“Take this to the back of the hall.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Drop it on the table behind.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I need everything to be perfect.”

“Okay.”

“Leave us. I need privacy.”

“Grace, my dear stepdaughter. I was just thinking about you.”

“Auntie Sophia, this is unexpected. You haven’t called me in three years.”

“Oh, Grace, you’re still so formal. We’re family. Anyway, I’m calling with wonderful news. Jessica is getting married tomorrow.”

“That’s… that’s great. Please tell Jessica I said congratulations.”

“Actually, Jessica asked me to invite you to the wedding. She wants her big sister there.”

“She did? But Auntie, I don’t think—”

“Grace, Jessica has been asking about you. She feels terrible about how we drifted apart after your father passed. Grace, your sister is getting married. Are you really going to miss it because of a uniform? Or because you’re too proud to come as you are? Family is family, my dear. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Mom, look at it properly this time. The designer said it was custom-made just for me. Do you think it’s beautiful?”

“It’s exquisite. The detailing, the cut—it fits you like royalty.”

“Really? You’re not just saying that?”

“I just want Daniel to look at me the way Dad used to look at you.”

“Trust me, he will.”

“Thank you, Mom. That’s all I needed to hear. Mom, what’s wrong? You look strange.”

“Nothing’s wrong, darling. Everything is perfect. I just got off the phone with Grace.”

“Grace? You called her? Why would you?”

“She’s your sister, isn’t she? I thought you’d want her at your wedding.”

“Mom, you know Grace and I haven’t spoken in years. Not since Dad died. And we… I don’t think she’d—”

“Oh, but she does. She’s coming this afternoon.”

“I have to take this.”

“Grace, I don’t trust this. Your stepmother has never shown you kindness. Why would she start now?”

“I know, Blessing. But what if Jessica really does want to see me? She’s my sister. My father’s daughter. I can’t miss her wedding because I’m afraid of Sophia.”

“Your father’s daughter hasn’t called you once in three years. She didn’t even come to your graduation from nursing school.”

“Jessica was always caught in the middle. Sophia controlled everything after Daddy died. You know that.”

“I know. And I know you loved your father. But Grace, this dress, these shoes—you’re going to a society wedding in Lekki wearing this?”

“Sophia said to come as I am, that no one would judge.”

“And you believed her? Grace, wake up. She’s setting you up.”

“Maybe. But I have to try. For my father’s memory. He would have wanted his daughters together.”

“Lekki, Lekki, Lekki. Oh, yes. From the back. Give me money.”

“Thank you all for coming. We’re so happy you’re here.”

“To the bride and groom.”

“Cheers!”

“Did you hear Sophia invited the poor daughter? The one from the first wife?”

“The daughter Jonathan had with that… what was she? A schoolteacher?”

“When Jonathan married Sophia, that girl was pushed to the side. Now she’s apparently some kind of nurse in Mushin.”

“Can you imagine? From this mansion to Mushin?”

“Why would Sophia invite her here to this kind of event?”

“Why else? To remind everyone where she belongs. And to remind the girl herself.”

“Excuse me. This is a private event. The service entrance is around the back.”

“I’m not… I’m invited. I’m Grace Williams. Sophia Williams invited me.”

“Williams? You’re family?”

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