The house was finally quiet.
Pamela rocked her baby girl slowly, humming under her breath. The night lamp glowed warm gold against the pale curtains, casting a gentle halo over the tiny bundle in her arms. Outside, Lagos traffic had thinned; only the occasional motorcycle buzzed past.
She should have been asleep.
But that text kept echoing in her head.
Be ready for fatherhood when secrets come out.
At first she had brushed it aside. People made mistakes, sent wrong numbers. But the words felt deliberate almost threatening. Secrets. The single word pricked at her like a thorn.
Daniel was in the next room, finishing a call. She'd heard his low voice through the door earlier, quick and hushed. When she came closer, the conversation stopped.
Pamela sighed and looked at her baby's face. Little lashes trembled against cheeks the color of warm cocoa. "Your daddy and I… we don't keep secrets," she whispered, unsure if she was convincing her daughter or herself.
Have you ever had that quiet fear that love might be hiding something from you?
Hours earlier, when Mama Grace mentioned the message, Pamela had laughed it off. She didn't want her mother worrying. But all evening she'd caught Daniel checking his phone, then tucking it away quickly. He'd been sweet made her tea, changed diapers but there was a distance in his eyes she couldn't name.
Pamela tiptoed toward the bedroom. Daniel was there, sitting on the edge of the bed with his back to her, phone in hand. His shoulders looked heavy.
"Daniel," she said softly.
He startled, then smiled too quickly. "Hey. Baby finally asleep?"
Pamela nodded and climbed onto the bed, studying him. "Who were you talking to?"
He froze just a second barely but enough for her to notice. "Oh… just an old friend from school. Checking in."
Pamela wanted to believe him. She really did. But the knot in her stomach didn't loosen.
"Oh," she said, matching his casual tone. "That's nice."
Daniel kissed her forehead and set his phone face down on the table. "Let's sleep, Pam. You need rest."
She let him pull her close, but her mind didn't rest. Long after Daniel drifted off, she lay awake, staring at the ceiling, listening to the tiny sighs of their newborn in her bassinet.
Secrets, she thought again.
The next day was a blur of baby cries, diaper changes, and family visitors. Pamela's cousin brought jollof rice. Her neighbor stopped by with gifts. Everyone smiled and cooed over the baby, and Pamela played the part of happy new mother.
But inside, unease curled tighter.
At one point, while Daniel stepped out to take another call, Pamela picked up his phone where he'd left it on the couch. Her heart pounded she hated snooping. But curiosity was a beast.
She tapped the screen. Locked.
Of course.
She'd never needed his passcode before. They trusted each other. She hesitated, guilt rising. Maybe she should just ask him straight. But what if… what if there really was something he was hiding?
She put the phone back just as Daniel walked in. He smiled, holding grocery bags. "Hungry? I got plantain."
Pamela smiled back, forcing normalcy. "Always."
He didn't notice her shaking hands.
Would you look if you thought your partner was hiding something, or would you rather not know?
That night, exhaustion claimed Pamela fast. She woke later to soft voices Daniel talking again on the phone. She stayed very still, eyes closed, breath even.
"…I know, but now's not the time," Daniel whispered. A pause. "She just gave birth… I can't tell her yet."
Pamela's heart jolted.
She kept her breathing steady, though every nerve screamed. Who was he talking to? What couldn't he tell her?
"…I'll handle it," Daniel said finally. "Don't contact me again for now."
Silence. Then the quiet click of a phone locking. The mattress shifted as Daniel lay down.
Pamela kept her eyes shut and stayed very still until his breathing grew slow and even. Only then did she open her eyes to the darkness, wide awake, heart pounding.
Something was happening. Something Daniel didn't want her to know.
She looked toward the bassinet. Her baby stirred, making a tiny squeak before settling again. Pamela reached out and touched the little hand, so impossibly small.
"I'll protect you," she whispered soundlessly. "Even if it means finding the truth alone."
The next morning, Daniel acted normal too normal. He kissed Pamela's cheek, joked about the baby's loud cries, made breakfast. But when his phone buzzed on the table, he snatched it up instantly and stepped outside.
Pamela sat frozen, spoon in hand.
Enough.
She got up quietly and went to their small wardrobe. Daniel's wallet and some papers were usually tucked inside a leather folder there. She hesitated, then slid the folder open.
Inside was his passport, some old work letters and an envelope she'd never seen before.
Her hands trembled as she pulled it out. On the front was written in a neat, unfamiliar hand: "For Daniel open when ready."
Pamela's breath caught.
She wanted to open it. She didn't want to open it. Her heart thudded so loudly she was afraid Daniel would hear it from outside.
She slipped a finger under the flap
"Pam?"
Pamela nearly jumped out of her skin. Daniel stood in the doorway, eyes on the envelope in her hand.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Daniel's smile vanished.
"Why are you holding that?" he asked quietly.
Pamela's throat went dry. "I… I was looking for baby wipes."
His gaze flicked to the envelope, then back to her face. His expression was unreadable.
"Pamela," he said slowly, voice low but firm, "put it down."
She hesitated, clutching the envelope to her chest like a lifeline. "What is this, Daniel?"
Daniel took one step closer, jaw tight. "Please. Just give it to me."
Pamela shook her head slightly, fear and hurt twisting together. "Why are you hiding things from me?"
For a heartbeat, the room was silent except for the faint coo of their baby waking in the bassinet.
Then Daniel said something that made Pamela's whole body go cold.
"It's not what you think," he said softly. "But if you open that… everything will change."
Would you open the envelope, even if it could shatter the fragile happiness you've just built?
To be continued…