Chapter 8: Farewell and Fresh Gossip

I told my aunty I wanted to move out of the Chief’s house.

If I really wanted to keep my distance, I shouldn’t keep living under the same roof as Tunde.

My aunty held my hand, tears falling down her face.

I’d lived in the Chief’s house since I was ten. It’s been five years now. We saw each other every day, so she was really sad to let me go.

Her tears wet my palm as she pressed her forehead to my hand—a mother’s blessing and a farewell. Her grip shaking. I almost changed my mind, but I held firm.

"Zainab, is it because you heard that Tunde is about to discuss marriage with the Commissioner’s eldest daughter?"

I was shocked.

It felt sudden, but also like it was meant to happen.

Even I wanted to change my fate in this life.

Of course, Tunde would also want to fix the regrets of his past life.

But I was still a bit confused.

"Isn’t Morayo the Queen chosen by the Oba?"

My aunty explained:

"Back then, when the Oba arranged the Prince’s marriage, he didn’t say which Morayo. There’s a second Morayo in the family, but she keeps a low profile and is not well known. If the eldest Morayo marries Tunde, the Morayo family will likely send the second Morayo to the palace."

"They haven’t announced the marriage talks yet. I only heard the Chief mention it by chance last time."

I nodded, finally at peace.

The tangled fate from the last life could be corrected in this one.

Just wait for Ifedayo to arrive in Ibadan in half a month.

Then, I can move out.

I started packing quietly, folding each wrapper with care, preparing my heart for freedom.