One evening, with a light rain tapping against the windows and the distant glow of Lagos traffic visible, Monica looked over at Jacob. Why did you say yes to me that day? Jacob chuckled. To be honest? I was convinced you were completely insane.
She laughed at that. But, he went on, I saw something in your eyes. I couldn’t place it then. Maybe it was grace, or courage. Or maybe it was just… hope. Whatever it was, I knew I needed it. His expression turned more serious. But I didn’t truly believe you. Not really. That’s why I told you to buy a ring. I was testing you. I wanted to see if you’d really go through with it, if you’d actually kneel. I never, ever expected you to do it.
Monica tilted her head, looking at him. And now? He reached out and took her hand. Now I know you were an angel sent to me. A comfortable silence fell between them, not empty or awkward, but full and content.
A few days later, they were having a late dinner on the rooftop balcony of the mansion. Jacob suddenly stood up and cleared his throat. Monica? Yes? I need to say something. She looked up, her expression puzzled, just as he reached into his pocket. And then, he got down on one knee.
Sophia, who was nearby, gasped, as did two staff members standing by the doorway. Jacob was holding out a glittering platinum ring. When you found me, I didn’t believe in anything, he said, his voice thick. But you… you made me believe. You gave me back my life. You gave me a reason to smile, a reason to be a father, a reason to love again.
He locked his gaze with hers, his voice shaking with emotion. Now… I want to ask you, the right way. Monica Williams… will you marry me? Tears immediately welled in her eyes. Yes, she whispered, a smile breaking through her tears. Yes. A thousand times, yes.
Sophia, who was now six, clapped her hands and jumped up and down in excitement. Jacob slid the beautiful ring onto Monica’s finger, and it felt like the entire house erupted in joyous celebration.
Just two months after that, Monica and Jacob were married in what was called the most lavish wedding Lagos had seen in decades. Dignitaries, celebrities, and tech moguls from all corners of the globe attended. The press dubbed it “a love story written by grace.”
But this incredible event… this was still just the beginning. Monica’s life was on the verge of another, even more beautiful, chapter.
Three years went by. Three years since that fateful day Monica had kneeled on the pavement outside the Supersave and proposed to a man with nothing. The world had been captivated, watching their story. It became a viral sensation, dominating headlines and even inspiring documentaries. For Monica and Jacob, however, the public fascination was just noise. The only thing that mattered was the profound peace and partnership they had built together.
Jacob now served as the co-CEO of EmTech. His analytical leadership, combined with Monica’s visionary strategy, had propelled the company to new heights. They had expanded operations across West Africa, launching a suite of AI-driven software tools that were transforming both the business and healthcare sectors.
But while the world was busy applauding their professional success, something far more personal and precious was happening privately. Something tender, sacred, and joyful. Monica was pregnant.
The moment the test was positive, she broke down in tears. They weren’t tears of fear, but of overwhelming gratitude. Sophia was now a bright and happy seven-year-old. And soon, she would have a sibling. It felt like another chance, a brand new start.
One bright afternoon, Monica was in the kitchen, humming to herself as she stirred a pot of okra soup. Her growing baby bump was visible under her colorful Ankara blouse. Jacob walked in, and he just stopped for a second, watching her, a look of profound love on his face.
She turned and saw him looking. What? she asked with a laugh. Nothing, he said, smiling as he walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her from behind. You just… you look like a dream I never thought I’id get to have again.
She leaned back against his chest. I used to think the same thing. They shared a soft, tender kiss. For that single moment, nothing else in the world existed.
Two months later, their son arrived. They named him Williams Chinidu Uche, a name that honored both Monica’s late parents and Jacob’s father. As Monica held their baby boy, she felt a part of her soul, broken for so long, finally mend. She looked at Jacob, her eyes wet, and whispered, This. This is the family I always, always prayed for.
Jacob gathered both Monica and the baby into his arms. And this, he whispered back, is the family I never believed I’d deserve again. Sophia, now a proud big sister, took her new role very seriously. She helped feed baby Williams, who was growing quickly, rocked him to sleep, and even made a brave attempt at changing a diaper, though she quickly abandoned the effort mid-mess.
Their home, which had already found joy, was now filled with a new kind of laughter. But even in this period of contentment, life was preparing another wonderful surprise for them.
Several years passed quickly. Sophia, brilliant and dedicated, graduated from the University of Nigeria with her medical degree. Monica and Jacob were there, beaming with pride, as she walked the stage. At just eighteen, she was the youngest in her graduating class. As they were taking photos after the ceremony, Sophia in her new white lab coat with a stethoscope, a tall, sharp-looking young man walked up to her.
Hi, I’m Obinna, he said with a friendly smile. I was in the audience for your presentation on gene mapping. It was… absolutely brilliant. Sophia blushed. Oh, thanks. From a short distance away, Monica raised an eyebrow. Jacob, standing next to her, chuckled. Relax, he murmured. She’s growing up.
The weeks that followed, Obinna and Sophia stayed in contact. Their conversations, which began centered on science and medicine, soon evolved. They started having long video calls and meeting up for movies. It wasn’t long before they were practically inseparable…
