TWO MOTHERS

The letter came on a Tuesday. Zara Ayodele stared at the hospital envelope in her trembling hands. Ink smudged from the rain. “DNA Results: Confidential.” She was 24. An orphan painter who survived on freelance portraits and instant noodles. The Cole family was a myth to her. Billionaires. Power. A world she only saw through gallery windows. Across Port Harcourt, Damian Cole was signing a $200M merger when his assistant burst in. “Sir. The paternity test you ordered last month… there’s been a mistake.” Damian frowned. “What mistake?” “Zara Ayodele. She’s not an outsider. She’s your sister.” The pen snapped in his hand. For six months, Damian had been falling for her. Late-night talks at her small studio. The way she painted anger into colors. He was supposed to marry another woman in 30 days. A contract to save the Cole Group. But now the DNA said it was impossible. Zara didn’t know him yet. But his mother did. And his mother was hiding something about the night they were born. Two mothers. One secret. And a love that could destroy two families. The letter came on a Tuesday. Zara Ayodele stared at the hospital envelope in her trembling hands. Ink smudged from the rain. "DNA Results: Confidential." She was 24. An orphan painter who survived on freelance portraits and instant noodles. The Cole family was a myth to her. Billionaires. Power. A world she only saw through gallery windows.