"I'm not," Ndidi replied, her voice steady, though her hidden trembling hand betrayed her inner turmoil.
Chibuzor didn't press further. "Okay then. Let's see what the investigation uncovers," he said, his words laced with a warning.
At the hospital, Olaedo sat quietly by Nnenna's bedside, her eyes filled with concern as she watched her friend sleep. Her heart ached with gratitude for the woman who had risked everything to help her.
The image of Nnenna covered in blood haunted her, and only God knew how terrified she had been in that moment.
The sound of footsteps broke the silence. Olisa entered the room, his white coat neatly buttoned, and paused at the door. He stood there for a moment, observing his adopted younger sister. The sight of silent tears rolling down her cheeks made his heart ache.
"She's going to be fine, Olaedo," he said gently, stepping closer. His reassuring tone made her look up at him. "I know she is in a coma, but there's no need to worry. Just trust me. I'm a genius, you know."
His words, paired with the playful grin on his face, caught her off guard. A small laugh escaped her lips, lightening the heavy atmosphere in the room.
"You're right. I'll go freshen up," Olaedo replied, her voice soft but carrying a hint of weariness.
As she headed toward the bathroom, Olisa suddenly remembered that she hadn't eaten much at the ball. Concern flashed across his face, and he called out to her before she disappeared. "Hey! Let me know when you're done. I'll be at the reception area, and we can grab some dinner."
"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can," she answered, closing the door behind her.
Inside the bathroom, Olaedo leaned against the sink for a moment, her mind still swirling with everything that had happened. When she finally started to undress, she realized with a jolt that she didn't have any clothes to change into.
Embarrassed, she cracked the door open slightly and called out, hoping Olisa hadn't gone too far.
"Olisa! Could you please grab me a change of clothes? I'll pay you back later!" she asked, her voice tinged with both urgency and hesitation.
She waited for a reply, but there was only silence. Seconds ticked by, and just as she was about to call out again, the bathroom door creaked open slightly. A hand reached in, holding a neatly folded set of clothes.
Olaedo froze for a moment, startled. "Uh… thank you?" she said hesitantly, unsure who had brought them. She took the clothes cautiously, her heart racing as she stared at the closed door, wondering who had responded so quickly without saying a word.
Shaking her head, she decided to push her thoughts aside for now. There were more pressing matters at hand, and whoever it was, they would likely explain later. For now, she needed to freshen up and clear her head.
When Olaedo glanced at the clothes in her hands, she froze. These weren't just any clothes, they were hers, straight from home. She frowned, confused. How on earth had Olisa gone back to their house and brought her clothes so quickly?
Shaking off her curiosity for the moment, she finished her shower, dried off, and changed into the familiar outfit. The soft fabric felt comforting, but the mystery behind it lingered in her mind.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she glanced around the room. It was empty except for Nnenna, who was still sound asleep. Deciding she would ask Olisa later about how he managed to retrieve her clothes so fast, she headed toward the door.
Just as she was about to leave and meet Olisa, a thought struck her. She hadn't updated her "husband" about what had happened or how things were progressing. Pulling out her phone, she dialed his number.
Tu... Tu... Tu...
Before the call could connect, a familiar ringtone cut through the silence. Her eyes widened in shock as the sound came from just outside the room. She whipped the door open and froze.
Standing there, right in front of her, was Chibuzor. His face was dark, his gaze intense, and his posture rigid.
"You're here?" she asked, startled by his sudden appearance.
But he didn't answer. His sharp eyes studied her, the air around him heavy with displeasure. His jaw was tight, his anger barely concealed.
He wasn't just upset, he was furious. Furious at her closeness with Olisa, even though he knew there was nothing romantic between them.
The tension between them grew, and Olaedo found herself at a loss for words under the weight of his glare.
"What happened to you?" Olaedo asked again, her voice calm but curious.
Chibuzor didn't respond immediately. His dark eyes flickered with restrained emotions before he finally spoke, his tone cold and sharp.
"Why did you ask Olisa for clothes while you were in the bathroom? Do you even realize that you're married? You need to keep your distance from other men."
His words hit her like a slap, sparking instant anger. Olaedo stared at him in disbelief, her hands tightening into fists by her sides.
She had always been careful, even before marriage. As a Christian, she valued her principles and had always conducted herself with respect. Now that she was married, even if their relationship was complicated, she was even more cautious.
The only reason she had asked for help from Olisa was because there was no one else around, and she had made sure to only open the door slightly to maintain her modesty.
She could have explained all this to him. She could have calmly cleared up his misunderstanding. But the way he accused her, as if she was some thoughtless woman, made her defensive instead.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" she snapped, her voice rising in anger.
Chibuzor's jaw tightened, but he didn't interrupt her.
"You were the one in the room, weren't you? So why are you all worked up?" she asked, her annoyance clear in her tone.