SHATTERED DREAMS

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

The night after Sbanisethu revealed the truth about his twin brother was one of the longest nights of my life. Umnyeni wami barely slept. I felt his body shifting restlessly beside me, his thoughts clearly racing. The weight of the revelations had shaken him, and in turn, it had shaken us both. I wanted to hold him, to comfort him, but I knew this was something he needed to process on his own—at least for now.

As dawn broke, the soft light filtered through our curtains, casting a warm glow on our room. But despite the gentle morning, the air was heavy with unspoken tension. Sbani had been up early, preparing for our trip. Today, we were flying out to his family home in Hillcrest. His restless energy had me on edge, but I did my best to stay calm, knowing this visit would be important for him. We needed answers, and I hoped his family would provide them.

“Mkami, are you ready?” Sbani’s voice called from the doorway, his tone gentle but strained. He was dressed in his usual sharp style, but his face showed the wear of the night before.

I gave him a small smile. “BabakaPhiwo, yes, I’m ready.” I could sense the worry still lingering in his eyes as he looked at me and our daughter, but he tried to mask it behind a calm demeanor.

We made our way to the airport, Phiwokuhle safely tucked in my arms, oblivious to the tension surrounding us. As we boarded the Mbulazi Private Jet, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of pride and admiration for my husband. Despite everything, he remained composed, determined to find the truth.

The flight was smooth, but the silence between us was louder than any conversation we could have had. I knew he needed space, but it hurt seeing him so distant. Phiwokuhle was the only one who could ease the tension, her soft coos and tiny movements reminding us both that life, despite its complications, was still precious.

As we descended toward King Shaka International Airport, I stole a glance at Sbani. His jaw was clenched, his eyes focused on the horizon. I could tell he was already bracing himself for whatever awaited us in Hillcrest.

Once we landed, we were greeted by a black luxury SUV that would take us to his family home. The drive through the lush hills of Hillcrest was peaceful, but the closer we got to the Khumalo estate, the heavier the air became.

“Mbulazi, what are you expecting to find?” I asked softly, breaking the silence.

He exhaled deeply before responding. “Njabulo yami, I don’t know. But whatever it is, we’ll face it together.”

I reached over and placed my hand over his. “Mnyeni wami, whatever it is, I’m here. We’ll get through this.”

He gave me a small nod, but I could still see the turmoil swirling beneath the surface. Soon, we would arrive, and the answers he sought would either bring clarity or more confusion. Either way, we would face it together.