SHADOWS OF DECEIT
Episode 5
Few months into their whirlwind romance, Chidi knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Grace. He proposed to her, and she said yes. Their wedding was a beautiful blend of laughter, tears, and joy, surrounded by friends and family.
Everything seemed perfect. They had built a cozy home, traveled together, and explored new hobbies. But beneath the surface, a subtle tension began to creep in. Grace couldn’t conceive, and the pressure was mounting.
Chidi knew the truth – he was the reason they couldn’t have a child. His past health issues had left him with a low sperm count, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell Grace. He felt guilty and helpless, knowing he was the cause of her distress.
As the months went by, Grace’s frustration grew. She felt like her body was failing her, and the constant disappointment was taking a toll on her mental health. Chidi tried to be supportive, but he couldn’t fix the problem. All he could do was console her, hold her, and whisper words of encouragement.
But despite his efforts, Grace was consumed by her sorrow. She felt like she was losing herself in the process, like her identity was tied to her ability to bear children. Chidi’s guilt and helplessness only added to the tension, creating a rift in their once-perfect relationship.
Two years into their marriage, Chidi and Grace’s love was still strong. They had built a beautiful life together, but one issue began to cast a shadow over their happiness: Grace’s inability to conceive.
At first, they thought it was just a matter of time, but as the months went by, Grace’s anxiety grew. She felt like a failure, and the pressure from her family and friends didn’t help.
Chidi was supportive, always reassuring her that he loved her no matter what. But despite his efforts, Grace couldn’t shake off the feeling of inadequacy.
One day, after a particularly tough doctor’s appointment, Grace broke down in tears. “I feel like I’m not good enough for you, Chidi. I’m a failure as a wife.”
Chidi held her close, his voice filled with empathy. “Grace, you’re not a failure. We’ll get through this together. We’ll find a way.”
But as the days turned into weeks, Grace’s distress only deepened. She began to withdraw from Chidi, feeling like she was losing herself in the process.
Chidi tried everything to reach her, but Grace was lost in her own world of pain and sorrow.
One day, Grace was in the kitchen making breakfast when her husband, Chidi, crept in and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. He kissed her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She turned around, smiling, and he kissed her passionately.
“I love you,” he whispered, his eyes locked on hers.
“I love you too,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Their lovely moment was cut short by a loud knock on the door. They looked at each other, surprised, and wondered who could be visiting at such an early hour.
“I’ll get it,” Chidi said, reluctantly letting go of Grace.
As he walked to the door, Grace couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. Who could be visiting them at this hour? And what did they want?
Chidi opened the door to find his mother standing on the porch, her expression stern and unpleasant. He was taken aback, surprised to see her unannounced visit.
“Mom, what brings you here?” Chidi asked, trying to sound cheerful despite his surprise.
His mother replied curtly, “I came to see my son and daughter-in-law.” She walked past Chidi, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for someone.
Grace, who had been in the kitchen, walked out to see who the visitor was. She saw Chidi’s mother and her heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected her to visit, especially not with that look on her face.
“Good morning, ma,” Grace greeted her, trying to sound respectful.
But Chidi’s mother ignored her, didn’t even acknowledge her presence. Instead, she walked upstairs, leaving the dazed couple in the living room.
Chidi looked at Grace, shrugged, and whispered, “I have no idea what’s going on.”
Grace looked worried, “Do you think everything is okay?”
Chidi shook his head, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”, Grace nodded and went back into the kitchen,
As he sat in the silence, he heard his mother’s footsteps coming back downstairs. She entered the sitting room, her eyes blazing with anger, her face twisted in a scowl. “You know, Chidi, I swear, you’re just like your father,” she said, her voice dripping with venom. “He too was stubborn and never listened to me. That’s why I’m suffering today.”
Chidi felt a surge of anger, but he tried to remain calm, not wanting to escalate the situation. “Mum, please, let’s not bring Dad into this. This is about me and Grace, and our journey to having children,” he said, his voice firm but gentle.
His mother scoffed, her expression incredulous. “Your journey? You’ve been married for two years, and nothing! Your first wife left you because of this same issue, and now you’re doing the same thing to Grace. You’re going to lose her too if you’re not careful,” she said, her words cutting deep.
Chidi stood up, his patience wearing thin, his voice rising. “Mum, that’s enough! I know you’re concerned, but please, let me handle this. I love Grace, and we’ll have children when the time is right. We’re not going to rush into anything just to satisfy you,” he said, his eyes locked on hers.
His mother’s expression turned cold, her eyes flashing with anger. “I’m going to my room. I need to rest from this disappointment,” she said, her voice dripping with malice.
As she walked away, Chidi felt a sense of relief wash over him, followed by a wave of guilt. He took a deep breath and headed to the kitchen, where Grace was still cooking breakfast, oblivious to the drama that had just unfolded.
To be continued……
Story by Vivi
