“Mother-in-Law Palava: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Let Go”

When Temi marries into a seemingly perfect family, she expects bliss, but what she gets is a whirlwind of drama, deception, and secrets that unravel with every passing day. At the heart of it all is her mother-in-law, Lady Dorcas, a woman whose charm hides a web of manipulation and strange rituals. With accusations flying, strange occurrences shaking the house, and long-buried truths coming to light, Temi must navigate the chaos while uncovering the real mystery behind her mother-in-law’s behavior. Each day brings a new twist—reveals, lies, and shocking confessions that will keep you at the edge of your seat. As Temi digs deeper, she discovers that some family bonds are not as unbreakable as they seem… and some forces of nature are far more dangerous than she could have imagined.

Chapter 16 – Secrets Behind the Scarf


The letters kept piling up like stubborn guests refusing to leave. Each one added a new layer to the mystery, but none more chilling than the third letter — the one that smelled like old secrets and fresh danger.


I unfolded the fragile paper, my fingers trembling just a bit.


> "Watch her. She smiles like the sun but hides the moon's darkness. Aunty Sade is no saint. She carries chains you cannot see."


Femi whistled low. "Chains? Temi, you sure this isn't just another Yoruba story to scare kids?"


I shook my head. "No, this one's different. It's about her — the same Aunty Sade in the photo with Eunice."


Femi's eyes narrowed. "You mean the one where Eunice is holding a key behind her back?"


"Yes." I held up the photo Mama Dorcas gave us. The smiles looked innocent enough. But the key told another story.


That evening, I cornered Femi after dinner.


"Have you noticed Aunty Sade acting strange?"


He nodded slowly. "I overheard her on the phone last week. Whispering about 'keeping the past buried.' I didn't want to tell you because… well, you'd probably start a detective agency."


I smirked, but the worry was real. Something was definitely off.


Aunty Sade left the house just before noon, clutching her wrapper tightly. I kept a safe distance, heart pounding like a drummer at a wake.


She stopped at the old compound house — the one no one visits anymore. The windows were dusty, and the garden was more jungle than yard.


She slipped inside through a side door I never knew existed.


I waited a few minutes, then crept closer.


Through the cracked door, I saw it: an old chest, locked tight, sitting under a faded painting of a woman I assumed was Madam Eunice.


Could the key Eunice held be for this chest?


Before I could think further, I heard footsteps behind me.


I jumped. It was Femi, grinning like he caught me stealing akara.


"Looks like you're not the only curious one," he said.


I smiled back. "This palava just got bigger."


And bigger it will stay — until we find the truth.


Chapter 16 - Chapter 16