Chapter 1: The House of Three

By TeeNami

Thirteen years had passed since the sound of a woman’s laughter last filled the small white house on Thomas Street. Yet somehow, her presence still lived in the walls, in the scent of the flowers she once planted, and in the quiet strength of the man she left behind.

Mr. James was not a rich man, neither was he poor. He was the kind of father who made sure rice never finished in the house, and his daughters’ school fees were always paid on time, even if it meant he wore the same pair of shoes for two years. he is a civil servant by profession, he carried himself with quiet dignity a man who had learned to smile even when life didn’t smile back.

His daughters, Grace and Danielle, were his pride. Grace, the elder, was in her final year at the university calm, focused, and gentle, just like her late mother. Danielle, two years younger, was more outspoken, always teasing her sister and her father, always bringing laughter into their quiet evenings.

Their home was small but warm. Every Sunday morning, they sat around the dining table, eating yam and egg sauce as their father reminded them of one simple rule: “No matter what happens in this life, never forget where you come from.”

Life moved gently, until love entered Grace’s world.

She met Mike during an inter university debate competition. He was confident, brilliant, and kind the type of young man that could make a girl dream of forever after one conversation. They started talking, sharing late night calls and small secrets. What began as friendship slowly grew into something deeper, something that made Grace’s heart race each time his name appeared on her phone.

Her father noticed the change the sudden smiles, the longer hours on the phone but he didn’t say much. “She’s growing up,” he thought to himself, and simply prayed she wouldn’t forget the values her mother had taught her.

But love can be gentle and still dangerous.

Months later, Grace found herself holding a small pregnancy test in her trembling hands. The two red lines blurred before her eyes as tears fell uncontrollably. She sat on her hostel bed, unable to breathe, unable to think. The world around her turned silent.

She called Mike, At first, he was quiet. Then he promised, “I’ll handle it, Grace. Just give me time.” Days passed, then weeks. His messages reduced, his calls became excuses. And finally, one evening, he said he was traveling out of the country for an opportunity. He promised to stay in touch but promises are light things; they can fly away too easily.

Grace returned home for the semester break, her body growing heavier, her spirit sinking lower. She tried to hide it, but her father noticed the sadness in her eyes. He pressed her, and finally, one night, the truth came out trembling lips, tears, and the words that broke a father’s heart:

“Daddy I’m pregnant.”

The silence that followed was colder than harmattan.

Mr. James stared at her, speechless. His hands shook as he stood up and walked away from the table. He didn’t shout, didn’t curse he just stopped talking. For six long months, he spoke only to Danielle. He went to work, came back home, ate quietly, and locked himself in his room.

Grace cried every night. She wrote apologies in her diary, prayed for forgiveness, and wished she could turn back time. Danielle tried to talk to her father, but he only shook his head. “Let her think,” he said once. “Life must teach her what words cannot.”

But even the hardest heart has limits.

One night, while everyone slept, Mr. James woke up to drink water. On his way, he passed Mary’s room and heard her sobbing softly. Through the half-open door, he saw her kneeling, whispering between tears, “God, please forgive me… and tell my father to forgive me too.”

Something broke inside him.

He stood there for a long moment, then slowly walked into the room. Grace froze when she saw him, wiping her tears quickly. But he only sat beside her, sighed deeply, and said in a shaky voice,

“Grace, I only have you two. You are my world. I may be angry, but I can’t stop being your father.”

Tears filled her eyes as he continued,

“We who have only daughters, we want to see them successful. A woman can rise and be great even without a man. Don’t let this mistake stop your future.”

Grace fell into his arms, crying. For the first time in months, peace returned to the house of three.

Outside, the night was quiet. Inside, a father’s heart had learned to forgive and a daughter’s heart had found hope again.

To be continued...

Thanks for reading, comment and follow for more African stories