The morning sun crept gently through the curtains, painting Splendour's room in a warm golden glow. The sound of distant laughter and birds chirping filled the quiet house a soft reminder that last night had been nothing short of beautiful.
She sat at her desk, still wearing her silk nightgown, with a steaming cup of tea beside her and her old brown diary opened in front of her. It was the same diary she'd been keeping since she met Alfred every emotion, every tear, every joy written carefully in her small, neat handwriting.
She smiled as her pen touched the page.
"November 10th Last night was perfect. I watched my world come together in one room my family, his family, my friends, my love. For the first time in a long time, I felt peace. The kind that sits quietly in your heart and whispers, 'You made it.'"
She paused, twirling the pen between her fingers. Alfred's words from the night before echoed in her mind 'You deserve every bit of it.'
Splendour sighed softly, a shy smile curving her lips. "I do, don't I?" she whispered to herself.
Naomi and Enisa were still asleep in the guest room after the dinner, and the house smelled faintly of fried eggs and coffee her mum was already in the kitchen, humming her favorite gospel song. Everything felt right, peaceful, and steady.
Her phone buzzed on the table.
A message from Alfred.
Alfred: Good morning, sunshine 🌞. Did you sleep well? I miss you already.
Her cheeks flushed. She quickly typed back,
Splendour: Good morning, my peace. Last night feels like a dream I never want to wake up from.
Before she could lock her phone, another message popped up this time from an unknown number.
Unknown Number: Be careful of the promises sealed with blood.
Her heart skipped a beat. She blinked, reading it again.
The message had no name, no photo nothing. Just that one sentence.
For a moment, the peace in her chest wavered. She looked toward the window, the sunlight now feeling oddly harsh against her skin.
"Maybe it's a wrong number," she whispered, shaking her head. She closed her diary slowly, trying to brush off the chill that ran through her.
But deep down, something inside her knew this morning was different.