Title: Bound by Blood, Broken by Pride
Chapter 22: Crossroads of the Heart
Things had really gone bad in the house. I was just managing myself with the little money I had left. Buying small food items, managing just anyhow. Charles had completely withdrawn. He no longer asked me about food, never dropped money for anything. Every morning, he would leave the house early without saying a word, and return very late at night.
It was like I didn't even exist.
I would sit alone most nights, thinking about my life. How did I get here? It had already been six months since Sir Frederick and his wife traveled, and up till now, no word, no return. I was left to suffer in silence in that house. It felt like I was completely alone.
One day, I just sat down in my small corner and told myself, "This is not it. I cannot continue like this." That was the day I made up my mind. I was going to leave.
Before anything, I had been feeling somehow for days - weak, dizzy, emotional. Something in me just knew something wasn't right. I went to the chemist close by, and after the test, it was confirmed. I was pregnant. I didn't know how to feel. I was just confused. One part of me told me it could be Charles, another part said it could be Richard. But truly, I didn't even know who was responsible.
I didn't tell anybody.
That same day, I wrote my resignation letter. I folded it carefully and placed it on the center table, where Charles would see it clearly. Then I went and called Osaho, the security man. I told him to quickly go and buy something, pretending it was Charles that sent me. I didn't want him to suspect anything. As soon as he left the gate, I carried the little things I had, my small bag, and I ran away.
I didn't have a place yet, so I went straight to my old friend, Blessing. She was shocked to see me, but when I told her everything that had happened, she hugged me so tightly and told me I could stay with her. She promised to help me look for a small apartment here in Lagos where I could manage for now.
Later that evening, Charles returned home. Osaho met him at the gate and handed him what he had bought.
"Where is Chioma?" Charles asked him.
I don't know, sir. Since I come back, I never see her again," Osaho replied, confused.
Charles didn't say anything. He just stormed inside the house and began looking for me. When he saw the letter on the table, he read it. He was furious.
he picked up his phone and dialed Richard's number. His voice was sharp, filled with suspicion.
"Richard, where is Chioma?" he asked without greeting.
Richard paused on the other end. "Chioma? I should be asking you that. I haven't seen or heard from her."
Charles didn't believe him. "Don't lie to me. If I find out you're hiding her, I swear - "
"Charles, calm down," Richard interrupted. "I don't know where she is. Why would I be hiding her?"
Charles didn't respond. He just ended the call and rushed out, jumped into his car, and sped off straight to Richard's house. The phone call wasn't enough. He needed to see it with his own eyes.
When he got there, he stormed to the gate, knocking hard and calling out.
"Richard! Richard, come outside now!"
Richard stepped out with a calm face, but his eyes held tension. "You again?"
"I said bring Chioma out now!"
"She's not here," Richard repeated.
"Don't play with me, Richard! If I leave and find out you're hiding her, I'll be back with the police!"
Richard just looked at him. "Do what you want. She's not here."
Charles left angrily. He called his parents immediately and told them that I had left and was nowhere to be found. They were angry with him. they warned him over the phone that they were returning to Nigeria soon, and he must make sure I was found before then. If not, they said, he would face them seriously.
While all this was happening, Queen Preshido and Michael were planning their wedding. The house was full of joy and excitement. Her friends had arrived, and everything was being arranged for their big day. Unlike the sadness Charles carried in his heart, there was laughter and celebration over there.
Charles sat alone in his house one night, thinking about everything. He remembered what Queen Preshido told him the last time they met - that she is pregnant. He shook his head and said to himself:
"That child she's carrying… I'm sure it's mine. I slept with her. I don't care if she's married to Michael now. I'll go for my child. Nobody will stop me."
He thought about me too - how I was missing, how I left without a trace. And then he said out loud:
"If I find out that Chioma is hiding in Richard's place… I swear, I'll lock him up. For life."
Let me know when you're ready for Chapter 23!