Chapter Four: When Paths Begin to Separate
The house had never known so much joy.
From the day Favour and Favorite were born, people came endlessly—relatives, friends, neighbors, church members. There was always food on the fire, drinks on the table, laughter in the air. John and Faith watched it all with grateful hearts. After years of waiting, their home was full at last.
"God has done well," Faith would often say, holding one child while the other clung to her wrapper.
The twins grew fast—two little girls who looked alike but carried different spirits. They crawled together, walked together, fell and rose together. When one cried, the other followed. When one laughed, the other joined.
John made sure of one thing: love.
"Never let anything come between you," he would tell them as they grew older. "This world is hard. All you truly have is each other."
They listened. Or at least, they tried.
School came. Church followed. Life moved forward.
Favorite loved church deeply. She was quiet, observant, always sitting in front, writing notes, asking questions. She prayed often. She believed strongly.
Favour was different. She was lively, curious, easily influenced. She loved attention, laughter, freedom. Where Favorite saw caution, Favour saw excitement.
Still, they loved each other fiercely.
By the time university came, the difference between them was clear.
Favorite chose Medical Laboratory Science. She was focused, disciplined, determined.
Favour enrolled too—but her heart wasn't in books. She started missing lectures. Hanging out late. Meeting new people. Following boys who spoke sweet words and promised the world.
Favorite noticed.
"Favour, be careful," she warned one evening. "Not everyone who smiles means well."
Favour laughed. "You worry too much. Enjoy life small."
One name began to come up often—Anthony.
"He understands me," Favour said one day. "He listens."
Favorite said nothing, but her heart was uneasy.
Then one morning, everything changed.
Favour stood in the bathroom staring at the test strip, her hands shaking. When the truth settled in, her knees gave way. She slid to the floor and cried—quietly at first, then uncontrollably.
She went to Anthony's place that same evening.
He opened the door smiling—until he saw her face.
"Anthony… I need to talk to you," she said, her voice breaking.
"What's wrong?" he asked, already annoyed.
"I'm pregnant."
The smile disappeared.
"What?" he snapped.
"I'm pregnant… it's yours."
Anthony laughed bitterly. "You must be joking."
"I'm not," she cried. "Anthony, please…"
He stepped back. "That's not my baby."
Favour's chest tightened. "How can you say that? You're the only one—"
"Listen," he interrupted sharply. "I'm not ready for any child. I didn't sign up for this."
Tears streamed down her face. "I need you… please…"
Anthony opened the door wider. "You need to leave. I don't want trouble. Remove it… or look for the real father."
Favour stared at him like she didn't recognize his face.
"Anthony… I love you."
He looked away. "Leave my house."
She walked out with nothing but her tears.
Favorite found her later that night, sitting on a bench, shoulders shaking.
"My sister…" Favorite whispered, kneeling beside her. "What happened?"
Favour broke down in her arms.
The next day, Favorite went to Anthony herself.
He barely let her speak.
"That is not my baby," he said coldly. "She should figure it out."
Favorite's voice shook with anger. "You are a coward. You shared her body, her trust, her heart—and now you deny her?"
He scoffed. "Mind your business."
Favorite's eyes burned. "Mark my words. My sister will be fine. God will fight for her."
She left shaking—but strong.
When she returned home, she found Favour crying again.
"I told you," Favorite said softly, sitting beside her. "I begged you to give your life to Christ. To leave this reckless life."
Favour screamed, her pain spilling out. "Stop! Stop blaming me! Don't talk like Dad and Mom failed us!"
Favorite's eyes filled. "I'm not blaming them. I'm begging you."
Favour sobbed loudly. "I will keep my child. I don't care what anyone says. He or she will be great. I pray it's a baby boy."
Favorite pulled her close. "Then we'll face it together."
Outside, the house was quiet.
Inside, two sisters held each other—one broken, one strong.
And life moved forward again… changed forever.