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*Chapter 28: JOBLESS BUT RICH*
6:47pm. Front door opened. No security announcement. No driver. Just footsteps.
Chioma was in the kitchen. Making tea. Because fever was gone but Nurse said “soft foods, plenty fluids.”
She heard the door. Looked up.
Daniel.
No suit jacket. No tie. White shirt sleeves rolled up. Hair messy like he ran his hands through it 100 times. No phone in hand. No briefcase.
Jobless.
Chioma’s chest tightened. “You’re home early.”
Daniel dropped his keys on the table. Sound echoed. Too loud. “I’m home forever, I think.”
Chioma set the mug down. Careful. “The board...?”
“Fired me,” Daniel said. No bitterness. Just fact. “Emergency vote. 46-1. I was the 1.”
Silence.
Chioma crossed the room fast. “Daniel, I’m sorry. If I didn’t get sick—”
Daniel caught
