Once Upon A Sultan ✅

Chapter 47.

-THIRD PERSON POV-

Maroudi, Nigeria.

The very next day, Zainab found herself driving to a place she never thought she would be at any time soon. The last time she was there was probably three years ago? She can't remember vividly but yeah, that has to be it.

It was around ten in the morning, and about an hour ago, she was on the call with Hakeem who told her he was off to meet Emos and talk about how to tackle the situation. She is still wary of the whole thing, but if Hakeem trusts the man, then she will put her trust in him.

Rauf on the other hand is supposed to have left to get the will by then so both men are busy with the tasks at hand.

Zainab on the other hand barely got enough sleep.

She kept tossing and turning around, with negative thoughts plaguing her mind. Just twenty fours ago she didn't want to accept and admit it. Now though, after spending nearly half the night thinking about the whole situation, she has finally come to a conclusion.

If this all ends hopefully, she had made up her mind on how to spend the rest of her life peacefully. All she wants is for this nightmare to end so she can set her life straight.

She was allowed in with no questions asked—because despite it being years, there were still some that recognized her at first glance. How could they not? The girl basically grew up going there.

They've known her since she was a baby—a few of them that is. So, they know she's family.

Zainab offered them a small smile, one that surprisingly wasn't forced before driving into the palace and directly towards Hakeem's side. All through the drive, she only hoped the woman is at home and now that she is there, she spotted a car that undoubtedly belongs to the woman of the house.

After parking the car, Zainab dismounted it and walked towards the entrance. She knew the place, but she had never went in before. There's a first time for everything though. She stopped at the front door, and tried to knock in case someone would hear.

When she got no response a while later, she took the doorknob and turned it, before walking in with a salaam. The house was quiet, and if not that she saw Nadine's car outside, she would've thought there was no one here.

Or perhaps the woman used another car? It wouldn't be surprising considering her background.

However, Zainab wanted to check first before she concludes anything and leave like that. After all, she is already there so she can't chicken out just like that.

With that thought in mind, she trudged further into the eerily quiet house till she reached the living room. She tried to look around, hoping to spot a single soul in sight but like earlier, there was no one.

She almost convinced herself that there was no one around, and that she should turn around and leave but something caught her sight. Just a bit ahead, where the rooms are, she saw light peeking out of one room—no doubt from the door left slightly ajar.

Any normal person would turn around and leave since it's not their home. But, Zainab has always been the curious type and well, being a journalist only made it worse. So, pushing the thoughts of her leaving aside, she walked in the direction carefully till she reached the room and then pushed the door open slowly.

At first sight, she was able to tell that the room is the nursery—judging from the light brown painting and the décor. Nothing seemed out of place at first though. Until she pushed the door fully opened and her eyes instantly widened, seeing the figure sprawled by the corner.