Amara Obi nearly dropped both grocery bags. The lobby of the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston was loud and busy—businessmen checking in, tourists dragging suitcases, kids running everywhere. Amara was already exhausted, trying to balance groceries in both arms while keeping up with her 5-year-old twins.

David was silent for a long moment. When did you become so strong? He finally asked. When I had to be, Amara replied. When there was no other choice. They stood there side by side looking at the city lights. Neither of them saw the black Mercedes parked on the street below. Neither of them saw Gloria Achebe sitting in the back seat, phone to her ear.

Neither of them heard what she said. I need you to find everything on Amara Obi. Debts, criminal history, the abusive boyfriend, anythingthat makes her look unfit. And I need you to find something on my son’s company, something we can use. He wants to play family with that woman. Fine. But he’ll do it with nothing. No money, no business, no reputation.

And when he’s lost everything, when he comes crawling back, I’ll make sure that woman and her children disappear permanently, she hung up, looked up at the hotel. “You should have taken the money, little girl,” Gloria whispered. “Now I’m going to take everything.” “Upstairs,” Zion woke from a nightmare.

He sat up in the dark hotel room, clutching his chest where the scar was. “Mommy.” Amara was at his side instantly. I’m here, baby. I’m here. I dreamed the bad lady took Daddy away again. Amara held him close. No one’s taking daddy away. He’s right here. He’s not leaving. Promise. Amara looked at David, who had come to stand beside them. Promise, she said.

But even as she said it, she felt the weight of Gloria’s threat pressing down on her because she knew something David didn’t. Gloria Achebe didn’t make threats. She made promises and she always kept them. Moral: Proverbs 12:19 says, “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.