The first day I moved back into his house everything seemed to be alright. Maria and Thomas opted to stay by my house and take care of it. James had said he would work from home the first few days, just to get us all settled in. I was surprised when I saw he had prepared a nursery for the children as well as hired a nanny just to assist me.

Aunt Rebecca also stayed with us, saying there was no need for her to hurry back to the village. My aunt Gloria had gone back to her house, upon my insistence. Each evening I was gone tired from taking care of the children, it's a good thing they had also adjusted to formula or else I was going to be in trouble.

The following week James returned to his office. Then the trouble started.
"Where is that good for nothing girl. Get up!" Aunt Rebecca shouted as she banged on the bedroom door.
Not wanting to start any trouble I got up and quickly dressed appropriately.
"Good morning auntie. I hope you slept well."
"Yes, good morning. The floors need to be scrubbed, and for breakfast I would like some tea with eggs on the side. Chop, chop dear we don't have all day. This house is a mess, I don't understand how you live in such filth."

"Yes auntie," I responded to her. I could not backtalk for she was my elder after all. That would be completely disrespectful of me. I quickly made her breakfast after checking on the little ones who were sound asleep, I hadn't gotten much sleep with them being awake most of the night. James called in to check up on us.

"Hi baby, hope you managed to get some rest."
"Hi, I...I...Yes I did."
"Is everything alright love, you sound a bit off."?
"I have to go James, Josh just woke up. Bye," I said hanging up as Aunt Rebecca walked in.

"We need to take out the carpet in James office, it needs a good scrubbing. Then the blankets need to be washed also. Don't worry about the children Joyce (the nanny) will take care of them. Opting to start with the blankets first I washed them, it was a tedious process as I had to haul the load outside and hang them up to dry all alone. What was aunt Rebecca doing you might wonder, well she was in the living room enjoying herself watching the television. Taking out the extra blankets I made the beds and went down to start preparing dinner. James came home early from work.

I hadn't spent any time with my babies today as our dear old aunt had something for me to do every time I decided to take a rest.

An unannounced guest was the last thing I expected. Aunt Rebecca gushed over Janet as she walked into the house.
"Finally a decent girl has arrived! Come in dear, I will show you to your room, your future husband will be here soon."

I looked at them both flabbergasted thinking which future husband? Deciding to remain silent and wait for James to come back from work so I could find out the actual story behind Janet I decided to go see my babies.

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I felt at peace as I held little James in my arms. Willing myself to calm down. I needed to bond with my babies, but this was not possible because of one person in this house.
At dinner everything was going well until...
"This food smells burnt. Is this what you have been eating nephew?"
"Auntie, I don't smell anything burnt. Pam is an excellent cook," James said giving me a warm smile which I returned.
"I can't eat this," she said pushing the plate away from her.
"Okay auntie, I'll prepare something else for you."
"No, no, no. Don't bother. Janet will prepare something for me, right dear?"
"Yes of course auntie," Janet said with a coy smile directed towards me.

As soon as she left, James asked his aunt, "Who is this young lady auntie, is she a relative I don't know of?"
"Well we will be related as soon as you get married to her."
"What are you talking about auntie, I already have a wife."
"You call this thing, a wife," she scoffed. "Well Janet is here to stay, I already spoke to her parents back in the village. You can make her your second wife for all I care."
"Auntie! I am tired of your games. Don't test my patience," he said getting up to leave. "You better send her back wherever she came from."

The week passed by without me getting any rest. Living with Aunt Rebecca was a nightmare. Nothing I did was pleasing in her sight. Each night she complained about my meals, which resulted in Janet preparing the meal. Yes she was still around even when my husband said she should leave.

Friday evening I relaxed with James after dinner in the nursery as we fed the little ones.
"We should go out tomorrow love, just the two of us. Work has just been hectic these past few days, and I know you are tired from taking care of our kids."
"That would be lovely baby," I replied letting out a sigh at finally getting away from Aunt Rebecca.

The following day was a total disappointment as James was called into work.
"Pamela, I need some oranges. Please go get me some," dear old aunt Rebecca said.

As I took the car keys to go to the market, after seeing that my children were fine. Asking Joyce if she wanted anything I headed out of the house. Before I could get into the car, Aunt Rebecca called out to me.
"Where are you going to buy the fruit such that you need a car? There is a fruit vendor I saw down the road, go there it's just a few minutes away. Why do young women of nowadays wants to waste money. Leave my nephews car and go down the road."
I didn't even have the energy to contest with her that I wanted to also get other food stuffs.

I left the house and it took me a good twenty minutes to reach my destination. As I was about to reach the vendor it started pouring having forgotten the umbrella there was nothing I could do rather than continue walking. As I trudged back home the rain became heavier as lightning flashed across the sky. I quickly made my way back home only for auntie to say.
"Oh, you took so long I decided to just have an apple. You can put those away I don't need them anymore."
I rushed up to my room, quickly taking a hot bath to warm myself up. I didn't have the energy to even change into something warm as I slipped in between the blanket letting myself succumb to sleep.

James's POV

Work was taking up my family time and I hated it, especially as I could see Pam very tired each evening. As soon as I got back home I needed to find out how long my aunt and her friend would be around, I knew she didn't like my wife. She had always wanted me to get married to some village girl she had insisted upon, but I had constantly refused. Whenever I spoke to Pam there was something off about her replies, even on the phone I could sense something was wrong. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her smiling these past few days, isn't motherhood supposed to be joyful thing, but my dear wife seems to be taking it differently.

"Good evening auntie. I hope your day was pleasant,"
"How are you James. My day was very lovely. How is work?"
"Work is fine thank you. Um auntie there is something I wanted to find out from you. When do you two plan to head to the village?"
"Ah ah, are you tired of having me around already? And your wife can't come with me, she has to stay and take care of you."
"No auntie, I just need some alone time with my family that's all. And you know I am not marrying that girl you brought so just leave that subject of marriage alone."
"I will leave soon, don't worry, you will have time with your family," she said as she stood up to go to her room.

I quickly rushed up to see my children. Joyce seemed to be taking care of them pretty well.
"Hi Joyce. Where is Pam?"
"Good day sir. She has been in her room ever since she came back from an errand auntie sent her to do."
After seeing my children I went up to our room. I found Pam fast asleep, as I leaned down to kiss her forehead she moaned slightly as though in pain. On placing my hand on her forehead I discovered she was burning up.

-------------------------

"Pam! Sweetheart get up."
"Hey, you are back. It's very cold in here baby, can you turn up the heat for me," she whispered.
"Pam, what are you saying, you are burning up. We need to get you to a doctor right away," he said as he pulled the covers back.
She only had on his shirt which was already soaked with sweat. He quickly grabbed a fresh shirt and some track bottoms for her, helping her get dressed. He couldn't help but notice that her C-section wound was swollen.
"Baby, have you been taking your medication?"
"I...I..forgot these past few days. I have been very busy lately," she said weakly.
"Busy with what? What's more important than your health, Pam?"
Before she could answer him she passed out in his arms.

Jeff I'm heading to the emergency room. Pam isn't feeling well.
"What! What's wrong with her?"
"It seems she has a fever. I got to go man. Please tell my dad for me I can't talk right now. Tell my mom she should go stay with the kids, I don't want them alone."
"Sure thing. Keep me posted on her condition."

-----------------------------

"Has your wife been doing much physical work?"
"No doctor, not that I know of beside cooking and taking care of the babies."
"Well I found three of her stitches undone. I am not pleased with her condition, especially when she has a husband who can take care of her.
Frowning he left the room after telling the nurse what medication to give Pam.

He went back home as he had to check on his children. Joyce was in the nursery rocking Joshua to sleep.
"Joyce I need to talk to you, can you please come to my office once you are done."
"Yes of course sir."

As he walked into his office, she saw that the carpet stain was gone, making him frown pondering over who had cleaned it. He hadn't been in here this whole week, as he was working mostly from the company office.
"Joyce please have a seat," he said as she entered his office. "Now I need to know what has been going on in my house. Has Pam been doing any strenuous work of any sort?"

Joyce then proceeded to tell him the events of that week, up to the point where his aunt refused Pam the use of his car and her coming back soaking wet only to say she no longer wanted the fruit. He needed to talk to his dad soon, she was his sister so maybe he could see to her leaving his house.

It took three days for her fever to break and the antibiotics she was given were helping in the treatment of her infection. Everyone had stopped by to visit her. James had a hard time leaving her every time visiting hours came to an end. The hospital refused for him to stay by her side no matter what, insisting that he take care of his children as they needed a parent beside them too.

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During those three days Janet was always attentive to the children which made Joyce suspicious of her actions. Such that one evening she overheard the two women having a discussion.
"Now crush these pills and add them to his tea. Make sure he drinks all of it."
"Is it safe auntie?"
"Yes it is dear do not worry. Now do as I say. Make sure you wear something enticing."

That evening James came back home after seeing Pam at the hospital.
Before Joyce could tell him what she had heard, Aunt Rebecca called her into the nursery.

"James, why don't you try relax. You seem really stressed," this was her first time ever to speak to him as she handed him his tea, the only connection he had to Pam besides the children.
Too tired to respond, he took the cup of tea and drank it quickly.
"Thank you I am going to bed."

As he made his way to his room the room started to spin making his stagger.
"Here let me help you."
"You remind me of my wife, do you know that. I really love her. I miss her you know."
"Shut up and let me help you to your room."
The following morning James woke up, but not alone. Beside him slept Janet, both of them bare. He couldn't figure out how this happened.

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When she finally woke up, James received a call from the hospital and quickly rushed there.
"How are feeling now Pam?"
"I'm alright, I just need to get out of this place and go home."
"I'll just hear from the doctor if you are well enough to come home with me."
"Wait is your aunt still around?"
"Ummm yes," James replied nervously as he scratched the back of his head. He seemed too nervous from that one question as if there was something more he wanted to stay.

"I will go home, but just not your house."
Just then Jeff and Sammy walked in and were happy to see her up and talking.
"You gave us quiet a scare there Pam, I mean if you really missed us, you could have called, not scare us like this," Jeff said.
Looking at James I could see anger and pain etched on his features, with something else, guilt. After getting an all clear from the doctor I got dressed.

"Can I ride with Sammy, we need to catch up and all."
James made a move to speak, but I silenced him with a small shake of my head. Jeff detected something was wrong and quickly complied with my request.

"What did you do this time man?"
James went on to tell his friend what was going on as they drove to his house. The ladies were well ahead of them as they reached his house first.

"How could you sleep with her? You messed up bad this time man. Does Pam even know?"
"I know, but I just don't know how it happened. I haven't told her, but I'm going to tell her

Pam called Jacob and told him to meet her at James's house.
On arriving at James' house Joyce was happy to see me well, unlike some people.

Pam's POV

I went up to my room to pack up a few clothes of mine as I needed to leave this house before James came in. I guess I wasn't fast enough as he walked into our room and closed the door.

"Pam I need to tell you something," he said as he moved closer to her. "While you were in hospital I think I slept with Janet, I don't know how that happened I am still trying to figure it out. I just don't remember."
Stepping away from him too stunned to say anything I said, "I have to leave."

"You cannot leave me, not again Pam. We have children now, think about them."
"I am thinking about them, I will not let them grow up in an environment which I myself am not happy in. I have neglected them because of your aunt. Then you go on and sleep with her. I'm sorry if I neglected your physical needs, but of all people you chose her!"
"I thought you were happy here. You know I cannot tell her to leave that would make me look bad. I am telling you the truth I would never hurt you like that ever."
"I guess you never really knew me, because you just took away the trust I had in you," I said harshly as I walked to the door. "Joyce please put this bag in my car."