The woman in the hospital bed didn’t blink. Her eyes—bright gold, burning like coins fresh from a fire—just stared.
“Get away from her!” June shouted. She lunged, reaching for her mom, but slammed into something she couldn’t see. It was like hitting a wall. She flew back, smacking into the cold glass window. Outside, the city lights of Umuahia blurred and spun. Her chest ached—she couldn’t breathe. Her hands shook so badly, the wooden spoon in her grip buzzed like an angry bee.
“Patience, June,” said the woman who looked like her grandmother. She smoothed her silk dress, every movement slow and graceful. “No daughter should attack her mother. Especially now, when her mother is finally about to be… profitable.”
June forced herself off the floor, gasping. Her knees felt like jelly. “That’
