Brotherhood

Chapter 16 : Poisoned Roots

> "Yes oh! The second son of Adam! Twin brother of Taye! My brother’s football star!"

Tola stepped back. His voice turned cold.

> "Why did you bail me out? After all you did. You tried to kill us."

The uncle laughed, warm and loud.

> "Kill you? Tola, don’t be deceived. Taye must have filled your head with lies. I loved your father—he was my only brother. I could never hurt him."

> "You murdered our parents. Stole their wealth. Chased us into the streets."

The man frowned, shook his head sadly.

> "All lies. Your father was killed by his own people. Taye never told you that part, did he? Because the truth doesn’t serve him."

Tola's fists clenched.

> "You drove us out. Took everything."

> "No. Taye did. That boy was proud, arrogant. Always deciding for both of you. He dragged you into the streets. He made the choices. You just followed."

Tola looked shaken. The man nodded slowly.

> "You suffered because Taye was too proud to ask for help. Too proud to return. And now he left you in prison… to die."

> "You’re lying."

The man smiled.

> "Sparrow. Bring it."

A man with dreadlocks handed him a phone.

On the screen… a picture.

Taye. Dressed in a black suit. Laughing. Beside a woman. At a hotel. Smiling.

The same night Tola had been screaming in pain.

> "You see? While you rotted in that cell, he was enjoying life. With her. A woman. Ajoke, they said."

Tola stared, numb.

> "If I were your enemy, I would’ve let you rot. Or die. But I didn’t. I saved you."

His voice softened.

> "Your father believed in you. So do I. Join me. And you will inherit everything. Wealth. Power. Legacy."

Tola trembled. His voice cracked.

> "He left me…"

> "Yes. And now life is giving you a second chance. Don’t waste it."

Tola looked at the screen again. Taye’s smile burned into his eyes.

He whispered:

> " blood betrays"

( uncontrollable tears flow through his eyes)

His uncle smiled. A dark, satisfied smile.

Fade to black.