Angela knew something was… off the moment Peter started smiling at his phone more often.
He wasn't sneaky.
He wasn't hiding.
But he was suddenly glowing in a way that had nothing to do with fellowship.
Tamara clocked it first.
"You're not going to ask him who he's talking to?"
Angela shrugged. "I'm not his wife."
Tamara sipped her drink.
"Yet."
---
It wasn't until midweek service that she saw her.
Tall. Brown-skinned. Soft-spoken.
Long skirt. Minimal makeup. Bible pressed against her chest like she was carrying covenant.
Her name? Grace.
Of course.
And when Peter introduced her after fellowship, his voice dropped a tone — that gentle voice men use when they're talking about someone they used to hold and can't quite un-feel.
> "Angela… this is Grace. We, um… knew each other before I left."
Angela extended her hand, smiling. "Hi."
Grace held it. Firm.
"I've heard a lot about you."
Angela nodded. "Good things, I hope."
Grace chuckled. "Let's just say… you came up a few times during our altar calls."
Angela blinked once.
Smiled twice.
Game on, sis.
---
That night, Angela went home confused.
Not because she didn't trust Peter —
But because she couldn't trust herself not to compare.
She opened her blog editor.
Typed:
> "Is it still healing if I start bleeding when someone else walks into the picture?"
Then closed the laptop.
---
Peter texted later that night:
> "Hey. Just wanted to check in. Hope Grace didn't come off weird?"
Angela replied:
> "She didn't. But the dynamic is clear."
Peter read it.
Didn't reply immediately.
Then finally:
> "It's not what you think. I just promised to help her grow."
Angela typed.
Erased.
Typed again.
> "I'm not jealous. I'm just aware."
---
Meanwhile, Grace?
She started showing up more.
Every prayer meeting.
Every Bible study.
Even at Angela's hostel — casually saying things like:
> "Peter always said you were spiritual. You remind me of how I used to be when I was still naive about men."
Angela smiled.
And prayed to not throw hands.
---
Deborah, this chapter wasn't a storm.
It was a slow leak in a boat.
And that's sometimes more dangerous.
Because now Angela is not fighting temptation…
She's fighting comparison.
And Peter?
He doesn't even realize the fire he's playing with.