To Mr. Toby, his daughter was a curse, an abomination that should never have walked this earth.
But years later, when his family fell apart and everything he loved was gone, he finally looked back on his actions and realized the child he rejected was the only one who truly loved him.
Ada was a young woman living in a small, lively town of Benine, where everyone knew one another.
She was a beautiful tor with a warm smile and kind heart. Her little wooden shop stood right in front of their house.
And every morning, people would gather around as she worked, chatting and laughing while she sewed.
Her husband, Toby, was a bus driver who worked very hard to take care of them.
He drove people from their community to the town everyday. His old yellow bus was noisy, but he loved it because it helped him feed his family.
They didn’t have much money, but they had peace, laughter, and love. Toby and Ada had been in love since their school days.
When they finished school and learned their trades, they got married. Even though they didn’t have plenty of money.
Their wedding was small and simple, just church members, neighbors, and a few friends. But it was filled with smiles and happiness.
Everyone said Toby and Ada are made for each other. Ada and Toby always dreamed of having two children, a girl first, then a boy.
They would often sit outside at night watching the stars as Toby held Aidah’s hand and said, “One day our children will call me papa and call you mama.”
Aa would laugh softly, resting her head on his shoulder. 4 weeks after their wedding, Ada began to feel weak and sick every morning.
She didn’t understand what was happening at first. Then one afternoon, she bought a small pregnancy test from the chemist shop.
And when she saw the result, she covered her mouth in shock. She was pregnant.
That evening, when Toby came home tired and dusty from work, she ran to him and said excitedly, “Toby, I am pregnant.”
Toby stood still for a second, then shouted, “What you mean you’re carrying my baby?”
He lifted her in his arms, spinning her around as tears of joy rolled down his face.
“Thank you, Ada. Thank you, my wife,” he shouted. From that day, everything changed. Toby refused to let Adah do any housework.
He cooked, swept, washed clothes, and even fetched water. The neighbors laughed and teased him.
“Toby, so now you’re the wife,” one man joked. But Toby would only smile and say, “Let them talk.”
My Adah is carrying our baby. She must rest. Other women in the compound were amazed.
One asked, “Adah, one day, Ada, how did you get a husband who loves you like this?”
Ada smiled shily and replied, “It’s just love and God’s grace.” Whenever it was time for antiatal visits, Toby never missed one.
Even if he came back tired from driving, he would still follow Adah to the community hospital the next morning.
The hospital was small and not well equipped, but that was the only one they could afford.
The nurses there liked them because they were always together. One day, during a checkup, a nose smiled and said, “Good news.
You’re having a baby girl. Ada clapped her hands in excitement. A girl. Toby grinned for Mia to We already have her name, Lillian.
From that day, they started calling the baby by name. Ada was so excited that she bought tiny baby clothes and kept them neatly in a small box beside her bed.
Sometimes at night, she would hold her stomach and whisper, “Lillian, my baby, you will be a blessing.”
Life wasn’t always easy for them. Some days they had only one square meal, but they always ate together happily.
Toby would smile and say, “Even if we don’t have food, we have love.” And Ada would laugh softly in reply, “As long as we’re together, I’m fine.”
Time passed quickly, and soon Aah’s belly grew big. One cold, rainy night in her ninth month, Ada suddenly shouted from the bed, “Toby!
Toby! I think it’s time!” Toby jumped up in fear. Time for what? Adah groaned, holding her stomach.
The baby is coming. He grabbed his keys, wrapped her with a wrapper, and rushed her into his bus.
The rain poured heavily as he drove through the muddy road to the small hospital.
His hands were shaking on the steering wheel. When they arrived, nurses quickly took Ader inside.
Toby couldn’t sit down. He walked up and down the corridor, praying with tears in his eyes.
God, please protect my wife. Please let her live. After a while, the doctor came out and smiled.
Congratulations, your wife has given birth to a baby girl. Toby jumped and shouted, “Thank you, Jesus.”
He wanted to run inside, but the doctor’s face changed. “What’s wrong, doctor?” Toby asked quickly.
The doctor sighed sadly. “Your wife is very weak. We just found out there’s another baby still inside her.
We didn’t see it before because our scan machine has not been functioning for months.
We need to do a quick operation now. Toby’s heart stopped. Another baby, please. Doctor, save my wife.
I don’t care about another baby. My wife is my life. The doctor rushed back inside.
Toby knelt down in the corridor and began to cry. God, please don’t take Adorah away from me.
I can’t live without her. The rain outside stopped. Time passed slowly. Then, after a long silence, the doctor came out again.
This time, his face was full of sadness. Toby ran to him. “Doctor, please tell me she’s okay.”
The doctor looked down and whispered, “I’m sorry. We lost her.” Toby screamed loudly, shaking his head.
No, no. Please do something. She can’t die. But it was too late. Ada was gone.
After a while, a nurse came out holding two tiny babies wrapped in cloths. One sleeping quietly, the other crying weakly.
Your wife gave birth to two beautiful girls. She said softly. Toby stared at them.
Tears rolled down his cheeks. Then he pointed to the crying baby and shouted, “Take that one away.
She’s the reason my wife is gone.” The nose gasped. Sir, please don’t say that.
It’s not her fault. But Toby turned away. I don’t want to see her. She took my happiness.
The nurse shook her head sadly. She’s still your child. By morning, the hospital told him he must take both babies home.
He refused at first, but they insisted. “They are your daughters,” the nurse said gently.
“Your wife would want you to love them.” Finally, with trembling hands, Toby carried both babies.
One was calm, Lillian, the one they had named together. The other was Tiny and crying, the one he now blamed for Adah’s death.
He named her Elizabeth, but his heart was full of anger. That was the day love turned into pain.
And that was the beginning of Toby’s hatred for his second child. When the twins were still babies, Mr.
Toby carried only Lillian in his arms and left Elizabeth crying on the bed. If both of them cried, he would rush to comfort Lillian and pretend not to hear Elizabeth’s cries.
As the years passed and they grew older, the difference between them became obvious to everyone around.
Mr. Toby showed love only to Lillian. He never looked kindly at Elizabeth. At meal times, he gave Lillian the best food, rice with meat and stew, while Elizabeth got whatever was left.
He dressed Lillian in bright new clothes while Elizabeth wore old, faded ones that no longer fit properly.
People in the neighborhood soon noticed the way he treated his daughters. One man said to him one afternoon, “Mr.
Toby, this isn’t right. It’s not the child’s fault that her mother died.” But Mr.
Toby shouted, “Don’t tell me that. If not for her, my wife would still be alive.
She is the reason my aer is gone.” From that day, everyone pitted Elizabeth. Some women would quietly slip her food whenever they saw her sweeping the yard or helping to wash her sister’s clothes.
Elizabeth grew up quiet and gentle. She never talked back or complained. She always tried to make her father happy, but no matter what she did, he never smiled at her.
Lillian, on the other hand, was his pride and joy. By the time they turned 14, Lillian was cheerful and always well-dressed, wearing bright gowns and neat shoes her father bought from the market.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, remained in her old, worn out clothes, and carried herself with quiet dignity despite the pain in her heart.
Every morning before the sun came out, Elizabeth would wake up to sweep the whole compound, wash plates, fetch water, and cook before her sister even got out of bed.
When she finished, she would sit quietly with her books to study. Elizabeth was very smart.
She loved reading and always came first in her class. But Lillian didn’t like books much.
She preferred to watch television and play music with her friends. Sometimes when Lillian didn’t do her schoolwork, Mr.
Toby would shout at Elizabeth, “Help your sister with her homework. Do you want her to fail?”
Elizabeth would obey quietly even when she was tired. She helped Lillian with all her school work and never complained.
Years passed and soon they both finished secondary school. They were 18. Elizabeth dreamed of going to university.
She wanted to study hard and become someone great, someone her late mother would be proud of.
Lillian also wanted to go to university, but for her it was just to enjoy life and have fun.
When it was time to pay their school fees, Mr. Toby gathered them and said, “I can only afford to send one of you to the university.”
Lillian will go. Elizabeth will stay at home. Elizabeth’s heart broke. She knelt down, crying and begging.
“Daddy, please. I’ll work hard. I’ll make you proud. Please send me, too.” But Mr.
Toby looked away. I said, “No, I don’t have money for you. You’re not my blessing.
You’re my pain.” Elizabeth cried all night. The next morning, she watched sadly as her sister packed her bags for school.
Lillian smiled and hugged her. “Don’t worry, Lizzy. When I graduate, I’ll help you,” she said softly.
But Elizabeth could only nod, tears falling from her eyes. After Lillian left for the university, the house became quiet.
Elizabeth stayed at home, cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes everyday. She had no friends and no one to talk to.
Food became her only comfort. Whenever she felt sad or lonely, she ate bread, rice, or Gary to forget her pain.
Slowly, she began to gain weight. Her once slim body became rounder, and she didn’t even notice at first.
But Mr. Toby noticed, and he mocked her everyday. “Look at you,” he would shout.
“Fat and useless. You’re just wasting space in my house. I wish your mother had survived instead of you.
Those words always cut Elizabeth’s heart like a knife. She would run into her small room, shut the door, and cry quietly on her bed until she fell asleep.
Meanwhile, at the university, Lillian was living a very different life. She was not serious with her studies.
Instead of reading, she went to parties and clubs with her rich friends. She wore expensive clothes, took pictures, and posted them on Tik Tok.
Even when her grades dropped, Mr. Toby didn’t scold her. He was just proud that his favorite daughter was in school.
Years later, Lillian finished university. But her result was very poor, just a pass. Still, Mr.
Toby threw a small party in the compound, inviting neighbors and saying proudly, “My daughter is now a graduate.”
Elizabeth helped him cook and serve food that day, even though she wasn’t part of the celebration.
She smiled for her sister, but cried silently in her heart. A few months later, Lillian reconnected with a young, wealthy businessman named Felix, a man she had known briefly during her university days.
He admired her beauty, her confidence, and the way she carried herself. Not long after they started talking again, Felix asked for her hand in marriage.
When Felix and his family came to visit, Elizabeth was the one who served them drinks and food.
She stood quietly dressed in her old gown while the visitors looked at her with surprise.
Some of them even whispered, “Is that her sister?” She looks like their maid. Mr.
Toby didn’t care. He shouted from the sitting room. “Elizabeth, go and bring more drinks.
Be fast. Don’t embarrass us.” Elizabeth obeyed quietly, her eyes filled with tears. Even though she was happy that her sister found love, she felt invisible in her own home.
A few weeks later, Felix’s family returned to finalize the wedding arrangements. The whole compound buzzed with excitement.
Lillian’s friends came around to help her choose fabrics and design her gown. Mr. Toby moved up and down proudly, telling everyone in the neighborhood that his daughter was marrying a rich businessman.
Elizabeth watched quietly from a corner as they laughed and took pictures. No one asked for her help or opinion.
She was invisible, even in her own home. Still, she smiled and whispered to herself, “Maybe this will bring peace to our family.”
As the wedding day drew closer, the house became busier. Visitors came in and out.
Taylor’s delivered clothes and boxes of gifts filled the sitting room. Elizabeth helped with cooking, cleaning, and arranging chairs.
Yet, no one thanked her. But 2 days before the wedding, Elizabeth realized something strange.
No one had mentioned her outfit or told her what role she would play. Everyone seemed to be pretending she didn’t exist.
That evening, she gathered courage and walked up to her father. “Daddy,” she said softly, “what will I wear for the wedding?
I haven’t seen my dress yet.” Mr. Toby looked at her coldly. “Dress,” he said sharply.
“You’re not going anywhere. Stay home. You’ll embarrass us with your dirty clothes.” Elizabeth froze, her lips trembling.
“Daddy, please. I just want to be there. She’s my sister. But before she could finish, Lillian entered the room and interrupted.
Please don’t come, Elizabeth, she said coldly. My husband’s family is rich. I don’t want them to see you looking like this.
Just stay at home. Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. She begged softly. At least let me watch from afar, even if it’s from outside the gate.
But they both ignored her. The morning of the wedding came. Music echoed across the street and cars lined up in front of the house.
Elizabeth stood by the window watching as people clapped and took pictures. Then she saw her sister step into a shiny white car wearing her wedding gown.
Her vision blurred with tears. She pressed her palm against the window and whispered, “Goodbye, Lillian.
I hope your life will be happy.” Moments later, the convoy of cars drove away, leaving her behind.
The compound became silent. Elizabeth sat on the floor of the empty sitting room, holding her late mother’s old picture to her chest.
Tears rolled down her face as she said softly, “Mama, I wish you were here.
You’re the only one who ever loved me.” She stayed there until night came, crying alone in the dark.
That day, something changed inside Elizabeth heart. She promised herself that one day she would rise above her pain and make her mother proud.
3 months after Lillian’s wedding, she called her father one afternoon. Papa, she said happily.
I have good news. I’m pregnant. Mr. Toby’s face lit up with joy. He stood up and shouted, “What?
My daughter? You mean I’ll soon be a grandfather?” “God, thank you.” He danced around the sitting room, smiling proudly.
But just when Elizabeth thought he would share that happiness with her, too. He turned and mocked her again.
“See your sister,” he said. Pointing at her. She’s married and already expecting a baby.
And you? All you do is eat and get fat every day like someone with no purpose.
Elizabeth didn’t say a word. She just kept sweeping the compound slowly, pretending not to hear.
But deep inside, her heart broke again. Every insult felt like a wound. Yet, she still whispered quietly to herself, “One day, God will remember me, too.”
Months passed and soon Lillian gave birth to a baby boy. The news spread fast.
“Mr. Toby was overjoyed. “My daughter has given me a grandson,” he shouted around the compound proudly.
He even bought drinks for the neighbors to celebrate. 2 weeks later, things began to change in Lillian’s house.
She was home alone most of the time, struggling to care for her newborn. Felix went to work early and returned late, leaving her exhausted and sleepless.
The baby cried often and she hardly had time to rest. One evening, weak and overwhelmed, Lillian called her father.
“Papa, please, I’m so tired,” she said softly. “Taking care of my baby is not easy.
Please send Elizabeth to help me. If mama were alive, she would have been here to help.”
Mr. Toby nodded quickly. “You’re right, my daughter. If not for that girl, your mother would still be alive.
I’ll send her to you tomorrow. The next morning, he called out loudly. Elizabeth, come here.
She came running from the backyard, wiping her wet hands on her dress. Yes, Daddy.
Mr. Toby looked at her with his usual cold eyes. Pack your bags, he said.
You’re going to help your sister take care of her baby. If your mother was alive, she would be doing it.
But since you caused a death, you’ll do the work instead. Elizabeth’s heart skipped, but she nodded quietly.
Yes, daddy. Even though his words hurt deeply, she felt a little happy inside. At least she was leaving the house.
The pain, the shouting, and the insults. Maybe her sister’s home would be different. Maybe she would finally be treated with love.
That night, she packed her small bag with a few clothes and whispered to herself, “Maybe things will change for me this time.”
She was excited about finally leaving her father’s house. The next day, the driver, Mr.
Toby Hyatt, took her to Lillian’s house in Lagos. It was a big, beautiful home, painted white with fine curtains and shiny floors.
Elizabeth smiled softly when she entered. Lillian came out of the sitting room carrying her baby.
“Elizabeth, you’re here,” she said, but her face didn’t look welcoming. “Listen,” Lillian said sharply.
You’ll be waking up by 4:00 a.m. Every morning. Clean the whole house, wash the bathrooms, cook food, and make sure the baby’s things are ready.
Don’t ever enter my bedroom. Do you understand?” Elizabeth nodded quietly. “Yes, I understand.” “Good,” Lillian said.
“And remember, don’t touch anything that’s not yours.” From that day, Elizabeth became more like a maid than a sister.
She worked from morning till night cleaning, washing, and cooking every day. When Lillian wanted to rest, she would call Elizabeth, “Come and take the baby.”
Elizabeth would carry the baby gently, rocking him to sleep while Lillian watched movies. At night, when everyone was asleep, Elizabeth stayed awake, taking care of the crying baby.
Sometimes, she would doze off on the chair with the baby in her arms. She did everything, yet no one thanked her.
Lillian shouted at her almost every day. Elizabeth, you didn’t clean the floor well. Elizabeth, the food is too salty.
Elizabeth would bow her head and say softly, I’m sorry, Lillian. Days turned into weeks.
Elizabeth worked without rest. But then something worse began to happen. One afternoon, when Lillian went to the market, her husband Felix came home early.
Elizabeth was in the pala dusting the flower vase when she suddenly heard Felix behind her.
He came too close and tried to touch her wrongly. Elizabeth jumped back quickly. “So, please don’t do that,” she said, her hands shaking.
“But Felix smiled wickedly. Don’t act like a child,” he whispered. “I know your sister doesn’t pay you.
I’ll start giving you money to take care of yourself, to buy anything you want.”
He stepped closer again, touching her cheek. I just want us to enjoy each other’s company, he said.
Elizabeth stepped back again quickly. No, sir. Please stop. I’ll tell my sister. Felix’s face changed.
He frowned angrily and shouted, “Stupid girl. No one will believe you, not even your sister.”
Elizabeth was terrified. She ran into her small room and locked the door, shaking and crying.
After that day, she became more careful. Whenever Felix was around, she stayed far away.
She wanted to tell Lillian, but she was afraid. She knew Felix was right. Lillian wouldn’t believe her.
She would probably say, “You just want to destroy my marriage.” So, Elizabeth kept quiet and suffered in silence.
2 days later, while Felix and Lillian were sitting together in the living room, Felix laughed loudly and said, “My love, how can this fat thing be your sister?
Are you sure there wasn’t a mistake in the hospital? Lillian laughed so hard that tears came out of her eyes.
I’ve thought about that too, she said. Look at me, beautiful and perfect. And look at her round like a ball.
Anyway, she’s only good for cleaning and cooking. Elizabeth was walking by when she heard their laughter and words.
She stopped quietly and stood behind the door listening. Her chest felt tight, her eyes filled with tears.
That night, she went back to her small room, lay on the bed, and cried until her pillow was wet.
She whispered softly to herself, “Maybe they are right. Maybe I shouldn’t even be alive.
Maybe mama should have lived instead of me.” One week later, Lillian stood in front of the mirror, admiring herself with a smile.
Her baby was asleep, and her husband, Felix, was getting ready for work. “Felix,” she said suddenly, “I want to buy the new iPhone 17.
Give me the money today. Felix looked at her in surprise. Lillian, the new iPhone.
That’s almost 4 million naira. Can’t it wait a little? Lillian frowned. Wait. So, you’re saying you can’t afford it?
Felix sighed tiredly. Business hasn’t been moving well these days. I’ll get it for you soon, but please be patient.
Lillian’s face changed instantly. You mean you don’t have money for your wife? I can’t believe this,” she shouted, throwing her hairbrush on the bed.
Before Felix could speak again, she stormed out of the room in anger. Felix stood there quietly for a moment, shaking his head.
“God, please give me peace in this house,” he whispered, then picked up his car keys and went to walk.
That night, after dinner, Felix and Lillian lay on the bed. Felix tried to hold her lovingly, but Lillian pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me,” she said sharply. Felix looked confused. What’s wrong again? Lillian folded her arms.
Until you buy me that new phone, don’t even think of touching me. Felix sighed deeply and turned to the other side of the bed.
He waited until Lillian fell asleep and began snoring softly. Then a dark thought crossed his mind.
He got up quietly, opened the door, and tiptoed down the hallway to Elizabeth’s room.
Elizabeth was already asleep on the small mattress beside the baby’s crib. When Felix pushed the door open and entered, she woke up suddenly and saw him standing there.
Her heart jumped. “Sir, what are you doing here?” She whispered in fear. Felix didn’t answer.
“He came closer, his face dark and wicked. “Be quiet,” he said in a low voice.
“You know what I want.” Elizabeth’s eyes widened in shock. “Please don’t do this. I’m begging you.
But he tried to grab her hand. This time, Elizabeth screamed with all her strength, “Help!
Somebody help me!” Her loud scream woke Lillian instantly. She rushed out of her bedroom and ran straight into Elizabeth’s room.
“What’s going on here?” She shouted. Felix quickly stepped back and said loudly, “It’s your fat sister.”
She dragged me into her room while I was going to the kitchen for coffee.
She tried to seduce me. Elizabeth’s face went pale. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “That’s not true,” she cried.
“He has been forcing himself on me for months. He comes home early just to touch me.
I screamed because he came again tonight.” But Lillian didn’t believe her. Her eyes burned with anger.
“You took my mother from me,” she shouted. “And now you want to take my husband, too?
Look at you. Fat, ugly, and useless. My husband can never want you. You’re leaving my house tonight.”
Elizabeth fell to her knees, crying. Please, Lillian, it’s not true. Remember, I’m your only sister.
But Lillian’s eyes burned with anger. You didn’t remember I was your only sister when you tried to seduce my husband, she shouted bitterly.
Then she turned to Felix and said coldly, “Throw her things out.” Felix didn’t hesitate.
He picked up Elizabeth’s small bag and tossed it outside the gate. Then Lillian shouted to the gateman, “Lock the gate.
Let us stay out there. Elizabeth stood outside in the dark night, clutching her small bag.
Tears rolled down her face as she struggled to believe that her own sister had thrown her out.
Slowly, she began to walk down the quiet street. It was midnight. The road was empty, and dogs barked from far away.
Her slippers were dusty. Her eyes were red from crying. As she walked, a black Mercedes-Benz car slowed down beside her.
The glass rolled down and a man’s gentle voice spoke. “Young lady, why are you walking alone at this hour?
Are you lost?” Elizabeth stepped back, frightened. “Please don’t hurt me,” she said softly, still crying.
The man looked surprised. “Hurt you?” “No, no, please don’t be afraid.” He opened the car door and stepped out.
