Life teaches us that you can't control someone's loyalty. No matter how good you are to them, that doesn't mean they will treat you the same way. No matter how much they mean to you, that doesn't mean they will value you. Sometimes the people you love the most, turn out to be the people you can trust the least.

Being betrayed hurts, but it hurts more if it is coming from a family member. It is heartbreaking honestly. If you can't trust your family to love you and protect you, who can you really trust? Family betrayal can make one question their worth. It leaves a constant ache in the heart that is hard to mend. Family betrayal cuts deeper than any other because it taints our understanding of love and loyalty.

Ruqayya wipe away her tears, knowing she has to stop crying. If her mother sees her crying again, she will give her an earful about how she needs to be strong for her daughter.

Ruqayya smiled, thinking about her daughter. The only reason she is still sane is because of her little daughter. She was doubting herself if she will ever love her child when she was pregnant, but that little girl has completely captured her heart. She can't think of life without her.

"I have been looking for you and you are just sitting down here smiling like a fool" Hassana shake her head, staring at her daughter. "What are you doing here?"

"I am not doing anything" She replied pouting like a child.

"We were discussing something important downstairs and you left, why?" Her mother asked, sitting beside her on the bed.

"I was really tired so I came upstairs to rest" 

"Ruqayyah" Hassana got up from the bed and examine her daughter's eyes. "Have you been crying?" Hassana questioned, staring at her daughter's red puffy eyes. She hates it whenever her daughter cries so much. She doesn't expect her to forget everything that happened in her life just like that especially when there is someone reminding her of it all the time, but she needs to stop thinking.

"Mum please not today" Ruqayya was about to get up and leave the room when her mum stopped her. She knows what is coming next.

"You need to stop thinking, Ruqayya. I know it isn't easy, but it been years! Six years!"  Hassana moved closer to her daughter and held her hands "I know it is hard for you to forget. I know everything that happened left a deep scar in your heart that will take time before it heals, but you have to stop thinking about it for the sake of your happiness and for the sake of your daughter. You need to be happy, Ruqayyah"

Hassan wipe away her tears because she can't be advising her daughter to stop crying and she is doing the same. She needs to be strong for her.

"It is hard to forget everything. I am also trying to forget but it is very hard"

"Don't you  feel happy knowing those responsible for your pain are being punished?"

"But they are family! Even if I am happy, I can't help but feel sad too"

"They are not your family. They wouldn't have brought so much pain to people they consider family" Hassana understands what her daughter is going through, but she needs to understand her real family will never hurt her.

"Come back here! Where are you running to? Farida! Amal!"

Hassana and Ruqayyah heard Habiba shouting Farida and Amal's name. Those three never get tired of running around.

Hassana wipe away Ruqayya's tears knowing Farida, Amal and Habiba are coming towards her room.

Farida and Amal ran into the room and walked towards Hassana "Please do not tell here we are here" Farida whispered to Hassana and quickly hid in the closet with Amal. Hassana nodded, smiling at them

"Where are those little girls now?" Habiba asked, walking into the room. "Please tell me if they are here" Habiba was standing in front of her mum and Ruqayya, trying to catch her breath.

"Why do you like behaving like a child?" Hassana asked her daughter who rolled her eyes. "I can't be telling Farida and Amal to stop running around when their aunt keeps doing the same" Hassana was getting tired of Habiba acting like a baby. She needs to get married and leave her house, maybe she will have sense when she gets married.

Ruqayya was staring at her mother and sister who were arguing again. They never get tired of arguing honestly. Her daughter and Hamida's daughter walked out of the closet and hugged Habiba from the back. Yes, Farida is her daughter and Amal is Hamida's daughter. She decided to name her daughter Farida the first time she set her eyes on her. She needed someone or something to keep reminding her of her friend.

"So you both are here!" Habiba narrowed her eyes at Farida and Amal, shaking her head. Those little girls really troubles her a lot.

"We wanted to play hide and seek but you said you were busy so we had to run with your phone" Amal said, laughing at her aunt.

"And what did I tell you about running around?" Hassana asked her little granddaughters.

"We were just having fun, mum" Habiba replied her, knowing she will start scolding the both of them.

"You are always supporting them, why?" Hassana glared at Habiba. Farida and Amal never do wrong when it comes to Habiba.

"Because they are my little baby, right girls?" Habiba asked them and high-five them each. They both  nodded laughing at their grandma.

Hassana shake her head knowing she can't win any argument when it comes to Habiba, Amal and Farida. Those three are best friends.

Ruqayya smiled, looking at the exchange between Hassan, Habiba, Amal and Farida. This isn't their first time arguing and she is very sure it won't be the last either. She never gets tired of them because it makes her happy seeing them like that.

"I need to go and prepare dinner" Hassana glared at them and left the room.

"We want to help" Farida shouted and ran after her. Habiba and Amal also did the same, leaving Ruqayya in the room alone.

Ruqayya had a genuine smile on her face, staring at the door. Those four are the most important people in her life right now. She is glad they are here with her. She noticed her mum has changed a lot since she left her dad. They both got divorced few months after she gave birth. Her mother assured her it is for the best. Her and Habiba didn't like the idea but they had to respect their mum's decision. Omar bought a house for Hassana so they both moved in with their mother. Their father comes to check up on them once in a while and they also check up on him. Things have really changed between Ruqayya and her father. Omar meant every word he said to Habiba in the hospital because he has really changed. He is no longer that heartless father. He treats both Ruqayya and Habiba equally. Although, things are still a little bit awkward.

Ruqayya sighed thinking about Hamida. It would have been really fun having Hamida here with them also, but unfortunately it won't be possible. Hamida was arrested by the police the same day Ruqayya gave birth to Farida. Their grandmother, Hajiya Aisha vowed to make them pay for their sins. She got  Adama, Hamida, Sameer, Junior and Yusra arrested. Adnan was also arrested because he knows about what happened and decided to keep quiet. Hamida, Sameer and Junior were sentenced to 30years imprisonment, while Adnan was sentenced to 15years imprisonment. Yusra and Adama were both sentenced to life imprisonment. They found out Hamida was pregnant after spending few weeks in prison, that didn't make them release her. Instead they looked after her till she gave birth. Hassana had to take the baby home with her the day Hamida gave birth. Hamida's ex husband comes to the house every weekend to check on Amal and also takes Farida and Amal out once in a while. He divorced Hamida that same day Ruqayya gave birth.

A lot of things happened that night. What Adama told them was not even the full story because they later realized Farida didn't die that night Yusra stabbed her, Adama noticed she was still alive when she checked the car that night, but decided to leave her there until she died.

None of the family members were happy seeing their loved ones in prison, but they all got what they deserved. Most of the family member, including Ruqayya begged Hajiya Aisha to bury the case, but she refused. She said they have to be punished for their crimes even though they are family.

Ruqayya has learnt that sometimes you have to move on without certain people. If they are meant to be in your life, they will catch up. Few years back, she never imagined life without Hamida, but there is nothing she can do to bring her back. Even if there is, she will never give Hamida a chance in her life. Not after what she did to her!

Ruqayya is presently in her final year in university. She got admission a year after she gave birth to Farida. Alhamdulilah, everything is going smoothly in their lives. Habiba will be getting married in the next 3 months. They will all miss her so much because she will be living in Lagos when she gets married.

Talking about marriage, Ruqayya doesn't know if she is ready for that. She doesn't even think she will be ever ready for marriage. Although, she is seeing someone presently, but she is not sure about the person yet. He is aware she has a daughter and the whole story, but she is still not sure she is ready to spend the rest of her life with him. Her mum told her she needs to get married because of Farida, even if Farida wasn't in the picture she will still get married. Hassana told her Farida will start asking of her father very soon because she has asked her why Amal's father is always coming to see her and her own father doesn't come. Kids can be very smart these days.

Her boyfriend might accept her and her daughter, but what about his family? Will they accept a single mother to get married to their son? Someone who has a very complicated past? What will she tell them if they ask her who the father of her child is? How can she start explaining to them that her own cousins took advantage of her and she doesn't even know which of them is the father of her daughter? She has lots of question, but she doesn't know the answer. She will get answers to her questions when the time comes, but she has to stop thinking about all those things for now!

"Why are you crying? You want me to call Aunty Hassana?" Aliya asked, walking into the room.

Ruqayya didn't know she was crying until Aliya asked her why she was crying. She needs to stop crying like a baby all the time. She has to stop! "I didn't know I was crying" she told her cousin the truth.

"If you keep crying like this, how do you want me to feel? My mother and brothers are in jail , Ruqayya. The woman that gave birth to me is in jail. Despite everything she did, she is still my mother" Aliya blink back her tears, thinking about her mother and brothers. She is happy they are getting punished for their sins although it is still not easy for her. Those are the people she loves dearly 6years back.

"Can we all go to the park today? Like can we go and have fun?" Ruqayya asked, changing the topic. She doesn't want to make Aliya feel bad talking about Adama and her brothers. They need to move on and try their best to forget about the past!

"Of course! Let me quickly change" Aliya walked out of the room, excitedly. She needs something that will take her mind off things. She has been thinking of her mother too much these days.

Ruqayya got up from the bed and walked to the closet to change her cloth. Aliya has been living with them since they moved into the house. Mukhtar can't take care of her all alone so Hajiya Aisha suggested she starts living with Hassana and her children.

Ruqayya walked out of the closet, fully dressed. She carried her bag and walked downstairs so she can inform Habiba and the kids about their outing.

Life is too short to waste your time on anger, regrets, worries and grudges. Life is really too short to be unhappy!

Alhamdulilah! We are finally done! I am so excited we are finally done. It is been a beautiful journey so far. Thank you so much to everyone who read, vote and comment on this book. I really appreciate you all❤️❤️ May Allah bless you all!

Thanks for the love guys! I love you❤️❤️❤️❤️

I will be writing a new book soon Insha Allah❤️