Yesdaddy.I '
vealwaysbeencl osetoyou.Itkil
led
met oseeyoucr yi
ngf ormebutIhadt ostayin
hidingot herwisethatdevilwasnotgoingtobe
convi ct
ed. ”Li
ndat ur
nst ohersobbi
ngmot her.
“Stopcr yingmom, I'
m backandyourbankaccount
i
saboutt obehi tbyast orm.Isawani cedesigner
bagonli
neandIwanti
t.
”Zandil
aughsbef
ore
huggi
ngherti
ght
.
“
Imissedyoubaby.Mybankaccountmi
ssedyou
t
oo.
”Zandiisal
lsmil
es.
“Thi
sissounf ai
r!Iwastedmyt earsf
orsomeone
whoisstil
lal
ive?”Kiarafei
gnssadness.Li
nda
j
umpsonher ,t
heyfallonthefl
uffycar
petandrol
l
eachotherdown.
“
Youar
esuchadevi
l!Youwant
edmet
odi
e?”
“ThatwayIwoul dn'thavewast edmyt ears.You
knowwhati tt
akesf ormet oshedat earpleaseyou
willhavetopaymef orthi
s.Ifeell
ikeoneoft hose
womenwhoar epai dtocr yatthefuneralj
ustsoi t
canbeaf uneralwithpeopl ecryi
ngandf ainti
ng.”
Theyhugeachot herforthelongesttime.“Isti
lll
ove
yout hough.”
“
Iloveyout
ool
it
tl
eSi
s.”
“Wai
t?Whathappenedt
oyourpr
egnancy?Di
dyou
abor
tthechi
ld?
”
“
Doyoual
wayshavet
orui
nthemoment
?”Li
nda
sli
ght l
ysmacksher .“No,Ididn't
.Igavehim upfor
adopt i
oninAmer i
ca.Ididn'tknowhowt orai
sea
childofamonst eryetIcouldn'tgetmyselftoki
ll
himf orhi
sfather'
ssins.Daddywoul dn'
thave
forgivenmeandI '
dhavedi edi fthathadtohappen.
”
Lindasaystearful
ly.Theyal lhugher.
“
It
’sokaymybaby.Allt
hepai
nwi l
lgoawaywi
th
t
ime.
”Hekisseshi
m onthef
orehead.
“
WhereisLucky?Isawhi
m boar
dingapl
anewi
th
t
hatugl
yFait
h--”
“Li
ll
y!”Zandipl
ayf
ull
ysl
apsher
.“Whatki
ndofa
chi
ldareyou? ”
“NooffenceMom butt hatgi
rli
sugl y.Ther
e's
somethingaboutherIdon'tl
ike,shebehaveslikea
spoi
ltbrat.Br
otherandIshouldhaveaser ioustal
k
hecan'tjustwasteourgenesli
ket hat-
-”
“Iwi
llstr
angleyouifyouconti
nueblabberi
ng
nonsense.Theouterbeautyi
snotimpor t
antwhat
mattersistheheart
.”Li
nda'
sheartski
psabeat
remember i
ngwhatSbusai dduri
ngtheirl
ast
conversati
on.“Ar
eyouokay?Youseem al it
tl
e
di
str
act
ed.”
“I
’mf ine.Ineedt omakeani mportantcal
l,Iwi
llbe
backi namoment .
”Shegr absherphoneandr uns
outsi
dedi alingSbu'snumber .Thephoner i
ngsand
ri
ngsandr ingsunt i
litgoesstr
aighttovoicemail.
“Sbu, I
'm sorrypleasecanyouansweryourphone
soIcanexpl ain.Il
oveyouandIhopet hi
schanges
nothingbet weenus.Pl easecallmebackwhenyou
getthismessage. ”
*
***
***
***
***
***

Atthemall
,Bukhosi
,Al
wande,
Juni
orandSi
saar
e
havingl
unch.
“Honest
ly,
whyam Iher e?If eell
ostwithyouguys.I
l
oveyoumybr othersdon'tgetmewr ongbutnot
enoughtochil
lwit
hyouatt hemal lwhenallyoudo
i
stalkaboutboysstaf
f.
”Si sasulks.
“Si
scanyoust opsul
king?Yousuck, whydoyou
wanttobealwaysindoors?It'
snotgoodforyour
heal
th.”Juni
orsaysandt akesasipofhisj
uice.
“
I’
mleavi
ng!Ican'
tbewi
thpeopl
ewhot
hinkIsuck-
-
”
“Mybelovedsist
erpl
easedon'tgo.Wewantyouto
helpuswithsomethi
ng.”Bukhosifi
nal
lyt
ell
sher
tr
uth.
“
I’
mli
steni
ng.
”
“So.Youareagirl
,wewantt obuygir
lst
ufff
or
someoneandI '
m sureyoucanhelpuswitht
hat
especi
all
yatthecosmeticsandclot
hes
depart
ment.”Thandoexplai
ns.
“What?Areyouguysdating?I
'
m goi
ngtotel
lmama,
uncledaddywil
lki
llal
lofyou!
”Sheshout
s,Juni
or
pinchesher
.
“Canyouloweryourvoice?Peoplear estar
ri
ng,
beli
evemeuncl edaddywi l
ldef
ini
telykil
lusifwe
tr
endonsoci almedia.Wearenotdat i
nganyonewe
j
ustwanttosur pri
sesomeonespeci al,
nottousof
coursebuttoyourfavori
tebrot
her,Alwande.”
Juniort
ell
sher .
“
Ledi,
right
?Il
iket
hatgi
rlshe'
ssweetandintel
li
gent.
I
'
mi n,whosemoneyareweusing?
”Sisaisjovi
alall
ofasudden.“
Brot
herAl
wande,
doyoul
ikeher
?”
“No,noti
nthatway.Ienj
oyhercompanyandshe's
beenagoodf r
iend.Sonowyouwon'tt
elldaddy,
ri
ght?”
“
Nobutmysi
lencehasapr
icet
ag.
”
“Thi
slit
tlegolddi gger!”Juniorpl
ayful
lypull
sher
brai
dedhai r.“Sowegoodnow.Br otherBukhosiyou
arepayingf orthi
sl unch.Pleasedosoandl et'
sget
outofherebef or
egr andmast art
scountinghours
becauset henwewi llbeintroubl
e.”
“
Whyme?
”Bukhosif
rowns
“
Becauseyoubarel
yuseyourmoney.Puti
ttouse,
t
hisi
syourchance.
”
“Youar eallcr
azy.
”Bukhosishakeshisheadin
disbel
ief.Acouplesi
tt
ingaf ewfeetawayfr
om
them smi l
eadori
ngtheirbackandfort
hbanter
.
“
Don’tt
heylookwonder
ful
?”Thewi
fecompl
iment
s
f
eel
ingali
tt
leemoti
onal
.
“
Theyar
e.Looksl
iket
wins,
theyoungerbrot
herand
t
heonl
ysist
erint
hemix.Il
iket
heirbond,
it'
svi
sibl
e
i
nt hei
rfacestheycomefrom abeaut
ifulhome
f
il
ledwithlove,l
otsofi
t.
”Atearescapeshiseye.
“
Canweaskt
hem f
orasel
fi
e?”
“
Idon'
tknow,t
ryyourluck.
”Thewi
fel
eapst
oher
f
eetandappr
oachesthem.
“Hisweet
hearts.
”Shesmilesatthem.Theother
thr
eesmilebutBukhosifr
owns,disgustwr
it
tenall
overhi
sface.“Youal
llookadorablemayIplease
haveaselfi
e--
”
“No!
”Bukhosipusheshisplate.Thecerami
cplat
e
shat
ter
sont hegrounddrawingeveryone'
satt
enti
on.
Thewomanf li
nches.
“
Brot
her
, cal
m down.
”Thandopat
shi
sback.
“
Ma'am,youcanhaveit
.”
“Br
otherAl
wande?”Bukhosir
emoveshisbankcar
d,
put
sitonthet
ableandleavesinahuf
f.
“Sorryaboutt
hat
.Hedoesn'tdotheselfi
estuffand
all
.”Thewomanf ai
ntl
ysmiles.Shestandsbehind
them andcli
ckssever
alpi
ctures,t
heyallputon
smi l
es.
“I
fyoudon'
tmindmeasking,areyoualwayst hi
s
cl
ose?Youalll
ookhappyandI'm sureyourparent
s
arehappyt
ohaveyouastheirchil
dren.
”
“Wef ight,sibli
ngsf i
ght,
it'
snormalbutourbond
neverbr eaks.Act uall
y,i
t'
stheotherwayar ound,we
ar eproudt ohavet hem asourparents.It
'snotas
easyt askr aisi
ngus.Wegot tago,
thanks.”Thando
flashesasmi l
etothewomanwhi l
eSi sapunches
Bukhosi ’
sbankcar dpinont hemachine.Junior
takesouta$100bucksnot eandgivesittothe
wai t
erast het ip.
“
Whogivesuchki
ndsoft
ips?
”Si
saquest
ionsas
t
heyexi
t.
“Hedeservedit.Thewayhest oodt her
ewai t
ingf
or
you,mysi st
er,gi
vinginst
ructi
onsonhowt hey
shouldpresentyourfoodandal lwasnotaneasy
task.Women!Whydoyoual waysdoext r
a
everyt
hing?”
“
I’
m notwomenBr
otherJ,
I'
m Si
saTshabangu.
”
“Canyouallgeti
nthedamncarandl
et'
sgetoutof
here!
”Bukhosisnaps.
“Brotheryouhavet ostopthismadness.Youcan' t
alwayssnapatever ywoman, theydon'tknowshit
aboutyourhatredandanger .Pl ease,
getaholdof
yourself.Andwear enotleavingbecauseyou
decidedt obesourattheveryl astmoment .Weare
sti
lldoingtheshoppinggetdownt hecarandputa
smi l
eonyourf ace.Youdon'tlookgoodwhenyou
areangr y.
”Thandosoundsr oughandi nsensi
ti
ve
somet imesespeciall
ywhendeal i
ngwithhis
brothers.
“
Alwande-
-”
“Pl
easedon'
tspoi
lthisgreataft
ernoonforal
lofus.
Getdownthecarl
et'shitthesebouti
ques.
”
*
***
***
***
***

TWODAYSLATER.
..

Li
ndamadeanappear ance!SphaandNomthatook
hert
othecommi ssi
oner,shemadeherst
atement
andhandedovertheDVDs.Theentir
epol
ice
depart
mentwasshocked, cal
lsweremadet oevery
partoftheworldtol ookoutfort
heNgcobos.The
presswassummoned, sheapologi
zedf orhiding
andpeopleunder stoodwhyshedi ditaftershe
explai
nedeverything.SbuwentMI A,hisphonei s
offnotevenhisbr otherknowswherehewent .
Lindaisworri
edsi ckabouthim andBab'
uMahlanguandNomt hacansenseshe' shiding
something.
TheTshabanguyoungboysandSi samanagedt o
surpri
seLedi'sonherbi
rt
hday.WiththehelpofBab'
uMahl anguLedi'
saunti
sslowlysoft
ening.She
l
ikesni cet
hings,
whocansaynot oallthatgood
stuff
?
“
Spha,
didyouandyourbr
otherf
ightorsomet
hing?
”TheQuuenasks.
“Nomom.Hesaidhehadworkt
odoandt hatwas
thel
astt
imeIsawhim.I
'
vebeentr
yingt
ocallhi
m
buthi
sphoneisof
f.
”
“I
'm st
arti
ngtogetreal
lywor
ri
edabouthim.Pl
ease
checkallthehot
elsmaybehewentther
e.”
“Let’
shopedaddyisnotwithsomerandom woman
planningahappi
lyeveraf
tert
hatdoesn'
tevenexi
st-
-
”
“
Bukhosi
!”
“I
’m sor
ryuncl
e.”Helooksdownembarrassed.
“Auntwhere'
syourIndi
angirl
?Iwantt
ot akeher
swimming.”
“
What
?”Ever
yonegasps.
“Comeonguys,rel
ax.I
'
m agoldswimmingmedal
ist
,
Iwon'
tletherdr
own.Besi
des,
shelovesi
t.
”
“
Whatdoyoumeanshelovesit
?”Queenmot
her
's
f
acehasshockwr
it
tenal
loveri
t.
“Grandma,
thequadsandDi anne(
Kayise’
sdaught
er)
areswimmingchampions.Theyallknowhowto
swim--”
“Bukhosi!
”Queenmot herfeelsai
rleavi
ngherl
ungs
byjustthi
nkingaboutthechildr
eninthepool
.Spha
tapshisphone,Kayi
ser eal
izeshe'
sbeenvideo
recor
dingthem.
“
Brot
her
?Thi
ssoundsl
ikeyou?Di
dyouknowabout
i
t?”
“
No.Idi
dn'
tbutIguessNomt
hadoes.
”Sphal
ies.
“Sphast
oplyi
ng.”Nomt hashout
sfrom t
heki
tchen.
“Mom bot
hyoursonsandgr andchi
ldr
enarei
nt hi
s
toget
her
.Ifai
ntedtent
imeswhenIcaughtthem
swimmingwiththechi
ldren.
”
“Pleasedon'
tdrownmygr andchil
dren.Spha,the
eldersar
ecomi ngt
oseeyoul aterpleasedon'tl
et
thecommuni t
ywaitanylonger.Acommuni ty
withoutaKingisdi
rect
ionless.Butbeforethat,
find
myson. ”
“Okaymom. ”Kayi
se’
sphonerings.Shepi
cksi
t
fr
om t hedi
nni
ngtabl
eandstepsawayf r
om
everyone.
“
Heyst
ranger
.”
“I
’
m goi
nggagahere.Wher
eisyourbrot
her
?His
phonei
sof
f.”Li
ndaaskswit
hapanickedvoi
ce.
“Ishouldbeaskingyouthat.Whathappened?
What '
sgoingonbetweenyout wo?Isawyouatthe
hotelwithhi
mt heotherday.”
“
Imadeabi
gbl
under
!”
“
Didyoureal
lymakeamoveonhi
mli
keyout
old
me?”Kayi
seisshocked.
“
Pleasedon'
tjudgeme.Idi
d,herespondedand
we'
vebeendat i
ngforsi
xmonthsnow.”
“
Thenwhatdi
dyoudo?
”
“Ididn'ttel
lhi
mthet
rut
hwhenIhadachance.He
didn'tevenknowmynameunti
ltwodaysback
whenIr emovedt
hemask.Hewasreal
lyshocked.
”
“Li
ll
y!Whathaveyoudone?Youshouldhavetol
d
himthet r
uthatt
hebegi
nning.Mybr
otherhat
esli
es
andI'm surehef
eel
sbetr
ayed.”
“Youdon' tunderst
andyourbr ot
herhatedme,in
factwehat edeachother-
-”Linda'sphonebeeps
report
ingani ncomingcal
l.“List
en,let
'st
alkl
ater
he'scall
ing.ShedropsKayise’scallandanswers
theothercall.
“Cometothegat
e.Don'
tkeepmewai
ti
ng.
”Thel
ine
goesdead.
“
DearLor
difyour
eal
lyexi
stupt
her
epl
easehel
p
me.Thisguyisdefi
nitel
ygoingtoki
llmet oday.
”
Shechecksifherparentsar
einthel
ivingroom
bef
oresteal
thil
ywalkingoutandspr
intingtothe
gat
e.Kiaraseesherandsendsamessage.
***
***Isawyou.*****Li
ndasmil
esandstuffsthe
phoneinherpocket.Sbu'sf
acei
scoldasice,Linda
tur
nstogobacki nside.
“Don'
tyoudaretur
nyourbackonme.Geti
nthe
car.
”Hehisses.
“
W-what
?”Shest
ammer
s.
“Idon'
twanttorepeatmyself.
”Sheknewwhatshe
wasgetti
ngherselfintoandnowtheothersi
deof
himiscomingtopl ay.Sheput
sonabr avefaceand
getsonthecar.
“Hi.Wherehaveyoubeen? ”Hequietl
ylooksather
anddrivesoff.Li
nda'sheartispounding,herpal
ms
aresweat i
ng.Afewmi nuteslaterSbuparksatthe
undergroundreservedparkingatoneoftheirhotel
s.
“Getdownt
hecar
.”Heor
der
shol
dingt
hedoorf
or
her.
“SbuI-I-
-”Hepi
cksherupandwal
kst
owar
dst
he
elevat
or.
Oncei nt
heroom heslowlyput
sherdownonlyto
real
izeshe'
scryi
ngandr eal
lyt
err
if
ied.Hesi
ghs
beforewipi
nghertear
sbutsaysnot hi
ng.
“I
’
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'tmeantohurtyou.”Li
ndasobs.
Sbupoursaglassofvodkaandsitsonthecouch.
“
Comeher
e.”Heor
der
s.
“
H-huh?
”
“Pleassdon'tmakemebegyou.”Lindahesit
antl
y
stepscloserthecouchandsi
tatthefarend.“Not
there.Si
twher eyoual
wayssi
t.”
“
Sbu-
-”
“Pl
easedon' t
.I'
m ver yimpatientsomet imes, pl
ease
don'tt
estmypat ience, okaybaby? ”Lindacr awls
ontohislaps.“Good.Nowl et'
sstar ttal
king.
”Linda
i
stremblingwi t
hf ear.Kayisewar nedher !Shet ol
d
hernottotoywi thSbu'semot i
onsbutwhathasshe
done?“Baby? ”Het akesasi pofhi sdr i
nkandki sses
herneck.“Relax.Idon'thitwomen, ifIcouldI'd
havebeat enyout oapul pri
ghtnow. ”Hel eavesa
trai
lofki ssesonherneckt oherbar eshoulders.
Herbodyqui cklyr espondst ohistouchdespi teher
terr
if
iedst ate.“I
’m al sodefi
nitel
ynotdr unk,thi
sis
thefirstdrinkI'm havi ngi
nt helastninemont hs.I'
m
onet housandper centsober .Tellme, whyyoudi dit
.
Beforeyout hinkofl yingrememberIhat eli
es.”
Lindapi cksuphi sgl assanddownal lofit
's
contents.Sbusecr et
lysmi l
es.
“
Iwasscar
ed.
”
“
Why?
”
“Youhat
emeSbuorshouldIsayyouhateLi
nda.
Youalwayst
hreat
enedt
oblowmybrainsoff
.”
“Becauseyouwoul
dn'
tst
opt
alki
ngandyoual
ways
daredme.”Hepoi
ntsout
.
“Okaydon'
tinterr
uptme.Ihat edyouunt i
lthatday
whenyour escuedme.Istartedtosecr et
lyadmire
yourlovef
orthef amil
y.Br
other -
in-
lawalways
teasedmeaboutourar gument s,healwayssaidwe
werebothhidingourtruef
eelingsbehindourhat e
foreachot
her .Iwenti
ntohiding,theytookmet o
yoursi steractual l
y.Iwasat otaljerkt oherbutshe
tolerat
edmeanyway.OnedayIcameacr ossyour
picturehavi ngl unchwi thyourchi ldr enIcoul dn't
stopst aringatt hatpi ct
ure.Kayiset oldmet oask
mysel fwhyIcoul dn'tgetenoughofyouandI
startedst alki
ngyouonsoci almedi a.I '
dsi tt
he
whol edayst ari
ngatmyphoneandwai tingf oryou
topostsomet hing.Obsessi on!Orwhat evert hat
wasIdon' tknow.Fastf or
war dtowhensi stercall
ed
meandaskedmet ocomebackbecauseshe
neededmyhel p,youknowsheseest hi
ngsbef ore
theyhappen.Iwast heonewhosavedEnhl ethat
day.Isawyouf alli
ngdown, Ifoughtever yur geof
mywhol ebeingt ocomet oyoubutt henI
remember edyouwer esomeone' shusbandandI
hadt or espectt hat.Icamet oseeyouatt he
hospi t
al,Iwasal wayscl oset oyouunt i
lthatday
whenIcamet oyourr oom.Ihadr ecent l
yf oundout
aboutZodwaandIwant edtoseei fyouar er eall
y
thatbadl i
kehowt hepaperspai ntyou.Iwant edto
tellyout het r
utht hatdaywhenyoudescr i
bedLi nda
tomeandIcoul dseeyoust illhatedher .Icoul dn'
t
getmysel ftoloseyoubef oreIevenhadyou.I ’
m
sorryIkeptyoui
nthedar
kaboutmyi
dent
it
y.
Pleaseforgi
veme.”
“SoKayi seknowswear edat i
ng? ”Lindanods.
“Baby, whathaveyoudone?Doyouknowt heki nd
ofshi twear einrightnow?HowdoIexpl ainthisto
sister-i
n-law?Bab' uMahl angu?Lucky?Mychi ldren?
Tellmebaby, whatdoIdo?Ir eal l
yl oveyouandI
don' twannal oseyou. ”Lindat earfullysmi l
esand
turnst ol ookathi m ast hei rl
ipscr ash.“ Wait.
”He
pullsoutpant ing.“Ihavet obesur eaboutt hi
s
befor ewepr oceed.First l
y, I'
m sor ryIwasa
compl etearseholet oyoubackt hen.IguessInever
tookt imet ounder standt hesl i
m gi rlalwayshal f
clothedbutnowIknow.Iknowt here'sasweetl ady
behi ndt hisgangst ercut ef ace.I’m pr obabl
y17or
mor eyear solderthanyoubaby, mysonsar e
sixteenandmygi r
list hir
t een,doyoust i
lll
oveme
withal lthatbaggage? ”
“IknewwhatIwasget
ti
ngmysel
fint
o.Thequest
ion
i
scanyouhandleme?Canyousti
lll
ovemeli
keyou
didbefor
eseei
ngmyface?
”
“
Iloveyou,
nodoubtaboutt
hat
.Iknowt
hisi
snot
goingt
obeawalkintheparkbutwewil
lconquer
,
ri
ght?Mysonsespeci
all
yKhosihat
eswomen.”
“
Iwi
llt
rytowinhim over
.IloveyouSbuandIwant
t
obepartofyourbeauti
full
if
ewitht
hechil
dren.
”
“Thankyou.Onemor equesti
on,whereisyour
chil
d?”Lindatel
lshim nothi
ngbuttheentir
et r
uth.
“Nomor esecretsfr
om nowon, Ihatethem.They
destr
oyeverythi
ngandal waysknowt here'
snot hi
ng
moreat t
ract
iveinawomant hanherhonesty.Hurt
mewi ththetrut
hIwi l
lunderst
andbutwi t
hliesIwill
completelyl
osetrustinyou.”
“Iwil
lkeepthatinmi ndsweet heart.Thankyouf or
forgi
vingme.”SheFr enchki sseshim, herhand
movest othenapeofhi sneckpul l
inghim closeras
hishandsmovet ohersli
m wai st.Hisotherhand
movest othezipperofhert op,hepul l
sitapart
freei
ngheralreadyerectnipples.Heget shar dby
thesightofherfullsmall
br easts.
“
Beauti
ful
!”Hepl
antsakissonherchest
.Hisli
ps
l
ipsmovetoherni
pple,
shemoans.“Mmmm, Il
ike
t
hatsoundbaby.
”Hecont i
nuest
oplaywithher
ni
ppl
esunt
ilshebegshi
m.
“
Please.
..
”
“Pleasewhatbaby? ”Withoneswiftmovehest ands
takingherwithhimt othebed.“
Ihaven'thadsex
withanyoneont hi
sbed.Iknowhowyouwomen
canbe.Onl ymeandyourl atesist
er-
-”Lindafreezes.
“Wai tunt
ilIf
inisht
alki
ng.Snewasmyf riend
nothingmor e.”
“
Youhadmescar
edt
her
e.”Shesi
ghsasi
ghof
r
eli
ef.
“Let’
sgetyououtoft hese.
”Thewayhehel psher
outofherjeanssayssomuchabouthi sexperi
ence
withwomen.“ F**k!
”Hecurses.“Youaregoingtobe
mydeat hsentencebaby.”Hekneelsandstarts
kissi
ngherlegs,eachlegatatimesendinggreater
romanti
csweetmessagest oherinnergoddess.
“
Sbupl
ease!
”
“Whatdoyouwanthoney?Sayi t.
”Hist
onguecur
ls
aroundherbel
lybut
tonr
ing.Shemoansagainand
again.“
Areyousureyouareready?”
“
Y-yes.
”
“
Yeswhat
?Iwantt
ohearyousayi
t.
”
“I
’
mreadytomakelovetoyou.PleaseSbu.”He
pl
ant
sakissonherforeheadbefor
eremovinghis
owncl
othes.Heopensthedrawerandcurses.
“
Wehaveapr
obl
em.Idon'
thavecondoms-
-”
“
Iknowmyst atusbaby.Wewillgot
othecl
ini
cafter
t
his,
please.
”Shepusheshim downonhisback.
..
..
.
*
*
*
[
07/
21,
13:
56]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er53.

“
Goodmor ni
nghandsome.
”Li
ndaki
ssesSbu'
s
f
orehead.
“
Hey.Wher
edi
dyougo?
”
“
Tocal
lmyl
it
tl
esi
ster
.Dadi
ssuperangr
y.”
“Icani
magine.Thatmancanki l
lforhi
sdaught
ers
I'
veseenhi
m doingthatbef
ore.Let'
shopehewon't
kickmyass.
”
“Hewillbutwehavet
oconvi
ncehi
m.What
'st
he
plan?
”
“Iwast hinkingi fwegetsi st
er-
in-l
awonoursi de
fir
stthenever ythi
ngwi l
lbef i
ne.Itr
usthert ohelp
usaf t
ersl appingmemaybet wiceifnotmor e.And
thenmycr azysonBukhosi ,
he'sahandf ulbutI
trustourl ovet osoft
enhi sheart.SometimesIf eel
l
ikebeat ingt hecrapoutofhi m butthenhe' sa
teenager ,ifyoupusht hem toomucht heyendup
doingcr azyt hings.Promisemeyouwon' thurtme
ormychi ldrenIcan'tbeart oseethepai nintheir
facesanymor e.”
“Iwon'
t.That
'swhyI'
m goi
ngtotaket
hismor
ning
aft
erpi
llri
ghtnowinfr
ontofyou-
-”
“Whoa!Why?Don'
tyoul
ovemeenought
ocar
rymy
chi
ld?
”
“Nodummy!HowcanIf allpregnantbef ore
convinci
ngt hechil
drent hatI'
m nother etohurt
them?Ihavet ogaint hei
rt r
ust,theyhavet ofeel
comf or
tablearoundmebef oreIcant hinkofbeing
pregnant.Thatwayt heywon' tthinkI
'm heretostar
t
anewf ami l
ywi t
htheirfather.
”Sbupul lsherover
andhugshert ightbeforekissingherf orehead.
“
Honest
ly,
howol
dar
eyou?
”
“
Twent
y,why?
”
“Yousoundli
keamat ur
ewoman, Ilovet
hat.Can
wegoandmeetmyf amil
ytoday?I'
m afr
aidifwe
keepsneaki
ngaroundthi
ngswillbeevenwor sef
or
ourrel
ati
onshi
p.”
“YeahbutIdon'thaveclot
hestowearri
ghther
e.I
respectyourmotheralotIdon'
twanthert
oseeme
halfdressed.”
“Mom istoughyesbutsheunder stands.Idon't
wantyout ochangewhoyouar ef ormeormy
famil
y.Everyonehastoacceptyouf orwhoyouar e.
Faki
ngt hi
ngsmakesoneuncomf ortabl
eand
sooneryouwi l
lst
artf
eel
ingsuffocatedandst art
hati
ngmylif
estyl
e,myf amil
yval
uesandbeforewe
knowitwewillbefacedwithaheepofmari
tal
probl
ems.Beyouandever yonewil
lcomearound.
”
“Wher
eisSbuthegangst
ermaf
ia?Thi
swi
seguyi
s
def
ini
tel
ynothi
m.”
“
Notf araway.Hecancomeanyt
imeandIhopeyou
wil
lknowhowt ohandl
ehim.
”
*
***
***
***

“
MissKay?Ki
ara?
”
“
Yesdaddy.
”
“WhereisLi
nda?Don'ttr
ytolietomebecauseI
knowshedidn'tsl
eepinthi
shouseyester
day.Am I
thatol
dnowt hatyougi
rlsdecidet
odi
srespectme
l
ikethi
s?”
“
Daddy-
-”
“I'
m notdonetal
king!”Ki
araf
li
nches.“I
fyougi
rl
s
thi
nkyouar enowgr ownuppleasefeelfr
eet
oget
outofmyhouse. ”
“Darli
ng,whyareyourepr
imandinghernow?Linda
sleptatthepal
ace,shewentt
oseehersisterand
Kayiseremembertheywerestayingt
ogetheri
n
England.”
“Foryourowngoodl et'
shopeyouar etell
ingt
he
trut
hbecauseifIeverfi
ndoutyoul i
edt omethen
youcanj oi
nyourchil
drentoo.I'
m offt
owor k,see
youlater
.”Bab'
uMahl angukissesZandiandleaves.
“CallLinda.Tel
lhertogethereasap!
”Kiar
adi
als
Linda'snumber .Sbuanswersthecal
l.Li
ndai
s
moi st
ur i
zingherbody.
“Youcr azydaught erofadevil
--
”Sbufrowns,
recheckst hecallerIDandputsthephoneon
speaker .“
Getyourski nnyassherebefor
edad
chasesusal loutbecauseofyourspir
ali
ngoutof
controlfeeli
ngs.Whoevert hatguyi
smustbewor t
h
i
t!”Thet wolovebi r
dslookateachotherandsmil
e
naughtily.
“
MissKay,
breat
he-
-”
“
Don'tyoufucki
n't
ellmethatshi
t!Il
iedforyou,
mom l
iedforyoubutyoudidn'
tseeitfi
ttocallus
evenonce?Prayandprayver
yhardthatsi
ster
Nomthabacksourstor
yotherwi
sewear eal
l
doomed!”Ki
aradropst
hecall
.MissKay’sphone
ri
ngs.
“
What?”Sheanswer
swi
thoutchecki
ngt
hecal
ler
i
dent
it
y.
“
Ever
ythi
ngokayMissKay?Yousoundr
eal
lyangr
y
what
'sgoi
ngon?”
“Ei
shbrother,I
'm sorr
yaboutthat.Justhadaword
withyourcrazyli
ttl
esist
er.Shejustarr
ivedand
alr
eadyI'
mi ntroublebecauseofher.”
“Ncoow!SorryNanathat
'swhathappenswhenyou
arethebabyofthefamil
y.Don'
ttakedaddy'
swords
toheartandmakesureLill
ypaysyouforit
.”They
bothlaugh.
“Butyoudi
dn'tpaywhenyousneakedi
nwi
thyour
gir
lf
ri
end?Icoveredf
oryoutoo.
”
“Iwi
llpayIpromi
se.Tel
lLi
ll
ytocal
lmewhenshe'
s
donesneakingar
ound.”
“
Whenar
eyoucomi
ngback?
”
“Soon.Ki
ssmom forme,bye.
”Kiar
arunsoutsi
de
wherehermotheri
swateri
ngplant
sandsurpri
ses
herwithaki
ss.
“
Andt
hen?
”
“
Str
aightf
rom youronl
yson.
”Zandismi
les.
*
***
***
***
***

Somewher ei
ntheoutski
rts/t
hepoorerpar
tsof
Umlazi
.Zodwawal ksoutofahutthatl
ooksli
ke
mayfallanyt
ime.Withherri
ghthandshe'
sholdi
ng
asmallbucketwit
hdirt
ycontentsi
nit.
“
Babe?Babe?Whenam Igett
ingmybreakf
astI
'
m
l
ateforwor
k.”TJshout
sfr
om insi
deput
ti
ngonhis
t
ie.
“I’
m comi ng.”Sheempt i
est hecont
entsandruns
backi nthehutwher esheopensashapel esspot
whichi sont heoldpar affi
nstoveandstir
swhat '
s
cookinginsi de;l
ooksl i
kepor r
idgeorsomethi
nglike
that.Shet akesar ustyplateandpourssomef orTJ.
“
Her
eisyourbr
eakf
astbaby.
”TJl
ooksather
,hi
s
f
acechangesaut
omat
ical
ly.He'
snowgr
eywi
th
f
ury.
“Whatthef uckisthis?Youcallthi
sbr eakf
ast?”He
hitsherwiththebackofhi shand.“Ishouldeatt hi
s,
me?Awhol ewel l-
knownbusinessmani nthis
communi ty?NowIseewhyyourhusbandl eftyou!
Youar ereall
ystupid!Somewomenser vetheir
husband'sEnglishbr eakf
astandyouar ehere
givingmesof tporri
dgel i
keI'
m aninfant!Doyou
evenuseyourbr ai
ns? -
-”
“Ther
e’snof
oodl
eft
.Yougaveme$10l
astweek
andthisi
sonl
yImanagedt
obuy-
-”
“That
'sbecauseyoudon'tt
hink!Arealwoman
knowshowt obudgetbutno,youar enotawoman
atall
.Idon'
tevenknowwhatt ocallyoubecause
eventheworduselessdoesn'tsui
tyouanymore!”
“I'
m notuseless!Atl
eastIhavesomet hingi
nmy
namecompar edtoyou!Ihaveacompany- -
”He
turnsandslapsherhar dherskinnybodycrashes
ont hewallalmostbreaki
ngintopieces.She
screams.
“Shhh!Ifyoueverrai
seyourvoicet omeagainthen
Iwil
ldosomet hingyoudon'tevenwantt oimagi
ne.
Getthat?”Shenodswi tht
earsstreamingdownher
cheeks.TJslamsheront hewal lonemor eti
meand
walksoutleavi
ngheral mostout.Shecriesher
heartoutunti
leveryt
hingtur
nsdar k.
TJstepsonthebr andnewPol oVivo,hetur
nson
themusict
ot hefullbl
astanddrivesoff
.Heparks
attheCEOreservedparkingspaceatZeeEvents
company.Heput sonhisdarkshadesandwal ks
i
nside.
“Cof
feeinmyof f
icenow.”Hefl
ashesasmi l
eto
Zodwa’sfr
iend(t
heonewhoadvi sedhertogeta
Ben10)andwalksint
otheoffi
ce.Zodwa’sfr
iend
goestothekit
chen,makesTJhisfavori
tecupof
coff
eeandshakesheralmostnakedgiganti
cbooty
asshedisappear
sintotheof
fi
ce.
*
***
***
***
**

Atthepal
aceKayisel
ooksatherdaughterDi
anne
andherhear
tbreaksyopi
eces.Shetouches
Dianne'
sf eet
,ti
ckl
esher,
shegi
gglesherr
aspy
voicefi
ll
ingtheenti
rer
oom.Kayi
sesecret
lywi
pesa
tear.
“KaDaddy?What'
sthematt
er?”Nomthahandshera
glassofherf
avor
it
efreshmangojui
ce.
“Nothingsi
ster-
in-
law.
”Shelies.Nomthaobser
ves
herforaminutebef or
epicki
ngupDi anne,
makes
hersitonherlapandf eedshermil
k.
“
Youcanl i
et omebutIcanseeitinyoureyes, you
missyourhusbandbutyoujustdon'tknowhow
r
eachouttohi m.Youdon'
thavetof eelsorr
yfor
whoyouar e.Diannei
sbeaut
if
ul,yourin-l
awswi l
l
l
oveher.”
“Ihavehopedandprayedbuti
tseemst
hatdaywi
ll
nevercome.”Shesni
ffl
es.
“Doyouwantmetoint
ervene?
”Nomt
haasks,
Kayi
se’
sfacel
ight
sup.
“
Real
lysi
ster
-i
n-l
aw?Wi
llyoudot
hatf
orme?
”
“
Anyt
hingtoseeyoursmil
edar
li
ng.Getyour
mot
her-
in-
lawonSkypeforme.
”Kayisedoesas
she'
stol
d.Thecal
lconnect
saf
teraf
ewmi
nut
es.
“GoodmorningMrsReyes.
”Nomt
haf
lashesher
aff
ecti
onat
esmile.
“Hel
loPrincess.Whatasur pri
se.”I
fonedoesn't
knowbetterhe'dsayMr sReyesi sthesweetest
womaneveri nthi
sentir
eplanet.She'
soneoft he
bestunoffi
cialact
ressesintheenti
reuniver
se.
“Andyourbabyl ookscute.Ididn'
tknowyouwer e
expect
ing?”
“Thankyoubutt hi
sisnotaboutme, i
t'
saboutyour
daughter
-in-l
awKayise.Iunder
standther
eare
misunderstandi
ngssomewher eorsoIguess.”
“Whydoyousayso?
”Mr
sReyesbl
inks
uncomf
ort
abl
y.
“Inmycul tureit'
severyman'sdream t oholdhis
fi
rstborn, ever
ygr andmother'
sdream toholdher
grandchild,toseehersmileforthef i
rstti
me,tosee
hergrowi ngeachandever ydaybutI '
m surpri
sedby
theEnglishculture.Ial
waysr eadfami l
ymagazines
abouttheEngl ishpeople,
thecoupl eswer emy
i
nspirat
ionbecauseIcoul df eelt
heirlovebyonly
readi
ngtheirst
ory.ButnowI'
ml eftwit
hmany
questi
ons.Doyoumi ndmeaski ngwhyyourson,
theson-i
n-l
awoft hi
sfamil
ydidn'tcometomeethi
s
daughter
?”
“
Um-
-umm-
-”
“I
t’
sf ineIunder stand.Justforclari
ty,thisbabyI'
m
holdingrightnowi sDianneReyes, your
granddaught er.”Mr sReyes'handf li
est ohermouth,
she'sshocked.“ Yes.I
'm surebyt hetimeyou
decidet ocomeandgethershewi l
lbeabl etoask
whoyouar et henyouwi l
lreal
izewhatImeanby
bondi ngwitht hem whent heyarest i
llyoung.”
“I
’mreall
ysor
ryPri
ncess.We'l
ldef
ini
tel
yrect
if
your
mist
akes,onbehal
fofmyf amil
yI'
dli
keto
apol
ogize.
”
“I
t’
sokaywealllearnf
rom ourmist
akes.
”Nomt
ha
cutst
hecal
lleavingKayi
sestunned.
“Nowonderyouar eabouttobecomeaQueenof
thi
sKingdom.Youhandl edherlikeapro.Thankyou
somuchsi ster-
in-
lawIpr ayyourwordsgetthrough
herthi
ckskin.”Kayisesayswi t
hherhandsf ol
ded
t
oget
heri
npr
ayer
.

Inthel
ivi
ngroom Queenmotheri
shavi
nga
conver
sati
onwithherson,
HisRoyalHi
ghness
Pri
nceSphamandla.
“
Sti
llnol
uckoff
indi
ngyourbr
other
?”
“Isawhim onthehotelCCTVf ootageyest erday,he
l
ookedsoberandf inetome.Idon' tknowwhati sit
he'sdeal
ingwiththathadhiml eavet hepalace--
”
PrinceSphawalksinwi t
hLinda.Queenmot her
l
ooksathi m,heimmedi at
elyseest hetroublehe's
causedherbyleavingwi t
houtawor d.
“
Icanexpl
ainmom-
-”
“Pleasedoanddoi tfast
.Ihadsl eepl
essnight
sSbu,
youdi dn'
tevenseei tfi
ttosendasi mplemessage
alert
ingmet hatyouar efine.”Li
ndalooksdown
embar rassed.TheQuuenl ooksatherandgenuinel
y
smi l
es.“Sorrydarl
ingpleasehaveaseat .
”Linda
sitsnexttoher,theQueenhugsher .“
Howar eyou?”
“
I’
mfi
neYourMaj
est
y,t
hankyou.
”
“Youarefamil
ypleasecal
lmemom.”Shesqueezes
Linda'
shand.“I
’m st
il
lwai
ti
ngf
oranexpl
anat
ion,
Sbu.”
“
Okay.Sist
er-i
n-l
awandever yoneel
seneedt
ohear
whatI
'm abouttoexpl
ain.”
“Don’
ttel
lmeyougotanot
hermai
dpr
egnant
?”The
Queenpanics.
“Nomom, I'
vebeenbehavi ngtrustme. ”Sbusends
Nomt haamessageaski nghert ocomedownand
bringt hechil
drenwi t
hher .Theyal lcomeand
quietlysitdown.“ Mom I '
m sorryIdi sappearedjust
l
ikethat .Ineededt othinkdeepl yaboutmynext
step.Bef oreIsayanyt hingelse, sist
er-
in-
law
what everIdidwasnotoutofdi sr espectforyouor
anythingt ospiteyou,”Theyal llookathi m
confused.“ I’
m doingthisoutofr espect.Khosi,
JuniorandSi sathischangesnot hingdaddywi ll
alwaysl oveyou. ”Sbusi ghs.
“Soundsser
ious.Outwit
hthenewsbro,
letusout
ofourmiser
yoft r
yingt
oguesswhatyouareon
about.
”
“
LindaandIar
edat
ing-
-”
“What?Thisi
soneofyourj
okesr
ight
?”Nomt
hacan
notbeli
eveherear
s.
“Nosister
-i
n-l
awI '
m notjoki
ng.I
'm bei
ngserious,
pleasedon'tmakethisharderf
ormeIr eal
lylove
herandwoul dli
ketomar ryheri
fyouallpermit.
”
“Whyam Inotsur
pri
sed?
”Sphaexcl
aimsl
ooki
ngat
Li
nda.
“
I’
m notei
ther
.”QueenMot
heragr
eeswi
thSpha.
“Mom, what?Didyouknowaboutt
his?
”Nomt
ha
sti
llf
eel
slikeshe'
sdreami
ng.
“Theynevertol
dmebutIsawhowt heylookedat
eachothertheotherday.Li
ndawassti
llweari
ngher
maskandIknewexact l
ywhoshewasbecauseyou
tol
dmeabouti t.Howlonghaveyoutwobeen
dati
ng?”
“
Sixmont
hs.
”TheQueennods.
“
DoIhaveyourbl
essi
ngsmom?
”
“
Aslongasyouarehappythenwear
eallhappy.I
j
ustdon'
twantt
ohearaboutfi
ght
sanddivor
ceI'm
nowtoooldtodealwit
hsuchkindofthings.
Nomthawhatdoyout hi
nk?”Li
ndalooksather
si
ster
,atearofgui
lt
yescapeshereye.Nomt ha
swall
owshardlooki
ngatboththei
reyes,theyreal
ly
l
ooksoinlove.
“Bereadytobepunchedforthesecondtimebythe
manshecal l
sdaddy.”Nomthasaystearful
ly
huggingSbu.“Ihopeyouarereal
lyhappythis
ti
me.”Bukhosislowl
ystandsandleaves.Juni
orand
Thandofoll
owherwhi l
eSisasit
snexttoLindaand
questi
onsher.
“CanIcal
lyoumommy?
”Li
ndasmi
lest
ear
ful
ly
huggi
ngher.
“
Yesdar
li
ngyoucan.
”
“
Youlookbeaut
if
ul.Il
ikeyourst
yle.Pl
easedon'
t
l
eavemeli
keZodwa? ”
“
Iwon'
t.
”
“
Pinkypr
omi
se?
”Li
ndanodsgi
vingSi
sahersmal
l
f
inger
.
“
Wel
l,
thi
sisnowset
tl
edher
ebutt
her
ealt
aski
sout
ther
e.Timet oproveyour
selff
utur
edaughter
-i
n-law,
theywillbeyoursonsandtheyhavetoheari
tfrom
you.Sor r
ytopressur
eyou.Thesoonerwesettl
e
thi
s,thebett
er.”
“
Iwi
llgowi
th-
-”
“
SitdownSbu.Letherdot
hisal
one.
”
Bukhosii
sinthepooldoi
ngbackstr
okes.Muziand
Juni
oraretr
yingtogethi
mt osaysomethi
ngbut
he'
sjustmute.Li
ndaslowl
ywalkstowardst
hem.
“
Canwet
alk?
”
“
Whyareyouher
e?Torubiti
nourfacesthatyou'
ve
r
epl
acedusi
nourfat
her'
shear?
”Juniormutter
s.
“No.I
'm nother
etor epl
aceanyonebutt obepartof
yourbeauti
fulf
amily.Ir
eall
yloveyourfatheral
ot
andIpromisetoloveyoumor e.”Ascalmlyasshe
canLindatri
estomaket hem underst
and.
“Promi
ses?Theyarej
ustthat!Nothi
ngmoreorless,
i
fonecanmakeapr omiset henshecaneasi
ly
breaki
twit
houtevent
hinkingtwice.
”
“
Idon'
tbr
eakmypr
omi
ses,
Iswear
.”Khosiget
sout
oft
hepool,gr
abshistowelandisaboutt
oleave
whenLi
ndagr abshi
shand.“Iknowyouhate
women,youhatemeevenwor se--
”
“Youknowwhat ?Youar emistakenthi
sti
me!My
problem wit
hyoui sthataft
ersavingmenumerous
ti
mesIbegant oli
keyou, It
rustedyouwit
hmy
secretsbutyouwer eprobablyusingmetogett
o
daddy!Ifeelbetr
ayed--”
“Yourfatherdoesn'
tknowanyt
hingaboutal
lour
encountersInevertol
dhim.”
“
Real
ly?
"Bukhosii
samazed.
“YesIkeptmypromise.Oursecr
etsareoursnotto
besharedwit
hanyoneasl ongasyoukeept oyour
endofthedeal
.”Bukhosir
ubshischinthoughtf
ull
y.
“Notallwomenar ebadthen.”Heshr
ugs.“
Brot
her
Junior
, she'sgotourbackwecandowi tha
stepmot herinourcorner
,ri
ght?”
“Iknowyoucanshootanyonebeforebli
nkingtwice,
Ihaveafavortoaskfr
om you.WhenZodwacomes
backherewhichIknowwillbesoonpleasekil
lher
forme?”Juni
orhugsLinda.ThandoandKhosijoin
i
nforagr
ouphug.
“
Wel
comet
othef
ami
lysexymommy.
”Khosisays.
*
*
*
Goodmor
ningdar
li
ngs.

PreciousRoséT- shir
tswi l
lbeavai
labl
etoor der
st
artingfr
om t omor row.Mugswi thmotivati
onal
quoteswillbeavai labl
et oo.MyDadMyLi fe
merchandisewi llbedr oppedsoon,west i
llworki
ng
ontheperf ectdesign.
Pr
icesar
easf
oll
ows.
Al
lT-
shi
rt
sP150/R210
Mugs(Youcanchooseyourownshapeandcol
or)
P70/R100
Hoodi
es,
capsanddr
essshi
rt
spr
izest
ofol
low
soon.
Pi
ctur
eswi
llbepost
edbyt
heendoft
heday.
ThankYou!
!!
!
[
07/
21,
13:
57]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er54.

THREEYEARSLATER.
..
.

Nomt
ha’
sPOV.

I'
vehadt hebestti
mesofmyl ife.Everymoment
spentwi t
hmydearhusband, mycr ew(chil
dren)as
Sbucal l
sthem i
spr i
celess.Nomoneycaneverbuy
thehappiness,f
ulf
ilmentandj oyt heygiveme.My
oldersons(twi
ns)ar eallgr
ownupnow, whowoul d
havethoughttheli
ttleboysIrescuednotsol ong
agof r
om thoseevilspi
ritswil
lbemensoonerr at
her
thanlater
?Theyarenowadul ts,theycandr i
ve
themsel ves,maket heirowndeci sionsandwhat
theylovemostaboutt heirnewagei sthattheycan
nowt ravelaroundt hewor l
dwi t
houtaskinganyone
tosignanaf f
idavit
.Thando?Myson' sgrownup
prett
yf ast.Canyoubel i
evehenowhasadeep
voiceandl it
tlestubbleonhi schin?Andt henthe
quads, theydr i
vemecr azyt oapointofl
ocking
myselfi nther oom andl etthem sortt
hemselves.
Folks,raisi
ngquadsi sthehar destthi
ngI'veever
donei nmyl i
fe..
.
“Mor ningMyQueen? ”Queen?Ohyeah!Iguessa
rei
ntroduct ioni sneededher e.HerMaj esty
Nomt handazoBl essi
ngMahl angu- Tshabangu, to
theUml azi’
sr esidentsandal lotherki ngdoms.My
husbandf i
nallygotcr ownedasaKi ng.Bef oret
he
crowni nghel ef tf ort
heini
ti
ation, i
twashar dnot
speaki ngt ohimf orwholetwoweeksbutIst ayed
strong.DrNomt handazoBlessingMahl angu-
Tshabangut ot heacademi cwor ld.Yes, Ipursueda
doctor ateandIexcel leddespitehavi ngt ojuggl
e
mul t
iplet asks.
“
Mor
ningDar
li
ng.
”Heput
sat
rayont
hebedsi
de
tabl
eandcrawlsnexttome.Hesurprisesmewit
ha
Frenchpassi
onateki
ss.Nomatterhowmanyyear s
thi
smanhasunderhi sbel
t,heneverceaseto
amazemeasf arasr
omanceisconcer ned.
“
Ibr
oughtyoubr
eakf
ast
.”
“
DidIover
sleep?
”
“Noyoudidn't
.Iwokeupear l
ybecauseLunaasked
met o.Canyoubelievetheyblackmai
ledmeint
o
prepari
ngthei
rbreakfast?”
“Ibel
ieveyou.Lunai
sonehellofabl
ackmail
er,
he'
s
sogoodati tyou'
dwonderi
fhe'sr
eal
lyour
s.”
“
Yeah.Whatareyouuptotoday?Ihaveameet i
ng
wit
htheRoyalchi
efs,
themini
sterofeducat
ionand
l
aterwit
hoursonThando.Hesayshehasapr oject
whichneedsappr
oval
,haveyouseenit?”
“Nonotreall
ybutIheardLindatal
kingabouti
t.
Thandotrust
sherwheni tcomest oproj
ect
planni
ngandarchit
ecturaldesi
gns.She'
sthebrai
n
behindEmziniWothando.”
“
Iwonderwhyshedi
dn'
tfi
nishschoolt
hough?
”
“Becausemysisteri
scr
eat
ivebutnoti
ntel
lect
ual
gif
ted.That
'swhy.”
Iknowyouar eallcur i
ousaboutSbuandLi nda' s
rel
ationshi p.Wel l,l
et'sjustsaymydadsnapped, he
punchedwal ls,hekickedal otofpeopl eandl astbut
notleast ,Sbunowhast wof akefrontteeth, thanks
tothatol dmanIcal lfather.Dadwasr eallyfur i
ous,
hespental mostt woweeksnotspeaki ngt ome
becausej ustl i
keallot hercommuni t
ymember s,he
thoughtIact uallyplottedfort hem tobet oget her.It
tookal otofbeggi ngandpl eadingbySbuand
Queenmot hert oconvi ncehi m.Whenhef inally
agreed, Sbusentt heTshabangur epresentat i
vest o
mypar ents, l
obol awaspai dandt heweddi ng
preparationswer edonewi thoutfurtherdel ays.Li ll
y
wasovert hemoon, sheact uallygainedaf ewki los
whenSbuf i
nallypoppedt hequest i
on“ Wi l
lyou
makemet hehappi estmanonear th?”.Bukhosi ,
JuniorandThandof ilmedt hewhol eengagement
thi
ngandmadei tviralonsoci almedia.Theway
thatvideot r
endedwasr i
diculous, r
epor t
erscame
knocking, topTVst at i
ons, radiosandmagazi nesal l
beggedf orani nt
ervi
ewbutt hehappycoupl e
preff
eredpr i
vacy.Manypeopl equesti
onedt hei
rage
dif
ference,someevenwentasf arassayi ngSbu's
sonswer egoingt osleepwithLindabutasyoual l
know, Sbualwaysdef endsthehonoroft hosehe
l
oves.Hesett herecordst
raightandafterthatno
onedar edtosayawor dagainstthem.

Theirweddingdaycame, i
twassupposedt obeone
ofmyhappi estmoment sbuti nst
eadImi ssedmy
sist
er,Sne,l
ikeneverbefore.From Li
nda'sdress
choice,make-up,shoes,
bling,menu,everythi
ng
remindedmeofSne.Icr ied,Ithoughtthepainhad
gonebutIwasf ool
ingmysel f
.
“Si
s,sheneverl eft
.I'm sureshe'
sher elookingatus
andsmi li
ng.”Ki
ar atriedtomakemef eelbetter.I
t
washar d,tomakemat t
ersworse,Kaylawi t
hher
spl
it
tingresembl anceofhermot herwaspr esent.
Notonl ydoesshel ookl i
keSne'scopybutshehas
herstinki
ngatti
tudet oo.Afterseeingdaddywal k
downt hataisl
ehol dinghisdaught erwi
thpr ideand
asmileonhi sface, Iknewmysi st
erwoul dn'thave
wantedmet ocr yonsuchabeaut i
fulday.Iwi ped
myt earsandenj oyedtheirunion.Alt
houghLi nda
choseal lt
hegl i
tzandglamour ,herweddingdr ess
wasst i
llhertypeofclothing.Queenmot her
approvedofherf ashi
onsense.NoJust i
nBi eber,
MariahCar eyorEdSher aansongswer eplayedat
thei
rweddi ng,theysaidtheneedednotal lthose
songstoknowhowmucht heyloveeachot her .
Theirvowswer ewhatlefteveryonedazzled.
“Lil
ly,
I'm notgoingt opromi
seallthoserosythings,
wewi llgowi t
ht hef l
owbaby.Aslongaswewi ll
alwaysst i
cktoget her.
”Sbusaidputti
ngat hr
ee-
piece24car atgol donherfi
nger.Peoplecheered,
whistledandul ulated.
“Sbu, nomat t
erwher eyouwi llt
akemeIwi llgo
withoutaskingquest i
onsbecauseIknow, youwi l
l
neverhur tmei npur pose.Tot hebr ightestfuture
mydearpar t
neri never yt
hing.”Li l
lyslidther i
ngon
hisfinger.Andt heybecamet hehappymar r
ied
coupl eeversincethen.Iknowt heyar gueal otbut
I'
m gladt osayt heyar emadl yinlovewi theach
otherandt hechi l
drenar ehappi ernow.
*
***
***
***
***
***

“
Hey,
you'
vebeentr
aini
ngf
orever
.”Ledi
'
ssayswi
th
asmi
leonherf
ace.
“Ihaveamat chcomi ngup,Ihavetobewel l
prepared.”Muzigr absthet
owelandwi peshi sface
fl
exinghiswel ltonedmuscles.“Youcancl oseyour
mout hnowbef oreyouswallowaf l
y.”Muziteases
beforegivingherapeckonhercheek.“ Ineeda
showeri fyouwantt ohavequalityt
imewi thme.
RightnowI '
m sti
nking.
”
“CanIcomewit
hyou?Idon'
tli
kethewayyourco-
tr
ainer
sgawkatmeli
keI'
m somekindofmeatthey
caneatandf
ini
shupinafewseconds.
”
“
Sur
e.Whynot
?”He'
sst
il
lpant
ing.
“
Real
ly?
”Nal
edi
’
sfacegl
owswi
thj
oy.
“YeahgrandpaisnotheresoIguesswearesafe.
Comeonl et'
sgo.”Hegrabsherhandandtheyrun
upstai
rssmili
ngnaughti
ly.Oncei
nMuzi’
schanging
room Ledi
'spull
shimtoherandkisst
heli
ving
l
ightsoutofhi m.Inresponsehemoveshishands
toherwai stpull
ingherevencloser
.Bytheti
methe
pullout,
theyarebot hpanti
ng.“Babe?Whatwas
that?”
“Akiss.Imissedyou,si
ll
y!Youhavenotgi
venme
specialat
tent
ionforaweeknowandIr eal
lyf
eel
l
onelywi t
houtyou.”Hepull
sheri
nforahug.
“I’
m sor r
yyouf eelthatwaybabe.Iwi llmakei tupto
you,Ipr omise.”SaysThandoki ssingherf orehead.
Aftertakingacol dshower , Muzideci dest ochi l
l
withhi sgirl
fr
iend.Yeah, t
hey' vebeendat i
ngf or
overayearnow.Atf ir
stMuzif oughthi sfeelingsfor
her,hedi dn'
twanthert ofeel li
kehehadbeen
helpinghert obuyherl ove.I twasLediwhomade
thefirstmovewhenot her‘cool ’
girlsstschool
start
edt hrowingthemsel vesonhi m.Thel adi sa
charmer ,hissmi l
eistodi ef or,t
het onedmuscl es,
popul ari
ty,t
ellmewhi chgi rlwoul dn'twantt hat ?But
Muzist il
lgetar unningstomachatt het houghtof
hispar entsfi
ndingoutaboutt heirromant i
caf fai
r.
*
***
***
***
**
Inahal fthat chedmudhut ,Zodwar ubsherbump
yawni ng.Shel ooksar oundast earsf al
lfreelydown
hercheeks, whatdi dshegether selfinto?Itturns
outherf riendpl ott
edagainstheraf tersher efused
tolendher2kcash.I twast hesamef ri
endwhosent
TJt oherl if
e, thesamef ri
endwhohel pedgett he
signat ureonhercompanydocument sandt he
samef r
iendwho' snowami ll
ionair
ewi thouteven
wor kinghar dert oacquiret her i
ches.Theyl efther
withnot hing, notevenasi ngle$10not e,shewoke
upt heot herdayt of i
ndTJgonef oreverwi t
hher
company.Shet riedyofightt hem butt heywer e
smar t
er, theyt oldthecour tZodwawasment ally
unst ablehenceshe' sclaimi ngwhat 'snother s.They
paidt hepsychi atri
sttoprovei tandshel ostthe
case.
“Ihavetogoandseemyhusband, askf or
forgi
venesstheneveryt
hingwillbefine.Iwil
lget
myl i
feback.”Shesaystoherself,
strugglesto
standupf r
om thepi
leofraggedbl anketsonthe
dustyfl
oor.Shepourswat eri
nasmal lbuckett
o
takeabat h,aft
erwhichshelooksforabet
terdr
ess
towear .I
t'
sbeent hr
eeyearssinceshesawanyone
from thepalaceorheardfr
om them.TJtookeven
herphone, shewasleftwit
habsolutenot
hing
valuableatall
.

SheknocksattheRoyalgate,t
heguar
dopens,
they
al
lgaspinsurpri
se.
..Shock?
“
Z-zodwa?
”Theot
herguar
dmanagest
osay.
“Yesi
t'
sme.Whyar eyouallacti
ngl i
keyou'veseen
aghost?”Maybet hepoorguar dshaveseenone.
Haveyoueversawsomeonesoski nnythatyoupit
y
them?Wel l
,that'
showZodwai s.Iwonderwher e
shegetstheener gyt ocarryt
hatbabyi nherbell
y.
Theguardsar estilll
ookingatherunsurewhatt o
sayordowhenshepushespastt hem.She' smetby
theQueenmot herherself.
“Zodwa?Whatbri
ngsyouher
e?”She'
ssur
pri
sed
andshockedatt
hesametime.
“Um,mother
-i
n-l
awI'
m sor
ryfordi
srespect
ingyour
order
stheot
herday.I
'
m heretoapologi
zeandfix
myf
ami
ly-
-”Queenmot
herpi
ti
ful
lyl
ooksather
.
“
Iforgaveyoualongti
meago.Ij
ustdon'
tthi
nk
t
here'safamil
ytofi
xanymor
e.”
“Whatdoyoumean?Sbui sthefatherofmy
chil
dren,I
'
m hisfir
stwifeandI'm surehedi
dnot
remarrybecausehe'sunabletolovesomeone.No
gir
lcanunderstandthatexceptme. ”
“Well,
he'
ssitt
ingbythepoolwatchi
nghisf
amily
swim.Goandf ulf
il
lyourwishes.
”Zodwasmil
es
feel
ingali
tt
lemor ehopef
ul.
“
Thankyou.
”Queenmot
hernods.

PrinceSbuisbusyonhislaptopwhenEnhlecomes
runningwit
hherwetclothesandjumponhim, her
l
ongbr ai
dedhersplashi
ngwat eronhi
slapt
op
screen.
“
Uncl
e!”Sheexcl
aims.
“Whatar
eyoudoing?Lookatwhatyou'
vedone.
”
Sbusayscal
mly.
“
Sor
ry.Iwi
llcl
eani
tforyou.
”Shegr
absat
oweland
wi
pest
hewat
erdr
opl
etsof
f.“
Ther
e!I
'
vecl
eanedi
t.
”
“Goswim wi
thwi
thot
her
suncl
eisr
eal
lybusymy
baby,
okay?”
“
No!Idon'
twantt
oswim anymor
e,Iwantt
osi
ther
e
wit
hyou.
”Sheret
ort
s.
“
Thenhowwi
llIcompl
etemywor
k?”
“Youcandoitlater
.Iwannapl
aywi
thyou,
Iwanna
play-
-”Shest
artscryi
ng.
“Okayfi
ne,l
et'
spl
ay.
”Shebeamswi
thf
aket
ear
son
hereyes.“
You'
resmi
li
ng?”
“No--
”ShegigglesasSbutickl
esher
.Someone
clear
sherthroat,
Sbulooksupandalmosthavea
heartat
tack.
“
Hi.
”Zodwasayswavi
ngherhand.
“
Um, hel
lo.”Herepl
iesunsureifhe'
sdr
eamingor
r
atherhavinganightmare.I
tiswhenEnhl
espeaks
whenher eal
izesi
t'
snotani ghtmar
e.
“Whoareyou?Whyareyoui
nvadingourpri
vacy?
”
Theal
waysoutspokenMbal
ithr
owsZodwaof fher
bal
ance.“
Didn'
tyouseet
hesignatthegat
e?
AUTHORI SEDENTRYONLY! ”So,Mbalii
snota
l
ovingfiveyearcuteli
tt
legir
l.She'
salwayssharp
wit
hherwor ds,she'st
hekindofachi l
dyou'dswear
aneldersenthertosayt hi
ngsshesays.
“
Baby,
she'
sourguest
.Letherbe.
”
“Guest
?Okay?
”Sbugi vesZodwaachair
,healso
sit
sdownandMbalisitsonhisl
apasifprot
ecti
ng
heruncl
efr
om something.
“Um,
issheyourdaughter
? ”Zodwaasksdespi
te
Nomtha’
simagewrit
tenalloverMbal
i'
sface.
“No.She'
smyni ece.Canyounotbeataroundthe
bushandtellmewhyyouar ehere?Thelastti
meI
checkedyouneverwantedtoseemyf ace.”
“
Canshel
eaveusal
one?”
“No!She'snotgoinganywher e,
ifyouhadn'tnoti
ced
I'
m chi
lli
ngoutwi thmyf amily.Lookatthefarend
ofthepool ,
I'
m havingfunwi thmychildrenbett
er
makei tsnappy.”Zodwal ooksatthefarendoft he
pool,
seest hreemor echil
drenbutshedoesn' t
noti
ceLi ndabecauseshe' sunderthewat er
.
“Okay.Icameher etoapol
ogize,I
'
mr eal
lysorr
yfor
everyt
hingIdidtoourchil
dren.Ij
ustwantedyouto
seehowmuchyouwer ehurti
ngmebyt ell
ingi
tto
myf acethatyoudon'tl
oveme.Iwant edyouto
real
izeyourmistakes-
-”
“Wait?SoI '
mt hewr ongone?Youar eblamingme
foryourstupidactions--”Her ai
seshi svoicein
anger.Mbal ir
ubshi schest, helooksatherandhi s
eyessof t
en.HekissesMbal i'sf
or ehead.“I’
m sorry
aboutthat,Enhle.
”Hel ooksbackatZodwa.“ Li
sten,
Idon'tthi
nkyouar er eadytoacknowl edgeyour
mistakes,dousal laf avorandwal kawayf rom here
beforeIsaysomet hi
ngIwi llfor
everr egret
.”
“
I’
m notgoi
nganywhere.I
'
m her
etoclai
m back
what
'smine,myf
amily!
”Zodwafi
resback.
“Idon'
tthinkyouareintherightstateofheal
thto
befir
ingshot sandmakingthr eat
s.Youhaveno
ri
ghttocallmychi l
drenyourfami l
y,youabandoned
them whent heyneededyout hemost .Nowtheyare
adult
s,theydon'tneedyouanymor e.
”
“
Ithi
nkt
heyshoul
ddeci
det
hatnotyou.Andwhen
I'
m sayingmyf ami
lyImeanyouincl
uded.
”Sbu
l
aughs, hi
slaughpi
ercet
hroughZodwa’sal
ready
shatt
eredheart.
“Zodwa,wherehaveyoubeenl
ivi
ng?Underther
ock?
I'
m happil
ymarri
ed,t
hisr
ingonmyfingeri
snotfor
decorat
ion.
”
“What?Marr
iedt
owho? ”Si
sacomesrunni
nginher
bum shor
tsandtankt
opholdi
ngherphone.
“
Daddy,wher
eismommy? ”Zodwasmi
les.“Daddy?
Myfr
iendsar
eonthel
ineIneedmommy’ sapproval
-
-”
“
Int
hepool
.Whydoyouneedher
?”
“I
'
m af rai
dthat '
snoneofyourbusinessdear
daddy.”Sher ushestowardsthepoolnotevenonce
steal
ingagl anceatZodwa.Lindacomesoutoft he
pool,
t wentyfiveneverl
ookedanysexierthant
his!
“Ihear
dyouscr eamingmyname,isever
ythi
ng
okay?”Sbuwalksupt ohi
swif
e,putsarobaround
hertocoverhersexybody.
“
Yeah.Mommy,
wil
lyoupr
omot
emyCosmet
icsl
ine?
Infact
,canyoubet hefaceofmybrand?I
'
m
planni
ngtolaunchtheproduct
sver
ysoon,the
product
ioni
sal mostdone.”
“
Areyougoingt
opaymywi
fef
ort
hat
?”Sbu
i
nter
ject
s.
“
Daddypl
ease,
canyoust
opi
nter
fer
ing.
”
“Iwi
lldoit
,mygi
rl
.Pr
ovi
dedyougett
hebestmake-
uparti
st.
”
“Yay!Youknowwhat ?Youar ethebestmommyi n
theworld.
”SisakissesLinda'scheekandr unsback
i
nsidethehouse.Zodwar ubshereyest r
yingto
fi
gureoutift
hisisamovi eorsomet hi
ngwher ea
daughtercomplet
elyf or
gethermot her.
“
W-whati
sgoi
ngonher
e?”Zodwast
ammer
s.
“Oh?Meetmybeaut
if
ulwi
fe,
themot
herofmy
chil
dren-
-”
“Sbu,areyounut
s?Howcanyousl eepwith
someoneyoungenought obeyourdaughter?She’
s
Nomt ha’
ssist
erf
orcryingoutl
oud!DidNomt hado
thi
s?”Sbuisaboutt
or espondwhenthetwinscome
andki
ssLi
nda.
“Ididn'tknowt herewassomet hi
ngwrongin
sleepingwi thsomeoneyoungenought obeyour
child?Asf arasIr ememberi twasanor malpr acti
ce
i
nt hissoci etywhi chledt oyouabandoningyour
ownchi ldr
en!Asf arasmommyNomt hais
concer ned, betternotstartbecauseIwon’thesitat
e
todef endherhonor .
”Juniorhisses.“
Whatdi dyou
think?Thatwewi l
lstopexisti
ngbecauseyoul eftus?
Youwer ewr ong, i
nfactyoul eavi
nguswasa
blessingi ndi sguisebecausedaddyf oundusa
bettermommy.I fyouthinkyoucanbr eakthisbond
betweenust henyouar emor edelusi
onalthatI
thought .Daddy, bett
ergetridofherbeforeIdo.”
“
Bukhosi
,I
'm yourmot
her
.”
“ArealmotherknowsI 'm Juni
ornotmybr other
Bukhosi
.Youcal lyoursel
famot heryetyoucannot
evendif
fer
entiat
ebet weenmeandmybr other.
”
“
I’
m sor
ry-
-”
“Saveit!Youcancr
awlbackt
othehel
lhol
eyou
crawledout--
”
“
Juni
or!
”Li
ndashout
s.
“I
’
m sorr
ymommyj ustt
hatIhat
ethi
swoman.Who
doesshethi
nkshei
s?”
“Goinside,now!”Theybothleave.“
I’
m sorryabout
thatIdon'tknowwhyt heyaresoangr y.Theyare
usuall
ywel lbehaved.”Li
ndaapologizestoZodwa.
“Iwil
lleaveyout wototal
k--
”
“Youarenotgoi
nganywher
edar
li
ngwif
e.Si
tyour
sexybodydownandjoi
nthi
smeeti
ng-
-”
“Sbu,
I'
m notsayi
nganyt
hingi
nfr
ontoft
his
homewrecker
--
”
“Saysomet hi
ngliket
hatI'
m goingtobr
eakyour
skinnybones!Ifyoucannotsaysomethingi
nher
presencethenyouarefreetoleave.
”
*
*
*
Goodmor ningdar l
ings.Thi
schapt ermaynotbeas
goodasot herchapt er
s.Iapologi
zef orthat
.I'
ma
l
it
tl
ebitunderpr essureandt i
red.Forgivemy
mi
stakesandl
oophol
esi
nthi
schapt
er.
*
*
*
T-shi
rtsandmugssti
llavai
labl
e.Thankyoutothe
fewofyouwhohavepl acedthei
rorder
s,Ireal
ly
appreciat
ethel
oveandsupport.St
ayblessed.
[
07/
21,
13:
57]Tat
e:Pr
eci
ousRosé2
Thywi
llbedone.
..

Chapt
er55.

“Babe,Ithi
nkyouar ebeingharsh.Beleni
ent
,she'
s
themot herofourchil
dren.
”Lindacalmsher
husbanddown.Youknowwhatt heysay,i
t'
sonlya
womanwhocant ameaman.
“Okay.I
fyousaysobabe.Zodwaifyouwantto
apologi
zedosobutther
e'snofamil
yyouare
clai
minghere.Youl
ostt
hatri
ghtalongt
imeago.”
“
I’
m sor
ry.It
houghtIwashur
ti
ngyou,
Iwantedyou
t
ofeelt
hepainIfel
twhenyoutol
dmeyoulovedher
.
I
'
m sorr
yIdestr
oyedus.”
“Ididn'thaveapr obl em withyouf indingt ruelove
butIhadapr oblem wi thyoumaki ngaf ooloutof
yoursel fi
nf rontofmychi ldren.Forsomeonewho
alwayspr eachedl oveandal lthehappi lyeveraf t
ers,
Iexpect edbet terfrom you.Iexpect edyout otrul
y
falli
nl ovewi thsomeonewhowoul dval ueand
respectyou.Someonewho' dsuppor tyou
fi
nanci all
y,encour ageyout ogr ownotbr ingyou
down.Lookatyounow, you...
.”Lindagi veshi ma
deadlyst are.“Noneofmybusi nessanywaybut
whydoyoul ooksost ar
vedandmal treated? ”Sbu'
s
heartbr eaksf orher .Heneverst oppedcar ingfor
herjustt hatshepushedhi mt oof arawayandhe' s
theguywhohassel frespectandhonor sot hers'
decisions.
“TJr
obbedme.”Zodwasays,
hervoi
cecomi
ngout
asawhisper
.
“
What
?Who'
sTJ?
”
“TheguyIwassleepi
ngwi
th.
”Shel
ooksdown
embarrassed.
“Youmeanthatki
dtookawayyourmoney,
carand
company?
”
“Yes.Hetookawayevenmyphone, Idon'
thave
anythi
ng,Ihavenoone.”Shesobs.Li
nda
sympatheti
call
yrubsherback.
“Don’
tcryZodwa,
youar
eupset
ti
ngt
hebaby.
”Li
nda
consol
esher.
“Wher
edidhetakeyourmoneyt
o?Imeandi
dhe
ski
pthecount
ry?”
“No.Helivesi
noneoft hemostexpensi
vef
lat
sin
townwhichhepur chasedwi
thmymoney.Myf ri
end
andhim areengaged--
”
“What?Areyouforreal
?Youst i
llcallaper
sonwho
stol
eeveryt
hingfr
om youaf ri
end?Whati swrong
withyouZodwa?Whydi dn'tyoutellmeorsist
er-
in-
l
awabouti t
?”Sbuisenraged.
“Iwasscar
ed.Ididn'
tthi
nkyouwoul
dhelpmewith
anythi
ngaf
tereveryt
hingIdi
dtohur
tyou.I
'
m sor
ry,
I
'
mreal
lysor
ry-
-”Hervoi
cet
rai
lsof
f.
“I
t’
sokay.Iforgaveyoualongti
meago.I'm sor
ryI
couldn'
tloveyoubutIneverst
oppedcari
ngabout
you.Yougavemet hemostpri
cel
essgif
tsI'
veever
had.”
“
Doest
hatmeanyouar
egoi
ngt
otakemeback?
”
“Nodon' tmisunder st
andme.Icar eaboutyoubutI
deeplylovemywi fe.Careandl ovearetwodi ff
erent
thi
ngs.Lovei sfrom thehear twhil
ecar eistri
ggered
byhumani ty.Idon'twantyouget t
ingthewr ong
i
mpr essionorwr ongi deas,Icankillf
orthiswoman
becauseImadl yl oveher .
”Zodwaswal l
owshar d
whil
eLi ndablushes.
“
Theki
ds?Wi
llt
heyeverf
orgi
veme?
”
“Ithi
nkyoushoul dn'
tpushthem, youreal
lyhur t
them whenyouar et
heonewhowassupposedt o
protectthem.Babystepsandmaybet heywillopen
upt oyou.Idon'
twantt oputthem underpressure
andenduppushi ngthem away.Iguessyou
understand.”
“
YeahIdo.Thankyouf
orseei
ngmeandf
orgi
ving.
Li
nda,
behappyandcher
ishever
ymomentwi
tht
his
manyouar
eoneluckywoman.”
“
Iwil
l,
thanks.Bef
oreyougo,
whenwast
hel
ast
t
imeyouvisit
edadoctor
?”
“
WhenIwasst
il
lmar
ri
edt
oSbu,
why?
”
“It
hinkyoushouldgoandseeone.Thatbaby
needsprotect
ionandthedoct
orscanhel
pwitht
hat
.
Wher edoyoustay?”
“I
’drat
hernotsay.Thankyouanyway,
bye.
”Zodwa
tr
iestostandupbutfeel
sdizzyandal
mosthi
tst
he
ground.
“
Areyouokay?
”Sbui
spani
cki
ng.
“
Justdi
zzi
ness,
Iwi
llbef
ine.
”
“Sitdownletmef i
xyousomet hingtoeat.Youcan
resthereandleavelat
er.Let'
sgoinside.
”The
Queeni sreadi
nganovelt i
tl
ed‘MyDadMyLi f
e’by
oneoft hebuddingwri
tersSukoluhl
eN.Mdl ongwa
whent heywalkin.Sheputsthebookmar kand
removesherr eadi
ngglasseswipingtear
s.
“
Mom,
don'
ttel
lmeAmyi
sdead?Whyar
eyou
cr
ying?
”Li
ndat
eases.
“She’
snotdeadbutgoi ngthroughtoughtimes.
She'sst
illtr
yingtofigur eouthowBandi l
eandt he
saidsi
sterarer el
ated.”Queenmot hertel
lsher.She
alwaystellt
hem, chapt eraft
erchapter
.
“Eish,yeahthat
'ssadforher.Ihopeshefindsher
sistersoonbeforesheloseshermind.Anyway, may
Ihaveyourper missi
ontof i
xsomethingtoeatfor
ourguest ?
”Queenmot herlooksatLindali
keshe's
j
ustgr ownanext raeyeonherchin.“Mom? ”Li
nda
clapsherhands, t
heQueensnapsoutofi t.
“Um, yeah.Goahead.Iwil
lbeinmyroom i
fyou
needme. ”Sheleaves.Thequadscomerunni
ng
from upstai
rs.
“
Car
efulguys!Mommywi
llki
llmei
fyougethur
t.
”
“Uncle,
mommyi snotherecan'tweenjoyal
it
tl
e.
Wewon' tf
allIpr
omise.”Okuhleassur
esheruncle.
Kuhlehasthemostbeaut i
fulandperf
ectsmi
lea
chil
dcaneverhave.
“Her
e'syourf
ood.Iwil
lberi
ghtback,
pleasemake
your
selfcomfor
tabl
e.Babe,
comewi t
hme.Icall
ed
Samket
ocomeandkeepyoucompany,
she'
s
comi
ng.
”
“
Thankyou.Youar
esoki
nd.
”

Oncei
nthei
rbedroom Li
ndacl
osest
hedoorand
t
urnst
oaconfusedSbu.
“
Let
'sgohavesomef
un!
”
“Huh?Whatf unareyoutalki
ngabout?
”Lindagives
him hi
sleat
herjacketwhil
esheputsonherripped
j
eansandNi kesneakers.Sbuisst
il
lstar
ingather
confused.
“Let
'sgoandrecl
aim yourmoney.Yougif
teditto
hernotthem.Di
dyouseehowski nnyshei s?She
real
lyneedsadoct
orandal otofheal
thyfood
stuf
f.”
“
Are-
areyougoi
ngt
ohel
pmyexwi
fe?”
“Yeahwhynot?Besi
des,she'
snocompeti
ti
on
maybeIwouldhaveactedall
def
ensi
veift
hesai
d
exwassexi
erthanme.”
“
Conf
identenoughMr
sSbu?
”
“
Ver
yconf
ident
,Si
r.Ar
eyoucomi
ngornot
?”
“
Ipl
ant ocomemanyt i
mesthanyoucanever
i
magine.”Li
ndasmackshi
m onthechest
.
“Per
vert
!”Sheputsonherl
ipst
ick.“
Comeonlet
'sgo.
Mother
-i
n-lawshoul
dn'
tseeussowear eusi
ngthe
backdoor.
”
“
Whataboutyourguest
?”
“If
oundhercompanywewi
ll
bebackbefor
ethey
knowit
.Thi
shastobequi
ckandeasy.
”

Sburavest
hebi
ke,
Lindahopesonandhugshi
m
fr
om behi
nd.
“
Doyouwantust odi
eontheroad?Ican'
tcont
rol
whathappensdownt
her
eifyourhandsareonme-
-
”
“
Stopbei
ngr
idi
cul
ous,
dri
ve.
”Hespeedsof
f.
*
*
Li
ndaknocks.
“
Whoi
sit
?”Awoman'
svoi
cecomesf
rom i
nsi
de.
“Del
iver
ylady.
”Sheli
es.Awomanwearingripped
bumshor t
sandabraonlyopenst
hedoor.She
almostfai
ntsuponseei
ngSbu.
“
Idi
dn'
tmeant
o.I
'
m sor
ry-
-”
“
Shhh!Wher
eisyourf
iance?
”Sbuhi
sses.
“
In-i
nthej
acuzzi
.”Shest
utt
ers.
“
Okayl
et'
sgo-
-”TJcomesf
rom i
nfrom t
heter
race
r
eadyt
ofir
ehi
sgun.Hesawthem onthecamera.
“Youmadeaver
ybi
gmi
stakebycomi
ngher
e--
”
Sbulaughs.
“Yout
hinkyou'
vemadei
tinl
if
e,huh?Howol
dar
e
youboy?”
“I
’
m notaki
d!”Li
ndaf
akesbei
ngscar
edandhugs
Sbu.
“
Youarescaringmywi f
eyoui diot.Wecameher eto
t
alknott
ofight.
”Lindaquickl
yunzi psSbu'sjacket
wit
honeswiftmoveshef i
ndst hehi ddengunsand
makesaninetydegreetur
npoint i
ngt wogunsat
t
hem.
“Badmoveki d.Todayyou'regoi
ngt omeetyour
creator
.Thewor l
ddoesn'tneeduselesspeoplel
ike
you.”Shefi
reshersil
encedgun, Zodwa’sfri
end
screams.“WhatdoIdowi t
hyou?I'vekil
ledso
manypeopl ebutdefi
nit
elynotawoman.Getup! ”
“I
’m sor
rypleasedon'
tki
llme,
Iwi
llgi
vebackal
lof
herassets-
-”
“Youwer egoingt odot hatanyway.ButIhavea
bett
erplanf orallofus.Fort herestofyour
miserableli
feyouar egoi ngtobeZodwa’ sservant.
Anythinghappenst oherort hebabyIswearonmy
dearfather'
slif
e, Iwil
lkil
leveryoneinyourfamily,
makeyoueatt heirfl
eshbef oreIcanputabulleton
yourskull.Arewecl ear?”Lindathreat
ens.
“
Y-yes.
”
“Good.Thi
spigneverexi
sted,nooneknowshi m or
anythi
ngabouthi
m.Youknowbet ternottomess
wit
hme.Icanbever yrut
hless.”Sbuwar ns.He
fi
sheshisphoneoutofhi
spocketanddi al
s
someone.
“
Flat213,
cleant
hemess.Let
'sgobaby.
”Hebr
ief
ly
hugsLi
ndabef
oret
heybot
hwal
kout
.

Backatt
hepal
ace,
theyt
ryt
osneaki
nbutNomt
ha
seest
hem.
“Wher
ehaveyoubeen?Youl
eftyourguestal
one?
”
Nomthagr
eetst
hem.
“
Wewentt
oreopent
hedoor
stoourguest
'sf
utur
e-
-
”
“
What
?Youdi
dthatf
orher
?”
“Yeaht
hewomanhassuffer
edenoughIt
hinkshe
needsabr
eak.Wher
eisshe?”
“Sl
eepingi
ntheguestroom It
hinkherhealt
hneeds
att
enti
onsoon.Somethingi
snotrightabouther
.”
Theyallwal
kbackinsi
de.
“
Hey,
wakeup.
”Li
ndashakesher
.
“
Ohyouareback.Iwantedt
oleavebutHerMaj
est
y
i
nsi
stedIwai
tforyou.
”
“
It
’sokay.Wehaveasur
pri
sef
oryou.
”Li
nda
i
nfor
msher .
“
Forme?
”
“Yes.Openyourhand.
”ShedoesasLindasays.
Lindadropsabunchofkeysi
nherhand,Zodwa
gaspsinshock.
“
Youboughtahousef
orme?
”
“No.It
'syourmoneywet ookitbackfrom theones
who'vebeenwor ki
nghardtoseei tgr
ow.Gobackt o
yourhouse,yourcompanyandal lthebanking
detai
lsareawait
ingforyouthere.
”Zodwabur sts
i
ntotears.
“Ali
ttl
eadvice,don'tbefool
edbymen.Lovedoesn' t
comeatacost ,lovedoesn'thavetermsand
condit
ions.Yesourhear t
saretheonest ofal
lin
l
ovebutweshoul dn'tl
eaveourbrainsatthedoor
themomentl ovecomesknocki ng.Gobackout
ther
ewor kforyourself
,goandseeadoct or
,take
careofthatchi
ldyouar ecarryi
ngandf or
getabout
thepast.
”
*
***
***
***
**
ONEWEEKLATER.
..
.

Nomt
ha'
sPOV.

Idon'tknowwhyI '
mf eeli
ngjit
tery.I
tf eelsli
ke
somet hi
ngbadi sgoingt ohappen.I '
vebeenf eel
ing
l
ikethisforoveraweeknow, Sphatriedt ocalm me
downbuti tdidn'
twork.Thi sfeel
ingissoi ntenseI
fi
ndmysel fsheddingt ear
ssomet i
mes.Gr andpa
tol
dmet obest r
ongandhel eft
.Hel eftbecausei t
washi sti
met ogoandr est.Myphoner ings.
“
MrsSphamandl
a,hel
lo?
”
“
M-ma-ma'am Muzif
aint
ed.
”Thegi
rlsounds
t
err
if
ied.
“
Cal
m down,
wher
ear
eyou?
”
“Onourwayt otheci
tyhospit
al.”Theli
negoes
dead.I'
m sweat
ing,t
hiscan'
tbe!Muzihasamat ch
i
nanhourt imewhatcouldhavehappenedtohim?
I'
m al
readydri
vingoutofthepalace.
“
Cal
lmydearPr
ince!
”Iyel
l.“
Thenumberyouhave
dial
ediscurr
entl
ybusy-
-”Theaut
omati
cvoice
echoesback.Damn!Whatareyoubusydoi
ngSpha?
“Hel
lo.I
'
m onmywayt othehospi
tal
,Muzif
aint
ed.
”
IsayassoonasIanswerhiscal
lback.
“
What?I'
m coming.”Ipar
kthecarandr
unsi
nsi
de
t
hehospi
tall
eavingtheengi
neon.
“Whathappened?Whatar ethedoct
orssayi
ng?”
BothNalediandDadl ookatmeli
keI'
m suddenl
y
speaki
ngChi nese.“
I’
m aski
ngadamnquest i
on!”
“
Hef
aint
ed.
”Dadsaysf
lat
ly.
“
Whatelse?Whatar
eyouhi
dingfr
om medad?
Whati
swr ongwi
thmyson?Tal
ktomeplease.
”
“Si
tdown.
”Dadorders.“
Weneedaheartt
ranspl
ant
assoonasyest
erdayorwewil
llosehi
m--
”
“Wait?Whatdoyoumeanweneedahear t
tr
ansplant?What '
swrongwi t
hhisheart
?”Justthen
mymemor yt akesmeback, backinthedayswhenI
sawt hatvi
sion.<<<Twohol esintheheart
,not
patchable,
aher oi sgoi
ngtolaydownhi sli
fef
ora
youngerchampi ontocont
inuethelagacy.
>>>“No!
Thiscan'
tbe,i
tsnothappening.
”Idon'tknowwhen
Sphaarri
vedbecauserightnowI'
m hisarms
sobbinguncont
rol
labl
y.
“
Itwil
lbef
ineMyRose.”Hesaysashi
sownt
ear
f
all
sonmyf or
ehead.
“We'vefoundt hedonor-
-”Wait?What?Iknowmy
familyisinfl
uenti
alandallbutsomethi
ngdoesn't
feelri
ght.Lastti
meSbust ol
eblood,
don'tt
ellme-
-
no,hecan' tdothatorcanhe?
“Doct
orwhoisthedonor ?
”Sphaaskssoft
ly.I
'
m
surehecanfeelthatsomethi
ngi
snotri
ghtabout
thi
ssaiddonor.
“Iam t
hedonor
.”Mydadsays,Ifeelai
rleavi
ngmy
l
ungs.Iwantmysontosurvi
vebutnotatt he
expenseofmyfat
her
.Ican'
tlethim dothi
s.
“Father-
in-
law?”Sphatr
iestotal
ktohim buthe
sil
enceshi m.I
nmyheadI '
m scr
eamingforhim not
todoi tbutinr
eali
ty,
theonlyact
ivepart
sofmy
bodyar emyeyes.
“
Thi
shasbeendeci
ded,
I'
vesi
gnedthefor
msand
mywif
eagr
eed.
”Dadsaysfi
rmly.Howcanmom
agr eetothissoeasi
ly?Whataboutmysi bli
ngs?
Don' ttheyhavether
ighttosayanyt hi
ngaboutt hi
s?
Itlooksl i
kemywholef amilyisher
e, t
heyareall
l
ooki ngatmewi thpi
t i
fuleyes.Why?Am Idead?Di d
Idiebef oremyson?Li l
lyhugsdadandcr ies,t
hey
alljoininthehug.
“Remembert osticktogetheral ways. ”Dadt ell
s
them, theynodwi thtearsint heireyes.Hesquat s
nextt omeandSpha.“ Son-i
n- l
aw, Godnevergi fted
mewi thal ltheweal thinthewor ldbutHegaveme
mychi l
dr en.Theyar esopr ecioust ome, pl
ease
takecar eoft hem forme. ”Sphanodst earsr unning
freelydownhi scheeks.“ Nomt ha, MyPr i
ncess, dad
wi l
lalwaysl oveyouandIwi llneverleaveyoual one.
I'
ml eavi ngmyhear tbehindf oryou, yourmot her
andyoursi bli
ngs.”I'm sli
ppingdeeperi ntothe
darkness.Icannol ongerhearanyt hing,Icanonl y
seet hem movi ngt heirli
ps.Dadi sleavingme, Ican
feelhim, myhear tisl eavi
ngwi thhim, t
hepai nis
j
ustunbear able.I'
mt ryingtoscr eam maybet he
painwi llbebet t
erbutIcan' t,I'
m nol ongercapabl e
ofmovi nganyofmybodypar tsandmyeyescan
nolongerkeepupwi
thever
ythi
ngt
hat
'shappeni
ng
ar
oundme.

WhenIf i
nall
ycomebackt omysenses,Ireal
izeI
don'
trecognizethesurr
oundings.Wheream I
?So
manybenches, apulpi
t,cr
ossandallthewhit
e
pai
nti
ngsont hewall
.Church?HowdidIgether e?
Someone, apastorIguesswalksuptome.
“Tellital
ltoHi m,Heknowstherout
eyoushoul
d
take.”Hesmi lesatmeandleaves.Gi
vingme
privacy,Iguess.
“DearGod, upunt iltodayyouhaveal waysbl essed
mewi t
hanyt hi
ngIneeded.Ineverl ackedanyt hing
maybet hat
'swhyatsomepoi ntIf
or gotyouexi st.I
thoughtmypower swer eenought osaveal lthoseI
l
ovebutIwasf oolingmysel f.Anypowerwi thout
Youi suseless,Iknowt hatnow.Mysoni satt he
hospitalandmyf atherisaboutt odi eforhim.I '
m
hurt,Iwon'tli
ebutt henletyourwillbedonei nmy
l
ife.Amen. ”Isitt
her ef
oraver ylongt i
me.Dadi s
gone!Idon' tneeddoct orsoranyonet otellme
abouti
t,If
elti
t.If
elthi
sbr
eat
hleavi
nghi
sbodyand
hediedwit
hasmi le.
“Babe,we'vebeenlooki
ngforyoufortwodays
now? ”Sphasays.What ?HaveIbeenint
hischurch
forthatlong.“
Pleasecomehomewi thuseveryone
i
swor r
ied.”
“Twodays?
”Isti
llcan'tbel
ieveit
.“Myfat
her
'sbeen
deadf
ortwodays? ”Heswal lowshar
dlooki
ngat
me,hi
seyesfi
ll
edwi thsympat hy.
“I
’m sor
ry.Pleasebestrong,fat
her-
in-
lawwoul
dn'
t
wanttoseeyoul iket
his.”Yeah.Yethemadethat
deci
sionwithouteventelli
ngmeabouti t
.

Idon'tt
hinkI'
mi nt ouchwi thther ealworld,Idon't
knowwhatdayi tistodaybutI '
vebeent oldthatmy
sonhasgai nedconsci ousnessandmydaddywi l
l
bebur i
edtoday.Doweal waysbur ytheoneswe
l
ovewi thsomuchhast e?Asi fwewer eti
redof
them beingpartofourl ives.Mysi bli
ngsar eintears,
IwishIcanbest r
ongf ort hem, IwishIcant ellt
hem
i
twi l
lbef i
nebutIdon' thavet heener gy.Spha
pushesThando’
swheel
chai
rtowher
eI'
m seat
ed.
“
Mommydoyouhat
eme?
”Thandoasks.
“No.Whywoul dIhateyou?I twasn'tyourfault
, God
decidedandHi swi l
lcamet opass.”Ifai
nt l
ysmi le.I
don'tknowi fal
lofthisisr ealornotbutformy
son'ssake, Ihopei t
'sreal.Therearesomany
peopl egat heredtosayf ar ewellt
omydad.Mom i s
sitt
ingnextt ohersisters,myoneandonl ypaternal
aunt .Justt henInot i
cePr incessNombul elo,
PrincessGuguandPr incessKayi sewithher
husbandar ehere.Someonewai l
sfrom thegat e, t
he
shril
lingvoi cepierci
ngt hroughmyear sst r
aightt o
myal readybr okenhear t.I
t'sKayla,she'
sher ewi th
herf ather.Nont andosqueezesmyhand, Idon't
knowwhenshear ri
vedbuti fmymemor yisnot
playingt ri
cksonme, she'sbeenwi thmef orqui t
e
somet i
me.
“Micayl
a,babe?
”Mom tr
iest
ost
opher
.Sher
uns
str
aightt
othecoff
in.
“
Whygr andpa?Why?Youpromi
sedyouwoul
dn'
t
l
eave-
-”Thandowheel
shimsel
ftoher
.Shewi
pes
hert
ear
s,hesi
tat
eforamomentandt
henf
li
esi
nto
hi
sarms.
“It
'sokaycouzi e.Hisbodyl eftbuthi shear tisher e
withus.Pl easestopcr ying.
”Ir eal
izeI '
m alsocr ying
whenSphawi pesmyt earsusinghi shandker chief.
Hehugsmeandsqueezesmyshoul derasmy
sibli
ngswal knexttohiscof fi
nandst art
ssi nging
‘
Heaven’ byBeyonce.Idi dn'tknowt heycansi ngso
goodyetsohear t
breaking,yeshet aughtust o
l
augh, t
odancei nther ain,t
ol i
vel i
kei twasourl ast
daybutt hen,Heavencoul dn'twaitforhi m.Goon
dearf ather.SbuandSphat akesmet oseehi mf or
thelastt i
me, j
ustli
keSnehe' salsosl eeping
peacef ull
ymaybet her
e'speaceaf t
erdeat ht hen.
Howcant heyallbesleepingpeacef ul l
yifitwasn' t
peacef ultobedead.Mom l ooksatmeandsmi l
es.
I'
veneverseenhert hi
sst r
ong, I'
m surprisedshe' s
managi ngverywell.
“Mydad, well
,Icanwrit
esomanybooksi norderto
fi
nishwr i
ti
nghisbiogr
aphy.Al
lIcansayis,heran
hisraceandit'
stimeforhi
mt ogo.Iknowhe
wouldn'twantmet ocryonsuchagreatdayof
cel
ebr ati
ngthel i
feofaherosoIwon' tcr
y.Iwill
sendhi m offwithasmi l
eli
keheal wayswished.Go
ondearf ather,youmaybedeadbuti nmyhear tyou
wil
lforeverlive.Uz'ungi
khonzelekwabaki
thi
kwelamat honga.Lalangoxolo,GodongakaNzuza.
(Greettheancest or
sonmybehal f
.Resti
npeace,
dad.”

TWELVEYEARSLATER

“
Mommy,
I'
m hungr
y.”Kuhl
egr
umbl
es.
“Kuhl
e,who'sfaul
tisi
t?Your
efusedt
owakeupand
eatyest
erday.
”
“ButIwassadIwantedtosl
eep.”Shepicksacarr
ot
andstar
tseat
ing.She'
stheonlychil
dinthi
shouse
whoeatsrawvegetabl
es.Al
ltheotherswould
rat
herdiet
haneatthem.
“IknowI '
m sorr
y,okay?
”Shenodsandhugsme
from behi
nd.Kuhlefoundoutshe'
snotmy
biol
ogicaldaughter
.Shemetwithastr
angert
hat
l
ooksexact l
yli
keher ,shedi dn'tknowt hesame
strangerwasl ookingf orherandbr oughtherhome.
ItwasPhi l
ipNgcobo’ sdaught er.Shewant edto
meetherf ami l
ymember s.Shemetherni ece,
thankedusandl eft.ThenOkuhl e’
scr azysi de
revealedit
selfwhenshest artedaskingquest ions.I
endedupt el
li
nghershe' sLinda'sbiological
daught er
.Herr esponset ot hatwasamazi ngifnot
shocking.
“Thanksf orfinal
lytell
ingthet r
ut h.Mysi bli
ngsandI
knewt het r
uthallalongwej ustneededyout o
conf i
rmt heDNAr esult
s.IsawmommyLi nda
cryingnextt omybedal mostever ydaywhenIwas
stil
lyounger .Ibecamecur ious,toldmybr others
abouti tandt heydi dtheDNAt est i
ngbecauset hey
alsohadt heirquestionsaboutmypat ernit
y.Ihave
alwaysbeendi ff
erentandasIgr ewol derIl ooked
mor elikemommyLi nda.Ialsor esearchedabout
theNgcobosever ythingtheydi dt oyouand
mommyLi ndaandImustsay, Ihat ethem.Ial so
under standwhymommyLi ndagavemet oyou, i
t
musthavebeenhar donher .Il
oveyoubot h.”And
j
ustl
ikethatshewentt
obedwi
thoutcr
yingor
f
ight
inganyone.

SbuandLi ndafinall
ydeci dedtohaveachi l
dand
theywer etripl
eblessed, t
riplet
het rouble.Youcan
onlyimagi nehowmadt hispalaceget swhent hey
areal lhere.Khosist i
llhasn'tsl
eptwi t
hanygi rlor
datedanyoneeversi nce.Hest illhateswomen, he
sayshecan' tsl
eepwi thsomeonehedoesn' ttr
ust.
Wel l
,ThandoandLedigotmar ri
edat18because
Lediwaspr egnant.Wedi dn'tgivethem ahar dti
me,
Sphaonl yor der
edt hem tocont inuewi ththeir
studies.Juni orisalsomar r
iedtoaLat i
nAmer i
can
girl
,theyhaveachi l
d.
“Mommyl ook!
”Enhleisscreami ngwithj
oy.Itsa
pict
ureofThandowi t
htwobel tsonhisshoulder
s
capti
oned:Thisisforyougr andpa,themanwho
sacri
ficedhisli
feformine.Ifi
nallywonatthe
biggeststageofthem all
.ThankyouGr andpa,we
didit
!Restwi t
hasmi leChamp!
#YourLegacyLivesOn.
Ismil
ewi
thtear
sofj
oyi
nmyeyes.Ofcour
se,
rest
wit
hasmil
eChamp!
Sphawal
ksi
nwi
thabunchofyel
lowf
lower
s.
“MyPr eciousRosé, t
hankyouf orever yt
hing.For
beingt hesunshi neinmyl i
fe,f
orbei ngt hemot her
ofmychi ldren,forstandi ngwi thmeagai nstall
odds, forbui l
dingt hi
sext endedf ami lytoliveinone
peacef ulhome, thankyou.Iwi llalwaysl ove,
cher i
sh,respectandhonoryoual lthedaysofmy
l
ife.Happybi rt
hday, St handwasami .Ukhul eube
ngumamawezi zwe.( Gr owandbet hemot hertoall
nations.)”HeFr enchki ssesmei nf rontofour
chil
dr en.Whenwepul loutt hekiss, theyallhugme,
LindaandSbuar eheret ooaswecl ickourf amily
phot o.
*
*
*
THEEND!
DedicatedtomylovingbiologicalMommy, i
nlovi
ng
memor yofmymat er
nalgrandf atherwhoInever
metbecausehedi edin1987dur ingthewarin
Zimbabwe.From whatlwast old,mom washi s
everyt
hingandvi
cever sa.Thei rstorywascutshort
,
mom, mydearuncl eandmysecondl at
emother(al
l
thei
rsibli
ngsi
ncl
uded)st i
llli
ve(li
ved)wi t
hhis
memor ies.
•
•
Toallofmyf ans,
activereadersandsi lentreader
s,
thankyou.Forall
owingmet ogr ow,formoul di
ng
met obeabet t
erwr i
terwit
hal lyourcomment s,
i
nboxesandf orbeingloyal,
thankyousosomuch.
Seeyouonournextj ourney,somet imei nthe
comingmont hsIneedt orefuelandIwi llbeback.
Onceagainthankyou!Ngi yabonga!Keal eboga!
Ndinot
enda!