Chapter 7 - A CHANGED WOMAN

Indeed, while the iPhone 12 Pro wasn't the most recent model on the market, it was still a high-end phone that signaled Timi's growing status and success. Despite his attempts to downplay his excitement, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when he held the sleek device in his hand.However, the thrill of his new purchase was short-lived. As he continued to dabble in the world of cybercrime, he found himself wrestling with moral and ethical dilemmas that he hadn't anticipated.

Despite his initial excitement, Timi couldn't shake the unease that had been slowly creeping up on him. He began to realize that his actions had consequences, not just for himself, but for the people he scammed.One day, while browsing through his emails, he stumbled upon a message from one of his victims, a middle-aged woman from the United States. She had poured her heart out, detailing the financial and emotional damage Timi had caused her.As he read her words, Timi felt a deep sense of shame wash over him.

The victim's message had a profound impact on Timi. It made him confront the reality of what he was doing and who he was becoming. He couldn't deny that the money he was making was coming at a steep price, and he knew that he couldn't live with the guilt much longer.He began to seriously consider his options. He thought about legitimate ways to use his knowledge of the internet, like online marketing or e-commerce. But he was also aware of the challenges he would face in transitioning from a life of crime to a life of legitimate business.

Meanwhile at omotolani's side.

The silence from Adenike was like a cloud of uncertainty hanging over Omotolani's head. She knew that the stepmother she had grown up resenting must have heard about her win, yet she seemed unwilling to acknowledge it.The bitterness and anger Omotolani had suppressed for so long began to resurface, but she tried to push it aside. After all, she had a bright future ahead of her, and she didn't want to dwell on the past.Still, as the weeks went by, the lack of acknowledgment from Adenike gnawed at Omotolani.

As her mother's wedding approached, Omotolani received a formal invitation from her mother, requesting her presence at the event. But Omotolani was adamant. She didn't want to go."I can't face her," she told her friend, her voice trembling. "She's never cared about me before, so why should I pretend to care about her wedding?"Her friend, who had been a constant source of support throughout Omotolani's journey, tried to reason with her. "I know how you feel," she said gently.

As the discussion continued, Omotolani's frustration grew. She felt like no one understood how much pain bola had caused her."Why should I go?" she argued, her voice rising. "She's never cared about me, never loved me. She only wants me there to make herself look good."Her friend tried to soothe her, but Omotolani was in the grip of her emotions. "If I go, she'll just try to control me again," she cried. "She'll try to keep me from going back to my grandparents."

Folake moved on after leaving Omotolani, meeting a man with whom she gave birth to two more children. However, this new relationship was not a healthy one. The man was manipulative and abusive, taking advantage of Folake's good nature by stealing her money and selling her belongings, leaving her in financial ruin.After struggling for some time, Folake finally found her footing and opened an electronic store, which gradually became successful and earned her a solid income.

As the years passed, Folake's hard work and perseverance paid off. Her business grew, and she was able to provide a stable life for her children, despite the challenges she had faced.And then, one day, she met a kind and loving man who treated her with the respect and care that she had longed for. Although he wasn't wealthy, his kindness made up for it. Folake knew that she had found something rare and precious.Despite the pain and heartbreak of her past, Folake was finally beginning to see a glimmer of hope for her future.

As Folake's relationship with her new partner deepened, her life started to take on a new shape. She began to feel more confident and more secure in herself. She knew that she deserved to be loved and respected, and she was determined not to let anyone take that away from her again.Meanwhile, Omotolani's life was taking a very different path. While her mother was finding happiness, she was still struggling with her past and the pain that Adenike had caused her. But as she sat in her room one day, contemplating her options, a new idea began to take shape.

Adenike had no intention of attending Folake's wedding, and in fact, the two women shared a deep-rooted animosity for one another. So instead of announcing her travel plans to anyone, Adenike quietly departed for Abuja with her husband without informing Folake or her family.However, as Folake prepared for her special day, she was completely unaware of Adenike's absence. She had no idea that the source of her daughter's pain would not be present at the wedding.

Omotolani reluctantly attended her mother's wedding, as she had promised, though she only showed up a day before the ceremony. Her untimely arrival incited a torrent of anger from Folake, who unleashed a barrage of curses on her daughter.The harsh words and vitriol left Omotolani stunned, completely at odds with the image of her mother she had formed in her mind over the years. She had expected a warm and loving reunion, but instead was met with a cold and unforgiving version of Folake.

As Omotolani stood there, reeling from the shock of her mother's outburst, she couldn't help but notice the glaring changes in Folake. It seemed that wealth had transformed her into a different person altogether, a woman who used curses as a weapon, flinging them at her daughter and anyone else who displeased her.The house was filled with tension and fear. Even the poor househelp, who bustled about doing their duties, kept their heads down and tried not to draw attention to themselves, lest they become the next target of Folake's vitriol.