SHADOWS OF DECEIT
Episode 8
Grace couldn’t shake off the feeling of betrayal as she walked home from Linda’s place. She had never expected her friend to suggest something so hurtful and immoral. Cheating on Chidi was not an option, and she couldn’t believe Linda would even think of it.
As she approached her house, she saw Chidi’s car parked outside. She felt a mix of emotions – anger, hurt, and frustration. She didn’t know how to face him, not after what Linda had suggested.
She took a deep breath and entered the house, trying to compose herself. Chidi was in the living room, watching TV. He looked up and smiled as she entered.
“Hey, how was your day?” he asked, oblivious to the turmoil inside her.
Grace forced a smile. “It was fine.”
Chidi nodded. “Oh, okay. What did you guys do?”
Grace hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “Just talked about some stuff.”
Chidi looked at her curiously. “Everything okay? You seem a bit off.”
Grace shook her head, trying to brush it off. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
Chidi nodded and went back to watching TV. Grace went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea, her mind still reeling from Linda’s suggestion.
As she waited for the kettle to boil, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was doing the right thing by not telling Chidi about her struggles. Maybe Linda was right – maybe she should take matters into her own hands.
But the thought of cheating on Chidi was still abhorrent to her. She knew she couldn’t do it, no matter what.
The kettle boiled, and Grace made her tea, lost in thought. She knew she had to make a decision soon , But for now, she just didn’t know what to do.
That night, the couples went to bed with heavy hearts, weighed down by the secrets and struggles they were facing. They couldn’t even sleep, their minds racing with thoughts and emotions.
Grace turned to her husband, Chidi, and held him close, her body yearning for physical comfort and emotional connection. She kissed him passionately, trying to make her way on top of him, but Chidi stopped her.
“Honey, what are you doing?” he asked, surprised by her sudden intensity.
“Baby, I want us to make love right now. I want you,” Grace replied, her voice husky with desire.
Chidi was taken aback. Grace never suggested making love like this before, and he could see the hunger in her eyes. He knew something was bothering her, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Despite his reservations, Chidi gave in to Grace’s desires. They made passionate love that night, their bodies entwined in a desperate attempt to connect and forget their troubles.
As they moved together, Chidi couldn’t help but wonder what was driving Grace’s sudden passion. Was it a desire to escape their problems or a need to feel closer to him?
Whatever the reason, Chidi couldn’t deny the intensity of their lovemaking. It was as if they were trying to consume each other, to lose themselves in the moment and forget their fears and doubts.
As they finally drifted off to sleep, exhausted and spent, Chidi knew that their love was still strong. But he also knew that their problems were far from over.
The next morning, Saturday, dawned bright and early, casting a warm glow over the room. Grace was busy cleaning up, her hands moving deftly as she put away clothes and made the bed. Chidi, meanwhile, was in the bathroom, the sound of running water and his gentle humming filling the air.
Suddenly, Chidi’s phone rang, piercing the peaceful atmosphere. Grace called out to him, “Honey , your phone is ringing!” Her voice was cheerful.
Chidi’s voice floated out from the bathroom, “It might be Obinna, can you pick it up and tell him I’m bathing?” .
Grace walked over to the table, her feet bare and her hair tied up in a loose bun. She picked up the phone, expecting to hear Obinna’s familiar voice. But instead, a woman’s voice greeted her, warm and professional.
“Good morning, Mr. Chidi! I’m very happy this morning. I have good news for you.” The woman’s words were like a ray of sunshine, but they sent a chill down Grace’s spine.
Grace’s heart skipped a beat as the woman continued, “Your sperm count has miraculously moved up from 20% to 50%! I’m so happy now you have the chances of impregnating your wife. It’s a miracle, sir!”
The room began to spin around Grace. She felt like she had been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Chidi’s sperm count had been the problem all along, and he had kept it a secret from her?
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she thought about all the times she had blamed herself, all the times she had felt like she was failing. She felt a wave of emotions: shock, anger, pain, and betrayal.
With shaking hands, Grace hung up the call, the phone slipping from her grasp. She fell to the floor, her body wracked with sobs. She couldn’t believe that Chidi had watched her suffer, thinking that she was the problem, when in fact, it was him all along.
Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Chidi walked out, a towel wrapped around his waist, a smile on his face. “Hey, honey, what did Obinna say?” he asked, oblivious to the storm brewing inside Grace.
But before he could even get close to her, Grace slapped him hard across the face, her hand stinging from the impact. Chidi’s eyes widened in shock, his face pale. “What’s wrong?” he asked, but Grace just stared at him, her eyes filled with tears and anger.
The room was silent, the only sound Grace’s ragged breathing and Chidi’s stunned silence. The truth hung in the air, a heavy, unspoken weight that threatened to destroy their marriage.
Grace stood up in anger, her eyes blazing with a mix of shock, hurt, and betrayal. She stormed out of the room, leaving Chidi alone with his thoughts. He slowly picked up his phone from the table, his hands shaking as he checked the caller ID. His heart skipped a beat as he saw that it was his doctor who had called.
Chidi’s mind raced as he tried to process what had just happened. He called his doctor back, his voice barely above a whisper. “Hello, sir. It seems you were too shocked to reply,” his doctor said, her voice warm and congratulatory. “I’m happy you now have the chances of impregnating your wife. Congratulations!”
Chidi sighed sadly, feeling a wave of regret wash over him. “Thank you,” he muttered, ending the call without another word. He staggered back, his mind reeling with the consequences of his actions. “Grace knows,” he thought to himself, the words echoing in his head like a bell. “How would he face her now?”
He regretted not telling her the truth from the beginning, realizing too late that his secrecy had caused her so much pain. Chidi recollected himself and went downstairs to the sitting room, his heart heavy with sorrow. He found Grace lying on the floor, her body shaking with sobs. His heart shattered into pieces as he saw the pain he had caused her.
He slowly walked over to her, his eyes filled with tears. “Grace, I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. “I don’t even have any explanation. I just acted in my own interest. I hurt you so much, and I’m truly sorry.”
But instead of forgiveness, Grace ignored him and walked upstairs, leaving Chidi alone on the floor. He sat there, his head in his hands, knowing he had messed up. Whatever Grace decided to do, he knew he wouldn’t blame her. It was all his fault.
As he sat there, surrounded by the silence of his broken marriage, Chidi knew he had to face the consequences of his actions. He could only hope that someday, somehow, Grace would find it in her heart to forgive him. But for now, he was left to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart, alone and unsure of what the future held.
To be continued…..
