03/09/2026
CHAPTER THREE — THE MAN WITH THE BIG HOUSE
In that same village lived a wealthy businessman named Chief Okoro.
He owned several farms, trucks, and shops.
He was respected by many people.
But he was also feared.
One afternoon, Chief Okoro visited Mama Nneka.
He stood outside her little house and looked around.
“Nneka.”
“Yes, Chief?”
“I heard you're struggling.”
Mama Nneka lowered her head.
“We're managing.”
He smiled.
“I can help you.”
She looked surprised.
“How?”
“I'll give you money.”
Her eyes brightened.
“But there's a condition.”
Her smile disappeared.
“What condition?”
“Give me your piece of land.”
Mama Nneka immediately shook her head.
“No.”
Chief Okoro frowned.
“Think carefully.”
“That land belonged to my husband.”
“And your husband is dead.”
Mama Nneka's face tightened.
“That land is all my son has.”
Chief Okoro laughed.
“Your son? What will land do for a poor boy?”
Mama Nneka stood firm.
“I will never sell it.”
Chief Okoro stared at her.
Then he walked away.
But before leaving, he turned around.
“You'll come looking for me when you're hungry.”
Mama Nneka said nothing.
Weeks passed.
Mama Nneka's illness became worse.
She could no longer walk to the market.
There was no food in the house.
One evening, Chinedu returned from school.
“Mama?”
Silence.
“Mama!”
He found her lying on the floor.
“Mama!”
He rushed to her.
She was unconscious.
Chinedu screamed for help.
Neighbors gathered.
Someone carried her to the village clinic.
The doctor examined her.
After several minutes, he came outside.
“How is she?”
Chinedu asked.
The doctor sighed.
“She needs treatment immediately.”
“How much?”
The doctor told him.
Chinedu froze.
It was more money than he had ever seen in his life.
He ran home.
He opened the small wooden box where his mother kept their savings.
There was almost nothing inside.
He cried.
Then he remembered Chief Okoro.
He ran to his house.
“Chief!”
The gatekeeper looked at him.
“What do you want?”
“I need money for my mother's treatment.”
Chief Okoro eventually came outside.
He looked at the boy.
“How much?”
Chinedu told him.
Chief Okoro nodded.
“I can give you the money.”
Chinedu's eyes filled with hope.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Then he added:
“But your mother must sign the land over to me.”
Chinedu became silent.
He looked at Chief Okoro.
Then he whispered:
“My mother will never agree.”
Chief Okoro shrugged.
“Then your mother will die.”
Chinedu stood there trembling.
He had never hated anyone before.
But at that moment, he felt something inside him break.
To be continued......