Episode Sixteen: "Falling Into Place."

💮💮💮

"I will take care of you and your family now Rachel" Vicky said, "I don't want you to have anything to do with Senator Uche. From now on, that man is not a part of your lives."

Rachel looked relieved to hear that. The next day, Things were visibly better between Rachel and Vicky. Vicky left the house and was on his way to work when his dad called.

"Vicky, what is going on?" Manuel asked, sounding livid. "I just heard from senator Uche that Rachel is his illegitimate daughter and she blackmailed him to marry you. I want to speak to her now."

"That is not going to happen dad, and that is not true" Vicky said, barely holding onto his anger. "in fact, it's the other way around. I'm coming."

Vicky hung up and let out an angry grunt. "What happened?" Patrick asked.

"That Senator is a devious man but he won't win, I will surely destroy him and make him pay" Vicky said determined.

At The Aiyedehin mansion, Vicky was seated with Manuel, Juliana and Austin who were in shock of what they heard. "This is unbelievable." Austin said shocked.

"Senator Uche is a shameless man dad. He was the one who blackmailed Rachel instead and I'm sure of it" Vicky said, "I investigated him well and I know Rachel enough to decided for myself that she isn't that cunning."

"So they fooled us with a false bride?! How dare they?!" Manuel yelled angrily, "they humiliated me and my son and still reaped profit. They even dared to lie."

"I want to destroy them father" Vicky said coldly, "they have no sympathy for human life. Threatening the life of a sick woman just to get their bidding done...they are evil."

"I am still angry at being deceived by Rachel but..." Austin said, "she is better than Bethany now that I realize the truth. Now I understand all Rachel said back then."

"That still doesn't change the truth that she deceived us" Juliana said strictly.

"That will be my problem to deal with" Vicky told her rudely and Juliana narrowed her eyes at him annoyed.

"You want to destroy the Odili's son? You have my full support" Manuel said furious, "I will not take this insult lying down." Vicky smiled coldly in anticipation.

At the university, Rachel was reading in a open area in a better mood. She looked up and sighed. "I feel so much better now" she said, placing a hand on her chest. "I feel so light, the truth really does make you free."

"Rachel!" a shrill voice shrieked and Rachel looked to the side to see Bethany approach her and push her down.

"Ah!" Rachel yelped and landed on the ground roughly. Everyone around looked in shock and interest. Rachel looked up angrily, "what are you doing?!"

"Are you seriously asking me that question?! You ruined my life!" Bethany screamed, "what is so special about an ugly girl like you?!"

Bethany started pulling Rachel's hair and Rachel screamed in pain. She bit Bethany's hand in retaliation. "You Dog!" Bethany snapped, letting go of Rachel.

"What the heck is wrong with you?! It seems you have finally gone mad!" Rachel yelled angrily, "what do you take me for?!"

"Don't think you are so mighty because you married that man. He is still a cripple and you-" Bethany said but was interrupted.

Austin held Bethany's wrist and pushed her aside with an hostile glare. "How dare you try to insult my brother and my sister in-law? Don't get ahead of yourself" he said.

Prieye rushed to Rachel's side and helped her dust her body. Bethany laughed crazily, "can you hear yourself? This woman? your sister in-law? Unbelievable."

"What is so unbelievable about it? I am happy you aren't my sister in-law" Austin said disgusted, "you are piece of work. Now leave before I lose my temper."

Bethany glared angrily at Austin who stood protectively in front of Prieye and Rachel. "Fine, I'll leave" she said, "but this isn't over."

Bethany walked away and Austin and Prieye took Rachel away from the school. They sat in a nearby cafe with Rachel covering her face. "That brat..." she said angrily in a shaky voice.

Rachel looked up at Austin and looked down sadly. "Thank you for defending me, I guess you know the truth now" She said quietly.

"It was shocking. I didn't really believe it at first because it sounded like a film but now I do" Austin said sighing, "that girl is crazy. I can totally see her and her father blackmailing you."

"Thank you" Rachel said quietly.

"Are you going to go back to class? After what happened, I don't think you should" Prieye said worried.

"I can't skip class. I need to work hard if I am going to achieve my dream" Rachel said determined. "let me just wash up."

Prieye nodded and Rachel got up and left. "Rachel is a strong person" Austin remarked, "it is only now I understand all those things she told me. She has suffered a lot."

"She has." Prieye agreed sadly, "every time I watched her work hard and give her best. She never succumbed to the wrong things and I admired her strength so much, that is why I am glad I am her friend."

"I feel she is glad to have you too" Austin said supportively and Prieye smiled.

"You know, I have never really liked you but now I do. Thank you for sticking up for my friend" Prieye said grateful.

"She is my sister in-law, I would be insulting myself if I didn't" Austin said with a joking smile and Prieye smiled in response.

At Senator Uche's house, Manuel came to see him and he was furious. "Did you think you could succeed? You insulted me and my family by offering up a fake bride!" Manuel roared.

"Manuel, you are wrong. I don't know what that girl said to deceive you but it's not true" Senator Uche said, lying through his teeth.

"Do you think I am blind?! I can see the truth for myself!" Manuel yelled, "I will make sure to destroy you. It won't take much since you were on the verge of destruction."

"Manuel!" Senator Uche called despairingly as Manuel walked away.

{💮}

At the Aiyedehin house, Vicky was in the living room with Rachel who was kneeling down in front of Manuel and Juliana. They looked really angry.

"I know what I did is a very difficult thing to forgive but I am truly sorry for deceiving you. I didn't want to but I had no choice in the matter" Rachel said sadly, "I did this because I had to protect my mother and my brother and not because I wanted to deceive you."

"Please forgive me" she said earnestly.

"I just can't wrap my head around this. How could you do this? Marriage is not a plaything" Juliana scolded upset, "the way you young ones take marriage this days is terrible."

"I am sorry." Was all Rachel could say.

"This..." Manuel said troubled, "I have heard enough to judge that you are not at fault but it doesn't help that we've been cheated."

Rachel pursed her lips. "Rachel, I would like to talk to you alone" Manuel said, "come with me, get up."

Rachel nodded and got up. She followed Manuel to the dining room silently. Vicky and Juliana looked at each other and noted they were alone. They looked away ignoring each other.

In the dining room, Rachel bowed her head in front of Manuel. "I have to admit, I liked you as my daughter in-law Rachel" Manuel said, "ever since you came into my son's life, you were able to get him to open up and get his life back."

"For that, it is the only thing holding me back from lashing out at you" Manuel said, "you have a good character despite all the suffering that you've been through. You are strong, I admire that."

"It will take me some time to forgive you but you gave been a good influence in my son's life so you are pardoned" Manuel said, "whatever you and Vicky do about your marriage is up to you two."

Rachel fell to her knees tearfully in relief. "Thank you sir" she cried, "I didn't like deceiving you too or anyone else for that matter so thank you."

"Get up, it's okay" Manuel said consolingly and returned to the living room with her. He sat down next to his wife.

"Juliana, what is your opinion concerning them?" he asked.

"I am not pleased with all this and I can't accept it" Juliana said.

"So what do you want us to do?" Vicky said, "I will let you know that Senator Uche is at fault and dad too since he forced me to marry his daughter," Manuel shot a look at Vicky that Vicky ignored, "why don't you deal with the perpetrator instead?"

Juliana huffed at Vicky but agreed reluctantly. "Then what about your marriage to her? Your marriage to Rachel was on the basis of a lie" Juliana pointed out.

"We will take care of it ourselves" Vicky said, intertwining his hands with Rachel. Rachel looked at their hands while Manuel smiled subtly.

Vicky and Rachel began to leave soon after. Manuel stopped Vicky at the door while Rachel went ahead. "Your mother is right Vicky, what do you intend to do about your marriage to Rachel?" Manuel said.

"Like I said dad, I will handle it myself" Vicky said, "do you think I would let you handle it since it was your stubbornness that caused this?"

Manuel scowled at his son, "don't forget I am your father."

"And I am your son" Vicky replied, "so trust me a bit."

Manuel smiled approvingly. "Okay, go."

In the car, while Manuel and Vicky were talking, Patrick and Rachel were having their own talk. "Don't feel bad Madam Rachel, everyone likes you" Patrick said, "you are way better than that Bethany."

"Lucky that she didn't marry him, It would have been a disaster" Patrick added and Rachel giggled.

"Thank you for taking my side, I have never had this many people take my side" Rachel said, "it feels good. I am sorry I lied."

"It's alright, just take care of sir well and your brother" Patrick said, "it must have been hurt when you called him your adopted brother."

"I know," Rachel admitted, "from now on, I am going to try to be more truthful and honest. I don't want to deceive people anymore."

"Good choice" Patrick said, giving her a thumbs up. Rachel smiled and the door opened. Patrick went out to help Vicky in and they drove away.

In the house, Juliana protested. "I think they should get a divorce. The Odili's completely mocked us by sending that ugly illegitimate child" she said, "and besides can she really keep a marriage?"

"I completely support Rachel. I have seen how mature she is and she has caused my son to return to me" Manuel opposed, "despite her deceit, we can't argue the fact that she has been a good daughter in-law."

"But-"

"Or do you want him to marry Bethany so we can set things right?" Manuel retorted, "considering all the 'wonderful' rumors I have heard of her, she would make an excellent daughter in-law."

Juliana kept quiet upon the thought and Manuel nodded pleased. "I thought as much" he said and walked away.

It was already night when Vicky and Rachel arrived home but it wasn't too late. Rachel went to her room and saw her brother reading.

"You're back" he smiled.

"Yes" Rachel said, "Testimony, Vicky knows the truth about us and he is going to help us-you, mom, me-we won't have to beg dad anymore."

"I knew something had changed" Testimony said pleased, turning to her. "that's good. He is a nice man, I had some doubts but he pulled through."

Rachel smiled tearfully at her brother. She took his hands, "I'm sorry Testimony, for lying that you are my adopted brother. I didn't mean to hurt you by saying that."

"I know" Testimony answered quietly.

"You are my brother okay? My one and only brother and I love you so much" Rachel said and hugged Testimony.

Testimony hugged her back. "And you are my sister, my amazing sister" he said in response.

Later, Testimony was asleep in bed and Rachel was next to him. She kept thinking about what Manuel and Juliana said about their marriage. The truth was out so what would happen to their marriage? Would they separate?

Vicky was awake in his room worrying over the same thing as well.

The next day, Vicky asked to see Rachel's mother and she agreed. At the hospital visiting times, she called Vicky and he came over with Patrick.

Rachel led them to her mother's hospital room and slowly opened the door. She pushed Vicky inside the ward while Patrick waited outside.

Angela looked at Vicky. "Good afternoon ma" Vicky greeted.

"Good afternoon" Angela greeted puzzled. She looked at Rachel for an explanation.

"Mom, this is Vicky. He is my husband" Rachel said and Angela looked in surprise at Vicky, then she smiled.

"Rachel has told me a lot about you" Angela said pleasantly, "thank you, for treating my children well. I am sorry for whatever happened. Rachel didn't mean to deceive you, she only did it for me and her brother."

"I have been an incompetent mother" Angela lamented, "I was never around to take care of my children because I always got sick. I missed watching my children grow up."

"Mom, don't say that" Rachel hushed her.

"It's alright" Vicky said, "I am also feeling bad for not recognizing Rachel's pain. I was so close to her yet I couldn't see it. Rachel is a wonderful person, you must be lucky to have her as your daughter."

"Yes, she and her brother are the only things I live for in this world" Angela said, "and I am happy she married a wonderful man like you. Please keep her happy."

"I will, I promise" Vicky said earnestly and it caused Rachel to look at him with an indescribable look. Rachel watched her mother and husband talk and play games and she smiled in happiness.

Her wish finally came true.

=====

We are nearing the end of REACH FOR MY HEART. I really liked writing this lighthearted story, it was a break from all my serious stories.

Things are falling into place, just a few more resolutions. Watch out.

✨ VOTE, COMMENT, SHARE ✨