“My bracelet! The gold one—it’s gone!”
Sirwa’s eyes flicked to Tenna like a verdict already reached.
“Check her bag,” Sirwa snapped.
Tenna straightened slowly. “Please. I would never.”
Security men stepped forward. Her bag was emptied onto the floor—soap, a worn notebook, her phone, a folded photo of her brother.
No bracelet.
Minutes later, the bracelet was found under a sofa cushion.
Madame Badu’s eyes were cold. “Interesting. Very interesting.”
Tenna shook. “Madam, you saw—”
“I saw enough,” Madame Badu cut in. “You will leave the house today. We are being generous by not pressing charges.”
Tenna gathered her things in silence. She walked out with her head high because there was nothing left to protect.
She didn’t know where to go. So she went where she always went when she felt small.
The church steps.
Kofi approached.
“I was hoping you’d come,” he said.
“They accused me,” Tenna said. “They were going to call the police.”
Kofi’s jaw tightened. “Did they?”
“No. But they wanted to.”
Kofi sat beside her, leaving space. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t change anything.”
“No,” he agreed. “But action might.”
Tenna laughed harshly. “What action? I’m a maid without a job. You’re—” She stopped herself. “You’re homeless.”
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