Two months flew by, and though the signs of her pregnancy had become more visible, she skillfully concealed it from everyone, masking the morning sickness with forced smiles and her growing bump beneath layered clothes. Her routine as a wife and mother went smoothly with the help of her husband. Her daughter, Semi was already in school and was topping her exams just like her mother. Her mother was a businesswoman while her husband was an accountant in the company where they first met, every thing went smoothly according to their wish but who knew what the devil had in store for them.
When her pregnancy reached eighth month, she miscarried. She was greatly affected by that as she was looking forward to holding her new baby, all efforts to make her happy proved abortive as she dived deeply into depression. Throughout this phase, her husband didn't leave her side. Semi also didn't disturb her as she clearly understood her mother's plight. With prayers and hard work, Amoke started smiling and attending the shop.
A year later, her husband was sacked, this broke him deeply, especially because of the love and commitment he had poured into his job but what did he get in return? A police case and a sack letter over the fraud he knew nothing about.The weight of failure sat heavily on his shoulders, and he spoke less with each passing day. The once lively household slowly sank into silence and sorrow, stripped of the laughter and warmth that once filled the rooms. Amoke became the breadwinner, shouldering the responsibility of the home and family with every profit she managed to earn from her supermarket. With all this, her mother in-law didn't give her breathing space as she accused her of bewitching her son. Confident in her innocence, she refused to let the words weigh her down, yet she bore her new responsibilities with pride, refusing to let circumstances break her. Due to the police case, her husband spent several days behind bars. During this period, Amoke was rarely seen at her shop, her days were consumed by a desperate search for a competent lawyer who would secure his bail/release. She spent a lot just to set him free, her stocks at the shop were reducing drastically due to no funds. After a month, the court granted her husband bail citing a lack of evidence against him. By the time he was released, he looked malnourished and worn out, Amoke was finally free of this burden. Although the court granted him bail, it didn't absolve him of the ongoing police investigation, he was mandated to report to the station whenever required.
His presence at home was painful for him as he was unable to provide for his household, brooding became his hobby while his wife made sure to be by his side. Despite the challenges, Semi continued going to school. Her intelligence was recognized by all, she aced every exams and won trophies in every competition she represented her school in. In her final year of secondary school, she was fortunate to receive a scholarship from the state government. The scholarship would cover her education through university and even up to a master's degree, if she chose to continue. With Semi's education secured, her main concern was how to provide for their basic needs. Before moving forward, due to her husband's case of fraud, they were given a month notice to vacate their house. Amoke had no choice but to return to her past life. She began engaging in extra marital affairs just to provide for her family. Her husband remained unaware, still consumed by his own battles. Within few weeks, she was able to raise money for a new apartment. Despite all these challenges, her love for her husband never faded. Her once-empty shop became fully stocked again, and they began enjoying three square meals sometimes even more on a regular basis. When her husband finally came out of his shell, he couldn't help but wonder how Amoke had managed to turn things around. Although he trusted his wife, he couldn't help himself when suspicion and jealousy began to creep in. He started monitoring her every move but all his efforts led nowhere. After a month, they left their house to a new one, her husband's efforts on getting another job proved abortive. Amoke's mother in law continued insulting her till the extent they had a big misunderstanding. She didn't stop taking care of the home, her supermarket kept on flourishing, one of the reasons why she was accused of witchcraft. Their marriage was already two years and she was unable to give birth after the last miscarriage, this infuriated the mother in law and she threatened her with bringing a second wife into the house. Amoke and her husband started having issues that threatened the whole marriage.
She could not end the whole shenanigans, no matter how hard she tried, chaos had already rooted itself too deep. She was grateful her child was in the boarding school less she will be affected with all that is happening in their lives. He intensified his efforts and finally got a job as an hotel manager but sadly the house changed its course. Amoke lifestyle changed, she was engrossed in the luxuries her husband cannot afford, she sometimes abandon the house for days and sleeps outside.
One warm afternoon, Amoke received a call from a longtime client. He sounded urgent, asking her to meet him at a hotel lounge for a quick business chat. Thinking it was just another transaction, she didn't suspect anything unusual. She dressed simply but elegantly and made her way to the hotel. Upon arrival, the client was already seated at the bar. He welcomed her with a warm smile, pulled out a chair beside him, and they got talking. As the conversation went on, it became lighthearted. They laughed, shared personal jokes, and at some point, he reached for her hand. She didn't resist. They were too close. To anyone watching, they didn't look like business partners. What Amoke didn't know was that her husband had recently picked up a job at the same hotel, temporarily working behind the scenes. He was passing through the bar on an errand when his eyes caught a familiar figure. He stopped and took a closer look.
It was Amoke.
She was seated beside another man, their hands clasped, faces glowing with laughter and closeness.
A sudden rush of heat flooded his chest. Without thinking, he marched toward them.
"Amoke!" he barked, his voice louder than he intended.
She turned, startled. Her heart skipped a beat. "What are you doing here?" she asked, eyes wide with guilt and surprise.
"What am I doing here? What are you doing here? Holding hands and laughing like that?"
"It's not what it looks like" she began.
"Really?" He scoffed. "You're sitting here, all cozy with another man, and you say it's not what it looks like?"
The client quickly stood, sensing the tension. "Sir, it's just business....."
"Stay out of this," her husband snapped.
Amoke rose to her feet, her face flushed. "Let me explain, please"
Her husband shook his head, his eyes cold and wounded. Without another word, he turned and walked away, anger and betrayal burning through every step.
Amoke stood there, frozen, her heart sinking as the man she loved disappeared through the hotel doors.