14/08/2025
It was a warm and quiet Saturday morning. My mom had gone out to get some groceries, leaving behind an unusual silence. I was in the bedroom folding the clothes she had just washed for me when I heard a knock.
At first, I ignored it, thinking my husband would get the door, but when I heard Mamaâs excited voice call out, âAh-ah! Youâre here already! Come in, come in!â my hands paused.
Something is wrong.
There was a new voiceâfemale, unfamiliarâand the sound of a travelling bag being rolled inside.
I came out slowly. My husband had just walked in from the backyard and was wiping his hands on a towel when our eyes met. But he quickly looked away.
Mamaâs voice rang louder, triumphantly. âCome and greet your sister-in-law o. The new wife. Since the old one doesnât want to give us children and has started growing wings.â
My breath left me.
The woman standing in the middle of our sitting room was the same one from the photographâthe same one smiling beside my husband in that too-intimate pose.
I looked at her. I looked at Mama. And then I looked at my husband. And when I saw him walk over to her and hug herâhug her boldlyâright there in front of me, in our house, in the presence of everyone, telling her to âfeel at home,â something inside me cracked.
My chest tightened paiĂąfully. My throat closed up. My lips parted to speak but no words came out and that was when I realized I was crying silently with tears streaming profusely.
I blinked, trying to stop them, but they kept falling. Slow, hot, hĂźmiliating tears. Mama looked pleased. Too pleased. She folded her arms and watched me like a show she had waited years to finally enjoy. The other woman smiled faintly and sat down like she belonged here. Like she had always belonged here.
That was when my husband turned to me, eyes cold.
âYou caused this,â he said flatly. âYou allowed your mother to stay here and disrespect Mama. If she apologizes to me and to Mama and leaves this house, I might reconsider taking a second wife. Until then⌠manage.â
I still couldnât speak. My knees trembled, and my hands were wet from wiping my tears. I didnât even hear the door open againâuntil my mother stepped in.
She looked around and said nothing. Just silence. Her eyes moved from my husband to the woman seated on our couch, to Mama standing proudly like sheâd just scored a goal.Then she looked at me. My sw0llen eyes. My shaky lips. My crĂşshed expression.
Something flickered in her gazeâfury, unfilteredâbut she quickly masked it with a sweet, calm smile. She walked to me and took my hand, âCome,â she said gently, like I was a child again. I followed her without a word.
Inside the bedroom, I broke down again. This time in her arms. And she held me, gently stroking my hair, letting me pour everything out. When I was done, she whispered, âDonât worry. I have something for him tomorrow.â
The next day was Sunday. The sun came out determined to shine, and my mom was also determined to carry out her plan. She told me to dress up that we have somewhere to go.
I wore a red gown that hugged me like it was designed on my skin. My hair was laid, my makeup light but effective. Mama wore a simple but elegant dress and held her purse like she was going to see a friend.
We both stepped into the sitting room together. My husband was there with Mama and the new woman. They were laughingâwell, Mama and the woman were. He was laughing too until he saw me.
His face froze. His eyes followed me. Up and down. Suspicious. Alarmed. But I didnât even blink. I walked past them with a little more sway in my hips, letting the scent of my perfume trail behind me.
We left the house without a word. Three hours later, we returned. They were still there, still talking. This time, I didnât even look in their direction. I walked past them like air and entered the room.
I changed into something more comfortable, sat on the bed, and posted two Whats@pp statusesâa picture and a short video.
Seconds after posting, I saw my husbandâs name pop up under âViewed.â
And seconds after that, the door slammed open.He barged in like a bull, breathing so hard I thought smoke would pour from his nose and ears.
âWho is that man in that video that was hugging you like that?!â he shouted, his bald head glistening with sweat.
I didnât answer. I didnât even look at him.I just scrolled through my phone like I didnât hear the thĂźnder roaring beside me. He stepped closer to shout again, but a voice cut through behind him.
âThat man you just saw,â the voice said coolly, âis a potential husband for my dear daughter.â My husband turned sharply.
My mother was standing there, unbothered, calm, and smiling.
âA wh...at?â he stammered. âA potential husband. Since your mother brought a wife for you while youâre still married, living with your wife in the same house, I thought it was only fair to bring my daughter her own potential husband. Donât worry, heâs very serious about marriage.â
âThis is ridiculous! This is unheard of!â he barked.
But my mother shrugged lightly. âOh yes, it is. So please, manage us. Just for a little while. Once we finalize her marriage, weâll return your bride price. You canât refuse us that small request, can you?â
He stood there, blinking, mouth slightly open, breathing hard. I stood up, adjusted my hair, and walked past him. I didnât want to stay and see what his next words would be.
Because for the first time in this marriage, it didnât matter anymore. He wasnât the only one with options.
To Be Continued... I need more like and share
