3 WISE GIRLS

3 WISE GIRLS A High-Classic Urban Romantic Igbo Nigerian Novel By AKUMA MBA

DEDICATION To every woman who has fought to protect her dreams, her dignity, and her heart. To every friendship tested by love, wealth, ambition, and betrayal. May wisdom always triumph over deception.

AUTHOR'S NOTE 3 Wise Girls is a powerful urban romantic drama set in southeastern Nigeria, where friendship, family loyalty, ambition, and love collide in unexpected ways. This story explores the choices people make when confronted with wealth, power, heartbreak, and temptation. Every chapter is designed to keep readers on edge with emotional twists, family secrets, and unforgettable suspense. Welcome to a world where every smile hides a secret, every promise has a price, and every betrayal leaves a scar.

Prologue: The Promise Under the Moon The city of Enugu glittered beneath the night sky, hiding secrets behind expensive mansions, luxury cars, and smiling faces. Three young women stood on the rooftop of an apartment building overlooking Independence Layout. They had nothing but each other. Adaeze Okonkwo. Nkechi Obi. Chisom Nwafor. They had survived poverty together in the same village of Umuokoro. Together they had fought through university, shared one room, one meal, one dream. On the night of graduation, they joined hands beneath the full moon. "No matter what happens," Adaeze whispered. "We remain sisters," Nkechi completed. "No man..." "No money..." "No power..." "...will ever separate us." Their palms touched. Their tears mixed. The moon witnessed the promise. But destiny smiled.

Because it knew one terrible truth. Before five years would pass... One would become a billionaire's wife. One would become the city's most powerful lawyer. And one... Would become their greatest enemy. Someone would betray the oath. Someone would steal another woman's love. Someone would kill for wealth. Someone would discover a secret buried thirty years before any of them were born. And when the truth finally emerged... Only one of the three wise girls would still deserve to be called wise. The game had already begun. None of them knew it. The city was waiting. Love was waiting. Betrayal was waiting. Death was waiting. The moon silently disappeared behind thick black clouds.

38. Between Life And Death 39. Home Coming Of Hope 40. The Festival Of Light 41. The Wedding That Changed Everything 42. A Promise Under Udala Tree 43. The Last Confession 44. Safe House 17 45. Beneath The Udala Tree PART FOUR – THE THREE WISE GIRLS 46. A New Dawn 47. Forever and Family Epilogue Author's Remarks About the Author Other Books by Akuma Mba

CHAPTER ONE The Promise Under the Moon The moon hung low over the sleepy village of Umuokoro in Enugu State, bathing the ancient red-earth paths in a silver glow. The harmattan breeze carried the scent of roasted corn, fresh palm wine, and the distant rhythm of ogene drums from the village square. It was the last night before three young women would leave the only home they had ever known. Adaeze Okonkwo sat beneath the giant udala tree where they had played as little girls. Tall, graceful, and soft-spoken, she possessed a quiet beauty that drew attention wherever she went. Yet behind her gentle smile was a determination forged by years of hardship. "I still can't believe we're leaving tomorrow," she said softly, tracing circles in the sand with a twig. "I've been waiting for this day since secondary school," Nkechi Obi replied with a laugh as she adjusted the wrapper around her waist. Bold, outspoken, and fiercely ambitious, Nkechi believed the city owed her a better life. "You laugh now," Chisom Nwafor teased, arriving with three bottles of malt. "Wait until Lagos or Enugu starts showing us pepper." The three friends burst into laughter. For years, they had shared everything—school fees, meals, dreams, and disappointments. Whenever one lacked money, the other two contributed. Whenever one cried, the others wiped away her tears. The villagers often called them Umu Ada Atọ—the Three Wise Girls. Not because they knew everything. But because they never abandoned one another. Their friendship had survived poverty, hunger, ridicule, and loss. Now it was about to face something far more dangerous. Success. As they sipped their drinks, an elderly woman approached slowly, leaning on a carved walking stick. It was Mama Ugo, the oldest woman in the village.

"My daughters," she called. The girls immediately stood. "Good evening, Mama." She smiled kindly. "I heard tomorrow you leave for the city." "Yes, Mama," Adaeze answered respectfully. Mama Ugo nodded. "The city gives with one hand and collects with two." The girls exchanged curious glances. "There are three things more dangerous than hunger," the old woman continued. "Money." "Power." "And love." Nkechi chuckled. "Mama, we're going there to work, not to chase men." The old woman laughed quietly. "Nobody plans to fall in love. Love arrives uninvited." Her expression suddenly became serious. "When wealth stands between friends, wisdom is tested. Remember who you are." Silence settled over them. The old woman turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only the echo of her words. For several minutes, none of them spoke. Finally, Chisom broke the silence.

"Let's make a promise." Adaeze nodded. "What kind of promise?" "No matter how rich we become..." "No matter whom we marry..." "No matter what happens..." "We remain sisters." Nkechi stretched out her right hand. Adaeze placed hers on top. Chisom completed the circle. Together they spoke. "We will never betray one another." "We will never fight because of money." "We will never allow any man to destroy our friendship." "If one rises..." "She will lift the others." "If one falls..." "The others will carry her." A cool wind swept through the tree branches as though nature itself had heard their oath. High above them, dark clouds slowly drifted across the moon. None of the three noticed. Far beyond the village, inside a luxurious mansion in Enugu, billionaire businessman Chief Chukwudi Eze paced restlessly across his study. A frightened servant rushed inside.

"Sir..." "What is it?" the old billionaire demanded. "The lawyer is here." Chief Eze took a deep breath. "Bring him." Moments later, an elderly lawyer entered carrying a thick brown envelope marked STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. "Have you found her?" Chief Eze asked. The lawyer nodded. "Yes." "After twenty-three years..." "I have finally found your daughter." Chief Eze froze. His hands trembled. "Where is she?" The lawyer slowly opened the file. "She is living in Umuokoro village." The billionaire stared at the photograph inside the folder. A beautiful young woman smiled back at him. Tears gathered in his eyes. "My daughter..." Before he could say another word, every light in the mansion suddenly went out. Darkness swallowed the room. Then—

BANG! A gunshot shattered the silence. The lawyer collapsed onto the polished floor. Blood spread across the expensive tiles. Chief Eze turned in horror. A shadowy figure stood at the doorway, holding a silenced pistol. "You should have left the past buried," the stranger said coldly. The photograph slipped from the billionaire's trembling fingers and drifted to the floor. The face of the young woman stared toward the ceiling. Outside, thund rolled across the night. And in Umuokoro, the three friends slept peacefully, unaware that before dawn, destiny had already chosen one of them. Their lives would never be the same again.

CHAPTER TWO Three Dreams, One Future The first rays of the morning sun crept over the hills of Umuokoro, painting the village in shades of gold. Roosters crowed from every compound, women swept their courtyards, and the aroma of boiling yam and pepper soup drifted through the cool air. For Adaeze, Nkechi, and Chisom, it was not an ordinary morning. It was the day they would leave home. A battered commercial bus waited beside the village market, its conductor shouting at the top of his voice. "Enugu! Enugu! Last bus! Enter with your luggage!" Villagers gathered to bid the young women farewell. Adaeze hugged her widowed mother tightly. "You have always been my strength," Mama Ngozi whispered, fighting back tears. "Never allow the city to change your heart." "I won't, Mama." The older woman reached into the pocket of her faded wrapper and produced a tiny wooden cross. "This belonged to your father." Adaeze accepted it with trembling hands. "I have kept it since the day he died. Now it belongs to you." She kissed her mother gently. "I'll make you proud." Across the road, Nkechi's father, a retired schoolteacher, adjusted his daughter's travelling bag. "You are intelligent," he said. "But intelligence without humility becomes pride." Nkechi smiled confidently.

"Papa, when I become the biggest lawyer in Nigeria, you'll never worry about money again." He laughed. "I don't pray for your riches." "What do you pray for?" "I pray that your success never costs you your soul." Nkechi looked away thoughtfully. Meanwhile, Chisom was surrounded by her younger brothers and sisters. "Don't forget us!" the youngest cried. "How can I?" she laughed, handing them small sweets. "When I get a good job, I'll send all of…