"Make sure she signs the divorce papers as soon as possible, baby. I cannot wait to be completely yours..xoxo"
What!?
Tears dripped down my face as I read the message over and over. This cannot be happening to me. My husband was too good a man to cheat on me. No! It cannot be. I was beyond shocked. I struggled to get up from where I had leaned to read the message.
"How did everything get to this point, to the point of being second fiddle to Michael? Am I daydreaming?" If so, then surely this was one hell of a nightmare I needed to wake up from. I asked these questions and many more to, the four walls of our luxurious bedroom, knowing fully well that I would get nothing but silence.
Michael was the best thing that had happened to me. I remembered the calm look he gave me after my boss had asked me to show him how things were being done around the office since he had just been transferred. I remembered our first night out. Michael had taken me to STK, my favorite restaurant. We had ordered seafood pasta, the very best.
With tears still flooding my face, my mind raced back to the beautiful nights we would watch the stars, play under the rain like two little children, and the erotic moments we would have after every movie night. What about the surprise birthday party Michael planned for me, with our close friends and family? It was really beautiful.
I couldn't believe that all these hard, long years were coming to an end. It was three years of marriage, but it felt like a lifetime. We were once happy, but it felt like we never knew what happiness meant. What about our child? Michael did not even consider the fact that I was with a child! When did he grow so cold? Was any of this my fault?
I debated with myself for a while before I decided to wipe my eyes and face the battle head-on. I wasn't going to give up without a good fight. Never! "I cannot fold my arms and watch Akimbo as another woman snatch my husband away," I concluded. But who was this mystery woman? Have I seen her or do I know anything about her? Was she a staff member at Urban Holdings, where Michael worked?
As hard as the truth hit me, I couldn't bear the thought of another woman sharing my husband. It was so heartbreaking to know that there was someone else. I wasn't sure of the next action to take. "Should I confront Michael or should I hold on a little longer?" I pondered. But hold on a little longer for what exactly? Maybe it would all fade away and Michael would tell me it was all a prank to get me riled up and apologize with, a nice dinner.
The more I thought about it, the more confused I got. I heard Michael rounding up his bath time. I didn't want him to know what I had discovered, at least not now. I hurriedly left the room, keeping his phone back in its original place.
As I got downstairs, I picked up my phone to make a call. I juggled between calling Sophia, Michael's cousin, and Tina, my best friend. Sophia was Michael's closest relative and the only one among Michael's relatives who would listen to all my cries.
Speaking of Sophia, I kind of suspected she knew something about what had been going on between my husband and I. Ever since she came into the picture, something had been wrong. Was it that Michael's parents wanted him to marry another woman, and she knew about this?
For Michael's parents, there had never been a time when they were pleased with anything I did. I still could not fathom what it was I did wrong. If for anything, I made a CEO out of their son through my groundbreaking ideas and strategies and I never took the shine on any of them.
The sacrifices I made, having to quit a job I loved so much, a job I was great at, just for the sake of our relationship. All for nothing! While I reminisced on the good old days, I suddenly remembered that I had nothing to my name, not even a penny!
Just a few months ago, Michael had cleared our joint account all in the name of getting a new house! I questioned his actions but as usual, he sweet-talked me into agreeing with the idea that he needed to get a house befitting for a CEO. "But baby, our current house is not bad for a CEO. It's beautifully furnished, in and out," I had argued with him. I gave in finally. I would do anything to see him happy.
Thinking of it now, it all made sense. This was the plan after all. Michael knew our present house was gifted to me by my parents as a wedding gift and so it was in my name. He had no access to it legally. I couldn't believe I had allowed Michael to buy a house, one where he would probably live with his new lover.
All of my life's savings were in that account, including the sales I made after selling my parent's old house after their death. Michael saw to it that I had no personal savings. According to him, it wasn't necessary since I had access to his credit cards. I couldn't believe I had been a fool all this while.
"Where would I start if Michael dumped me?" I asked myself, crying all over again. With a child on the way, it wasn't going to be an easy one for me. What would I tell our child about its father? How would I cope in this wicked world, birthing a child so innocent? I was a pro-lifer, so abortion wasn't even an option.
After drowning for so long in my thoughts, I finally settled on calling Sophia. I concluded that I would call Tina afterward. Sophia picked up almost immediately, "Hi Mabel, is everything good?" I couldn't bring myself to tell Sophia what was going on. I ended up asking her if I could meet up with her. She agreed.
For some reason, I found inner peace. What would I do without Sophia? I knew I had a best friend to whom I told everything, but having Sophia is different because she is the only relative of my husband who gave me a sense of belonging.
I grabbed my car keys and headed out. I met with Sophia at our usual smoothie spot. She was already there, waiting for me. As I spotted her, I immediately ran to her for a hug, bawling my eyes out. "Calm down Mabel. Take a deep breath and talk to me," Sophia consoled me.
After what seemed like forever, Sophia asked, "What's going on, Mabel? Can you talk now?" I nodded my head slowly, indicating that I was ready to tell her everything that had happened. "Good girl. Talk to me, what happened?" Sophia asked again. I told Sophia everything that had transpired between Michael and me.
The shock on Sophia's face was one I wouldn't forget in a hurry. "Mabel, are you sure of what you're saying?" How can I not be sure? "Sophie, I am as sure as anything in the world right now. I saw the text message on his phone, from an unsaved number. I wish a name was shown, at least I would have the name of the person that wants to destroy my home."
I could see the sorry look Sophia wore on her face. She felt so sorry for me, although she still doubted Michael would do anything to intentionally hurt me. "You know, Mabel, Michael loves you dearly. You have been his calm amidst life's storms, and I'm sure there's an explanation to this," Sophia said softly.
"What worries me the most is that I am carrying his child, Sophie. I don't know what to do. How can I bring a child into this world to suffer?" I relayed my fears, tearing up again. Not much could be done except promises, which may end up doing little or nothing.
I appreciated Sophia for her time and proceeded to head back home. Michael hadn't called me to find out where I was. It gave me a bit of relief since I had not planned to tell him of my discovery yet. Lying about my whereabouts would not be an option since I was so bad at it.
As I drove silently home, I knew Tina would be my next call. I held my phone to dial her number, looking ahead as I drove. I sighted Urban Holdings in front and a quick thought swept through my mind. I knew Becky, the company's receptionist, would still be around by this time, so I decided to bring my thoughts to reality.
I was going to ask Becky if she had seen any strange lady with my husband lately. I walked straight to Becky's station as I entered the company. "Oh Mrs. Adams, it's good to see you again, although Mr. Adams isn't in," Becky said politely. She thought I was here for my husband. "Thanks, Becky, but that's not why I'm here," I replied, silently hoping for a positive answer.
"I need to know something and this should stay between us, if possible," I started. "Have you seen Mr. Adams with any strange woman of late?" I asked keenly. The question seemed to startle Becky, who wasn't expecting such. She quickly shook her head, telling me she had not seen anyone except me. Becky didn't sound convincing, but I was left with no option than to let her be.
I thanked Becky and headed for my car, feeling defeated. "What a waste!" I cursed under my breath as I drove home. I suddenly regretted my last decision. Now, I will become the topic of discussion in Urban Holdings for the next three days. I knew the company too well and Becky, for sure, wasn't one to keep her mouth shut.
I got home in no time and headed straight for my bedroom, the one Michael and I shared. I went in to find it empty, with the sheets perfectly laid. Where was my husband? I went to the room reserved for guests and found Michael fast asleep. Reality was beginning to dawn on me. We are sleeping in separate beds now.
I couldn't help myself as another round of tears came falling down my eyes. Realizing I hadn't spoken to Tina, I rushed back to my bedroom to pick up my phone. I dialed Tina's number, and she picked up after several rings. "Hey girl, how're you doing?"
I poured my heart into Tina, telling her everything as it had happened. Tina did not seem surprised, and I sensed it immediately.
Before I could say another word, Tina spilled,
"There's something I need to tell you."