They came from the people who should have loved you best. Mama Grace stayed with her. Obinna stayed with her, too. Neither of them made her feel weak for breaking. Later, when Chika had calmed a little, Mama Grace went into her room and came back with a wrapped box. She placed it in Chika’s hands. Chika looked confused.
Mama? Open it. Inside was an old but stunning family heirloom. It was worth a great deal, and Chika could tell immediately that it was not something given lightly. I can’t take this, she said quickly. Mama Grace held her hand. You can. No, Mama. This is too much. Mama Grace shook her head. You are not just my daughter-in-law.
You are my daughter. This house is yours, too. You are loved here. You are safe here. Chika looked at her, then at Obinna, and something settled in her heart. Blood had failed her. Love had built her a new family. That truth healed her more than money ever could. But while Chika was finding peace, Kemi’s victory had already started rotting.
Tunde and his family needed money badly. Their polished image was becoming harder to maintain. Tunde started pressing Kemi more openly now. One day, it was for business. Another day, it was for image. Another day, it was for an urgent investment. He lied when necessary. He flattered her when necessary.
He promised repayment when necessary. But inside, he had already made up his mind. Use her first. Drop her later. Kemi, still desperate to remain Mrs. Bello at all costs, kept giving in. She released money bit by bit. She defended Tunde when others questioned him. She told herself it was temporary. But the truth would not stay hidden forever.
The Bello family was sinking. Tunde’s image was cracking. His confidence had become forced. His money no longer matched his mouth. At the same time, talk of a huge wedding was spreading across the city. A mysterious and extremely wealthy man was finally getting married. Very few people had seen him openly. Many knew his investments.
Many knew his power. But few knew the face behind the name. Naturally, high society was restless. People were talking, guessing, trying to get invited. Tunde heard the talk and immediately wanted in. If he could connect himself to that powerful man, maybe the Bello family could recover. Kemi wanted the same thing for different reasons.
She wanted to be seen again. She wanted status. She wanted people to stop whispering. Neither of them knew the truth. Meanwhile, Chika’s own wedding day was drawing close. Even after everything, she still found herself nervous. At times, she would sit quietly and wonder if she truly deserved a love this steady.
A man like Obinna still felt bigger than what she understood. Not just because of money, but because of the way he loved without making it heavy. On the morning of the wedding, she was still sitting with those thoughts when Obinna entered in full formal wear. For a second, Chika forgot where she was. He looked elegant, powerful, and almost completely different from the simple farmer she had first met.
