In Maitama, the calm morning began with a light mist over well-kept lawns and big houses. The cool air smelled of flowers and freshly cut grass, while the sound of rustling leaves was relaxing. As the sun rose, it cast a golden light over the neighbourhood, making the cobblestone paths and dewdrops sparkle. Birds sang sweetly, blending with the distant, quiet sounds of the city.

At the Balogun's house, Micheal dashed out early without breakfast, slamming the door and heading straight to his car. Meanwhile, after her breakfast, Susanne embarked on a long drive to her mother's house in Kuje, an area council of Abuja. Preferring company over solitude, she called her mother upon reaching Kuje’s junction to announce her imminent arrival. As soon as Susanne entered her mother's house, she rushed to the toilet, vomiting violently.

"Susanne, I spoke to my friend, Nurse Jumai, about your situation." Mrs. Nike began. "She said high heels and tight clothing can be harmful during pregnancy. I regret speaking to you harshly yesterday." She brought out some plates and served her daughter. "I realize now how much this pregnancy is taking a toll on you. When it comes to love and support sacrifices, it’s always the woman who suffers. I made this local soup for you."

Whenever Susanne was sick as a child, her mother would make her drink the medicinal soup made of young mango leaves, cashew leaves, turmeric, ginger, and pepper, among other spices, with chicken added for nourishment. Susanne nibbled on the chicken with a grimace. "It's too spicy!" she complained.

"Don't just eat the chicken. Drink the soup!" Mrs. Nike urged.

"Ugh," Suzanne exhaled, blowing the hot soup before taking another spoon.

"Silly girl, all pregnant ladies get fat, but look at how thin you are.  You barely eat yet you wear such skinny clothing. Have you registered antenatal?" Nike suddenly brought up.

"You have no idea what I go through at Micheal's house." Susanne suddenly gave a reply. "Cryst spies on my every move, like a detective. Micheal is also one sneaky husband! I can't go for antenatal due to the pressure of not letting them know."

"So how do you manage to tell your husband now? How long will you keep it away from Micheal? What's your plan?"

"Mum, I have to find a quiet place to hide. Somewhere I can live freely and have this baby without any of them finding out. I only have five months till I go to bed. I will tell Micheal that you and I went to spend some time in our hometown in Ogun State."

Her daughter's words were shocking. Nike grabbed her head in puzzlement.
"God, and you will be away from Michel for five months?" She screamed. "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? I would have suggested a better plan. Now I feel guilty for the pain you are going through."

Susanne chewed on the last piece of chicken and pushed the plate forward. "If I stay in Micheal's house, I can't have this baby." She grabbed her bag and handed a letter to her mother.
"These are the drugs prescribed to me by Balogun's family doctor. They are meant to heal me from sicknesses like fibroids and get me pregnant." Mrs Nike flipped through the list of drugs. And in front of the listed drugs are the prizes that cost a fortune. "I take all that with local herbs but Mum. Do you know that all those drugs and medications are contraceptives?"

"What?" Mrs. Nike gasped. Her eyes narrowed and she sat next to her daughter on the sofa. Speechless for a moment.
"How long have you been on medication? Tell me, Suzanne. How long have you been on this medication?" Agony rippled over Mrs. Nike's face, then it flushed with warmth.

"The family doctor, Aunty Funke, had been prescribing this for me since I got married into their house. But I found out six months ago that it was a contraceptive. So I stopped taking the drugs and got pregnant."

Susanne dropped her head in deep thought and raised it. Then, she opened her gaze as her eyes met with her mother's.

"I just can't figure out who in the Balogun's family is against me having a child and becoming a mother. So I have decided Mum. I'm going to keep this child no matter what and it will have the Balogun as its last name.

Silence reigned as Mrs Nike processed her daughter's confessions. "But if you're not in the Balogun's house with your husband, how will he believe that the baby is his? What if he finds out?"

Susanne deepened her hand into her handbag and brought out some pictures.
"Look." She handed it over to her mother.

Her narrowed gaze tightened from looking at the photograph. "Why do you show me your pictures?" Mrs. Nike smiled shyly and nodded her head.

"Look carefully, it's not me in these photos," Susanne confessed. Mrs. Nike grabbed her reading glasses and put them on. To spot the difference, she went through the other pictures.

"Who is this? Is this not your sister?"

"My sister? You know, she is long gone." Suzane explained. "She is a girl with a slight resemblance to me. All because of my care, I had to find a girl with an exact body shape and fly her to Dubai for cosmetic surgery, such as fillers and Botox, to change her facial contours and features to mine. So even without makeup, she looks exactly like me.

"What?" Mrs. Nike sat upright, blinking twice. "That must have cost a fortune. Don't worry, Mum." Suzane chuckled a little. "I sorted that out with my private account. Micheal will never find out.

"Why take such a risk with a stranger? What if she betrays you? Uh?"

"For a minute, I thought it was Suzannah. It was your father's fault. You lost your twin sister to a lung disease." Nike explained blinking in understanding.

"Oh, Mum, don't bring up the past, please." Susanne hissed. "Her name is Grace Phillips. Born and brought up in a village in Port Harcourt. I met her two to three months ago, unemployed. She had been secretly staying with me in the guesthouse because her landlord kicked her out. She has no one, so I took her in since then. She had taken my role twice, and she did perfectly well. No one noticed the difference. Grace promised me that she would take my role in the house as Mrs. Balogun while I take care of this child somewhere else. There is nothing to worry about, Mum. I discussed everything with her, and she agreed."

"Will everything be all right? You are allowing a stranger to take your place in your matrimonial house. Do you know what that means?"

"Of course. To save my unborn baby, I'm left with no other choice. Perhaps only you and I know about this, so please don't tell anyone."

Getting home, Susanne branched at a beer parlour to grab a bottle of Gulder. She paid off the seller and drove home. When she got to the parking lot, she took a sip and spat it out. Then she rubbed a handful of alcohol over her body, so she ricked off it. Susane then scattered her wig like that of a crazy woman and staggered into the guesthouse.

Sliding through her phone, Grace went through the pictures on her phone. They were the pictures she took of Micheal and Camilla golfing at the Nicon Luxury resort.

A heated breath whooshed out of Grace's lips as she placed her mobile phone on the middle table.

"Showing Susanne this picture will only shatter her heart. If she trusts Micheal so much and she is not taking any steps to find his flaws, then what is my business? Again, I do not want Susanne's heart to be broken by her husband. What must I do to fix it, to make Micheal see what he is missing?" She exhaled, still in thoughts.

When Susanne entered in painful tears, she opened the door and slammed it. "Why are you here this late? What happened to you?" Grace rushed to her sister. "Why do you drink so much? Careful!" She held her arm and helped her to sit on the sofa. "How long have you been crying? Did Micheal say something?"

"Grace, my dearest sister, my only sister." Susanne pulled Grace tight as her head fell onto Suzanne's shoulders in a big hug. "Tell me what happened. I have been worried about you."

"Today I went to the hospital. I ran some tests and the doctor told me that I may not be able to have kids in my life. Grace pulled out of the hug to watch her properly. What? Who gave the doctor the power to decide? You will have your children, my dear. Just believe in yourself." Grace muttered.

"I know, dearest sister. And I believe. The doctor said I would have to go for surgery in India for a womb transplant. He assured me that I would find a donor there."

"Oh, that's nice. So when do you plan to go?" Realization struck Suzanne's face as she blinked down tears.

"What will I tell my husband's family? They will kick me out if they find out that I have been barren all these years. That was the reason why Micheal had never had a child. My husband might even divorce me and marry Camilla."

"How can he do that? It's not as if you planned any of this." Grace rolled her eyes skyward. "You just found out today, didn't you?"

"It doesn't matter to Micheal." Susanne wept. He has nothing to lose and his family supports him so much because he is the only child of his family. What if my surgery doesn't go as planned?

"Gosh! I hate this, Susanne." Grace hissed. That Micheal, the guy has a black heart. Divorce him already and live your life! I hate all the drama that is attached to marrying these rich people. They claim to be wise, but they are very foolish. Divorce Micheal so you can go through your surgery without facing any public shame." Grace suggested.

"No, I can't divorce him. I love my husband." Susanne cried out loud. "Don't laugh at me, at this situation. I have given too much in my marriage to let go. If I leave Micheal, I will just commit suicide because I will be left with nothing. Mum's medical bills are so expensive. We'll be sinking into an ocean of debt. What should I do?"

"Don't worry, I'm here." Grace moved closer. "It's not that bad. You should have that surgery."

"Yes, I will go to India in 3 days. But Cryst, that girl is like a ghost after my life. If she knows, she will expose me and make a mountain out of a mole. Grace!" Susanne held onto her sister's hand. "Please, I need your help because you are the only one I have. It is you and God by my side."

"I can't have the surgery for you." Grace stammered.

"But you can take my place in the Balogun family. At most, I will stay a week. Micheal will not find out. You avoid me like a plague. I can't!" Grace disagreed boldly. "This idea is ridiculous. It's not that I can't help you, but this is lying and cheating. I am Grace Phillips, not Susan Balogun. Sorry, I can't do such. L"

Susan processed Grace's words and thoughts and her eyes gathered more tears. "It is crazy that I have to beg you for a favour, but you deny it. Don't worry, I will face Micheal myself." About to stand, Susanne dropped onto the chair with heavy breath.

"Susanne, oh my God!" Grace rushed to get a bowl of water and sprinkled a handful over her twin sister's face.

"Your acting is scary. Is it because you are drunk or what? Don't faint here, please. You know I don't know anyone around here. I'll be exposed! Should I take you to the hospital?" Hearing Grace, Susanne broke down into uncontrollable tears.

Her teeth gritted as her eyes shot blood. Her body trembled due to the weight of pain struck in her mind. "Sister, don't cry. I want to help you but I can't do it. No woman in her right mind would allow any other woman to take her place in a matrimonial home. Even if it's just for a day.

"It's okay. You keep calling me crazy? No problem."

"How do I sleep by his side at night? I already told you Micheal and I don't share a room. We haven't shared a bed in five years. We practically live as tenants, trust me!"

"Really? Is it true that you never stayed in a room, even as a married couple? Is your husband impotent or what?

"He's potent!"

"You are suffering and you want to stay in this marriage?"

"Just think about it, uh?" They ended up in each other's arms.

"Okay, okay. I’ll think about it." Grace agreed as they embraced. Her shoulders were soaked with Susanne’s tears.

***

GIST TIME

Pardon me... I had to change it from Author's Note because most people skip the boring texts. Anyway,
I hope you had fun reading as I did, writing.

I guess this story is getting interesting, by the way. We all know our hearts and not the other person's. Betrayal happens that's why many have trust issues even as family members or as best friends. Tell me a story where someone you once trusted betrayed you.  Let's share our experiences to learn from each other. Have a blessed weekend. Don't forget to vote and share this with a friend.