"Do you like it?" Micheal asked, noticing her faint expression.

"Yes, sure, I love it," Susanne replied with a nod.

"Cheers," he slightly hit her almost empty wine glass and sipped the remaining contents in his wine glass down his throat.

Meanwhile, it baffled Suzanne while Micheal tricked her. She knew well that he never gifted Cryst gifts, or was he seeing someone else? Where were the diamond earrings? She bitterly gulped on the wine, determined to find out before she left for her mother's place. Patience was a burning fire in Susanne's heart, but she endured.

In the morning, Susanne followed Micheal behind as he drove to work, determined to find out what he was hiding.
"Maybe Grace was right, I'll like to prove her wrong." She pondered on the thought as she waited right outside the building of this company.

About three hours later, Micheal stepped out with Camilla and walked side by side with Kanye behind. Watching them from her car, Susanne put on bulgy dark shades and closely studied them.

"Micheal, my dearest husband," Susanne rolled the silver ring on her index finger. "I knew you couldn't be nice to me for nothing. You only bribe me when you cheat on me." Micheal and Camilla hurried towards an executive SUV, a Land Rover Jeep, owned by Camilla.

"Micheal!"

Micheal was about to help her with the door when he heard his name. His gaze rose to Susanne as she walked up to them. On her was a beautifully styled Ankara gown and a straight-boned, dusted brown wig that dangled around her shoulder. Camilla faced Micheal with a flushed face while he deepened both hands into his pocket. "Susanne," he called her name.

Micheal's narrowed eyes faced her in a sceptical glare and his nose crinkled. Once Susanne got there, her eyes fell on Camilla's face as she saw the two diamond earrings dangling by the sides of her face. Her arms clasped around her slim body in confidence.

"Susanne, why are you here?" Micheal frowned.

"I came for a pedicure around here, so I decided to have lunch with you. I didn't expect to see Camilla here. Good afternoon." Susanne flashed a smile at her. "Nice to meet you again. Is it possible for us to have lunch together?

"Oh, sorry." Camilla blinked, returning her smile. "I have an appointment with an important client in five minutes. And I want to introduce Mike to my manager so he can get in contact with him at times like this, but now that you're here, don't worry. We will do that some other time. How about we also have lunch some other time?" Camilla suggested.  "I will pick a time and pay for the lunch."

"Nice, because we have a lot to discuss about how you both spent the weekend at Nicon Luxury Hotel."

"Susanne, I didn't mean to keep it away from you," Micheal explained. "Cami and I needed to settle things before travelling but trust me, it's all business."

The diamond earring attracted Suzanne as she recognized it to be the one Musimbi showed her in the pink box, and her attention focused on it with a firm smirk. She felt the urge to tear it off Camilla's ears until she bled, but she covered up the burning hate with a bright smile.

"Darling, do you think I came here to fight?" Susanne brought up, paying deaf ears to his cock and bull story. She exhaled and softly giggled to their puzzled faces. "Or was it because I misunderstood Miss Camilla the last time we met on your ship? Anyway, I came to properly apologize to her since you are business partners, right?"

"Right." Micheal gave her the go-ahead.

"Okay then, I accept your apology," Camilla said.

"What about dinner?" Suzanne suggested again.

"That is enough, Mrs Balogun. My schedule for this month is quite full. We can have dinner next month. I will contact you when I'm ready," Camilla said and faced Micheal. "I will go now."

He helped her open the door and she entered her car. "Call me when you get there, okay?"

Camilla gazed forward with a straight face and a simple nod, while Kanye kicked on the car engine and zoomed away.

"Susanne, I don't mean to hide things from you. I didn't expect that things would go that way." Michael explained.

"You don't owe me an explanation, darling. I believe you, and I am not some random, envious lady." Suzanne told him. "I'm also going to sign a contract with Amazon Hairs as their brand ambassador in two hours. Since you didn't go with her, can we have coffee before I leave?"

"Okay, fine," Micheal replied as he led her into an eatery in his office.

Meanwhile, Grace dressed up and went to Adesco company as she was asked to wait for the director, Camilla Adeleke at the reception. Grace, who was dressed like Suzanne, endured a long deafening silence until Camilla walked in. It shocked Camilla to see Suzanne there again in a different outfit. She chewed on her jaw and gulped down the fear that choked her throat.

"Mrs. Balogun." Camilla began. "You are here again?"

"Sure, Mrs Camilla. Let's talk." Grace uttered with courage. Camilla walked up to her and placed her handbag on the table between them. A lady in a suit walked up to them.

"Welcome, ma." she greeted Camilla before asking. "What would you like to drink?"

"A cup of black coffee for me and a cup of chilled strawberry wine for the guest." A bold smile formed on Camilla's lips as she requested. And the lady who seemed to be her receptionist simply bowed before leaving.

Once she left, Camilla faced Grace, and her smile suddenly faded. "Micheal told me that you prefer wine to coffee."

"Um, it seems you two talk a lot. You even know about me this much?"

"Sure, we've known each other since childhood, so it's natural I know him better than you. Micheal is secretive, and he does not tell his family some things he tells me. He makes overseas calls to chat with me, tells me his plans and even seeks professional advice for his business from me. We are just like family friends, so why do you visit me after we just met a while ago?"

"Okay, I'll hit the nail on the head." Grace exhaled. "I came to warn you to stay away from Micheal. I understand your closeness with him, but he's a married man now."

Camilla blushed and looked around, noticing that those in their offices were busy. No one was listening or paying attention to their conversation. "You are a funny lady, Mrs. Balogun. Just a while ago, you were persuading me to have lunch with you to apologize, but now you are warning me? Do you think Micheal will cut ties with me because of you?" Camilla's voice heightened with her brows.

"I know I am being unreasonable with all of this, but my marriage is at stake. Look at how beautiful you are. You are well-educated, and you can get any guy you want. I don't want to cause enmity between you, but why are you over Micheal so much? Give my husband his space, please."

"Over Micheal? Do you even know your husband at all, Mrs. Balogun? Your words surprise me, but if you are so curious, why don't you tell Micheal yourself?"

Pissed, Camilla picked up her bag from the table and left. About to open her office door, she turned back to Grace. "Mrs. Balogun, I will advise you to study your husband well instead of spying on me. Gosh, it's unfortunate Micheal is tangled in your web!" She heaved and left.

"Oh goodness, this his side cheek is so arrogant. What is her purpose?" Grace rumbled to herself and heaved out. She grabbed the wine glass to at least, taste it, but with a single sip, Grace spat it out.
"How does Susanne drink this?" She wiped off her lips, grabbed her bag and left before she anyone catches her in the act.

"Hello, is anyone home?" Suzanne knocked on a door and pushed it. The door swung open as she stepped in.

"Hello," her voice echoed in the house. It was located in a clean environment in Kuje where Mrs Nike Fashorun, Susanne's biological mother lived.

"Yes, darling, come in." Her mother replied with a smile as she stepped out of the kitchen to the living room to serve lunch.

Mrs. Nike, prepared spicy jollof, rice, and fried chicken upon hearing her daughter's visit. And lunch was served hot. She dished it on a plate and offered Susanne a seat at the dining table. "Look, I made your favourite. Sit down and eat."

"I have no appetite, Mum." Suzanne took off her dark shades and placed them into her handbag.

"You look so malnourished. Is your husband treating you well at all?" Mrs Nike shook her head with twisted lips.

"Yes, he is. Take this." She placed two bundles of two thousand naira on the dining table for her mother. "It's for your drugs and other expenses," Suzanne explained.

"I didn't ask you for money. Suzanne, I still have the cash you sent me two months ago." Her mother pointed out. "Why didn't you visit last month? Did you... Did Micheal bully you not to visit me? You also told me not to visit you. Is everything alright with you?"

Suzanne's lips pouted as she rejected the accusations. "No."

"Would you tell me or... How long will you keep me in the dark? Take your money. I don't want!" Mrs Nike squeezed The cash into Susanne's handbag.

"No, just take it!" She took the cash bag from her mother's touch when a paper flipped out. Mrs Nike picked it up and read through it. It was Susanne's pregnancy result and an ultrasound to detect Suzanne's pregnancy.

"Are you pregnant?" Joyful tears gathered in her eyes as she chuckled. "I've been waiting to witness this my whole life. So you are finally pregnant!"

Susanne jabbed the paper from her mother's grip at once. "There is nothing to be excited about!" She squeezed it back into her bag with burning fury, almost tearing it up in the process.

Her stern tone startled Nike but she retained her smile. "Why would you say so? Michael would be over the moon."

"He doesn't know." Susanne tore a glare from her mother whose lips trembled as she pulled closer.

"What? Why?"

"Because the child is not for Micheal. I slept with someone else, Mum..." Her confession bursted from her lips with guilt.

"Suzanne..." Nike stammered. "Are you crazy? Micheal gave you a perfect life. What else do you want from another man?"

"Don't raise your voice at me, Mum. I hate it when you are like this. Again, you forced me to marry Micheal when he barely had my time. We don't even live like a real couple."

"I didn't want you to live a poor life with me. That was why I agreed to your marriage with Micheal." She sat down beside her daughter, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I beg you in God's name, Susanne. If it's true that you are pregnant for someone else, please abort this baby before anyone finds out. It's going to be a big shame and we have gone through enough humiliation already."

"Mommy, I must keep this baby no matter what. The doctor said that I have a fragile womb and it would be risky for me to ever get pregnant again! Do you even know what that means? How can I keep staying in Balogun's house when my chances to be a mother are ruined by that evil family?" Tears rolled down Susanne's eyes as she realized her words.

"You would have tried harder with Micheal when you had the chance but you've ruined it now. All the plans I had for you  why didn't you inform me earlier, ehn?" Nike shivered as she grabbed her head with both hands, crying bitterly. "What are we going to do now? How do we bury this shame?"

Susanne deepened her spoon into the plate of rice and was about to eat when a call entered. She picked up her mobile phone from her handbag and answered the call. "Hello!"

"Are you alright? Why did you go to Cami again to ask her to avoid me?" Micheal's voice came in a storm. "What was the need?"

"Uh? I don't know what you are talking about, Micheal." 

"Come over, let's discuss," Micheal ordered Susanne.

"Okay, I'll be back home by 4:00 pm." She ended the call and faced her mother, who was still sniffing and wiping out her tears. "Come on Mum, enough tears, let's eat."

Once Susanne got home, she stormed into the guesthouse with a thundering mind.

"Grace!" Suzanne called as she entered and kicked the door open. "Where the hell are you?"

Grace was busy searching for online jobs in a newspaper when Suzanne flung the door open. "Why did you go to Camilla's office?"

"What are you talking about, Susanne? Who's Camilla?" Grace rubbed her neck, looking away.

"Don't dare act dump because I know you visited Camilla Adeleke today!" The veins in Susanne's neck turned visible at her yell.

"Uh, it must be that his arrogant side-chick, right? She spent the weekend with Micheal and even worked with him. I tried not to think about it at first, but..."

"You know Micheal scolded me because you faced Camilla!" Susanne fired Grace before she could complete her last sentence. "What exactly did you take me for, a fool? Do you think I can't stand up for myself? Who are you to fight my battles, Grace, adding fuel to a burning fire? Do you want Micheal to divorce me? Tell me, what is your problem exactly, Grace?"

She stood up, shocked at how pained Suzanne was. "I wanted to help you, not to destroy your marriage. What benefit would that bring me? I only wanted to help you."

"Help me how?" Susanne cracked a laugh. "You who need help want to help me. Tell me, how do you know Camilla? Grace, I underestimated you! How dare you intervene in my life without my permission?"

"Suzanne, don't be angry at me. When I saw Michael at the airport hooking up with another woman, my blood boiled for you. Out of curiosity, I followed him and missed my flight. I did it all for your sake, I swear. I wanted to know who she was because I know how much you trust and love your husband. I went to persuade her to leave Micheal so you wouldn't find out about their affair. I didn't know you knew about her before. I know it's wrong for me to get involved with your private life, but Camilla doesn't even feel any shame for having an affair with a married man."

“You mean you saw my Michael picking her up at the airport?" Susanne's shoulder raised as her eyes twitched with fear. "This means he didn't travel to America at all. So he just went to spend time with Camilla."

"Oh, Suzanne," Grace sat beside her. "Finally, you're getting the clue that Micheal has been lying to you."

Susanne swallowed her pride and forced out a small smile.
"Grace, I know you want the best for me, but I brought you into this house to make up for all the pains you have suffered, not for you to shield me or stand up for me."

"You are my older sister, and you are the closest person to me in this world. I would call a spade a spade, no matter how blind the world is. So please, just divorce Micheal. A man who doesn't know the worth of a woman in his mind doesn't deserve one, especially a refined woman like you, Suzanne. Let's move out and live somewhere else together. Get a break or something. Just make him feel your absence." Grace urged.

"You don't have to persuade me, Grace. Nothing will ever make me divorce Micheal, even if I die living with him. I have my pains too, and I'll endure this as much as I have breath in me."