The face from the shadows - by Success Ntamene

<h1>*EPISODE 23</h1><h2>“The Face from the Shadows”*</h2> Zara walked into the faculty hall late. Her eyes scanned the room lazily until they landed on the man standing in front, chalk in hand. She froze. He turned slowly, and their eyes met. *Raymond.* The same Raymond who vanished four years ago after whispering, “I’ll be right back.” The same one who owned her heart. But now… he was standing there in a crisp black shirt, older, more confident — *her lecturer*. Zara felt her chest tighten. She sank into the seat beside *Boma*, who noticed immediately. “Why you dey look this man like say na ghost?” Zara whispered, “Because he is.” Meanwhile, Aisha hadn’t spoken to Deniem in weeks. The file, the shock, Zara’s bombshell — it was too much. But something didn’t add up. Why had her surname changed at age 5? Why was there no official DNA? Her roommate, *Lami*, barged in holding a letter. “Babe, you get admission letter from the UK.” Aisha blinked. “I didn’t apply.” “It’s a scholarship from a foundation signed by… Deniem’s dad?” Confused and shaking, Aisha ran outside. At the same time, Deniem was staring at a DNA report on his phone: *Probability of Relation: 0%.* “She’s not my sister…” he whispered. Back in class, Raymond dismissed the students but called out, “Zara, wait behind.”Her heart pounded. “You lied to me.” He nodded. “I didn’t die. I was taken.” “For what?” He leaned closer, voice low. “I was working undercover. Your mother had me arrested. She knew something I didn’t.” Zara’s jaw dropped. “My mum? What did she know?” Raymond hesitated, then said: “She knew who your real father was. And that changes everything.” From a corner, *Teejay*, Zara’s ex, snapped a photo of them together. Smiling wickedly. “Perfect,” he muttered. “Time to break the internet.” *To be continued…* Her heart pounded. “You lied to me.” He nodded. “I didn’t die. I was taken.” “For what?” He leaned closer, voice low. “I was working undercover. Your mother had me arrested. She knew something I didn’t.” Zara’s jaw dropped. “My mum? What did she know?” Raymond hesitated, then said: “She knew who your real father was. And that changes everything.” From a corner, *Teejay*, Zara’s ex, snapped a photo of them together. Smiling wickedly. “Perfect,” he muttered. “Time to break the internet.” *To be continued…*

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