Chapter 1
Homecoming The Nigerian sun beat down relentlessly on Deji as he stepped out of Murtala Muhammed Airport, its heat feeling sharper, more intense than the sun he had grown accustomed to in the U.S. It was Sunday, and Lagos was bustling even on a day of rest, as though the city itself had no off switch. The familiar, chaotic hum enveloped him—fuel fumes, dust, and the constant movement of people. His heartbeat quickened, partly because of the humidity and partly because of the weight of his mission. This trip was not a family reunion or a vacation. It was personal. And dangerous. His phone vibrated in his pocket as he made his way through the crowded terminal. The screen lit up with a video call from Ada. Her face appeared, warm but shadowed by concern. “You’ve landed?” she asked softly, though her dark eyes betrayed the worry she had tried so hard to hide. ...