Across town, Ayo's life had taken an unexpected turn. After leaving her daughter behind, she had married a man named Femi, hoping to start anew. Yet fate remained unkind. Years passed, and no child came to fill the empty rooms of their home. Femi grew distant, frustrated by their childless marriage, and Ayo's sorrow deepened. Each year, her mind returned to the child she had abandoned, her heart haunted by guilt and regret. She dreamed of finding her daughter, of making amends, but the years and her shame held her back.
One day, a family friend told her about a new couple moving in nearby—the Adewales. The woman, Mama Adewale, was known for her warmth, and the joy in her eyes when she spoke of her daughter was evident to anyone who listened. Ayo, feeling a strange pull, decided to befriend Mama Adewale. They quickly became close, sharing stories of their lives and their deepest struggles. But when Mama Adewale spoke of her adopted daughter, Abeni, Ayo felt a pang in her heart, though she couldn't understand why.