Chapter 14 — The Garden Truth
The clock ticked past midnight.
Esi moved quietly through the house, each step echoing louder than it should. The mansion slept. But she couldn't.
She wrapped her scarf tighter as she stepped into the garden. The breeze whispered through the trees, and the flowers glowed softly in the moonlight.
Her footsteps slowed.
He was already there.
Akoto.
He stood in the shadows behind the orange tree, just like the note had said. Silent. Waiting.
Esi walked forward carefully, eyes on him. "I came."
His voice was low. "You didn't run away."
She crossed her arms. "I'm not here to play games. I want answers. You once told me your sister disappeared. Are you ready to tell me what really happened to her?"
Akoto's jaw tightened. "You want to know?"
"Yes. She was following her dreams, right? What happened?"
He stared at the ground. Then looked up, eyes hollow.
"Her dream... was me."
Esi blinked. "Her dream was you? As in?"
Akoto's face twisted with pain. "They killed her. They forced her into marriage. They ripped her away from me. Ama was my sister... my love... my everything."
Esi stepped back. "Wait. What are you saying? I thought Ama was your sister—"
Akoto interrupted. "She was. But she was also mine. We loved in silence. Until they silenced her forever."
Esi's breath caught. "So why did you lie to me? That day we met , you told me she was just your sister."
Akoto's eyes darkened. He said nothing.
Esi took another step back. Her instincts screamed. "Why am I even here?"
He looked up sharply. "To pay for death. That's why you're here. To take pay for her death."
"No. I'm not Ama. I'm not here to pay for anyone. I just want the truth!"
Akoto's hand trembled. He pulled something from his coat.
A knife.
Esi's stomach dropped.
"I see Kwabena happy again. Laughing. Living." Akoto's voice cracked. "While I'm rotting. Still bleeding. First, he took Ama. Then they killed her. Now he has you."
Esi's voice shook. "Please, Akoto—"
He took a step forward. "If I can't have peace, then neither will he. He took my love... now I'll take you. And he will feel the pain I've felt."
"HELP!" she screamed.
The sound shattered the night.
Lights flicked on inside the mansion. Doors flew open. Footsteps rushed.
Kwabena came charging through the garden gate, followed by the maids. "Esi!"
He saw her—struggling with Akoto.
"Let her go!" Kwabena roared, grabbing Akoto's arm and wrestling the knife away.
The two men fell to the ground.
Maids screamed. One ran to Esi. Another shouted for the gatekeeper.
Akoto howled like a wounded animal as Kwabena pinned him down.
Esi collapsed to the grass, breathing hard, tears mixing with sweat.
Kwabena turned to her. "Are you okay?"
She nodded weakly. "I... I didn't know... he lied... all of it."
Kwabena pulled her close, shielding her. "You're safe now. I'm here."
But even in his arms, Esi's mind spiraled.
Because something had cracked tonight.
And nothing... would ever be the same again.