The soft morning sun spilled over Kampala's bustling streets, casting a golden glow on the towering buildings and busy markets. At Inkton hotel, Sally Raymond adjusted his sunglasses, a rare peacefulness settling over his usually restless demeanor. The weekend was here, and that meant the ritual he had grown to cherish: taking his son, Dexta, to Orbit International High School to visit Zaria.
Dexta was nearly ten, a lively boy with a contagious smile and endless curiosity. For weeks now, these visits had become a source of genuine happiness for both father and son. Sally found comfort in watching Dexta's face light up as he played and laughed with Zaria—someone who, though young, had become an unexpected anchor for their little family.
Sally's heart warmed as he opened the car door for Dexta, who bounded out excitedly, clutching a small bag of snacks carefully packed for Zaria. The boy's enthusiasm was contagious, and Sally smiled despite the heavy weight he carried beneath his calm exterior.
Yet, while Sally found joy in these simple moments, his home life had become a stark contrast.
---
At the Raymond residence, Beatrice sat alone in the quiet of her bedroom, scrolling through her phone anxiously. Weeks had passed since she hired Esau, a private investigator, to follow her husband. Her suspicions had grown like a shadow, darkening every corner of her thoughts.
Esau had promised results, but so far, there was nothing concrete.
No secret meetings, no late-night rendezvous, no evidence of infidelity.
Just images of Sally spending time with Dexta. And numerous visits to Orbit International High School.
Beatrice's fingers trembled as she tapped through the latest photos sent by Esau. One particular set showed Sally standing outside the school gate, Dexta by his side, and a teenage girl nearby. The girl appeared bright and cheerful, but the images were blurry—her face obscured by poor lighting and camera angles. It was impossible to tell who she was.
Beatrice's jaw tightened. The mystery girl had become the center of her growing unease.
"Who are you?" she whispered, frustration mixing with fear.
The vague pictures left her with more questions than answers. She had no clue this was Zaria—her own daughter, living a life just beyond her reach.
---
The quiet hum of the city was a world away from the warmth radiating from the grounds of Orbit International High School.
Zaria sat beneath the shade of a neem tree, clutching a book she hadn't read in minutes. Her mind was elsewhere—filled with the anticipation of the day's visitors.
Suddenly, a familiar black Range Rover rumbled to a stop, and Dexta leapt from the back seat with his usual energy.
"Zaria!" he called, waving his arms in the air.
Zaria smiled, rising to meet him. Sally followed close behind, the corners of his mouth tugging into a soft smile as he watched his son embrace the young girl.
For Zaria, these visits were moments of light in a life often shadowed by uncertainty. Sally and Dexta's presence made her feel part of a family, a place she had yearned for but seldom experienced.
They settled beneath the calptus trees, sharing snacks and stories.
Dexta proudly presented a drawing he had made: three stick figures holding hands—labeled "Me," "Daddy," and "Z."
Sally chuckled softly. "You're lucky to have a sister like her," he said.
Zaria's heart stung, but she swallowed the ache and smiled. "I'm lucky to have a brother like him too."
---
Back in the calm of her bedroom, Beatrice's phone buzzed. Esau was calling again.
"Any news?" she asked sharply, biting back the rising panic.
Esau's voice was steady. "Nothing suspicious so far. Your husband's visits are consistent. Mostly school runs with Dexta, business meetings during the week. No signs of an affair."
Beatrice's breath hitched. "What about the girl in the photos? The one at the school?"
Esau sighed. "The photos aren't clear. The lighting was bad, and angles didn't help. She's always there when they visit, but I can't say who she is."
Beatrice stared at the phone, frustration pooling inside her. She imagined the girl's face—bright and smiling—but the blurry images kept her from seeing clearly.
"It's driving me crazy," Beatrice admitted. "Who is she? Why is Sally so happy when he's with her and Dexta? I don't understand."
Esau was quiet for a moment. "I'll keep watching. Hopefully, clearer pictures will surface soon."
---
That weekend, Sally again arrived at Orbit International High School, his heart lighter than it had been in months.
The bond between Dexta and Zaria was growing, and with every laugh and shared secret, Sally felt the heavy weight of his past lifting, even if just a little.
Dexta, eager as always, ran ahead to greet Zaria. Sally followed with a smile, feeling the warmth of family in a way he hadn't known since before his marriage fractured.
But unknown to them, shadows were closing in.
Beatrice's eyes burned with jealousy and suspicion, her heart clenched by the unknown. The blurry photos, the vague reports—they fueled her determination to uncover whatever secret Sally was hiding.
And though she did not yet know the girl's true identity, the truth was closer than she imagined.
---
That night, Beatrice sat in the dark, her mind racing.
She didn't realize that the young girl who brightened her husband and son's days was Zaria—her own flesh and blood.
And that the family she sought to control had already begun to heal, piece by piece, without her.