But worst of all, he had lost himself. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat well. He replayed everything in his head a thousand times. Go’s entrance. The triplets. Adora walking out. And now the bitter truth. He was the one who had fertility issues all along. He had destroyed his own life with pride.
He sat at his desk staring at the test result from the fertility clinic. Low sperm count, low motility. Patient advised to begin treatment immediately. The words felt like a hammer. So many years, so many lies, so many people he blamed, so many tears he caused, his phone buzzed, another blog post. Former business tycoon faces downfall after ex-wife’s dramatic wedding appearance.
He sighed and dropped the phone. Just then, his mother walked into the office. She looked older, weaker. She had heard everything, too. “Chike,” she said, sitting across from him. I came to talk. He noddedslowly. I know what you’ll say, mama. She sighed. You were wrong. We were both wrong. He looked up.
She continued, “I pushed you to marry someone else. I told Yun Gozi was the problem. But I never once stopped to ask if we were being fair.” “Mama, you helped me chase her out,” Chike whispered. “I know,” she said, her voice cracking. and I will never forgive myself for that. Silence fell between them. She wiped her eyes. Have you spoken to her again? I went to see her. She forgave me.
She always had a big heart. Mamaike whispered. Even after everything. He nodded slowly. But she’s not coming back. She’s happy now. She has a real family. Mamaike lowered her head. God gave her beauty for ashes. and we we destroyed something pure. Chik didn’t speak. He just looked down at his palms, empty now. His crown was gone.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, Goi was in the kitchen preparing okra soup. The boys were watching cartoons in the living room while Emma repaired the kitchen tap. “Babe,” Emma called out, holding the wrench. “Remind me again. Do we have enough crayfish?” Goi smiled. Yes, it’s in the blue container, second shelf. He laughed.
You’ve organized this kitchen like a chemist lab. They both chuckled. There was peace in that home. It wasn’t built with gold, but it was rich in joy. As they sat to eat later that night, one of the triplets suddenly said, “Mommy, when we grow up, will we also be famous like you?” Goi laughed. Who said I’m famous? Everyone was shouting your name on the internet.
The second boy added, licking soup from his fingers. Goi looked at Emma and smiled. You’ll grow up knowing your story, she said. But more than that, you’ll grow up knowing your worth. Emma nodded in agreement and knowing how strong your mother is. A few days later, Mosi got a letter delivered to her new restaurant.
She opened it slowly. It was short, typed, and signed at the bottom by Chiki asterisk. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for your forgiveness. You taught me a lesson I will never forget. I lost a good woman and I hope one day your sons will know how proud they should be. I wish you peace. Chike asterisk.
She folded the letter and placed it in her drawer. She wasn’t angry. She wasn’t sad. She was simply at peace. Back in Chik’s compound, his neighbors now looked at him differently. Some pitted him. Some laughed behind his back. The gardener didn’t greet him with the same cheer. The security man no longer rushed to open the gate with excitement.
He had truly become the disgraced groom. One evening, he stood in front of his mirror and stared at himself. “Who are you now?” he whispered. “What did your pride gain you?” No answer. He looked out the window far away and finally said out loud, “I destroyed the woman who loved me. And now I’m alone.” But far away, the woman he once broke was whole again.
She had found joy. She had found love. She had found purpose. And she had three little reminders that what others called baroness, God had turned into overflow.
