… I did not say a word. I could not say a word. I just sat there like a figure carved from stone. It was all like a bad dream. I remember I kept on wishing I could just open my eyes and discover I had been sleeping. But it was for real. I was sure of that.

My friends in lbadan had always pointed out a peculiar resemblance between Linda and I. I now knew why Chimela had always looked
so disturbingly familiar.

And when Tokunbo brought out a photograph of two babies taken in the hospital at lbadan, my heart sank. It was an exact replica of the photograph my dad had shown to me on the eve of my departure to Ibadan, the night he had made those startling revelations to me.

Well, there you are. Is there any reason for me to keep on living? I have been guilty of incest three times over. I am also a murderer:

I have written another letter explaining everything to Tokunbo, my wife (or should I say my mother? Maybe my mother-in-law will be more exact. I am so confused).

I have written another letter explaining everything to Tokunbo, my wife (or should I say my mother? Maybe my mother-in-law will be more exact. I am so confused). @magicmagnus2 #bookexcerpt

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I am holding the photograph and looking into the innocent eyes of the smiling babies. I can see my sister, lover, and the mother of my child. My poor, innocent, murdered baby.

I cannot say more. Please pray for my soul.

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This story was excerpted from The Betrayal, an epic collection of African stories by Magnus Ekpiken. Click here to read the full story now

About The Betrayal

The Betrayal is a collection of six well-crafted short stories, portraying typical happenings in the contemporary African society, with exciting plot twists leading to unpredictable endings.

The Betrayal is a collection of 6 short stories, portraying typical happenings in the contemporary African society, with exciting plot twists leading to unpredictable endings. @magicmagnus2 @hooplahive #TheBetrayalBookCampaign

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The stories include, ‘The Letter’, a short story about the tragedy of an inbreeding which erupted into a domino of dire consequences, ‘The Umbrella’ – the story of a man driven by a desire for success, who eventually loses out; and ‘The Curfew’, the comic story of a man who is drawn into a one-day fast that eventually lasted for three days, owing to circumstances beyond his control.

The stories highlight some shortfalls of the modern African society, for instance, the hypocrisy that exists in present day religion ion. @magicmagnus2 @hooplahive #TheBetrayalBookCampaign

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The stories highlight some shortfalls of the modern African society, for instance, the hypocrisy that exists in present day religion. It also teaches valuable moral lessons, such as the fact that having noble dreams won’t suffice for success; while emphasizing on the need for patience in relationships, because things are not always the way they seem.

It also teaches valuable moral lessons, such as the fact that having noble dreams won’t suffice for success. @magicmagnus2 @hooplahive #TheBetrayalBookCampaign

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About the Author

Magnus Ekpiken is from the Efik tribe in Cross River State, Nigeria. He holds a BSc (Accounting) and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Calabar and Bayero University, Kano, respectively. Read more

The Betrayal emphasizes the need for patience in relationships, because things are not always the way they seem. @magicmagnus2 @hooplahive #TheBetrayalBookCampaign

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Book Cover Design and marketing, copy and flyers by Hoopla Hive. Order yours here or here .

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