The Heir
753 Words
The next morning, Nomadlozi finally joined the others for breakfast. Guilt still lingered from her behavior the night before.
Josh and Lily were in a hurry, rushing off somewhere. Since their destination was along Aiva’s school route, they offered to drop her off.
Soon, it was just Nomadlozi and Nomafu left at the breakfast table.
Mavis brought Nomadlozi a bowl of granola and yogurt.
> “Nontombi,” Mavis said with a gentle smile, “I don’t even remember what you like for breakfast anymore. It’s been so long since you sat at this table in the morning.”
> “I had some time today, so I figured—why not?” Nomadlozi replied, shrugging as she spooned fruit salad into her bowl.
Nomafu watched her closely. Too closely.
> “What?” Nomadlozi asked, eyebrows raised.
> “Nothing,” Nomafu said, eyes still sharp. “It’s just… Pa made it clear we all need to go to Adam’s braai. So—what did you get him?”
> “Yoh… Honestly? I haven’t had time. I really wish I didn’t have to go.”
Her voice dropped with sincerity. She looked down at her food.
> “It’s okay, wena. Just focus on work. I’m sure Pa wasn’t that serious—it’s just a braai,” Nomafu said casually.
> “Yeah, but…”
> “But nothing. I’ll talk to Pa.”
Nomadlozi sighed in relief. She had no reason not to trust her sister.
> “Thanks, sisi,” she murmured before turning her attention to her food.
Nomafu watched her eat and smiled to herself. Everything was going exactly according to plan.
---
At the Khoza Manor
Mandla and his brother Judas had called a family meeting.
Sbusisiwe was the first to arrive, followed by Mzwakhe and Bongeziwe. They took their seats around the long dining table, the air thick with expectation.
> “Babe,” Sbusisiwe said, glancing at her watch, “can we start? I’ve got business to handle.”
> “We’ll wait for your brother,” Mandla said, sipping his whiskey.
> “What’s this all about, babe?” Bongeziwe asked, slouching slightly. He looked like Adam’s twin—tall, slim, brown eyes—but had the laid-back demeanor of a stoner.
Mandla was just about to tell him to shut up when Adam finally walked in.
He looked... off. Like sleep had become optional.
> “Finally,” Mzwakhe muttered, rolling his eyes.
Adam took the closest seat without saying much. He barely got involved in the family business, only handling legal work here and there.
> “Makhathini,” he greeted with a slight bow of the head.
Mandla nodded, motioning for him to sit.
> “Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” Mandla began, reaching across the table for Ivy’s hand. She gave it a soft pat—an unspoken cue to proceed.
> “I’m stepping down.”
The room went still.
This was the company he had built from nothing—now worth millions. A legacy carved in concrete and blood. He had done all this so that his great-grandchildren would never know hunger.
Sbusisiwe smiled knowingly. She had worked alongside him for years. There was no one better prepared than her.
> “Sbusisiwe,” Mandla said.
She immediately stood up, beaming.
> “Thank you for trusting me, Daddy. I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
> “I know you won’t, my girl. That’s why I’m trusting you… to teach Adam everything you know. He’ll be taking over for me.”
The room shifted.
Shock rippled across the faces of her brothers. Even Adam looked blindsided.
> “Congratulations, Zalo,” Bongeziwe said, rising to shake Adam’s hand.
> “I have faith in you,” Mzwakhe added, also offering a handshake.
But Sbusisiwe didn’t move.
She stood frozen, an unreadable expression on her face. Her smile was gone.
Adam noticed.
> “Makhathini,” he said softly, “I appreciate the offer… but Sesi would be a better leader than me.”
Mandla had expected that.
> “This isn’t about you. Your sister understands the business—but she can only support the leader. Not be the leader.”
Sbusisiwe’s face darkened as each word hit her like a slap.
> “Right, my girl?” Ivy asked, trying to soften the blow.
Sbusisiwe looked around the table.
All those years of loyalty. Of sacrifice.
And still—betrayed.
- Writer
