Born in May 1996, Selinah's life was a patchwork of places and people, each leaving an indelible mark on her young heart. She spent her childhood shuttling between Nokaneng, where she stayed with her aunt during vacations, Maun, where she lived with her mother and attended school, and Rakops, where she visited her grandmother and eventually moved to continue her education. Her life was a constant tug-of-war between stability and upheaval, a theme that would follow her into adulthood.

Selinah had a brother, Aleck, with whom she once shared the halls of the same primary school. But fate, cruel and unyielding, tore them apart. Aleck moved to Nokaneng to live with his aunt from their father's side of the family. Their father, a ghostly figure in their lives, had abandoned them when they were just children. He was married to another woman, leaving their mother, Joyce, as little more than a "side chick" or a fleeting romance that resulted in two children he refused to acknowledge. Selinah and Aleck grew up longing for a father's love, but all they had was each other until even that was taken away.

In Rakops, Selinah attended Rakops Community Junior Secondary School. For a while, life seemed manageable. She excelled in her studies, and her future appeared bright. But then, like a storm on a clear day, love or what she thought was love entered her life. She met a boy through a friend, and their relationship blossomed under the watchful eyes of her peers. Sneaking out in the middle of the night to see him became her new normal. Eventually, Selinah moved out of her grandmother's home and into her mother's house, seeking freedom or perhaps escape.

But freedom came at a cost. By July, Selinah was pregnant. She carried her baby boy while writing her Junior Certificate Examinations (JCE), a testament to her resilience. Her son was born on April Fool's Day, a cruel twist of irony that seemed to mock her struggles. The boy's father, Mogomotsi, promised to stand by her, vowing to care for her and their child forever. But promises, as Selinah would soon learn, are often as fragile as glass.

Selinah passed her JCE with a Grade C, but she refused to continue her education, insisting she needed to care for her baby. Joyce offered to help, but Selinah's stubbornness prevailed. Mogomotsi, a pathological liar with dreams of becoming an artist, sold Selinah a fantasy of a future that would never materialize. He moved with her to Maun, where he found a job at Caltex. But his salary barely covered their expenses, and his lies grew bolder. He claimed to be networking with artists and recording in studios, but in reality, he was allegedly consulting traditional doctors for reasons only he knew.

Their relationship began to crumble under the weight of his deceit. Selinah, burdened by the responsibilities of motherhood and the weight of unfulfilled promises, decided to move back to her mother's home in Boyei ward Maun. Joyce, meanwhile, had found a new man a traditional doctor named Doctor G. He offered them a place to stay at Shashe Bridge, and Selinah, desperate for stability, agreed.

But Doctor G's intentions were far from noble. He began to prey on Selinah, creeping into her room at night under the guise of checking on her. One night, Mogomotsi caught him in the act, and the tension in the household became unbearable. Doctor G's advances grew more brazen, culminating in an offer to pay Selinah for sex at Maun Lodge. The revelation shattered Selinah, but when she confided in her mother, Joyce chose to side with Doctor G, dismissing her daughter's claims as lies.

The betrayal cut deep. Selinah, now isolated and vulnerable, found solace in a new relationship with a neighbour named Lame. Their love bloomed amidst the chaos, but it was not without its challenges. Doctor G's resentment boiled over, and he lashed out at Selinah, beating her with a stick. Joyce, once again, defended him, leaving Selinah heartbroken and alone.

Desperate for escape, Selinah moved in with Lame, but Joyce's disapproval only grew. She accused Selinah of neglecting her grandson, Fabulous, and criticized Lame for his lack of wealth. The feud between mother and daughter escalated, culminating in a violent confrontation where Joyce attacked Selinah, only to be met with resistance from Lame. The incident spiralled out of control, leading to a public dispute that exposed the family's darkest secrets.

At a family meeting following the death of Selinah's favourite aunt, the truth about Doctor G's advances came to light. But the elders, bound by tradition and shame, chose to sweep the issue under the rug. Selinah's brother, too, sided with Joyce, leaving her feeling betrayed and abandoned.

Years passed, and Joyce returned to Rakops, leaving Doctor G in Maun. But his reign of terror ended abruptly when he died in a car accident in September 2021. Selinah saw it as divine retribution, a fitting end for a man who had caused so much pain.

Selinah's life with Lame was far from perfect, but it was hers. They built a home together and welcomed three children Glamorous, Glacious, and Gracious. But tragedy struck again when Lame was brutally murdered, leaving Selinah to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.

In her grief, Selinah turned to the one person she had spent years avoiding: her mother. But the wounds of the past ran too deep, and their relationship remained fractured. Selinah's story is one of resilience, betrayal, and the enduring hope for a better tomorrow. But as she stood at Lame's graveside, one question lingered in her mind: Is there truly a happily ever after?

The days following Lame's tragic death were a blur for Selinah. The weight of grief pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She moved through the funeral preparations like a ghost, her mind replaying the last moments she had shared with Lame. His laughter, his promises, his dreams for their future all of it was gone in an instant.

But amidst the sorrow, a storm was brewing. Selinah's suspicion that her mother, Joyce, had something to do with Lame's death consumed her. The timing of Joyce's presence in Maun on the day of the murder felt too coincidental to ignore. Selinah's grief quickly turned to rage, and she confronted Joyce in a heated phone call, accusing her of witchcraft and murder.

Joyce, however, denied everything. She claimed she had come to Maun to visit an old friend and had no knowledge of Lame's death until after it happened. But Selinah wasn't convinced. The years of betrayal, the lies, and the emotional scars Joyce had inflicted on her daughter had eroded any trust between them.

The tension between mother and daughter reached a boiling point during Lame's funeral. Joyce showed up uninvited, determined to pay her respects despite Selinah's protests. The sight of her mother standing at the edge of the crowd, her face a mask of feigned sorrow, ignited a fire in Selinah. She stormed over, her voice trembling with anger.

"You have no right to be here!" Selinah shouted, her words cutting through the sombre atmosphere. "You've done enough damage. Leave!"

The crowd watched in stunned silence as Joyce, tears streaming down her face, turned and walked away. But the damage was done. The feud between Selinah and Joyce had become public spectacle, and the whispers followed Selinah long after the funeral was over.

In the months that followed, Selinah threw herself into raising her children. Fabulous Glamorous, Glacious, and Gracious became her reason to keep going, her anchor in a sea of grief and uncertainty. She moved out of the home she had shared with Lame and into a smaller house on the outskirts of Maun, determined to start fresh.

But life had other plans.

One evening, as Selinah was preparing dinner, there was a knock at the door. She opened it to find a stranger standing on her doorstep a tall, well-dressed man with a kind smile. He introduced himself as Thabo, a distant relative of Lame's who had heard about his death and wanted to offer his condolences.

At first, Selinah was wary. She had learned the hard way that not everyone who smiled at her had good intentions. But Thabo's sincerity won her over. He began visiting regularly, helping around the house and playing with the children. Over time, Selinah found herself opening up to him, sharing her fears and dreams in a way she hadn't with anyone since Lame. Their friendship blossomed into something more, and Selinah allowed herself to hope for a brighter future. But just as she began to let her guard down, a shocking revelation turned her world upside down.

One afternoon, while cleaning out an old box of Lame's belongings, Selinah stumbled upon a letter. It was addressed to Lame and signed by Thabo. As she read the words, her heart sank. The letter revealed that Thabo was not just a distant relative he was Lame's half-brother, the product of an affair their father had had years ago. Thabo had reached out to Lame in secret, hoping to build a relationship with him. But Lame, ashamed of his father's actions, had kept Thabo's existence hidden from Selinah.

Feeling betrayed, Selinah confronted Thabo. He admitted the truth but begged her to understand. He had grown to care for her and the children deeply and didn't want to lose the family he had found in them.

Selinah was torn. On one hand, Thabo had lied to her. On the other, he had been a source of comfort and stability during the darkest time of her life. She decided to give their relationship a chance, but the shadow of Lame's secrets loomed over them, threatening to tear them apart.

Just as Selinah was beginning to rebuild her life, Joyce reappeared. She had moved back to Maun, claiming she wanted to be closer to her grandchildren. But Selinah knew better. Joyce's sudden interest in the children felt like an invasion, and Selinah was determined to protect her family at all costs.

The tension between mother and daughter reached new heights when Joyce began spreading rumours about Thabo, accusing him of taking advantage of Selinah and her children. The gossip spread like wildfire, and soon the entire community was talking. Selinah, furious and heartbroken, decided to cut ties with Joyce once and for all. She changed her phone number, blocked Joyce on social media, and made it clear that she was no longer welcome in her life.

But Joyce wasn't one to give up easily.

One night, as Selinah was putting the children to bed, there was a knock at the door. She opened it to find Joyce standing there, her face pale and her hands trembling.

"I need to tell you something," Joyce said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Selinah hesitated but eventually let her in. What Joyce revealed next would change everything.

"Lame's death? it wasn't an accident," Joyce said, her eyes filled with tears. "I paid someone to kill him."

Selinah's world shattered. She stared at her mother in disbelief, unable to process the words. Joyce explained that she had been desperate to regain control over Selinah's life and saw Lame as an obstacle. In a moment of madness, she had orchestrated his murder. The revelation left Selinah reeling. She felt a mix of emotions anger, grief, and a strange sense of relief at finally knowing the truth. But she also knew that she couldn't let Joyce's actions go unpunished.

Selinah reported Joyce to the authorities, and she was arrested for her role in Lame's murder. The trial was a media sensation, and Selinah found herself at the centre of a storm she had never asked for. But through it all, she remained strong. She leaned on Thabo for support and focused on raising her children, determined to give them the love and stability she had never had.

In the end, Joyce was sentenced to life in prison. Selinah visited her once, just to say goodbye. The woman who had once been her mother was now a stranger, broken and defeated. As Selinah walked out of the prison, she felt a sense of closure. The past had tried to break her, but she had emerged stronger. She had lost so much, but she had also gained a new family, a new love, and a new beginning. And as she looked up at the sky, she whispered a silent thank you to Lame, knowing that he would always be with her in spirit.

The years that followed Joyce's imprisonment were a mix of healing and hardship for Selinah. She had finally severed the toxic ties with her mother, but the scars of their tumultuous relationship lingered. Thabo, now a constant presence in her life, became her rock. Together, they worked tirelessly to provide for Glamorous, Glacious, and Gracious, creating a home filled with love and laughter despite the challenges they faced.

But life, as Selinah had come to learn, was never straightforward.

One evening, as Selinah was closing up the small tuckshop, she had started to supplement their income, she noticed a man lingering outside. He was tall, with a hardened expression that sent a chill down her spine. She quickly locked the door and hurried home, brushing off the encounter as paranoia.

The next day, the man returned. This time, he approached her directly.

"Selinah, right?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.

She nodded cautiously, her heart pounding.

"Your mother owes me money," he said, his eyes narrowing. "A lot of money. And since she's locked up, I guess that makes you responsible."

Selinah's stomach dropped. Joyce's past had come back to haunt her in the worst possible way. The man, who introduced himself as Kgosi, was a loan shark Joyce had turned to in her desperation. He had lent her money to fund her schemes, and now he was demanding repayment with interest.

Selinah tried to explain that she had no connection to her mother's debts, but Kgosi wasn't interested in excuses. He gave her an ultimatum: pay up within a month or face the consequences.

Selinah confided in Thabo, who immediately offered to help. But the amount Kgosi was demanding was staggering, far beyond what they could afford. They considered selling their home, but even that wouldn't be enough.

As the days passed, Selinah felt the walls closing in. She couldn't sleep, her mind racing with fear and frustration. The thought of losing everything she had worked so hard to build was unbearable.

One night, as she sat alone in the dark, she decided. She would confront Joyce.

The prison was cold and sterile, a stark contrast to the warmth of Selinah's home. When Joyce was brought into the visitation room, she looked older, her once-proud demeanour replaced by a hollow resignation.

"Why?" Selinah asked, her voice trembling with anger. "Why did you drag me into your mess?" Joyce's eyes filled with tears. "I never meant for this to happen," she whispered. "I was desperate. I thought I could fix everything, but I only made it worse."

Selinah's heart ached with a mix of pity and rage. "You've ruined my life, Mom. Over and over again. And now, because of you, I might lose everything."

Joyce reached out, her hands trembling. "I'm so sorry, Selinah. I never wanted to hurt you."

But Selinah pulled away. "Sorry isn't enough. You need to fix this. Tell me how to make Kgosi go away."

Joyce hesitated, then nodded. "There's a box," she said. "Hidden in the backyard of the house in Rakops. It has money, jewellery, things I've been saving for years. Take it. Use it to pay him off." Selinah left the prison with a glimmer of hope. But when she and Thabo dug up the box in Rakops, they found only a fraction of what was needed.

With time running out, Selinah and Thabo made a risky decision. They would approach Kgosi and negotiate. They gathered what money they could, along with the contents of the box, and arranged a meeting. Kgosi listened as Selinah pleaded her case, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins.

"This is all I have," she said, placing the money and jewellery on the table. "It's not enough, but it's all I can give. Please, just give me more time."

Kgosi studied her for a long moment, then leaned back in his chair. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said. "But guts don't pay debts."

Just as Selinah's hope began to fade, Kgosi surprised her. "Tell you what," he said. "I'll give you six months. But if you don't pay in full by then, there will be consequences."

Selinah nodded, relief flooding her chest. "Thank you," she said. "I won't let you down."

Determined to make good on her promise, Selinah threw herself into her work. She expanded her tuckshop, selling homemade goods and offering delivery services to attract more customers. Thabo took on extra shifts at his job, and together they scrimped and saved every penny.

But the stress took its toll. Selinah and Thabo began to argue, their once-strong bond strained by the weight of their circumstances. One night, after a particularly heated fight, Thabo stormed out, leaving Selinah alone with her thoughts.

As she sat in the quiet house, she realized how much she had come to rely on Thabo. She loved him, but she also knew that their relationship couldn't survive if they didn't find a way to communicate and support each other.

When Thabo returned the next morning, Selinah was waiting for him.

"I'm sorry," she said, tears in her eyes. "I can't do this without you."

Thabo pulled her into his arms. "We're in this together," he said. "No matter what."

Just as they were beginning to make progress, Selinah received a letter from the prison. Joyce had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had only months to live. She wanted to see Selinah one last time.

Selinah's heart ached with conflicting emotions. She had spent years trying to distance herself from her mother, but now, faced with the reality of her impending death, she felt a pull she couldn't ignore. She visited Joyce, their final meeting filled with tears and unspoken words. Joyce apologized for everything, her voice weak but sincere.

"I'm proud of you, Selinah," she said. "You've become the woman I never could be."

Selinah held her mother's hand, the weight of their shared history pressing down on her. "I forgive you," she whispered. "But I need you to know that I'm not you. I'll never be you." Joyce smiled, a single tear slipping down her cheek. "That's all I ever wanted."

Joyce passed away a few weeks later, her death marking the end of an era. Selinah mourned the mother she had never truly known, but she also felt a sense of closure. With the money they had saved and a small inheritance from Joyce's estate, Selinah and Thabo were able to pay off Kgosi. The weight of the debt lifted, they began to rebuild their lives, stronger and more united than ever.

As Selinah watched her children play in the yard, she felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in years. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but she knew she had the strength to face whatever came her way.

And as she looked at Thabo, she realized that love, true love, was worth fighting for.