Nneka closed her shop early that evening.
Her mind wasn't in the right place to smile at customers or count money carefully. Every word she heard during the day echoed in her head like a drum:
"He was with a girl."
"Light-skinned, overly dressed."
"Ada."
"Does your wife suspect?"
She walked home slowly, as if her feet were carrying the weight of her heart.
When she reached the house, Olu's shoes were already at the door.
He was home early.
That alone felt unusual.
She entered quietly.
He was in the living room, scrolling through his phone with a relaxed expression, humming to a song playing from the radio.
He looked… happy.
Her footsteps made him look up.
"Oh. You're back," he said casually.
Nneka nodded.
"Yes. I closed early."
Olu didn't ask why.
He didn't look concerned.
He simply returned to his phone, smiling faintly at the screen.
Another message from Ada?
Another plan?
Another lie?
Nneka didn't ask.
She no longer knew how to.
She dropped her bag and walked into the kitchen, trying to keep herself together.
But her hands shook as she washed the plates.
A plate slipped — clank!
She jumped at the sound.
Olu entered the kitchen with irritation on his face.
"What is it now?" he asked.
"I… I'm just tired," she whispered.
"You're always tired," he muttered.
Her heart tightened, but she stayed quiet.
⸻
When the Walls Listen
That night, Nneka sat on the edge of the bed while Olu changed into his night clothes.
She wanted to ask him again.
She wanted to plead with him.
She wanted to fight for their marriage.
But her voice was too weak.
Instead, she said softly, "Olu… are we okay?"
He paused.
For a moment, a flicker of softness appeared in his eyes—
the man she married, the man who once held her through storms.
But just as quickly, it disappeared.
"I said everything is fine," he replied, climbing into bed.
He turned his back to her.
The wall received more affection than she did.
Nneka lay down quietly beside him, staring at his back, wondering when the man she loved stopped seeing her.
Tears slid down her cheeks silently in the darkness.
The house heard them.
The walls felt them.
But he didn't.
⸻
A Visit She Didn't Expect
Two days later, Nneka was arranging new stock in her shop when she heard someone clear their throat.
She looked up — and her heart nearly stopped.
It was Olu's sister, Amaka.
Amaka didn't come often.
And whenever she did, trouble usually followed.
Amaka folded her arms and eyed the shop as if she were inspecting a stranger's property.
"So," she began with a smirk, "I heard you're going around telling people my brother is cheating."
Nneka blinked.
"I haven't told anyone—"
"Oh please," Amaka cut in. "Don't pretend. You and your innocent face won't fool us."
Nneka's chest tightened.
"I only spoke to Olu. I haven't—"
Amaka raised her voice.
"Listen, Nneka. Leave my brother alone. You are stressing him. Marriage is not for weak people."
Nneka felt her heart drop into her stomach.
Weak?
After everything she had carried?
Everything she had held together?
Amaka leaned closer.
"And let me warn you — don't go near my mother with your stories. She doesn't want to hear complaints. If your marriage is breaking, fix it quietly."
Nneka swallowed hard, holding her tears.
"I just want peace," she whispered.
"And stop checking his phone," Amaka snapped. "Only desperate women do that."
Nneka's eyes widened.
"How did you—"
Amaka smirked.
"Oh, he told us everything. He said you're starting trouble because you want to control him and claim his property."
The words pierced Nneka like a blade.
His property?
Control?
That was the story he told them?
Amaka turned to leave but paused at the door.
"One more thing," she added coldly.
"Men cheat. It's normal. Don't embarrass yourself by acting surprised."
Then she walked out.
Leaving Nneka standing in her own shop, shaking.
⸻
A Breaking Point She Didn't Expect
When the shop became empty again, Nneka locked the door and sat on the stool, pressing her hands against her face.
Her breath came in short, painful bursts.
She whispered:
"God… I'm trying. I'm trying so hard…"
But the tears kept falling.
Not because she was weak…
…but because she was human.
End of Chapter 5