"Love is a shelter in the raging storm
Love is peace in the middle of a war.
If we try to leave may God send angels to guard the door.
No, love is not a fight but is something worth fighting for."_WB

LAGOS, NIGERIA.
OCTOBER 2018.

The kids were playing with their father while I served dinner. We had stopped on the way to get food since it was already late.

I refused to talk about what happened in the hospital, the sheer fear on my daughter's face is not something I think I can forget soon.

How do I deal with all of this so it doesn’t affect my kids?

Dinner was a strained affair. The tension between Chris and I was so high that even our kids felt it.
Daniel, who was asleep through out the car ride home but was awake now.

I didn't want this for them. I wanted a happy and secure home where my kids would grow with the love of both parents. But what do I do now, when I don't know how to be happy and strong for their sakes?

The least I can do is act strong before them and for them. So, I stole a piece of meat from Chris's plate and picked the napkin to wipe some oil from his lips.

"Eat your greens babe," I smiled like everything was just peachy between us. I saw the look of puzzlement on his face when I met his eyes.

Just go along with it. I communicated through my stare.

"Thank you," he mouthed but his eyes were filled with gratitude as he grasped the reason for my strange actions.

We had our usual dinner time which had the twins relaxing and eventually playing with their food.

"Daniel, drop that game pad." I instructed when I saw where he was. He shot me a pitiful look before dropping the pad.  He had a bandage wrapped around his head but he still looked cute.

The animated voice of the cartoon on the television was playing in the background as I busied myself with wiping the surfaces in the kitchen and making a fresh batch of fruit juice.

"Meet your dad to brush your teeth," I gave him a stern look to effectively pass the message. "Ella please pack up those dolls and brush your teeth too" I directed.

"Mummy, I’m not sleepy" she whined.

"You have school tomorrow" I replied.

"Daddy, I'm not sleepy" she complained when she realized whatever she was doing, was not working on me.

Chris who entered the living room now, carried her in his arms and sat on the adjustable sofa. He had on his pajamas trousers and a white tee.

"Baby! You know princesses need their beauty sleep. So let's go prepare for bed." He was good with her, he always has been. They were each other’s favorites.

Why would he throw all of this away?

I have done nothing but love him unconditionally. What did I do to deserve this?

I was trying hard to hold myself together when all I really wanted to do is to fold over and cry.

I trudged to the twins room immediately I finished cleaning. The room was done in shades of blue. A huge lamp shaped like a half moon was at one corner of the room giving off blue LED light.

The kids were finally in bed after much fuss. Twins were a handful really with their constant bickering and need for attention. It was hard work but today it served as a distraction from what I feel inside.

Chris was hovering over them tucking them to bed already so I moved to our room.

"Thank you, I know you did this for them. Its no news that you are the better person between us." Chris said.

"I’m going to the hospital for the night shift. Can you get the kids ready for school in the morning?"

"Yes sure, but Temi avoiding me doesn't solve our problems," he sighed loudly and slumped his shoulders before he continued, "We are supposed to go to my parent's place tomorrow."

"Is it about the affair?" I asked, my voice was hoarse and scratchy to my ears.

"I don't know," he answered gently like a whisper.

"Okay." I answered then walked to the bathroom. I needed to leave before I did something stupid like run into his arms for comfort.

It sounds stupid right? Wanting to be in his arms when he us the one hurting him.

When did I stop being enough? The question was on the tip of my tongue but I didn't voice it out.

I could feel his gaze on my skin as I walked away. I had barely shut the bathroom door when I heard him leave also.

********
"Mama twins, you haven't been to see us for so long. Did we offend you?" my father in-law, whom almost everyone called Chief asked when we arrived his residence the next day.

"Ah! no daddy. We have just been busy."

"Alright. I invited you here because I need your permission to send your husband abroad since you are the reason for the improved state of our relationship."A deep cough followed his statement and he took time to clear his throat.

I looked around the house which even though I have been in a lot of times never ceased to amaze me. Their house was fit for a king, from the decoration, to the upholstery, the color combination and the art works Chris mom drew it was simply stunning.

My husband was rich on his own, but his family were old money rich. The kind of one that passed down through names and generations.

I glanced quickly at Chris's face before I answered. I know he wanted me to say no, I could read this man like the back of my hand.

Yet, you didn't know he was cheating on you.

I don't care what he wants right now.

"He can if he wants to. I have no problems with it." I smiled softly to suppress the bitterness in my tone. "I'll ask the driver to bring you to the clinic on Monday," I added.

"But I’m fine. It’s just a little cold and tiredness." Even though they refused to admit it, they were so alike. They had the same facial expressions. Chris usually had a tiny frown between his brows when he didn't want to do something and he ould jut his lips forward if he wanted to get away from doing it. This was the same expression currently on the older man.

The twins who were finally done eating, jumped on the old man with Ella pulling his beards roughly.

"Grandpa, let's play" Daniel said.

"Grandpa cawwi me" Ella demanded. She still slurs some words, making her cute and a little manipulative.

The soft footsteps that moved towards us and the aura that followed notified me of her presence: My mother in-law. Four years ago after big mummy died, Chief finally married Chris’ mother who was divorced.

The rich smell of her perfume greeted us first. She was decked in a black and gold Abaya that contrasted beautiful with her fair glowing skin. Her loose curly hair was packed in a bun and the make-up she had on was almost flawless.

I have never seen this woman looking anything but well put together.

She never approved of our marriage, she still hasn’t,  in her words, 'I was too tacky for her sophisticated son.'

"Pamela" she called dryly, the corners of her lips curved up in a derisive manner.

"Good afternoon ma." I greeted not bothering to get up and bend my knees. She wasn't Nigerian, she didn't care so much for all that fuss when greeting. After trying to make her like me in our first year of marriage, I gave up.

Chris was the soft and kind one whereas, I was impatient and quick to anger so I couldn’t force her to like me while receiving insults. Maybe she hasn’t noticed, but that look on her face doesn’t faze me one bit.

"Hmm," She replied like she was forced.

Chris winced, his hands snaking towards mine as a show of support which I didn't need so I pulled my hands away from where it lay on the sofa and folded it on my laps. He recoiled. She noticed our exchange and turned her attention to the son who could do no wrong in her eyes.

"Chris, what's wrong? Why do you look glum and sad?"

"Nothing mum." He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. She didn't look convinced but decided to let it be as she shot daggers at me.

Her indifference toward me today didn't hurt as it used to. Maybe it is because I wasn't sure I still loved her son.

"So, I got joyous news yesterday." She was beaming from ear to ear like she won the lottery as she sat beside Chief. All of us looked at her, waiting to hear what it was.

"What is it o my oyibo pepper?" Cheif asked fondly and she giggled like a child, transforming her whole face.

"Ayomide, why didn't you tell us you and Nina were expecting? She is four month's pregnant right? Just imagine we would have another grandchild."

The silence that followed her speech was deafening. Daddy had his mouth opened wide, while my cheating husband clenched his fist tightly.

Hearing the news again, this time from the hateful woman seated in front of me, made it very real as the tears threatened to fall.

The glee on my mother in-laws face was insensitive as it was stupid. She was happy with her declaration, not taking into account what I was feeling.

Why would a mother be happy that her child has an issue outside his marriage? Even if she hated me, common sense should have cautioned her that this was no situation to celebrate.

The room was silent as we waited for confirmation from the culprit sitting beside me.

"Yes its true" he replied softly, as if his tone could reduce the gravity of what he did.

*******

Note: this series as it isn't going to contain just one book is going to explain why partners cheat. I am so excited to be doing it, I hope you keep coming. Also, there are lots of twists and turns in this book so if you think this is the end of it am sorry to disappoint you.

You can read my other story 'Silence' to get started on the second book.

Keep voting and commenting.  From the yansh(buttom) of my heart I love you guys.

Stay gold.

Love,
Orex💜💓💚💝