The common room was quiet.
Angela had told them:
> "I want peace. But not silence."
Peter sat first.
Eva next to him.
Sonia by the corner.
Malik leaned by the window.
Angela walked in last.
She dropped four drinks on the table — and one bottle of anointing oil.
No one asked why.
---
Angela sat and looked at Peter.
> "I read the journal."
He nodded. Shame burning in his eyes.
> "And I'm not angry."
Pause.
> "I'm not angry because you're human. And I knew you were human. I just... hoped your struggle wouldn't feel so familiar."
Everyone went silent.
Eva tilted her head. Listening.
Angela turned to her.
> "I don't hate you, Eva. You're bold. You're broken. You're healing.
But I need you to know something…"
> "He's not just some Christian boy who lost control. He was my prayer partner. My almost-husband. My man."
Eva nodded.
> "And I never wanted to replace you."
> "But you did become present when I wasn't."
---
Peter spoke up.
> "I love you, Angela."
She smiled sadly.
> "I know. But love is not proof. It's pursuit.
You stopped pursuing. You started comparing."
Malik coughed.
> "So what now?"
Angela stood. Took the anointing oil.
> "Now? We reset.
Everyone here is carrying their own poison. Jealousy, lust, hurt, comparison, shame.
Let's stop bleeding on each other."
She placed the oil on the table.
> "If you want to keep the bond we built — spiritually or emotionally —
come forward. Say your truth. Be prayed for. Then we move. Or we end it."
No one moved at first.
Then Sonia stood.
> "I've been jealous of your love from the start.
And angry that you both made it look like God was your third party —
when all I saw was romance hiding under tongues."
Angela walked to her.
Hugged her.
Then Malik.
> "I think I loved you, Angela. But I stayed quiet. Because I didn't want to ruin what you had."
Angela nodded slowly.
> "You didn't ruin it. Life did."
---
Last, Peter stood.
> "I confess that I wanted Eva in ways that didn't honor God — or you.
But I also confess that you were my home.
And I'm willing to work to rebuild… if you'll let me."
Angela's hands trembled.
Eva stepped forward.
> "I'll step back. But I won't disappear. You've both taught me something I never saw in church couples before:
Love needs truth, not perfection."
---
Angela anointed Peter's forehead.
Then hers.
Then whispered:
> "God, if this love is from You…
clean it."