One year later, life seemed peaceful.
Then one morning, news spread on the radio and in the newspapers about a wealthy businessman who had "joined his ancestors" a few days earlier.
Chioma and Isaac heard it, but they never imagined it was Mr. Don Emeka.
Not until the phone rang.
It was Emeka's mother.
Her voice was heavy with sorrow.
"My daughter… my son is gone. Emeka is dead."
The words felt like a knife piercing Chioma's heart.
She dropped the phone.
Tears flooded her eyes. She did not even know where to begin — how would she tell Isaac that his father would never return from China?
For days, she cried silently.
Then one sunny afternoon, she called Isaac to sit beside her.
"My son," she began softly, her voice shaking, "your daddy… has gone to be with God."
Isaac was still too young to understand death. He simply looked at her with confusion.
"Will he come back tomorrow?" he asked.
That innocent question broke Chioma completely.
She cried louder than before. She cried until no tears came out anymore. Her body trembled, her strength left her — and she collapsed.
"Mummy! Mummy!" Isaac screamed.
Only the gateman heard him. He rushed in, carried Chioma, and took her to the hospital.
She stayed there for several days.
When she finally woke up, Isaac was sitting beside her bed.
"Mummy, what happened?" he asked gently.
Chioma forced a weak smile.
"Nothing, my son. Don't think too much."
But deep inside, everything had changed.
After she was discharged, preparations for Emeka's burial began.
The burial ceremony was grand, filled with people, music, and mourning — but Chioma felt empty.
After the burial, the extended family called for a meeting.
Their faces were cold.
They announced that all of Mr. Don Emeka's properties belonged to the family.
Chioma and Isaac would keep only one car.
That was all.
Chioma pleaded. She begged. She reminded them that Isaac was Emeka's only son.
But her words fell on deaf ears.
They were chased out of the mansion with only a few clothes and the car.
In one week, the rich woman became homeless.
Devastated and confused, Chioma did not know where to go.
With trembling hands, she called Sochi.
After a long silence, Sochi said coldly,
"You can stay in my house… but only for one week."
Chioma had no choice.
Holding Isaac's hand tightly, she stepped into an uncertain future.
But she did not know that this was only the beginning of her greatest test…