Deborah looked at her sleeping brother, a small smile on her lips and her eyes filled with unshed tears.

"GOD thank you" she closed her eyes, a tear slipped out of her eye. She said a silent prayer in her heart.

"Amen" a low, faint voice said and she opened her eyes to see Patrick's eyes slightly opened and he was trying to move his head but stopped with a pained look on his face. "Ah" he winced loudly and tried to move again but she stopped him.

"Stop moving" she placed her hand on his shoulders. "You're going to make your situation worse so stop moving" she told him.

Patrick stopped and closed his eyes for a second. He let out a sigh and opened his eyes again. This time wider.

"Wh- ah" he placed his hand on his head in pain.

"Easy, don't say anything." She rubbed his arm.

"What happened?" He asked when the pain subsided.

Deborah sighed. "You were beaten to stupor" she answered.

"Beaten?" He frowned. Flashes of what happened the previous day went through his mind.

The pull followed by a blow to his head.

... He fell to the floor with a thud and kicks followed ...

The kicking.

... The kick to his head, stomach and legs ...

The punches.

The crack of something... like a bone.

... The stomping of his legs and the crack of something ...

"Ah" he groaned in pain when bits of what happened came rushing to him.

"Stop trying to think about it"

"Who did it to me?"

"Patrick, what's important is that you're alive and will get better soon. Just don't th-"

He faced her, a hollow look on his face. "Who did this Deborah?" He interrupted her.

Deborah sighed then shook her head.

"We don't know yet, we just know that you were jumped by a group of guys." She told him and he closed his eyes. "The police are involved and are investigating the attack. They think it's a local gang that might have mistook you for a rival that's why they beat you that way"

... While trying to see who were attacking him, the familiar face of Tomiwa comes to his line of vision ...

He took in deep breaths and let them out slowly.

"Please stop stressing yourself out, you need to rest properly so that you can heal faster" Deborah said to him.

"How's mum?"

"She's fine, just worry about you then you can worry about her." She told him and he opened his mouth to say something but she beats him to it. "And no, you can't meet mum looking like this" she placed her hand on his arm "get better first, please"

He saw tears gathering in her eyes and he placed his other hand on her hand.

"I'll try" he winced again.

"Thank you" she hugged him and let the tears fall.

***

"So you're leaving now?" Dara asked, a sad look on her face.

After Ife had given her statement at the station, she wanted to return back to Nigeria immediately but was asked to stay for a day before leaving so that hey could get more information on how to catch Henri.

The twins are helping her to pack her clothes so they can escort her to the airport for her scheduled flight.

"I told you that when we left the station a day ago.

"She still hasn't come to terms with it" Dora said then stopped "We're going to miss you Ife, the trip was cut short" she pouts.

Ife sat on the bed then gestures for them to come closer to her which they did and they shared a group hug.

"I'll miss you girls too" she said already feeling her heart becoming heavy with emotions.

"You guys are the closest thing to a family I have aside Patrick. You've been so nice to me and walked with me in the most difficult part of my life." She said to them. Remembering the time of her father's death and how they stood by her. "I love you girls, so much" tears slipped out of her eyes when she said those words.

"You're our friend and we'll always be there for you in ways we can" Dara said.

"Anytime" Dora leaned back to look at her.

Dara leaned back too. "Any day"

Ife looked in between them and chuckled.

"You girls will always be my friends and sisters for life"

They stayed like that for a moment then the ringing of the bell broke them apart.

Dara stood to her feet and walked to the door of the room they gave Ife "I'll go check who's that"

"Are you taking all your clothes? Don't you want to keep some in case you come here again?"

"I'll take them. Some of them are old and needs to be changed"

"Will you even come here for holiday again?" Dora asked.

Ife smiled and closed the duffle bag.

"I had a bad experience here but it won't stop me from coming to see my favorite twin. I have family here and an insecure idiot won't stop me from coming to you" she assured.

Dora nods. "Will you try to work things with Tomiwa?"

Ife's mood suddenly went dry. She put the packed bags on the floor and sat on the bed. Dora walked up to her and sat beside her. She held onto Ife's hand and have them a little squeeze.

"I didn't mean to spoil your mood. I know how much you love him and with what he did to you..." she shook her head. "Things have been pretty hard on you for the past weeks, especially since your dad died"

Ife closed her eyes and wiped the tear that managed to escape. "When has things ever been easy on me?" she opened her eyes to look at Dora "My mum and sisters" she shook her head and wiped her cheeks.

"We're here for you always, just have that in mind"

"Thank you" she whispered and continued wiping her cheeks.

Dara came inside the room and they looked at her.

"Officer Pierre is here and he has news for you" she looked at Ife.

Ife and Dora looked at each other then back at Dara.

"I think it's important" Dara said, her tone firm.

Ife nods and wiped her cheeks again the stood to her feet to check what he wanted.

***

Ife arrived Lagos after many hour in the air from Paris to Nigeria. The warmness of the atmosphere gave her that homely feeling that she missed in her almost two weeks of being away.

Before she left for the airport, Officer Pierre came to let them know that Henri was caught and he was still with her belongings as she had stated. They told her she'll get it back after they had cleared it for evidence against him but she let him know she can't stay any longer for trial or whatever.

There's a tendency shye'll go back when the trial start.

Ife told the police to dispose all that was taken from her by Henri, she didn't need to be reminded of him when she see them. She took out the sim card in her phone before leaving.

When she arrived Nigeria, she thought of going home but dreaded the idea. Tomiwa's place wasn't even an option.

If she didn't want to stay in the hotel yet, then she has to go to Patrick's place again to stay and this time till they head back to school.

She took a cab straight to Patrick's home ans on her way stopped to get some fruit for his mum and some other goodies for Deborah and Patrick.

It was late afternoon and Deborah would have closed from school by now. She could imagine the look of surprise and happiness that would fill her face when they meet and that made her excited to see her even.

After a long journey, the cab stopped in front of the gate and she got out then carried her bags and paid before entering the gate to their house.

It was nearing evening and she was sure both siblings would be home or either in the hospital with their mum.

She wanted to start something new. She has no thought of getting back with Tomiwa.

Her heart raced when she stood in front of the door and rang the bell. She used her phone screen to make sure she looked okay before he opens the door.

Maybe she'll take to their advise and start something new with him. He's her best friend so there wouldn't be any awkwardness there.

She rang the bell once more and footsteps followed, a huge grin on her lips as she waited for the door to open.

Deborah opened the door whilst rubbing her eyes and yawning.

Ife smiled and held her hands out for a hug but Deborah just stood, staring at her with sleepy eyes. The smile slowly faded from Ife's lips when she saw something different about Deborah.

"What's going on?"

"Patrick's in the hospital"