CHAPTER 1

LOVE IN DISGUISE

IT was a cold rainy Saturday morning, I woke up with so much anticipation. I kept imagining how I would appear in my wedding gown. Few months ago, I went to different bridal shops to hire a gown and other bridal accessories. I would have loved to purchase a wedding gown but Anderson advised I hired one so that we can save after the wedding. I agreed because I loved him so dearly and couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with him, so I listened and obeyed him, even when I was not satisfied with his idea.

So the day of our wedding finally came and my husband was so happy ( so I thought), he wore a black Turks and he wore the most attractive smile ever. I fell in love over and over again and I wondered how that night would be....it would be so gracious and most memorable.

After the reception, everyone was so happy and Anderson, my husband, was smiling from ear to ear. I was wondering how married life would be, and I was so eager to start having babies. 

In my mind I gave all my babies names, their genders and how I will care for them. I was so ready to even get pregnant on the night of our honeymoon. But talk is cheap because not all that glitters is gold.

Soon after the wedding, life continued. We could not go for a honeymoon because my husband wanted us to save for the future. I loved him the most because I thought he was so into me and us as a family. so we spent our honeymoon in his family house where his father, mother and two sisters live, his only brother wasn't living in the state.

I was not comfortable at all but I agreed to stay until we save up and build our own house or even buy, that was Anderson's idea, and I accepted, though not happy.

At that time I was working with a bank as a bank Manager and my one month salary Could pay for a portable duplex or a four bedroom bungalow ensuite, but Anderson rejected my offer and asked me to open a joint account so that both of us can pay into it every month.

Anderson was a Basic 4 teacher and my salary was five times his own salary. I never disobeyed him because I loved him. So I obliged and opened a Joint account for both of us. It was very easy for me because I was already working with a bank.

Living in the same house was not easy for me, his mother turned me into a slave not minding how I loved his son and treated everyone with respect even his younger sister who I was older than treated a rag better. One of his sisters joined their Mother to Mistreat me. Never for a day did I fight back even when they outrightly fought me.

I hate to think about this particular incident, but immediately after the wedding, his mother seized all the gifts that were given to us, she took all the envelopes that had cash in them, the ones our guests gave to us, she told me point blank that everything that was given to us by guests belong to her, because she suffered to train Anderson his son. I didn't fight back, I couldn't talk, all I did was wet my pillow with tears every night, cry in the bathroom and wear a smile when I see them.

CHAPTER 2

DESPERATION

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months and months became years. I was still holding on to my belief that Anderson and I will soon move out of the family house.

It was a Wednesday morning, after bathing, as I was preparing to go to work, I held Anderson's hand softly and looked into his eyes but I noticed that that romance was missing in his eyes, he couldn't look me in the eyes, guilt was written all over his face, as I was wondering what could be disturbing him, I asked, " babe have I wronged you in anyway"?, he was shocked, he wanted to say something, I placed a tender kiss on his lips and continued, " this is our sixth year after marriage and no babies yet, should I still continue with the pills"?, we have saved up over sixteen million naira in our joint account, we can secure a land and start building, in one and half years, we will be done with the house. My husband looked down, exhaled and told me to still be patient with him, that he wants to buy us a home so that we won't stress over building and painting and other things that have to do with construction of a new house. 

Anderson told me that his expected amount was twenty two million naira, so I have to exercise more Patience so that we wouldn't be mentally stressed.

I actually saw a point there, so I gave up and never asked him, but it kept tormenting my heart because my mother-in- law was so rude, arrogant and greedy, all I wanted was just to leave the family house and start my own family with the love of my life.

Father inlaw was not happy with the way she treated me, but there was nothing he could do because he was sick and always in a wheelchair. His younger brother Paul was not living with us, his immediate younger sister Pamela was so jealous and arrogant just like their mum, but their last daughter Kate was so nice to me, she was always on my side when they start to mistreat me. 

                                     CHAPTER 3

DEPRESSED

After three months of approaching Anderson and telling him I wanted to stop taking the pills, I stopped taking it on my own, without informing him.

So that night I was dressed in my sexy lingerie with scented candles all over the floor,and rose petals on the bed. I was all ready for my husband to come take me to cloud nine. It was 9:30 pm and my husband was not yet home. I called him on the phone, his number was not available, I slept off while waiting for him.

Someone tapped on my legs, I opened my eyes, it was Anderson, and he said " have some shame woman, do you think you are in your own house"?, and he asked me to dress up, all my emotions and sexiness fell on the floor, but I never gave up.

I looked at the clock hanging on the wall, it was 11:58 pm, and I said in a calm and collective voice though it was stern, " babe look at the time, it's almost midnight and you are just coming home, why are you coming home by this time of the night ?, I wanted us to make love this night but you spoiled the fun, why didn't you come back on time?, he responded by telling me his car spoilt on the road and it was in the woods, a no man's land, and there was poor network there. 

I didn't question him further, I asked if he was hungry, he declined, and asked him to have his bath and come over to the bed that I needed to surprise him.

We made passionate love that night, it was indeed a Memorable night for us.

After one month, I woke up, feeling so exhausted, feverish, weak and nauseous. I knew within myself that something big had happened, but I was still afraid of telling my husband, because he was never in support of us making babies as at that time.

He wanted us to save up for our children so that our children will not suffer as he suffered while growing up. 

 I called my office and told them I wouldn't come to work because I was not feeling well. Anderson had already gone to school. So I went to the nearest shop and got myself a pregnancy test strip. I was so scared to check it but since I already bought it, I had no choice. I immersed it in my urine. It came out positive, my heart dropped, I was happy and at the same time sad because I didn't know how Anderson would take it.

 I called my mum that minute and told her the good news, she was overjoyed, I could feel it from the phone, I heard her calling my father's name and breaking the Good news to him, father collected the phone and congratulated me, but at the same time, he noticed I wasn't feeling happy, he asked me why i was sounding so cold, I told him it was as a result of pregnancy sickness, but from his response he didn't believe me.  

I quickly told him I will call them later, that I needed to attend to something, then I cut the call.

I kept thinking how I would break this news to my husband, I was so disturbed that I lost my appetite. Later that morning, Kate, my sister-in-law, noticed that I didn't go to work. She entered the kitchen and made my favorite meal, coconut rice with fried and spiced tilapia fish, with a chilled glass of pineapple juice. The meal was sizzling hot, even in my loss of appetite, when I perceived the aroma of the food, my appetite bounced back. 

 She knocked and came to the room and asked why I didn't go to work. I told her I wasn't feeling fine but she had to keep it a secret.

I broke the news to her, that I was expecting, right after breaking the news to her, her countenance changed and she was looking all sad, I expected her to be happy though, but I waved it aside, then I continued, " Kate, I don't know how to break this news to your brother" this is the seventh year and I am supposed to be happy over this news, but here I am, all sad because I am pregnant". Tears fell from her eyes and she rushed towards the door and ran out. I followed her and asked her why she was crying. She said it's because I wasn't happy, over this joyful news, I did not believe her, she excused herself and left me standing there in my wild thoughts.

                                     CHAPTER 4

CONFUSION

Late in the evening of that same day, I was still lying on the bed, all sad with teary eyes, it was around 8:30pm, Anderson walked into the room, I didn't notice his presence because I was deep in thought, he stood there for over two minutes and was trying to find out what was really wrong with me.

"Babe!, babe!"..., he called in the softest tone I have ever heard him in a while. I jerked up, wiped my tears, stood up, gave him a hug and a kiss and sat right back on the bed, he asked me why I was crying and asked if I saw anything, I couldn't comprehend why he was asking me such a question, in my mind I was like, " is this man hiding something from me?, then I looked up at him and said, "babe, is there something I should know?, is there something you are not telling me?, because I can't understand why the first question you asked me after finding out I was crying was if I saw anything". 

He said yes that he has something to tell me but he has kept it a secret for sometime because he wanted to surprise me, I asked if it was a good news he answered affirmatively, I sighed and beckoned him to sit right next to me, he sat down, then I signaled him to speak to me. He started by apologizing for the late nights, for his his cruel behavior towards me, he promised to change, soon after that he dropped the bombshell, " I have bought a property for us, and in the six months, we will be moving into our new home, I was not only surprised, I was startled, at the same time confused, bewildered and mystified, and I asked, " but babe, how much did you buy the house?, I noticed you took five million from the joint account two weeks ago, I wanted to ask, but something else came up, and I forgot to ask you, he chuckled and continued, " that's why I called it a surprise, I actually took five million from the account and I borrowed the rest from a friend of mine, I want us to use the remaining money in the account to buy furnitures and so many other things. I cut him short in a respectful manner, " but babe we promised ourselves that we won't keep secrets from each other, he said " but it was meant to be a surprise, ok babe, you know I love you so much and I wanted it to be a surprise that's all, he continued... So why were you crying?.

Immediately he asked this question, I couldn't hold my emotions, I bursted out crying even more, I could see the fright on his face, baby did anything happen?, why the sudden outburst?, I told him it was a joyful cry, that I never imagined this day would come so soon, then I broke the news to him, " I AM PREGNANT " , he looked confused and betrayed at the same time, his facial expressions changed in a bit, and he roared, " Don't Tell me you stopped taking the pills". 

I looked at him in amazement, as I was trying to comprehend what that statement meant, he rushed to the table, took the car keys, left the house and drove off. I was terrified, I didn't understand his reasons for being angry, I thought he was supposed to be happy, I was lost, and I kept wondering why this man keeps surprising me in a negative way.

                                      CHAPTER 5

DISGUST

Mystified was an understatement compared to what I felt at that point. All of a sudden, my mother-in-law rushed into our room, followed by my two sisters in law and then my father-in-law.

My mother-in-law was shouting at the top of her lungs, " Lauretta! I knew it right from day one that you were not meant for my son, my God given son, look what you've done now, what if he bashes into an upcoming car and kills himself, can you see the anger you put him through? I have never seen my son this angry, you are not only wicked, you are a witch, I said it times without number, I told my son to divorce you because you are such a bitter soul, you took my son's love from me, and Pamela, Kate's elder sister concured to her false allegations and started from where she stopped, " Mum you have not even heard, my brother told me a lot of evil things about this wicked witch called Lauretta, he said she has no womb, because of all the abortions she committed in the past, he also said he is just doing her good by getting married to her, that the only thing she knows how to do is sex, that it was even because of sex that he married her, she continued by saying she is a low life, and that he is so fed up with this marriage.

 I was bemused, short of words, I didn't know what to say, I couldn't cry, because tears dried up immediately from my eyes. Father in law was on his wheelchair, he drove close to me and held my hands, and Kate held my shoulder, and was crying bitterly,  

Kate now spoke to her sister in utter disgust, " Pamela! you are a disgrace to womanhood, what has Lauretta done to you and mum to be paid back with such wickedness, that we have been eating in this house is because of Lauretta, dad has been visiting the clinic and his bills are on Lauretta, dad has retired and his pension and gratuity hasn't been paid yet, mum has retired too but her monthly pension can't even feed everyone in our house for a whole week. you and I don't have a job, Anderson our brother is collecting stipends as salary, he is just a basic school teacher, and you are here opening your trash that you call a mouth to talk ill of someone that is keeping you alive by feeding you? she continued... Mum I am sorry but I think you and Pamela are the witches in this house. While all these were going on father-in-law started jerking, he could not breathe, the whole household was in total confusion and I quickly wore my slippers and wheeled him to the car and we drove to the hospital.

When we got to the hospital, he was rushed to the emergency room and he was given oxygen, and later he was resuscitated and stable but was sleeping.

Pamela called Anderson and told him all that happened, also told him that he should leave everything he was doing and come straight to the hospital. After twenty minutes, Anderson walked into the private ward, he couldn't look me in the eye, he asked mother in law what the problem was, she knew she was the culprit because she stirred the dust, she started the whole problem, so she could not talk, she asked Kate what happened and Kate told him to ask Pamela, because Pamela was the one that called him. When all these were going on, I didn't utter a word.

He still didn't look at me, he drew a chair towards father-in-law and sat down. I was so disgusted by his sight, and because of the anger in my heart, coupled with my condition, I started feeling nauseous and I stood up immediately and rushed to the bathroom.

 As I was vomiting in the toilet, I heard Pamela whispering, " Why did she run to the bathroom?, are you thinking what I am thinking?, does it mean she is pregnant?, all these questions came at once, then Kate interrupted, " who in particular are you asking?, because the last time I checked you said her womb was destroyed so how come you are asking if she is pregnant.

Pamela cuts in, "am I no longer a member of this family, don't I have the right to know all that is happening in our family?, then a nurse rushed in and beckoned them to keep it low because father in law needed to rest.

 Then for the first time I heard Anderson's voice, though it was low, but he sounded disappointed, " yes Lauretta is pregnant". When all these were going on, they didn't know I could hear them because I pretended I was still vomiting. so they thought I was busy, without knowing I was all ears.

So Pamela shouted ," what?, how can this be, Anderson I could remember vividly when you told me Pamela's womb was destroyed because of multiple abortions that she committed in the past", then Anderson replied, I was drunk when I told you that, " You lie" said Pamela, I have never seen you drunk besides you don't even take alcohol, or is it because of Elizabeth and her crew" Pamela winked at him smiling half way.

So their mum hushed them and signaled them to shut up. I came out wiping my mouth.

I still didn't make any utterance, but in my Mind I was thinking deeply who Elizabeth and her crew were.

                                     CHAPTER 6

JEALOUSY

The weather was cloudy early that morning, when I woke up and saw Anderson still sleeping, I went straight to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, helped myself to the toilet, then had a warm bath. By the time I got into the room because our room was ensuite, Anderson was already awake chatting with someone on the phone, it was a video call. He was trying so hard to sound diplomatic (no strings attached).

Although I was very busy preparing for work, my ears were one hundred percent glued to his conversation. While waiting for him to end the conversation so that we can have some chitty chat before I finally leave, I actually wanted to ask him why he didn't prepare for school.

 Then I heard a knock on the door, it was Kate, she gave me a food flask and my water flask, then she handed me the list of the food stuff she will buy in the afternoon, I checked my purse, all I had on me was just five hundred naira, but she needed three thousand five hundred to go the market.

I gave her the last money I had which was five hundred and I told her to come to my office and collect the money for the food stuff since my office was close to the market. As she was leaving she said good morning brother Anderson, Anderson just waved and continued with his conversation. I became So impatient because his phone conversation wasn't ending anytime soon, so I just signaled him that I will call him when I get to work and I left. 

When I got outside I remembered that I forgot my car key on the table in our bed room, I rushed inside only to see Anderson's phone still on, on the bed, the video call was still on, but Anderson went into the toilet to pee, I picked the phone up and I saw children running around, I didn't see any adult, then Anderson came out, saw me, rushed towards me and snatched the phone away from my hands, then he ended the call. I was bemused, and confused. He said, " I thought you had left for work, what are you still doing in this house and why were you trying to eavesdrop on my conversation", I told him I wasn't eavesdropping, that I came in to get the car key. He warned me never to pick his phone again.

 Before I could utter another word my secretary called me on the phone and told me a company was waiting for me at the office, as I was leaving I told him, "Anderson your secret life will someday be exposed, you will look for me, and you will not find me, I have been a good woman to your family and a loving wife to you". Then I picked my car key and left the house.

Mother in law was in the kitchen, preparing some delicious food that she will give her sick husband at the hospital. After preparing the food she started ransacking everywhere and was screaming Kate's name. 

" Kate!Kate!Kate answered, " yes Ma", she continued, " who took the stainless steel food flask I kept in the cupboard"?I said, ``Who took it?". then Kate answered, " but mummy, it's Lauretta's food flask, she bought it herself, in fact that's what she has been using since she came to this house". Mum was so furious, " you know your father is in the hospital and your sister Pamela is there with him taking care of him, so which food flask do you want me to put their food in? Kate told mum that the stainless steel food flask is smaller and won't contain two persons food, she then asked her to use the bigger Plastic food flask, as Kate stretched her hand to give her the food flask, mother in law grabbed it from Kate's hand and threw it on her, the food flask landed on the floor and broke into pieces, then Anderson rushed to the kitchen and asked his mother what the problem was, then the mum replied and said, " Is it not the good for nothing woman you brought to this house as a wife, she pretends a lot, she thinks she is rich and that's why she is using her wealth to oppress us all, let her not forget that this is my husbands house, it is equally my house so she has no right, absolutely no right to decide what happens in my house.

Kate interrupted her while crying, " Mum so it has been jealousy all these while, why are you jealous of a girl you are old enough to be a mother to, this innocent lady has worked tirelessly to make sure that there is food always in this house. she gave dad loan to buy this house we are living in", the mother interrupted her, " loan, did I hear you say loan?, the former owner of this house was owing another bank and then they had to sell it as a distress sale, Kate interrupted her again, " even when the bank pegged it as a distress sale, dad couldn't still afford it, it was Lauretta that gave dad loan from her bank to pay for the house. Mum cut her short and said, that the money belonged to the bank and not LAURETTA, mum sneered. 

 Kate sighed, looked at mum and said, don't allow hatred, anger, and pride to overshadow your sense of reasoning, mum you are supposed to be my role model, while growing up, I loved the way you and dad sorted things out, even when dad was misbehaving, you stuck with him till this time, what really happened.

Then mother in law hissed and then instructed Anderson to go and get her a stainless steel food flask, a bigger one at that. Anderson left the house without a word and headed to his car to go to a nearby shop.

                                     CHAPTER 7

PAINED

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, Lauretta and Kate were sitting on the couch, watching HBO, when Anderson's car drove into the compound. After some minutes Mother in law, Pamela, Anderson and father in law opened the front door and came in, Lauretta and Kate ran towards them and hugged daddy, Lauretta was so happy to see him, then mother in law muttered, pretenders do the worse, and Pamela cuts in, " as if she is happy to see him", hmmm.

Then Kate looked at both of them and said, " the heartlessness of humans can only bring them pain and bitterness".

She left them there and proceeded to her room. Lauretta acted like she didn't hear them and asked father in law what he would eat, he told her and she went straight to the kitchen to prepare it for him.

While Kate was there preparing yam porridge for father-in-law, she couldn't hold back her tears, she was really heartbroken, she was in deep thoughts remembering how she has been a good wife to them all, how she she wholeheartedly gave her life for them only for them to trample on her like a wet rag. As she was crying silently and sobbing, Kate walked in and held her by the shoulders and promised her that she will be happy someday, and there is light at the end of every tunnel.

Not long after Kate came in, Anderson walked into the kitchen and saw Lauretta crying, he asked " babe why are you crying, then she responded and asked him why his mum hates her so much and she is even making Pamela to hate her too, and Anderson told her that he has never seen mum talk to her in a harsh tone, then he excused himself and left them.

Lauretta was alone in the room deeply thinking about her life

Suddenly Anderson came into the room. Then Lauretta called him and asked him to come and sit down, he sat down and Lauretta started talking to him in a calm way.

"Babe, you have changed a lot, we don't even talk the way we use to, since you spoke to me about the house that you bought you have not said anything about it, you are always talking to someone on the phone even at night, is the person you are talking to all the time not aware that you are married? and does the person not know what an odd hour is"?, Anderson didn't say a word, Lauretta repeated herself then Anderson replied, "why did you stop the pills"?, was that our plan?, then Lauretta cuts in with a tearful voice, "babe where is your human heart", I was thirty years old when we got married, now I am thirty-seven going to thirty-eight.

When do you want us to start making babies, when I am forty?

 Woman you disobeyed me period, about the house, I have nothing to say until you put to bed then we can go there and live, aside that I have nothing more to tell you. 

Lauretta bursted out crying and told him, " Because of my love for you and your family, I gave dad, your own dad a loan of eighteen million naira, and I have been the one paying back the loan since the company he worked with refused to pay him his gratuity, the loan is remaining just one million eight hundred thousand out of eighteen million, I have been the one paying for it, I have been the one taking care of the welfare of this house, you bought a house without my knowledge, how could you Anderson, what have I done to you to deserve this punishment, now that God has blessed us with a pregnancy you are not happy and you don't even want me to be happy.

All these while, Kate was at the door, eavesdropping and shedding tears.

Anderson's phone rang, he picked it up and said, "hello dear what's up"?, hope you guys are doing just fine, ok just prepare him, we need to go see a doctor as soon as I arrive.

Lauretta cried even more and watched him as he picked his car key and left the house, without consoling or even talking to her.

                  CHAPTER 8

DECEIT

Early that morning, Lauretta woke up and found out that Anderson didn't sleep in the house, he spent the night somewhere after receiving a call from a stranger.

All those thoughts made her weak and sick, she rushed to the bathroom to vomit, then she had her bath, when she came to her room, she dialed Anderson's number, but It was switched off, she started crying again, moments later Kate knocked on the door and brought her food, but she told Kate she wasn't feeling hungry that she had lost her appetite, still crying, Kate hugged her and told her that she will be fine and that she has something to tell her, and what she has to tell her could ruin her(Kate) relationship with her family, and that her family may even disown her( Kate).

Lauretta was confused and scared at the same time, she managed to get hold of herself and promised Kate that if what she is scared of happens to her after telling her the secret, that Lauretta will take her in and train her.

Then Kate became so scared and was shaking like a dry leaf on a tree about to fall off, she said, I am so sorry Lauretta, I don't know how to say it, it's so heavy in my mouth, I am not even thinking about myself at this time, I am concerned about you and how you will take it, it might ruin you considering your present condition.

Lauretta was really scared this time, she asked her if there is anything wrong with Anderson, she said no, but the news is about Anderson, she cuts in again, is Anderson suffering from a terminal case?, she said no, she asked Again, what about daddy, is he fine, did the doctor give a negative report?, is it mom or Pamela, what about your brother Desmond in Kogi, is he fine, ok wait let me call my parents to find out if there is a problem, Kate now held her hand, it's not your parents, they are all fine, no one is sick, my brother Desmond is fine, in fact he called mom this morning, so everyone is fine. 

So Lauretta heaved a sigh of relief and asked her, "then what is it?", smiling she said she really made her jumpy and feeling like this is not good for a pregnant woman, then Kate's cuts in, exactly my point, that is why I have been finding it so difficult to tell you, she continued, in fact I wanted to tell you that day that I prepared coconut rice for you, but I didn't get the opportunity because that was the day you broke the news of your pregnancy and I have been finding it almost impossible to tell you.

Lauretta feeling uneasy, she said in a low tone, "please sis, tell me, I promise to stay calm, she held her hands and asked her if she has been noticing a strange behavior in Anderson, she said yes, strange calls at night, keeping late nights and not even coming home some times in the night. As she was about to say it, they heard Anderson's car driving into the compound and Kate promised her that she will tell her anytime Anderson leaves the house, Kate then got up from the bed and left their room.

Anderson walked into their room, and just pretended he was robbed at gun gun point, " babe not even a single call from you, you are so hard hearted, do you know I was attacked yesterday night by armed robbers, a group of four boys attacked me when I was going to meet my lawyer yesterday to finalized the purchase of our home, they stopped me on the way, pointed me their guns and ordered me to lie flat on the ground, they took my ATM card and ordered me to disclose my pin, then I gave them a wrong pin, they didn't know I lied, they allowed me to go.

Lauretta's countenance didn't change one bit, she was not even surprised because his phone was switched off, immediately he left the house yesterday after he got a call Lauretta cuts in, " so the armed robbers took your ATM card? he said yes, then she continued..."Babe, immediately you left the house yesterday I saw your ATM card on the table, I called you but your phone was already switched off, I know your battery wasn't low because I was the one that charged your phone early yesterday morning, so your battery was fully charged, I called you throughout last night too and this morning but it was still not available, so tell me when were you robbed?.

Anderson felt like a complete idiot he said, anyway I gave them another ATM that is not working. Lauretta interrupted him, " your ATM is on the table. and she continued please I want to go and see our new house. I have been having a hard time trying to relax my nerves, so I think the only thing that would make me happy is going out to see our new home. 

Anderson was confused, he didn't know what to say, he now agreed and told her that they will go next week Tuesday,she agreed without complaining. 

Lauretta looked at him intently and asked, " Anderson when did you resign or have you found another job?", he was surprised because that was the first time Lauretta called him by his name, then he cuts in, "ANDERSON"?, is that what you call me now. she interrupted, pleaseeeee, spare me those jargons, I only asked a simple question, because I know before we got married, we both agreed that we won't keep secrets, but you are going against our vows, the vows we made to each other, Why Anderson, why?.

He apologized and promised her it won't happen again. She agreed yet again and asked him to join her at the dining table after bathing.

                   CHAPTER 9

  REGRET

Kate was alone in her room, her mind was occupied with thoughts of Lauretta, the last conversation they had, and what the outcome would be, she was sick to the stomach, she couldn't get up that morning to prepare breakfast for the family, while in deep thoughts, Lauretta entered the room, and called her name twice, but she didn't hear her, so she went closer..." Kate! Katie, are you ok, she then turned and looked at her and Kate saw innocence on Lauretta's face she couldn't help it but burst out aloud, she held her and cried deeply, Lauretta was confused, she didn't know what to say, she then started calming her down and she told her that she won't get angry and she won't act irrationally since she has known that she loves her so much and want to go as far as breaking the family's secret. 

Then Kate started, while she was sobbing, she asked Lauretta to forgive her for keeping this secret away from her for so long, she continued, " Lauretta you are such a nice person, and you don't deserve evil people around you, I consider myself evil because I withheld this secret from you for seven years, you don't deserve Anderson in your life because he has no atom of love for you." Then she now broke the camel's back by saying, Anderson is a father of three children, two boys and a girl, and his girlfriend kiki is currently expecting the fourth child, he bought a house, an uncompleted bungalow not a duplex as he lied to you, and soon I mean very soon he will travel with his girlfriend and three children to Canada, their passports and Visas are ready. I am surprised you have not noticed any weird behavior.

Lauretta's legs started shivering like a leaf on the tree, she held Kate's hand so tight that Kate let out a loud scream, she cried and cried uncontrollably and Kate couldn't comfort her. Then Kate begged her to stop crying so that no one would notice, she went ahead and advised her to go and look for their passports and Visas, and hide them , then let her give herself some time to think of what to do.

So Lauretta dried her eyes immediately, went straight to their room and ransacked every nook and cranny, she didn't find it, she went to their store where they keep properties that are not in use, "lo and behold", they were all there stacked up in a file. she took them immediately, they were five international passports. She arranged the room well, took her car key and drove off. It was her annual leave, so she didn't go to work.

Kate was on her bed, happy because she has let out the heaviest burden in her mind and at the same time worried because she is totally ignorant of what the outcome will be.

Pamela came into Kate's room to borrow her phone charger, the following conversation ensued.

I was hearing someone crying in this room not quite long, and I thought it would be one of your TikTok videos, by the way have you seen Lauretta today, I know she is on her annual leave so she didn't go to work today, I came out I didn't see her car so I concluded she left with her car. Kate responded and told her she saw when she was driving out, and she didn't take her shower which means she is not far from the house.

Pamela went straight to the switch and took Kate's phone charger and promised to bring it back when her phone is fully charged. As Pamela was leaving Kate's room mum called Kate and asked her why she didn't prepare any food this morning, Kate told her it was her time of the month, so she was in pains that why she could not get up early to prepare breakfast for the family.

Mum objected and told her she was lying because her period has never prevented her from doing chores at home, she concluded it was because Lauretta's annual leave had started, knowing fully well that Lauretta won't be going to work with breakfast. Kate looked at mum, and shook her head in total disbelief, she said when you start loving this lady ( Lauretta) you will indeed know that love is a beautiful thing. 

She concluded by saying mum, Lauretta is such an angel, not the BEAST HEARTED brother of mine.

 she got up, and left the mum in total shock.

                                   CHAPTER 10

Courage and Comfort

Lauretta drove straight to her parents house. Both families stay in the same city.

Lauretta's both parents are professors, they are very rich and Lauretta's is their last born and only daughter.

She drove into the compound, parked her car and was crying profusely...Mum, Dad, this Marriage is over. she kept screaming.

In utter shock, her dad asked in a loud voice, why my child, you and Anderson are so much in love, what could be the matter?

Her mother drew her closer to her and comforted her... then she cuts in, for Anderson to make you feel this way in this condition, in your early pregnancy, then he will have some questions to answer, mum bluntly stated.

They asked the maid to prepare me some food, and run my bath, so I went straight to my room to freshen up, my phone was still switched off, I didn't want to be disturbed at all.  

Moments later mum called me to come to the dinning table to eat.

As I was going to the dinning table I opened my bag and took the file containing Anderson's illegitimate family passports and Visas.

 I sat down and began to eat, Mum and dad were all seated waiting for me to start a conversation while I was eating.

I noticed that both of them were looking at me, expecting me to say something,

I heaved, and handed Mum the file, she looked at me, and confusion was written all over her face, she asked, oh dear, what is this, dad cuts in, is that your divorce letter?

I shook my head and signaled them to open and see for themselves. Dad took it from mum and opened it, he was confused, he asked, are you traveling with Anderson's whole family?, because he was already holding Anderson's passport, so he concluded that mine was there too. 

I told him to open them one after the other and check the names, after opening them, he was still confused, then he asked why my passport was not there, by that time, I was already done with food, I was just sipping on my juice, a new strength came inside of me, and I became strong again. 

I told them that Anderson has another family, and as we speak, the woman is pregnant with their fourth child. They are planning to go and give birth in Canada.

I looked at dad and mum, their jaws were on the floor. and their eyes were stationed at each other. 

 Mum turned towards me and asked if Anderson's mum and dad were aware. I told him the entire family is aware, in fact they kept it from me, but out of love and a sincere heart, Kate, their last daughter opened up to me and told me the whole truth. She advised me to move the file, and keep it away from that house. , and that's exactly what I did.

Mum said Kate will be compensated. She asked me to switch off my phone and have a good rest then by tomorrow, we will all go to their house. 

Anderson came home in the evening, went to their room and didn't find Lauretta in the room, he checked the bathroom and she was nowhere to be found, then went to his parents room and asked them if Lauretta told them where she was going to, they said no, he went to Pamela and Kate and asked them too, they said hey have no idea, so he started calling her phone, but it was switched off, he became so bothered and headed to the store only to find out that the file has been taken, he shouted and called everyone to come and see what happened, they all came and saw that the passports has been taken.

They were confused and asked who could have done that.

Anderson, for the first time in his life, cried like a baby and said someone betrayed him, he went to his sick father and was pointing accusing fingers on him, telling him he is the worst father on earth, that he regrets being his son, he called him a useless father, because he thought his father told Lauretta the truth, while all these was going on, as he was abusing his father, his mum and Pamela said nothing, in fact they supported him, when Kate saw that this was getting out of hand, and reprimanded them all, she continued by calling out Anderson, she told Anderson how heartless he is, and how he does not deserve Lauretta, she continued by telling him that Lauretta is a nice woman, very respectful and responsible yet he chose to break her heart in this manner, she called mum out and told her that she has gotten what she has always wanted and that Anderson's girlfriend kiki, hates her yet she supported Anderson's heartlessness. She did not forget Pamela, she told her it's only jealousy that is pushing her to hate Lauretta.

Finally she told them... Lauretta found out about Anderson's secret affair.

and that's why she is missing.

Anderson fell down and cried. He looked up and asked her how she found out.

Kate said nothing to him, she left and went straight to her room.

                                    CHAPTER 11

 The Divorce 

The following day Lauretta and her parents came to Anderson's house. His mother came out smiling from ear to ear just to show Lauretta's parents that she is a nice person. Anderson's father was already seated on the couch, he greeted them well and asked them to sit.

At first, Anderson refused to come out and greet his parents-in-law because he was so ashamed of his behavior towards their daughter, his wife.

Lauretta's father said point blank that they didn't come to have fun, but they want to know why Anderson chose to break their daughter's heart and to cap it all during her most delicate period -pregnancy.

Anderson's mum pretended she knew nothing about it, then she asked "what happened?" Lauretta's mum narrated the whole story just as her daughter had earlier told her, and Anderson's mum feigned ignorance.

 So Lauretta said for the first time, that she needs a divorce and there is nothing nobody will tell her to change her mind, she also said she came to pack her clothes. She went to their room and Anderson followed her.

He fell down to his knees and started begging Lauretta to forgive him and that something like that will never happen, she took all her belongings and left the room, then she turned and told Anderson that the uncompleted bungalow which he bought has been confiscated, she took all the money in the joint account and told Anderson to meet her at the court for the final dissolution of their almost eight years old marriage. She also told Anderson not to bother coming to get child custody because according to her, he never wanted her to be pregnant.

They all stood up and left the house, and Anderson was left sitting on bare floor and crying  

CHAPTER 12

Happiness Finds love

Months later Lauretta had a bouncing baby girl, she named her Gift. 

On the other hand, Anderson kept calling her to forgive him, but Lauretta refused vehemently and told Anderson that baby Gift will never see him until she is eighteen years old.

Kate was allowed to come and see the baby gift.

Few years later Kiki brought all her luggages to the house, together with her children, and she later gave birth to her fourth child, a baby girl. Anderson married her.

She is always at war with mother-in-law.

Father in law's gratuity was later paid, he used one million eight hundred thousand to pay off the debt of the house and used the remaining three million to start a business for his wife.

Kiki, on the other hand, started learning how to sew, Pamela got married and left their house, Kate got an admission into the university.

Lauretta found love again, she got married to a man that truly loves her and the man agreed to adopt baby gift.

They now live abroad and life has been good.

The End

#WM2024