Secrets and Sacrifice

Zainab sat by the window, one hand on her stomach.

The test was still on the table.

Positive.

How could she bring a child into a life she didn't even understand yet?

There was a knock on the door.

She didn't answer.

But the door opened anyway.

Yusuf.

He stepped in, eyes instantly locking on the test.

He froze.

"Zainab…"

His voice cracked. "Is it…?"

She nodded slowly. "I'm pregnant."

Silence stretched between them.

Not anger. Not shock.

But something deeper.

Something raw.

"I didn't plan this," she whispered.

"I didn't either," Yusuf replied. "But I'm not walking away."

She looked up, surprised.

"You're not scared?"

"I'm terrified," he admitted. "But I'm here. With you. For you. For this child."

Tears filled her eyes—but she didn't let them fall. Not yet.

She was still deciding what she wanted.

---

Later that night, Yusuf's phone buzzed.

A name flashed on the screen:

Lana.

His ex.

He ignored it.

But the second buzz was a message:

> You didn't tell her about the contract, did you?

I'm coming to Lagos. She deserves to know.

He paled.

Zainab wasn't the only one keeping secrets.