"So, you're saying your mother abandoned you… for power?" I asked Ruth, trying to wrap my head around it.
She sighed. "Yes. As hard as it is to believe, that's exactly what happened." Ruth scoffed, shaking her head. "Tsk, she's so naive to think a power-hungry man like Assey would ever hand over his power to her." Her lips curled into a smirk. "But you know, I really like James. Even though he was just a pawn, I wouldn't mind having him as my father. Besides… I don't even know who my real father is."
Her gaze softened as she looked at Uncle James, still fast asleep.
She let out a small yawn and stretched. "Can you leave for a bit? I need to rest. And… forgive me in advance if I slip back under Assey's control, okay?"
I hesitated but eventually nodded. Standing up, I walked out of the room, shutting the door behind me. Even though Ruth seemed fine now, I had no idea what she might do to Uncle James if Assey took control of her again.
Sitting down on the doorstep, I sighed, my mind heavy with the wickedness of this world. As exhaustion weighed on me, I slowly drifted into sleep.
— — —
In a dark, eerie forest, a strikingly beautiful woman was bound to a massive tree. She wore a flowing African-patterned dress, her face streaked with tears.
"Assey! Assey! I am your sister, for goodness' sake! Release me! Leave my daughter alone!"
A sharp slap echoed through the forest, silencing her cries.
"Will you shut it?!" Assey spat, glaring at her. "You will suffer for everything that daughter of yours does to me." His eyes gleamed with cruelty. "Weren't you the one desperate for power all those years ago? What changed? Let me make this clear—I have your daughter now. I will use her until nothing is left of her but dust and bones."
The woman—Aiko—pleaded, her voice trembling. "Assey, please. She's my only child. She's your niece! You're family! Stop this madness! There is nothing greater than the God of the Heavens. You cannot defeat Him. Please, end this now and bring Ruth home."
Assey sneered, looking at her with pure disdain. "Don't try to use family ties to change my mind. And let me tell you something—" His voice darkened. "I loved Anna. But she died because she defied me. And I will destroy anyone who dares to do the same."
Aiko's eyes burned with fury. "Then why don't you kill God? Can you?! Take back your words! You never loved Anna. You are a twisted, heartless monster! You killed her, and now, you're planning to erase the only evidence of your so-called love. You want to kill Anaya! And because of your madness, you dragged my innocent daughter into this!"
Hatred gleamed in Aiko's eyes. At that moment, she no longer cared what Assey would do to her.