Victor had not stopped watching the wall clock. And this has also not stopped Ruth from wondering either.

What is he thinking?

The more she struggled to read his mind the more she knew she cannot. And when a sound later came from where he sat, her eyes focus on him.

“I still cannot believe my brother and his wife are both dead.” he began. “It all happened so fast and I don’t know what to say—what do you think? Is it for my good or—” 

“I am uncertain.” She cut in, didn’t let him finish. She could sense the direction he was driving in now. And she also knows she has to be careful what to say or get him infuriated. She sat up, forcing out the inhuman treatment Victor melted on her a couple of days ago. And knew for sure those groaning sights can never disappear from the mind of Joan either even though she never wants to talk about it.

Her eyes bored into Victor once more as she made ready to continue the conversation that had begun. “It is so sad and that is horrifying for that little boy, Ade—” 

“I don’t give a damn about that little boy, for all I care he is just like his father—selfish. Can’t you see it in his eyes? The way he is looking at me, I mean at us.” He intruded angrily. “His days are numbered. He can’t stay here under the same roof with me. And I am just waiting for Rodson, my late brother’s lawyer to fix this mess. For now, my brain is still suffocating.” 

Ruth knew he got plans and those plans don’t include Ade. Even when he seeks to get his father’s properties and wealth not meant for him. Since David got a son, he shouldn’t be talking about acquisitions. “Ade must go back to school. He has been talking about it ever since he moved in with us—”

He noticed Victor’s eyes redden. And that got goose pimples on her skin.

“I don’t want to talk about that—if he goes back to school he will become too clever and that’s not good for my plans.”

Ruth gave him another round of stare and wondered what he was talking about or what he got in his dark mind.

As she looked into space, she fears the future of Ade who she has come to love even more dearly.

Now she felt even more remorse about the death of his parents and wish God will have mercy on him. She knew Victor certainly won’t because he has given himself to drunkenness and drugs.

Victor is an addict and any time she spoke about this. He flares up and becomes so violent like an untamed animal ready to beat her up to stupor.  

Looking away from Victor, she only felt so sorry for Ade—Ade Omaroe.

The food was still on the table and Ade had refused to eat ever since the food was served. The more he stared at the food the more hungry he became but reluctantly refused to eat. 

It all started when memories of the past crept in a few minutes ago and his appetite dropped. As his thoughts flew once more, noise from behind him stopped it. Suddenly he spun around and noticed Joan by the door watching him. He can’t say for how long she stood there but it was obvious she wants to come in. He watched her walk into his little bedroom. 

She is such a nice girl who has certainly gotten that virtue from Ruth and not his father, Victor.

Moments later, he watched her sit beside him. “How old are you, Ade?” She demanded calmly.

Ade looked at her and wondered why but ventured instead, “I am six, and you?”

Joan suddenly became lively. “Nine—”

Ade's looks put her off for a while but later she struggled. “You aren’t eating—anything the matter? Your food will become cold soon and—”

Ade cut in quickly. And this time Joan noticed tears running down to his cheek and then dropping down to the floor. “I still wonder why God decided to make me an orphan, I never saw this coming. I am missing my parents. The more I think about them the more I can do nothing!” 

Joan felt his pains and knew she was completely lost in words to encourage him. The more she stared at him, the more her heart sank. Shifting closer to him, she began rather slowly. “I don’t think God is wicked to have allowed this—you know what? My mother will always say. All things work together for good—God is also the God of the orphans and you are not alone Ade. We are here for you. Mother and I, perhaps father—” 

Ade knew his uncle will never be his father. Victor and David never got along too well because of victor’s bad attitude and gambling personality. Ade looked away as his thoughts got frozen for a while. 

Joan noticed Ade had not resumed school ever since he joined them. For Victor had said, he got no money for his expansive education and that too was making Ade depressed.

Seconds later, their eyes both fell on the meal in front of them. “You need to eat now Ade. My mother said you should. You don’t have to starve yourself—please.”

Minutes later, she watched Ade eat, and that made her happy and full of smiles.