Title: Bound by Blood, Broken by Pride
*Chapter 21 - A Day of Reckoning*
The house was quiet that morning. Charles had left early, driving toward Oligarden's Way without a word. I was alone, tending to chores, with only the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the house keeping me company. The pantry was nearly empty. No rice, no yam, not even cooking gas. I sighed and reached for a small purse tucked behind the cupboard - money I had been saving. It wasn't much, but it would get us by for now.
"Osaho!" I called.
The gatekeeper appeared lazily from his post. "Madam, you dey go out?"
"Yes, just to get some foodstuffs. I won't be long."
He nodded and opened the gate.
As I stepped out onto the street, a car slowed beside me - Richard's. His windows rolled down, and he smiled.
"Hey, where are you off to?" he asked.
"To buy a few things. Charles isn't home, and the kitchen is empty," I replied politely.
"Hop in. Let me drop you."
"I think I should just go back quickly. Charles could return soon," I hesitated.
"Come on, nothing will happen. Just a few minutes."
Reluctantly, I entered the car. He drove me to his house instead. The table was already set - fruit juice, bread, eggs. He offered me food and we talked. About everything. About nothing. The silence between us felt heavier than words.
Back at the office, Charles sat hunched over paperwork. His mind wasn't on the numbers - it was on Princess Soma, on the money, the disappearing business funds. One of his managers entered his office.
"Sir, the vendor from Florence Brand says we're overdue on payments for the consignment. And... some clients are pulling out. We're behind on salaries."
Charles nodded absently. His thoughts drifted. Was this how it all ends? He picked up his phone and dialed contacts in Germany. No one had seen Princess Soma. Her number was still unreachable. His hands trembled as he dropped the phone.
Meanwhile, I stirred on a strange bed, disoriented by a dull ache in my head. White walls. A nurse passed by. I was in a hospital.
Then Richard appeared by the bedside. "You're awake. Thank God."
I blinked. "What happened? Last I remember... I was in your house."
"You fainted," he said calmly. "You'll be fine. The doctor said it was stress."
A nurse came in to check my vitals. "She'll be discharged soon," she said.
Richard helped me into his car and drove me home. But as we approached the house, tension tightened in my chest.
At the gate, Osaho opened it after Richard honked. Charles stood outside, arms folded, his eyes blazing.
He stormed toward us. "Where the hell have you been?" he shouted at me.
"I... I wasn't feeling well... I was - "
"With him?" Charles barked, pointing at Richard.
Before I could explain, he turned to Osaho. "Lock the gate. Call the police."
Richard raised his hands. "Charles, please. She wasn't feeling well. I just helped."
"You think I'm stupid? You think I don't know what's going on?" Charles growled.
Minutes later, a patrol car pulled up. Charles pointed at Richard. "Take him. For trespassing."
Richard didn't resist. He simply looked at me with sad eyes as the officers led him away.
Back inside, Charles turned his anger toward me. His words cut deep, filled with jealousy and rage. I backed away, my voice trembling.
"I didn't do anything. You never even asked if I was okay," I said.
But his fury drowned out reason. I blacked out as everything spun into darkness.
***
I woke up in a hospital bed, again. The doctor assured me I would be fine, just overexerted. When Charles returned to the room, he sat silently beside me. No words. No apology. Only guilt flickering behind his eyes.
***
Richard sat in a dimly lit cell. His phone privileges were limited, but he managed to get through to Chisom Loretta. She came rushing to the station, her voice sharp with anger at the officers. She bailed him out, hugging him as he stepped into the daylight again.
At the same time, in another part of town, Queen Preshidu returned from her trip. Her father, Ugezu, welcomed her with a proud smile. They embraced.
"So... how is Michael?" he asked, teasingly.
She blushed. "We're doing well. And... we're planning the wedding soon."
He laughed, joy in his eyes. "That's my girl."
The pieces were shifting. But the storm wasn't over yet.
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