He Chose My Sister, Not Me / Chapter 9: Waiting and Letting Go
He Chose My Sister, Not Me

He Chose My Sister, Not Me

Author: Heather Stephens


Chapter 9: Waiting and Letting Go

From that time, I dey attend every party, but I never see Auwalu again.

I wore my best clothes, smiled at every elder, danced till my feet ached—still, no sign of him. Disappointment became my daily companion.

Maybe work dey keep am busy.

People gossiped—"King dey busy with council matter, no get time for parties." I tried to believe them.

I console myself, still dey tell papa to support Auwalu.

"Papa, abeg, if dem call for donation for palace, make we help." It was my small way of staying connected.

That harmattan, Auwalu finally become king.

The whole city celebrated—drumming, feasting, even the street hawkers sang his praises. My heart swelled with pride and sorrow.

Next rainy season, I waited, happy, for the selection list.

Every night, I counted days, praying under my breath. The sound of rain on the roof gave me hope.

But dem say no selection go happen that year.

Rumours spread—some said the king wanted to focus on reforms, others blamed bad omens. I was left in limbo.

Few days after, king send decree: Lady Halima, gentle and good, go become queen, go dey in charge for central palace.

The town crier’s voice echoed through the streets. Women wept, some celebrated. For me, it felt like the closing of a door.

His Majesty even shoot wild ducks himself—na symbol for marriage—and send am to Halima family.

I remembered the old tradition—wild ducks signified a union blessed by the ancestors. It was official: the queen had been chosen.

Just like last life, Halima Jinadu become queen.

It was as if the gods themselves had written this story in stone. My hopes slipped through my fingers like grains of rice.

Even though I know say Auwalu no come back to life like me, and no fit keep the promise of our past life…

Loneliness settled over me, heavy as harmattan fog.

When I look the sachet I sew for him, tears no gree stop.

The little pouch still smelled of sandalwood and cloves. I pressed it to my chest, sobbing quietly.

Anger catch me, I tear the sachet, the scent just scatter everywhere, then I start to regret.

Frustration boiled over—then guilt. I gathered the pieces, hands shaking.

Last life, I enter palace the next year—maybe I still fit wait.

Hope flickered again, stubborn as always. Maybe next year, things would change.

I gather the pieces, wipe my tears, and sew am back.

Each stitch was a prayer, a silent wish for another chance.

Needle prick me, blood drop for my finger.

I sucked my finger, remembering old superstitions—blood brings luck, or maybe just more pain.

Papa knock enter. I quickly bend my head.

He entered quietly, always respectful of my privacy. I hid the sachet behind my wrapper.

“Ronke, you fit begin see suitors now.”

His voice was gentle, but the words felt final, like the closing of a chapter.

Tears choke me. “Make I wait small. Maybe next year I go enter palace, become consort.”

I looked at the floor, unable to meet his eyes. My voice sounded small, even to me.

Papa open eye, like say I dey craze.

He stared, mouth open, shaking his head. "My daughter, this palace matter don dey turn your brain."

“Wetin dey sweet for palace?”

His question was genuine, baffled. Palace life to him was full of danger and loneliness.

I answer soft, “But I just like king.”

My heart whispered the truth, even if it hurt.

Auwalu treat me too well.

Memories of his kindness flickered through my mind—his laughter, his steady hands, his unwavering support.

He quiet, think long, then talk slowly.

He sat beside me, eyes far away. "Sometimes, love dey make person foolish, but no be every foolishness bad."

“Ronke, I dey selfish. I no want make you enter palace. I just want you near me, even if you marry, you fit always come house.”

He spoke softly, his hand warm on my shoulder. I saw the loneliness in his eyes—a father’s love that never fades.

I look inside his eyes.

I saw pain, hope, and pride mixed together. My heart softened.

My heart move.

I reached for his hand, holding it tight. For the first time in a long while, I let myself lean on him.

Mama die early, na papa raise me and my sister alone. Even my mama people beg am to marry again, but he fear make dem no treat us well, so he no do am.

He sacrificed so much, carrying our burdens without complaint. I understood now, more than ever, how much he had given up.

“Papa…”

My voice broke, gratitude and sorrow mingling. "Thank you."

He wave hand. “As long as you dey happy, I go support you.”

He smiled, wiping his eyes quickly. "You go always be my pikin, palace or no palace."

This chapter is VIP-only. Activate membership to continue.

You may also like

My Sister Stole My Husband, I Stole Her Lover
My Sister Stole My Husband, I Stole Her Lover
4.8
Ifunanya was forced to marry Obinna after her own sister, Chisom, abandoned him at the altar—only to live three years as a ghost in her own home, watching Obinna pine for Chisom. After a bitter divorce and years of gossip and shame, Ifunanya finds love with Jide, the one man Obinna can’t control. But when family secrets and old wounds resurface at her sister’s wedding, Ifunanya must decide: will she finally fight for her own happiness, even if it means breaking every taboo in the family?
Stabbed by My Sister, Married by Three Brothers
Stabbed by My Sister, Married by Three Brothers
4.7
On the day my sister stole my birthday to marry a powerful army general, I became the shared wife of the wealthy Okoli brothers—three men who worship the ground I walk on. But jealousy is a snake: Zainab’s envy drove her to stab me, and in my dying breath, I woke up in the past, with a chance to rewrite fate. Now, I must outsmart my own blood, survive family betrayal, and choose between a life of lonely riches or dangerous love—before my sister’s hatred finishes what it started.
Rejected for My Sister, Sold to Ibadan
Rejected for My Sister, Sold to Ibadan
4.8
On the eve of her dream wedding, Amarachi’s fiancé disgraces her before the whole compound, casting her aside for her own half-sister. Branded as 'loose' and unwanted, her family quickly arranges her marriage to a stranger in faraway Ibadan, all to save their name. As she faces shame, betrayal, and exile, Amarachi must decide if she will ever trust love again—or if her new life will break her completely.
He Chose Her Over Me at My Bestie’s Wedding
He Chose Her Over Me at My Bestie’s Wedding
4.8
Eight years of love, and Kunle still called me 'childhood friend' in front of everyone, just to shine for a new babe. Humiliation burn me as he blocked me, shamed me, and carried Aisha out of the wedding like I never existed. But when I caught them together in my hotel suite, I knew my own chapter with Kunle was over—will I ever find love that values me?
Married Off as Second Wife After My Sister’s Betrayal
Married Off as Second Wife After My Sister’s Betrayal
4.8
On Christmas night, my real sister Ifeoma’s scandal destroyed my engagement and turned me into the town’s laughingstock. Forced to marry as the unwanted junior wife, I watched Tunde—my fiancé—choose her, while his family and mine treated me like dirt. But when war tears our world apart and a dangerous prince enters my life, I swear: I will never bow again—even if I must break every rule to claim my own destiny.
Swapped on My Wedding Day: My Sister Stole My Groom
Swapped on My Wedding Day: My Sister Stole My Groom
4.8
When Amaka’s fiancé saves her gentle half-sister from drowning and shames her before the whole village, her pride and reputation are shattered. Betrayed by her childhood sweetheart and mocked as the jealous daughter, Amaka makes a bold move—she swaps wedding wrappers with her sister on the big day, giving them the marriage they crave. But as whispers and bride price drama shake her family, will Amaka’s secret plan for freedom bring her happiness—or ruin?
I Broke My Sister’s Chains
I Broke My Sister’s Chains
4.7
When her father-in-law storms the bathroom at midnight, my sister’s scream tears through my heart and the darkness. In a house where evil hides behind tradition, betrayal and shame are weapons, and even her own husband turns cold. Tonight, blood will answer for blood—because I will fight until my sister is free, or I die trying.
He Chose My Rival Over Me
He Chose My Rival Over Me
4.8
Morayo’s heart shatters when Tunde, her childhood love, betrays her on the polo field and sacrifices her happiness for his mentor’s orphaned daughter. Forced into a rushed marriage for family honour, Morayo must watch as Tunde plans to make her rival his second wife—expecting her to wait in silence. But with every humiliation, Morayo finds the courage to claim her own destiny, even as Tunde’s eyes follow her, filled with regret too late.
He Chose the Governor’s Daughter Over Me
He Chose the Governor’s Daughter Over Me
4.8
Sade waited five years, holding onto a love that spanned two lifetimes, only for Halima—the man who once called her home—to betray her for power and pride. Humiliated and nearly drowned by his new fiancée, Sade faces the bitter truth: in this life, love is not enough to break tradition or ambition. But as Halima turns his back, Sade discovers a strength that even the ancestors did not foresee—this time, she will write her own ending.
Sold to the Rebel Prince: My Sister’s Sacrifice
Sold to the Rebel Prince: My Sister’s Sacrifice
4.8
On the day our kingdom fell, my sister stripped herself of pride and purity, trading her own body to the ruthless rebel king just to save my life. Ten years later, she forces me into the palace as concubine to a forgotten prince, begging me to accept a quiet life—but my heart burns for revenge. I will destroy the Garba dynasty from within, even if it means betraying the only family I have left.
My Sister's Shadow Chased Me Out
My Sister's Shadow Chased Me Out
4.9
Amara finally finds her real family, but jealousy, betrayal, and deep family secrets push her into the arms of a forgotten Grandpa. Facing beatings, gossip, and sabotage from her 'sister' Halima, Amara must choose between fake love and real peace—because in this family, blood isn't always thicker than water.
My Sister Is the Abalone Queen
My Sister Is the Abalone Queen
4.8
Every man in town craves my father's abalone, a dish so rare only the powerful get a taste—while my sister sweats and suffers in secret, locked away on abalone days. When my girlfriend suddenly demands marriage after seeing our family fortune, I realize too late: the abalone's true source is a secret that could destroy us all. If I marry, I must face the price my sister pays—will I survive the truth, or become the next sacrifice?