Boaz held her hand as they stood outside a beautiful beige mansion in Nairobi. The manicured lawn looked like money. The house looked like authority. And every step closer felt like walking into judgment.
Nasieku’s palms were sweaty. Her breath shaky.
“Relax,” Boaz whispered. “They’ll love you. Or at least… they better.”
He squeezed her fingers.
Inside, elegance whispered wealth. Photographs of achievements hung on the walls. A blend of silence and pressure lived inside this house.
Claire Njeri — Boaz’s mother — sat with crossed legs, expensive perfume filling the room. Her eyes scanned Nasieku like a security camera.
“And this is…?” Claire asked, forcing a tight smile.
“My girlfriend,” Boaz said proudly, tightening his arm around Nasieku.
Her eyebrow twitched. “Girlfriend?”
“And… she’s pregnant.”
Silence ripped through the room.
Claire’s face hardened. “Excuse me?”
Before she could speak further, Lazarus walked in from his study.
And the world stopped.
His eyes met Nasieku’s.
Shock.
Recognition.
Guilt.
Longing.
Pain.
Her fingers trembled.
His throat tightened.
He swallowed slowly, pretending nothing burned inside him.
Boaz continued, proudly. “Dad… meet Nasieku. She’s the one. I’m going to marry her.”
Silence.
Lazarus stared at her like she was the only storm that ever mattered.
Claire exploded.
“Boaz Njoroge! How can you bring shame to this family!? Pregnant before marriage? And with—” she paused, glaring at Nasieku, “—a campus girl you barely know?”
“Mum—”
“No! I warned you! You bring a woman here for marriage, I must approve!”
Boaz clenched his jaw. “I love her.”
“You don’t know what love is!” Claire spat. “Huyu ni gold digger. Trapper. Opportunist!”
Nasieku sank into herself.
Lazarus finally spoke.
“Claire. Enough.”
She turned sharply. “Excuse me?”
Lazarus didn’t look away from Nasieku.
“Boaz is an adult. His decisions are his.”
Boaz blinked. “Dad… you’re okay with this?”
Lazarus exhaled slowly.
“I have nothing to say.”
Nothing to say…
Yet everything to feel.
Boaz frowned. Claire mocked a bitter laugh.
“Fine. If this is what you want, then marry her. But don’t expect blessings from me.”
Boaz stormed out.
Nasieku followed.
Lazarus watched her leave.
Her eyes lingered on him. Just a second.
Enough to break both of them.