Grandme Forum

Episode 5

I woke up the following morning and was surprised to see that it's the dawn of a new day. I didn't believe I slept for more than twelve hours, the pregnancy should be the one at work.
I made to stand up from the bed when John walked in looking disheveled, his eyes were red and puffy, a sign that he was cried all through the night. Immediately he sat on the other edge of the bed, I quickly went to him and knelt down.
'My husband, I know you are disappointed in me but please, I want you to trust me. I didn't get pregnant on purpose neither do I cheat on you. Please, just trust me this once' I pleaded with him from the bottom of my heart
'Trust you? It's not possible, the evidence is just so glaring. Well, your mom and mine are on the way. After speaking with them, you would be left with no choice but to leave with Jedidiah because he isn't mine'
'My love please don't do this to me, Jedidiah is your son. No other man has ever seen my nakedness, please don't put me to shame' I pleaded with tears flowing down my face
'I had two doctors conduct a DNA test on Jeremiah and Jedidiah. Well, for your information, the test result shows that Jedidiah isn't mine. Here is a copy if you want to be sure'
John threw a copy of the DNA test at me and I couldn't stop crying after looking at it. It shows that Jedidiah and John are 99% unrelated while he and Jeremiah are 99% related.
I felt fed up, I just didn't understand what was happening anymore. I was pushed into a loveless marriage and when things are starting to become rosy, an issue I don't understand came up.
Since there was no reason to keep on pleading with John, I lifted myself and went to the washroom to wash and then decide to wait for my stepmother and mother-in-law. While waiting for the duo, I went into my son's room to spend time with them. I love them both and still don't believe Jedidiah isn't for John.
The horn of a car driving into our compound interrupted the session I was having with my boys. I had to go welcome the two women. Of course, my greeting wasn't well accepted as I was replied with abuse and curse from my stepmother.
'You evil child, so you have succeeded in dragging my name in the mud. Well, I don't blame you, you took after your mother. Like mother like daughter.' My stepmother rained abuses on me not bothering to hear my own side of the story
'Good afternoon ma' John greeted my Stepmother
'Afternoon jare, See, I understand your pain. If you can't bear to live with her again, don't hesitate to send her out. You can't keep living with a deceitful woman'' my stepmother replied John shocking me
'Yes o, my son can't continue to live with a whore' My mother-in-law chipped in
'Madam, go in there, take your things and leave this house with your bastard son' My stepmother ordered me
I couldn't leave the spot I stood, the only thing I was doing was shedding tears. When they saw that I didn't move from where I stood, my stepmother followed John into the bedroom and assisted him with bringing my things out.
After throwing my things out, Jedidiah was brought out and threw at me. I quickly stood and catch him before he falls to the ground. Jeremiah stood beside his father pleading with him to let me be but his plea was ignored.
I had no choice but to take my things and leave the compound with my son. I looked at the compound once more and left for Gcontinuedere.

To be continued...

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After walking around for almost three hours, I was already worn out and so was Jeddy. He has been asking me to get him something to eat but I ignored him because I had no money on me. My savings were in the house. I found shade and sat down with my son, I wanted to cry but I kept pushing the tears back because I don't want Jeddy to see me cry.
When Jeddy's rant for food was becoming unbearable, I had to do something before he starts crying. I opened one of the boxes hoping to find money in it. Luckily for me, I saw an Atm card which John gave to me to use for buying things but I hardly make use If it since he also gives me money for upkeep.
The Atm brought joy to my soul. I stopped a bike which took me to the nearest bank where I was able to withdraw one hundred and fifty thousand nairas, I wanted to withdraw more but I couldn't as that was the limit for a day. I was able to pay the bike man and also buy food for Jeddy.
After feeding Jeddy, we both board a bus to the other part of the town. I didn't want to be too far or too close to John. That night, Jeddy and I pass the night in one of the cheapest hotels, and the following day, I was able to get one-room accommodation.
All through this period, Jeddy kept bombarding me with questions but I either ignore or simply tell him to pray for mommy.
I was able to get some little home equipment and we began living life. Most times, Jeddy would start demanding to see his Dad and twin brother and once he makes such demands, it takes a lot of cajoling to calm him down.
Some other day, I tried to withdraw some money but on getting to the bank, I got to know that the Atm card has been blocked. Then, I knew that I had to get a job in order to fend for Jeddy and I. I ignored my morning sickness and went in search of a job, it was a stressful experience as no one wants to give a secondary school drop out a job.
Luck suddenly smiled at me when a nursery school offered me the post of a cleaner with pay of forty thousand naira. The pay was nothing close to the weekly allowance I do receive from John but I had to make do with it as I had no choice.
I enrolled Jeddy into the school and his fees were subtracted from my pay. Since the school closes at 2 pm, I also engaged in pure water business. I hawk pure water and soft drinks and that was what catered for our daily needs.
I terribly miss my first son Jerry but I was rest assured that John would take good care of him, I knew John would never bring another lady home lest his mother forces her on him.
Life goes on and I kept living it one day at a time. Within three months, I became a shadow of myself as there was no time or money to use in caring for myself, myself, i was just twenty-five but looked like a forty years old woman. By this time, my pregnancy was already protruded and I was able to register with a clinic.
When I was just trying to pick up the pieces of my life, I received another news that drained me.


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After cleaning the compound of the school that afternoon, I went to Jeddy's class to pick him so that we would go home together. Getting into his class, I was surprised to see my son lying flat on the floor. His teacher was pouring water on him while the other members of the staff were fanning him.
I ran to where he laid, carried him out of the school compound and ran to the clinic which was very close to the school. The nurses seeing the state in which Jeddy was, collected him from me and admitted him.
After series of test, it was revealed that Jeddy has sickle cell anemia. A kind of shock pass through my body when I received the information, I couldn't bring myself to understand how on earth Jeddy's genotype would be SS when John is AS and I am AA.
To worsen the situation, he was diagnosed with asthma. I felt my world crumbling, I was forced to ask the doctor if everything started in one day but he replied that the care he has been receiving before now suppress the manifestation of the both health challenge.
The doctor gave me tips on how to help him live with the health challenges and also gave me a list of drugs which would help him survive the situation. The prices of the drugs was something that was too much for me to bear.
At first, I thought of going to plead with John but I had a rethink that going to meet him will make him believe I truly cheated on me. I became fed up with life but I just had to keep strengthening myself because of my children.
In order to keep up with Jeddy's new health status, I had to double my hustle. Despite buying drugs for Jeddy, we were still going in and out of hospital. I was warned never to run out of multivitamins if I don't want to lose him.
Instead of eating, I prefer to remain hungry just for Jeddy to have food and drugs. Tears became something I couldn't do without. While crying one night, Jeddy moved closer to me and started comforting me.
'Mommy, why are you always crying?' Jeddy asked shocking me
'Jeddy? I am not crying'
'You are crying mommy, you always cry every night. You cry because Daddy sent us out of the house because he hate us, you also cry because I am always sick' he revealed shocking me more
'Oh no son, Daddy doesn't hate us. He is just angry with mommy. Don't worry, we will go back home soon. Just keep praying for mommy' I sat him on my laps comforting him
'Mommy, please don't cry again. I promise not to fall sick again, I will buy you a car when I become a Doctor'
'Wow! I am so happy to hear that, I promise not to cry again. Thank you my son, I love you'
'I love you too mommy'
I felt touched by Jeddy's word and decided to always see the brighter side of life. He promised never to fall sick again but my little boy couldn't help it.
Life went on and we kept living it one day at a time. My pregnancy was approaching it's maturity, I was able to buy little baby things though it wasn't close to what John would have gotten for the baby. I went for a scan and it was revealed that I was carrying a baby girl. I fell in love with her the moment I saw how she lay in my womb.
I was surprised to hear the doctor say she was very healthy despite the fact that I haven't been eating and resting well. I told Jeddy that the baby we were expecting was a girl and he was so excited to meet his baby sister.

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Upon the completion of my ante-natal, the nurse who do attend to me gave me my card and instructed me to take it to the office of the midwife and have my card signed showing the completion of my ante-natal and the readiness to go into the labour room any moment from now.
With joy in my heart, I walked to the office of the midwife to have my card signed. Getting to the doorpost, I knocked and was given permission to enter.
'Good afternoon ma, I was directed here to have my card signed as I have completed my ante-natal session' I informed the midwife but instead of replying me, she was lost in staring at me
'Hello ma' I called out to her
'Yes, what do you want?' She asked angrily
'I came to have my card signed ma, I have completed my ante-natal session' I repeated to her hearing
'Get out of my office and never come back' she barked at me
I ran out of the office in fear wondering why she had to scream at me. I explained what happened to the nurse and she collected the card from me claiming she would ensure it get signed. She apologize to me on behalf of the midwife claiming that she might be in a bad mood.
After the encounter with the midwife, I keep asking myself if she knew me from somewhere as her behavior that day was uncalled for.
My day of delivery was drawing near and I kept buying the necessary things for my baby. God helped me, Jeddy didn't fall sick throughout that month so I was able to buy more things for the baby.
While cooking one evening, I started having signs that the baby was coming. I managed to finish up with cooking, I dress Jeddy up and together we both went to the clinic. Immediately I got to the Clinic, my water broke.
The nurses on duty collected Jeddy from me and took me to the labour room. The nurse in charge of me informed the midwife that there was a woman in labour who needed to be delivered of a child.
The midwife ran to the labour room but when she saw that I was the woman who needed to be delivered of a child, she refused to attend to me. I cried and pleaded with her to attend to me but she refused and went away. The nurse took pity on me and decided to help out.
She gave me Instructions and in no time, I was delivered of a beautiful baby girl. She was cleaned up and placed on my bare chest, the moment I set my eyes on her, I loved her with every fibre in me. Seeing her on my chest brought tears to my eyes, she was the reason why I was thrown out of my matrimonial home.
She was the reason why I had to toil day and night, she was the reason why I laboured so much but I love her so much. For a moment, I forgot all the pains I went through. I requested that Jeddy be brought to me and when he came, he was so happy to see that his baby sister had been born.
After spending a day at the hospital, we were discharged. My neighbors were surprised to see me with a new baby as I didn't tell anyone that I was going to the hospital. They congratulated me and assisted me with one thing or the other.
I named my baby Joy as she brought so much Joy to my soul. I suddenly had a longing to see Jerry, I just wanted him to see his little sister but situations on ground won't let that happen.
Life continued and my baby was growing, she keep resembling Jeremiah every day. Jeddy was still falling sick but the rate at which he fall sick reduce. I keep toiling just for my children to have their daily need, I no longer cry as my children were a source of joy to me.
When Joy became five month old, I came home and the landlady informed me that a woman came looking for me and dropped an envelope when she met my absence. I appreciated her and collected the envelope from her.
Getting to the room, I tore the envelope open and was surprised to see a clip, a letter and a receipt of payment. I took the letter and read through.
Dear Mrs Jane,
I am sorry the pain I caused you but I want you to know that it isn't my fault. I didnt want to succumb to such wickedness but your mother threatened to kill the child if I didn't.
Remember, you had twins at Corolla Hospital and I was the midwife in charge of your delivery. Your boys were adorable and identical that virtually all the nurses fell in love with them.
Your mother approached me and asked me to exchange one of the boys with a sickly child. At first, I refused it but she offered me the sum of one million naira to carry out the task, she further threatened to strangle one of the twins to death if i fail to carry out her order so I had no option but to carry out her order.
Over the years, I lived with the guilt of such wickedness. I sent you out of my office that day because I saw the past coming back.
Your other twin is with Mr. And Mrs. Da Silva, a popular family in this town. I know I have caused you much pain but please find a plance in your heart to forgive me. In this envelope is an audio clip where our conversation was recorded.
From Midwife Lara.

The letter dropped from my hand and I was numb for some minutes. So, my stepmother has been the one behind my predicament all along. I fell to the ground and let out a scream, what did I do wrong? I wasn't the one who asked my mother to have an affair with her husband, I was just the product of nightstand.
That night was a sorrowful one for me, I have come to love and adore Jeddy as he had become my friend and husband during my trying moment. I just can't afford to lose him. I was happy that the truth was out but I was sad because Jeddy wasn't mine.
I kept the matter to myself for almost three months but as time goes on, I decided that I had to let it out.
Jeddy and Jerry's eight years birthday was fast approaching and I decided to be with them that day. Two weeks to their birthday, I called John with my new line informing him that I have information for him and I want to see Jerry on his birthday.
After listening to me, he ended the call without giving me a reply and refused to pick up when I called again. I stopped calling him but save some money to get both of them beautiful wristwatches as their birthday present.
A day preceding their birthday, he called and gave me the location where I am to meet up with them. It was a public secondary school. I tried my best to buy new wears for Jeddy as I didn't want him to feel inferior when he meets Jerry.
On the birthday, I celebrated Jeddy in my own little way, I took him to the studio to take pictures and also bought biscuit which I shared among the children in our compound.
At exactly 3 pm, the three of us left home for the school we were to meet up with Jerry and John. After waiting for one hour, John drove into the school compound. He came into the classroom with Jerry in his hands, it was obvious Jerry was not aware that he was coming to meet with me.
'Mommyyyyyyyy, Jeddyyyyyyy' Jerry scream immediately he saw us
'Oh my son, I missed you so much' I drew him into my embrace
'Happy Birthday Jerry' Jeddy wished him
'Happy Birthday Jeddy, I miss you so much' Jerry replied
'I missed you too'
'Here are your birthday gift boys' I said while handling the wristwatches to them
'Ohh thank you, mommy, this is so beautiful' Jeddy exclaimed
'Wow! This is beautiful mommy, I love you so much. Mommy, please come back home' Jerry said and a tear dropped from my eye
I was so happy that Jerry's mind hasn't been polluted against me. I drew him to an embrace again and affirmed that I never stopped loving him. Jerry requested to carry Joy and I placed her on his laps.
While both boys were engrossed in admiring their watches and playing with their little sister, I moved to where John sit and gave him a copy of the letter and receipt of the money my stepmother paid the midwife.
He collected it from me and never stopped staring at me, he was surprised to see how much I have aged. Well, that's the result of the torture he subjected me into.
Right there, he opened the envelope and read through the letter while I went back to meet the boys. He came over to meet us after reading the letter.
'Jeddy, won't you say hello to your Dad?' I asked Jeddy immediately John got to where we were
'I don't have a father' Jeddy replied rudely
'Come on Jeddy, don't be like this'
'I hate him because he hated us. He sent us out of the house and allowed us to suffer' Jeddy lamented
'Will you stop spewing nonsense?' I screamed at Jeddy
'Leave him alone' John finally said something
John returned back to his former position and had his head buried in his palms. When the night was fast approaching, he told Jerry they needed to go back home but the latter refused to go with him. I had to plead with Jerry to go with his father with the promise that I won't be far from him again.
Jerry reluctantly went with John while Jeddy, Joy, and I went home.



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Life continues and we kept living it one day at a time. For almost three weeks, I didn't hear anything from John just for me to see a neighbor's son bring him to the shed where I sell my wares one evening.
At first, I didn't see them coming. Jerry's scream was what attracted me to the direction they came through.
'How are you son?' I asked Jerry
'Fine mommy and you?'
'Fine too'
I gave John and Jerry a seat while I hurriedly pack my wares since it was getting dark. John offered to help me but I told him not to worry. Done with packing, we trekked to my house which was just thirty minutes' walk from where I sell.
Getting to the house, I invited them in and quickly heat up the rice which I prepared in the morning and serve the children with it. While the children were busy with the food, John requested to speak with me outside. I took him to the backyard in order to avoid our conversation being eavesdropped.
'How are you?' John began
'As you can see, I am doing great'
'Can I carry her?' He requested but immediately Joy saw that he wants to carry her, she held on to me
'No, you can't. She isn't yours or Is she? I asked surprising him
'She looks so much like Jerry so it's obvious she is mine'
'You are sick upstairs. So you think you can humiliate me in public then come secretly to beg me abi? You lie, I actually thought you are a matured man, I never knew you are a mommy's puppet. Look here Mr. I only allowed you into my house because of my son, don't feel that I still want anything to do with you' I replied with rage written all over me
'Jane???'
'If you call my name again, I will plaster your face with a slap. Jeddy is right, you never loved us. I regret ever having anything to do with you weakling, the only thing he knows how to do is to impregnate a woman and reject the pregnancy. Only God knows what he did to his ex-girlfriend that made her abscond with his best friend' I raged on
I saw him break down in tears but I wasn't moved by his tears. After being forcefully married to him, I live all my life to please him. I bore him children and also care for both him and the children but all he could reward me with is throwing me out of the house when there was crisis forgetting that he was the one who forcefully broke my hymen.
For the eight years I lived with him, he never stops comparing me to his ex-girlfriend whenever we have misunderstood and when I try to defend myself, he would always remind me of the twelve years gap between us.
After Jerry and Jeddy celebrated their second birthday, I actually pleaded with him to send me back to school since I was just twenty years old and was still interested in bringing my dream to reality. He told me to give him time to think about it and after thinking about it, he refused to send me to school with the thought that I would grow wings after schooling.
I pleaded and pleaded with him that nothing of such would happen. I even went as far as writing undertaking but he remained obstinate. After all the ill-treatment, he now comes secretly to make me come back to him.


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With that I left him at the balcony and went into the room to meet my children. They had finish eating and were playing game. John came into the room some minutes later and made to leave with Jerry but the latter refused to go with him even after I pleaded with him to go.
After much persuasion and Jerry still refused to go with John, we had to let him be. John had to go home alone and since schools were on holiday, Jerry was free to stay with me.
John returned the following day with change of clothes for Jerry and also brought some foodstuffs. At first, I rejected the foodstuffs but when he didn't stop pleading with me to take it, I collected it from him. He also bought some clothes for Jeddy but Jeddy refused to collect it.
A week later, I received a call from John's mother. She actually stopped being my mother-in-law the day she joined my stepmother to throw me out of her son's house.
'Good afternoon' I replied rudely
'Afternoon, John told me what went wrong and since you are innocent, you have to return back to your husband' she informed increasing my anger
'Wait, are you now ordering me to go back to your son? And who told you I am still Interested in your son? I replied her vibrating with anger
'Fine, if you are no longer then return my grandchildren'
'Can you see how foolish you are? So, you are now demanding for the grandchildren you once rejected abi? If you ever disturb me again, I will relocate to a far away land and begin life with my children then we would know who will be at loss'
'Young lady, Did you just call me a foolish woman?' She asked
'Yes, in fact, you are a mad woman. You and your son are both sick upstairs. If you ever call my line again, I will disgrace you'
With that, I ended the call and block her number immediately. I was actually surprised I could speak to her the way I did. Well, when a person Is pushed to the wall, he or she has no option but to defend his or her self.
Three weeks later, I was in the room teaching the twins some arithmetic, when I heard a knock on the door. I stopped what I was doing and went to open the door, I was shocked to see John and a lady at the door. I was lost staring at them as I was actually trying to remember where I knew the lady from.
'Care to invite us in?' The lady asked jolting me out of reverie
'Do come in' I invited them in not without giving John a bad eye
'Daddyyyyy' Jerry scream immediately he saw his father
'How are you son?'
'Very fine, Jeddy, won't you say hello to Daddy?' Jerry asked his brother
'I have told you that I don't have a father ' Jeddy replied rudely
'When will you stop this nonsense Jeddy?' I screamed at Jeddy
'Until when he start loving us again' Jeddy replied surprising me
'I am talking and you are replying me abi? Wait, till I slap you'
'Please, let the boy be. He is right, if his father had been more reasonable, things won't escalate to this point.' She replied surprising me as I thought she also came to cast blames on me.
I gave Jerry and Jeddy biscuits and asked them to go play outside while I discusss with John and the lady he brought.
'Do you know me?' She asked
'No ma' I replied with all sincerity.
'I guess so, well, I am John's elder sister who reside in Ghana. He actually made me travel here to help him apologize to his wife. You see, I never knew about the situation till three weeks ago. I have listened to his part of the story and I let him know that he is at fault but I am here to plead with you, I know you are hurt but please come back home because of the kids'
'Sorry to disappoint you ma, I am not interested in coming back to him neither do I want to have anything to do with him again'
Oh hearing that, John came to where I sat and knelt before me weeping. I was so surprised to see him go on his knee before him, I was just short of words.
'My wife, please forgive me. I know I have been wicked and unfair to you, I am ready to change. I promise to make you happy and treat you as my wife, please, just forgive me' John pleaded amidst tears
'You see, he is truly sorry. I sat him down and talked sense into his dull brain and he promised to be a better husband, please give him another chance' his sister chipped in
While we were still discussing, Jerry ran into the room crying that Jeddy was finding it hard to breathe. On hearing that, I ran outside and carry him into the house. John collected him from him while I search for his inhaler.
Immediately I saw the inhaler, I helped him use it and he became fine after inhaling it. John drew him closer to himself and started apologizing to him for being a failed father. In no time, Jeddy slept off in John's arms.
Sister Lucy, John's sister asked how I was able to cope with an asthmatic child and I made her understand that it wasn't easy but Christ keep strengthening me.


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Jeddy's health condition that night made John plead with me to go back home with him that evening. He made me understand that sleeping on the mat was what increases the rate of Jeddy's asthmatic attack.
As much as I didn't want to go back with him, I had to because of Jedidiah, I just can't bear to lose my son because of the issues I have with John. I started packing but John told me he would send some boys to come to do the packing, he also suggests I dash the things out with the promise of getting new ones for me.
I went to the landlady and explained to her that I had issues with my husband that was why I came to rent a room in her house. I told her we have settled so I had to go back home.
She was happy that I am going back to my husband but was sad because she was going to miss me. I embrace her before leaving.
I carried Joy, Sister lucy held Jerry while Jeddy was still in John's arm as we made our way to where John's car was parked. Getting to the car, Jeddy was carefully laid on the back seat while we also made our way into the car.
After about one hour drive, we arrived home. I remembered how I was forcefully brought in here to be a wife and how I was thrown out of the house with the accusation of cheating. I shake off the memory and assured myself that I came back because of my children.
We all alighted from the car and filed into the house. John carried Jedidiah into his room with the hope that I would join him. Well, I shocked him by going into the children's room. My coming back doesn't mean I have forgiven him totally.
Surprised that I didn't come to meet him in the room, he came to meet me in the children's room.
'Sweetheart, are you not coming to the room?' He asked
'I am okay here. Mind you, this is my room for the meantime' I announced to him
'But you know that your place is in my room'
'And what if I decide not to stay in your room, will you beat me up? Please, you need to leave as I don't want my children's sleep to be disturbed'
I laid back on the bed while he dejectedly walks out of the room. I woke up the following morning and was surprised that I was the only one on the bed. I wash my face in the bathroom and went downstairs, I was surprised to see John feeding Jeddy and Joy while Jerry was eating by himself.
'Good Morning sweetheart, hope you had a great night rest?' John greeted cheerfully
'Yes, thank you'
'I made breakfast and yours is in the kitchen'
'Alright, thank you'
After the children had their breakfast, John invited the family doctor to come to examine Jeddy and have him treated.
Dr. Craig informed us that Jeddy's health condition can be well managed if he is well cared for. He warned us never to expose him to cold so that asthma won't become worse.
Jeddy was given some injections that made him sleep all day. He was in John's room as John suddenly doted on him. Joy was also warming up to John and was always in his arm if Jeddy wasn't in his arms.
When Jeddy became better, he decided to take us out but I wasn't interested so I told him to go with the kids. The kids came back so excited as they had lots of fun.
John started doing things to win me over but kept on giving him a hard time, he buys me flowers and gifts but I do refuse it. He helped a lot with house chores but that didn't change anything. Every morning, he was always dropping the apology note beside my bedside.
For three months, I didn't give him face. I took a look at the notes he has been dropping beside my bedside for the past three months, I concluded that he was really a change then I decided to give him another chance.
That evening, after he returned from work and had dinner, I sent him an SMS asking him to come to meet me in the room since the children were busy with their favorite cartoon.
'Sweetheart, you sent for me' he said immediately he got into my room
'Yes, do have your seat'
'Thank you' he muttered
'You hurt me a lot. I expected you to stand up for me rather you had me thrown out of the house with seven weeks pregnancy. I suffered just to provide Jeddy and Joy's daily needs. After going through that, you want me to forgive you without stress. Do you think that is possible?'
'I was such a fool to treat you the way I did but I have realized my mistake and I have made up my mind to treat you like a wife not a maid. I just want you to give me a chance to prove myself' John pleaded once again
'I just hope you won't hurt me again
'I cross my heart'
John drew me into his arms assuring me of his love for me. After the children slept that night, I tiptoed into John's room as I needed to be in my husband's arm again.

She wanted me to apologize to her but I didn't because she was the one that wronged me. John wanted to intervene but the bad eye I gave him made him realize that he better keep mute as regards the issue.
A week after Joy's birthday, John informed me that it's high time my stepmother paid for her sins. I had actually been keeping quiet on the matter because I didn't want her to go to jail but John would have none of it.
Prior to this, John had informed the D.P.O of the police station in our neighborhood and they were interested in the case. Very early one morning, John called the D.P.O and gave him my stepmother's address. John and I got there first then the police came later but they stayed outside my stepmother's compound.
Getting into her house, my stepmother was surprised to see us together.
'Hello John, what are you still doing with this slut?' She asked my husband
'Well, the woman you call a slut is my wife maybe you are actually the slut here' John replied while holding my waist
'What? How dare you call me a slut'
'Ohh Sweetheart, we aren't here to banter words with her. Let's just go straight to the business' I told my husband
'Thanks, my dear. So, dear stepmother, what is the relationship you have with Midwife Lara?' John asked the the the the stepmother
'And which Midwife Lara are you talking about' she asked us feigning ignorance
'Well, maybe you have forgotten, I can help you refresh your memory. The Midwife Lara you paid the sum of one million naira to help you exchange one of my twins with a sickly child, can you now remember?' John helped refreshed her memory while I was watching the unfolding drama
'Ohh that? How did you even get to know? Even if I asked her to exchange one of your babies, what will you do to me?'
'Ohh so you actually had one of my babies exchanged, you wicked stepmother' I asked astonishingly
'Yes, I paid her one million naira to have one of your twins exchanged with a sickly child' she announced confidently
'What did I do to you to deserve all this?' I asked her in tears
'Your offense is the fact that your mother had to share my husband with me. A man I made to be rich and influential, when he was poor, where was your wretched mother? To make matters worse, my husband had the effrontery to give you a larger share of his property, a child of a prostitute coming to take what rightfully belongs to my children. Well, I had no choice but to poison him'
'Jesus! You are very wicked' I exclaimed
'Wicked you say? You haven't seen the definition of wickedness, wait till I destroy everything that concerns you' she bragged annoying me
'Before you destroy everything that concerns my wife, I will make sure the law destroy everything that concerns you' John answered in anger
'And how will you do that? Have you forgotten that I have connections in the forces?'
'And have you forgotten that my Dad was the former commissioner of police before he died?' John replied to her question with another question surprised me as in, I wasn't even aware that his dad was the former commissioner of police. I just knew that his father is late.
While John and my stepmother were exchanging words, the police who were outside had all the conversation recorded, they played it to her hearing and had her arrested. It was a defeated battle for her as her words are what would be used against her in the court of law.



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After going to court for several days, she was finally sentenced to twenty-five years imprisonment with hard labor. Even after receiving her judgment, she came to where I was and said the battle still continues.

John told me to take her words with levity as there was nothing a jailed woman could do. I calmed myself with John's words and decided to stop dwelling in the past to concentrate on my family.

Few weeks after the court hearing, I was preparing to go to bed when John told me we needed to talk.

'Hope all is well?' I asked instinctively

'It's about Jeddy, don't you think he needs to meet his real family and we need to have our son back?'

'Ohh John, I can't bear to lose Jeddy. I nurse him from infancy and there is a strong bond between us. How do you expect us to cope? I can't lose my son o'

'Jane, you need to understand that his real parent has to be aware of the situation on the ground. We can't continue to keep him with us when we already know the truth of the matter'

'How do you now expect me to live without my Jeddy?'

'Calm down dear, let's just take it one step at a time. When we get to that bridge, we will cross it together. Meanwhile, I have made enquires and the Da Silva family is a powerful family. Fortunately, Mr. Kings, my business partner happen to be their acquaintance' he further explained

'So, what is the next step now?' I asked sadly

'I have spoken to Mr. Kings and he promised to book an appointment for me to see them, all I just need is to give him the date and time when I will be chanced'

'And??'

'I want us all to go, we would go with the evidence the Midwife gave us'

'Choose a convenient date and inform me'

'Alright, I will'

John chose a date which happens to be a Saturday. It was like I was going for a burial ceremony as I wore a gloomy face all through. Getting to Da Silva's residence, I was awed by the beauty of their mansion.

We were ushered in by a man dressed in a suit was told to sit and wait for madam and her husband. After what seemed like an eternity, the couple came down to meet us with their son who was just the carbon copy of Jeremiah. Every one of us was stunned as the resemblance was just much. On the other hand, Jedidiah looks so much like the man.

'Mommy, why did this boy looks so much like me?' Da Silva's son named Leonard asked his mother

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For more stories, kindly follow Deborah Olowojesiku on Facebook

Things were going well in my family and everyone was happy. Before the Da Silvas traveled out of the country, Felix collected the name of the court where my stepmother's case was judged.

He took the case to a higher court and she was sentenced to life imprisonment. When money and connection speaks, who can stand in the way? Now, let's see how she would come and continue fighting us.

Things were going rosy and I started thinking of going back to school since Joy has started school with her brothers. I was preparing to begin the admission processing when I discovered that I missed my period again. I was scared, getting pregnant again when I am aware that John doesn't want another child will cause a problem.

Telling him about the pregnancy was out of it so, I decided to abort the baby. I didn't let him know I was down, I went to a pharmacist and bought some abortion pills. Even after buying, I didn't have the nerve to take it as I kept postponing the day I would use it.

One evening, while John was watching a cartoon with the children, I decided it was high time I used the drug. I sat in our bedroom and was about to gulp the drug when John entered the room asking me what the drug was all about.

'Taking drugs? You never told me you were sick, what is the drug for? Malaria or typhoid?' He asked

'Term...i mean...as in' I stammered instead of giving him answer

When he saw my uneasiness, he picked the sachets containing the drug and screamed when he read through and discovered it was an abortion pill.

'What is this supposed to mean? Tell me, are you pregnant? He asked angrily

'Eerm eerm, John, please forgive me. I don't know how it happened, I am on contraceptives. I didn't become pregnant deliberately' I pleaded on my knees

'And you feel aborting my baby is the best option? You didn't even inform me, that's callous. You want to kill my child without my knowledge'

'I am sorry, please forgive me. I thought you would be angry again, I didn't want anything to destroy the love and happiness we have now'

I was so surprised to see John pull me up from the floor and place me on his laps.

'It's okay babe. You see, I wasn't loving and caring before because I didn't let go of the past. Even though I was married, I didn't let go of the pain my ex caused me. Today, I have forgiven her completely and I am able to love you the way I should. This child isn't a mistake, he or she has come to stay. In fact, I want another baby girl' John announced

'Wow! Thank you, my husband, I love this new John' I replied kissing his lips. As in I am no longer afraid of him. Before, I dare not initiate kissing or sex.

John's words were just somehow to me as I didn't believe those words came out of his mouth but he kept to his word by being supportive all through the period of the pregnancy. He didn't hesitate to assist in house chores whenever I feel so weak, he was always there to massage my feet when it gets swollen, I actually felt like a baby all through the pregnancy period.

Contrary to what John wanted, I delivered another baby who was a replica of me. At last, I had a child who looks like me. My mother-in-law came to help nurse the child and when she came, she tried to avoid me but I wrap my hands around her showing that I hold nothing against her. She reciprocated and we became friends again.

John named our new baby Jude and added Jones to Leonard's name making us the J-family. When Jude clock three months, John surprised me with a big supermarket. I was short of words, the only thing I did was to hug him and was crying. I never expected it, he also told me to get ready to go back to school once I wean Jude. He went with me to the hospital to get a perfect contraceptive for me as we don't plan to go through childbearing again.

Today, I am a happy woman with a happy family. Jeddy may not be with me but I keep praying for him.

I have come to understand that when God wants to settle you, somethings have to happen. Are you going through a challenge, please don't give up. The situation that will lead you to greatness will soon happen.

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