Chapter 1: The Divide
Episode 1: The Inheritance
The sickly sweet smell of death lingered in the air as I entered Father’s chamber. My heart pounded against my chest, each beat a painful reminder of the inevitable. Father’s once-robust frame had withered, his skin hanging loosely on his bones like an ill-fitting suit.
“Sade,” he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Come closer, my child.”
I inched forward, my feet dragging across the worn wooden floor. The room seemed to shrink, closing in around me as I approached his bedside. My stepsister, Bidemi, hovered nearby, her eyes darting between Father and me like a vulture eyeing its prey.
“It’s time,” Father wheezed, struggling to sit up. “I must divide my property between you and your sister.”
My stomach churned. This was it – the moment that would shape our futures.
“There are two portions of land,” he continued, his breathing labored. “You, as my firstborn, shall choose first.”
A flicker of hope ignited within me, but it was quickly extinguished by the harsh voice of my stepmother, Fulu.
“No!” she barked, her eyes flashing with anger. “Bidemi will choose first. She is the younger, after all.”
I bit my tongue, tasting blood. The injustice of it all threatened to overwhelm me, but I forced myself to remain calm. Father’s eyes met mine, filled with sorrow and regret.
“Very well,” he conceded, his shoulders sagging in defeat. “Bidemi, make your choice.”
Bidemi strutted forward, her chin held high. “I choose the fertile land to the east,” she declared, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips. “The one with the lush crops and verdant grasses.”
My heart sank. I knew what was left for me – the barren wasteland to the west, a stretch of land so desolate it seemed to repel life itself.
“Then the western plot shall be yours, Sade,” Father said, his voice heavy with remorse. “I’m sorry, my child. But remember, with hard work and dedication, even the most barren land can flourish.”
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thank you, Father. I will make you proud.”
As I turned to leave, I caught sight of Bidemi and Fulu exchanging victorious glances. Their smugness ignited a fire within me. I’d show them. I’d turn that wasteland into a paradise, even if it killed me.
