On the other hand, at Obinna Hospital, Obinna walked to the floor-to-ceiling window of his luxurious office, gazing out at the bustling city. Just then, his iPhone 16 rang on the desk. He waited a few seconds before walking over to answer it. The caller ID flashed: Nightengale Academy, the prestigious school where Erimma was enrolled, renowned for its high standards and a student body comprising children from influential families across Nigeria and abroad.
Obinna frowned and quickly answered. 'Hello?'
'Good afternoon, Dr. Obinna,' came the smooth voice of Mrs. Adeyemi, the school's principal. 'I hope I'm not disturbing you.'
'No, not at all. Is everything okay with Erimma?'
'Oh, yes. She's fine. This is about Family Day coming up this Friday.'
Obinna sat down heavily behind his desk. His brow furrowed. 'Right. I forgot that was this week.'
'We're encouraging both parents to attend. Erimma has been asking if her mummy will come…'
Obinna's stomach tightened. He stared at her photo on his desk. He cleared his throat. 'I see. I'll… I'll speak to her mum.'
After the call ended, Obinna leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He already knew what Vanessa would say. She was never one to break her stride for family obligations, especially when the world's stage was calling her name. His heart ached for Erimma, but he had no other choice but to face the reality. He would still have to call her anyway. Perhaps, she would for Erimma's sake attend the Family Day.
Vanessa Chukwu radiated grace and power, the kind of woman whose presence turned heads the moment she entered a room. Every detail of her life was curated for the public eye, from her impeccably styled hair to the sharp, tailored outfits that screamed high fashion. A quick scroll through her social media feed would reveal her standing beside the world's elite: runway shows, gala dinners, exclusive retreats, everything a mark of status and, of course, meticulously captured for her followers to see.
She wasn't a woman who wore motherhood on her sleeve. It was a side of her that came second to her carefully crafted persona. Vanessa had learned long ago that being a mother didn't pay the bills. Being a brand did. The millions of eyes on her Instagram account were more important than the quiet moments with her daughter. She loved Erimma, of course. She had to. But in her world, Vanessa saw motherhood as something useful for her image, not something she truly lived or valued every day.
Obinna's name still came up in Vanessa's conversations now and then, but only when it served her image. The memories of their time together were buried under years of magazine features and red-carpet appearances. She had married him when his career was already taking off. His name was being mentioned by top medical boards, and his hospital project was attracting international attention. He wasn't a man chasing success; he was already halfway there. Vanessa saw more than a husband in him; she saw a powerful name that could boost her own brand.
While Obinna kept rising, he had become the respected and visionary figure people spoke of with admiration. Vanessa, meanwhile, stayed in her own world of fame. She never let go of the spotlight she had worked so hard to gain.
Their divorce had been a spectacle, not because Obinna wanted it that way, but because Vanessa thrived in the spotlight. She had been the one to file, and on the day she signed the papers, she posed outside the courthouse in designer sunglasses. Fashion blogs praised her look, while gossip sites speculated about hidden heartbreak and ambition. Every move she made fed the media frenzy. For Vanessa, the end of the marriage wasn't just a personal decision; it was part of the image she curated. Their marriage had been both a regret and a stepping stone in her story. She had moved on, yes, but not from the idea of being the woman who could have it all: beauty, fame, and a powerful man by her side.
When Obinna called, she answered out of habit, knowing he was a reminder of what she had once built and what she had left behind. But when it came to their daughter, it was always a different story. Erimma's pleas for her presence felt distant, something that could be dealt with later, if at all. Fashion shows and international deals were more important. She didn't feel guilty. Not really. Not when the spotlight was this bright.
'Obinna, I'm in a meeting,' she had said, without a trace of hesitation. It wasn't a lie. It was simply a matter of priorities. And Erimma would have to learn how to fit into the gaps in her life, just like everything else.
Her finger hovered over the screen to end the call, and without a second thought, she hung up.
Obinna glanced at the digital calendar on the glass screen built into one side of his desk. A red reminder blinked: surgery was at 11:30. It was a complicated case that would need all his focus and skill. The soft glow from the screen drew his mind away from thoughts of Vanessa.
Being a doctor sometimes gave him the escape he needed. Focusing on saving lives helped numb the pain of other disappointments. Maybe that was what he would do today. He would lose himself in work, as always.
After the surgery, there would be calls to return and plans to sort out. But no matter how busy he got, he would find a way to make sure Erimma's day wasn't ruined, even if her mother wouldn't be there.