THE ONLY HELPER IN MY LIFE:4 CHAPTER 4

For a moment, she felt anger rise in her chest. They had never cared about Ama or her wellbeing. All they wanted was the money.

But now , the money was in her hands.

She took a deep breath and folded the statement carefully. This was something she couldn't handle alone.

She need to wait for Kwame

That evening, as soon as Kwame returned from work, she rushed to him , and welcome him home with a kiss .

Kwame , I found something." She said, her voice still shaky .

Kwame looked at her , concerned what is it?

She handed him the bank statement. Kwame's eyes scanned the document, and when he saw the amount, his brows lifted in shock.

Sister J ….. this is a lot of money.

I know , she whispered. And I don't even know what to do with it."

Kwame exhaled and sat down, thinking. First, we need to secure it . We need to make sure uncle Kwesi and his people can never touch a pesewa of this money.

Sister J nodded . But how?

Kwame's face hardened.

We go legal. We make sure this money belongs to you and Ama alone , and we used that cctv footage to put uncle in his place once and for all.

Sister J looked at him , her heart swelling with love . He wasn't just here for her , he was ready to fight for her and Ama till the end.

She reached out and held his hand tightly. Kwame I trust you .

He squeezed her hand back . Then let's end this .

It was time to take back what rightfully belongs to them

The next morning, sister J and Kwame decided to visit the bank to confirm the details of the account. They knew they had to act fast before uncle Kwesi tried another tricks .

When they arrived at the bank, they went straight to the customer service desk. Good morning, sister J said politely we are here to make inquiries about my late father's account."

The banker , a middle aged man with glasses, looked up from his computer. May I have his name, please?"

Sister J provided the details and the man began typing, within moments, his expression changed

We have been looking for he said .

Sister J and Kwame exchanged a surprise glance. Looking for me?"

Yes ." The banker continued. For months now, your father's account has a significant amount of money, and according to our records, his next of kin is listed as you and your younger sister Ama.

Sister J's heart pounded. Then why didn't we hear about this earlier?

The banker frowned, we have sent multiple messages through a man named uncle Kwesi, who claimed to be a family elder. But he never brought you here . Instead, he insisted that only ama should come and collect the money."

Sister J clenched her fists . That wicked man! So this is why he was so desperate to take ama !

Kwame's jaw tightened. That means he was planning to manipulate her into singing over the money to him

The banker shook his head, well we warned him that we would not release the funds without you and Ama present. Bank policy is very clear, minors cannot withdraw such funds alone, and the rightful next of kin must be involved in any transactions .

Sister J signed in relief. Thank you for that , I had no idea any of this was happening.

Kwame turned to her . This is good news. Now we have confirmation that the money is legally yours and Ama we just need to finalize everything and make sure uncle Kwesi can never interfere again.

The banker nodded to proceed. You will need to provide proof of identity, legal documents proving your relationship with the deceased, and a letter from social welfare department confirming AMA's guardianship under you.

Sister J smiled. We already have that."

Kwame grinned. And we have something else, CCTV footage of uncle Kwesi threatening sister J over her late father's money. That should be enough to keep him far away from us.

The banker eyes widened. That will definitely help if he tries anything legal. Once you bring the request documents, we will release the funds directly to you and ensure they are protected."

As they left the bank , sister J felt a deep sense of relief

The truth was finally out.

Uncle Kwesi wicked plans had failed, and now, she and Ama could truly claim what was rightfully theirs

But they knew one thing for sure uncle Kwesi would never give up easily.

The final battle was just beginning.

That evening, after everything that had happened at the bank kwame and sister J sat quietly in the living room. Ama was already asleep. Exhausted from school.

The house was finally peaceful, but there was still a lot on sister J's mind.

Kwame noticed how deep in thought she was . He reached out and held her hand.

Sister J , he said gently, where is your mother?

Sister J hesitated. She hadn't thought about her mother in a long time. The question brought back painful memories. She took a deep breath before answering.

I don't know where she is , she admitted. All know she left my father when he was sick , she never showed up till this day.

Kwame, sister J nodded it was just me and Ama and my father. And when he died , I had to take care of Ama alone.

Kwame squeezed her hand. Have you tried to find her?

Sister J shook her head. No I don't even know if she is still alive

Kwame thought for a moment. Maybe it's time to look for her.

Sister J's eyes widened Why?

Because she is till your mother, Kwame said gently. And she might have answers , answers about why she left , about your father's past , maybe even about this whole inheritance situation.

Sister J signed. I don't know, Kwame, what if she doesn't want to be found?

Kwame looked at her with determination. Then at least you will have closure. But what if she does want to be found ? What if she regrets leaving? You will never know unless you try.

Sister J was silent for a long time. Deep down, she had always wondered about her mother but she had buried those feelings under years of pain and anger. Maybe Kwame was right. Maybe it was time to find out the truth.

She looked at him and nodded slowly . Okay let's find her."

Kwame smile. I will help you.

Little did they know, finding sister J's mother would uncover secrets they never expected, secrets that would change everything.

The past was about to come back in ways they never imagined.

That hot afternoon,as sister J and Kwame stepped out of the bank , a woman walking down the street caught sister J's attention.

There was something about her the way she carried herself, the way she walked. It was familiar.

For a moment, sister J felt her heart race. Could it be….?

She watched as the woman entered a nearby shop , a well established boutique. Curiosity took over, and before she could think twice, sister J found herself following the woman inside.

Kwame noticed her , hesitation. Sister J , what is it ?

She didn't answer. She just kept walking, her eyes fixed on the woman. Inside the store, the woman was arranging some clothes on a rack. She looked successful, well dressed and elegant.

Sister J's throat felt dry . It can't be….

She took a deep breath and in a shaky voice, called out , Grace. The woman froze.

Slowly, she turned around, her eyes locking onto sister J's,

For a moment, the world seemed to stop.

Then , in a low shocked voice the woman spoke.

What are you doing here?

Sister J felt a lump from in her throat after all these years, after all the suffering, this was the first thing her mother had to say to her?

Kwame standing behind sister J, look between the two women his eyes widening in disbelief

This was mama Grace.

Sister J's long lost mother, tears welled up in sister J's eyes but she quickly wipe them away

I should be asking you that , she said her voice trembling where have you been all this time ?

Why did you leave us ?

Mama Grace looked away , as if struggling with something deep inside her.

I had my reason, she said finally but this is not the place to talk

Sister j clenched her fists . Then tell me where is the place to talk ? Because I have waited years for this moment."

Mama Grace took a deep breath, her expression unreachable. Then she nodded.

Fine , she said fine come with me she led them to a quiet session of the store, away from the customers.

Sister J's heart pounded.

She had so many questions.

And she was finally going to get answers.

Mama Grace took a deep breath and looked away , as if shamed to meet sister J's eyes .

Your father was a good man , she began . When we got married, he did everything for me . He loves me . He provided for me . But she hesitated.

Sister J's hand tightened into fists . But what mama?

Mama Grace. Along the line, I stopped feeling the same way about him . He wasn't the same man I fell in love with.

His business started falling, money became tight and life got harder.

I...I wasn't happy anymore."

Sister J, felt anger rise in her chest, so because he wasn't rich anymore , you left him? You left us."

Mama Grace, winch. It wasn't just about the money, J I felt trapped. I felt like was wasting my life in struggle when I had the chance to start over."

Sister J couldn't believe what she was hearing. Start over with who?

Mama Grace was silent for a moment before she finally whispered someone else."

Sister J's breath caught. So there was another man."

Mama Grace nodded slowly. Yes And he promised me a better life.

Kwame , who had been quite watching finally spoke. And did he give you that better life?

Mama Grace looked around at her expensive boutique and signed. At first yes . He had money , he took care of me , and I thought I have made the right decision. But in the end I lost everything.

Sister J folded her arms , then how are you here running this business?

Mama Grace looked guilty. After everything felt apart, I had to start from scratch, i worked hard to build this store , I survived.

Sister J's eyes filled with tears, not out of sadness, but anger . And all this time , while u you were surviving, did you ever think about us?

Did you ever wonder what happened to me and Ama ? How we suffered after Daddy died

Mama Grace swallowed hard , I thought about you every day J"

Sister J shook her head. Then why didn't you come back