Chapter 1

" This relationship was meant to be a secret! It was meant to be a secret! Now, this!" pointing to her protruding abdomen, I want to feel free. I don't want to be tied to one man. I'm still searching for the right man. Everybody is going to know that I'm hooked."

" Nobody will know if you do not tell them. You and I know that I'm your only man."

" You are somebody else's property. I only borrowed you for a while."

" Now, I'm all yours. I will give you everything you need."

" How can I carry a baby and not know its father? I'll be public ridicule! They'll say I have so many men that I cannot even tell who the baby's father is! It's going to be complicated!"

"Does it matter? All that matters is that I love you!"

"What about your wife? You tell her you love her too, don't you?"

"I've stopped telling her that. I don't love her anymore."

"One day, you'll stop loving me just like you did her."

"I'll never do that. You've proved that I didn't know what love was about until I found you."

" Don't flatter me. You men are like that; with a smooth tongue! The moment we fall out, that's it!"

"I'm different."

"I didn't want a baby! Don't you get me?"

"I did and I'm ready to cater for it."

"So you got me pregnant so I could be yours alone?"

"Don't say it as if you did not consent to our lovemaking."

"I did, but I didn't want a baby! That's what I've been trying to tell you all this while."

" So what do you want us to do now?"

" I'll get rid of the baby so you'll be free to love your wife in the open and love me in secret. There'll be no strings attached, no telltale signs."

" I want to keep you forever and I want the baby too."

" And what about your wife?"

" Leave that to me."

" I want to get rid of this baby!"

" No!" holding her lovingly so tight as if he would lose her any moment. " I'll take care of you and the baby even if it means selling all I have." His 'queen' ogled at him, dumbfounded. There was no changing his mind.

The baby was fragile, yet cute, leering into the eyes of her mother as if she had several questions for her.

" Don't ask me any questions. Ask your father. He did this. I can't deny you. You are my flesh and blood." The baby nodded. " Did you hear me? Ooooo...I cannot fathom you tiny gifts!"

Frema was an unassuming, plain and weak child, born out of wedlock and hidden from the public eye. Although there were other people like her yet accepted and loved, there was no reason for this intense hatred. Whenever it was time to take her out, the look on the faces of passers-by gave her the creeps. Did they know what happened? Did they know who the child was? Did they know its father? Were they out to get her? Indeed, her father, borrowed from another woman who was married, could not boldly lay claim to her as his legitimate child and therefore, this woman walked alone with her baby straddled at her back, innocently trusting that its mother would keep her safe from all harm. She, the baby, was the dark secret. Hidden far from the public eye, gossip, and inquisitive minds,

Frema felt different. Her questions were unanswered and her emptiness was so deep it could bury a soul. Her very existence made the legitimate children hate her for the pain she brought into their mother’s life and vowed to revenge if they had the chance although they had never laid eyes on her. The mother of these legitimate children was unhappy and depressed, always blaming herself for not being enough, for allowing her man to chase another woman while she was still alive.

“What did I ever do wrong?” was her anthem every morning. It was so loud even her husband found excuses to stay far away from her. Her children hated to see her cry and this intensified their bitterness and vow never to let that event ever happen in their marriages. Ohene suggested that Frema be homeschooled to keep her away from prying eyes.

" How long is she going to be hidden?" she asked. " She will be a hermit if that is what you desire."

" I want to protect you," said Ohene, her man now.

" Just stay out of sight. My baby and I will be fine."

Locked behind a mansion with all the servants and chefs and butlers and launderers and nannies, no one dared answer the legitimate questions that came up as she grew. Although rich and spoilt, she resolved that her wealth would not define her, nor will her self-esteem depend on it. Her striving to reach out to others proved futile. It was highly impossible and unfathomable.

“He’s gone out with her again,” said Ohene's wife and mother of his legitimate children.

“How did you know that?” asked her first son.

“I heard it.”

“Who told you?”

“A confidante of mine happens to see him with her every day. She only got the courage to tell me about this recently and has promised to be giving me feedback on their movement.”

“Mum, let him be. If you keep following him, you’ll spend all your life chasing the wind. We are here for you.”

“I still love him,” she said, sobbing.

“But he doesn’t love you back.”

“Forget about him,” said Panyin. “He’s not worth it.”

“Easy for you to say.”

" What do you want us to do for you then?"

" Nothing."

" Do you want us to make him feel the pain you're feeling?"

" No. I wouldn't wish that for him."

" You see. You're too kind. We'll make our own decision arbitrarily then."

" Oh, please don't. Just let him be. This man has always been good to me. He has never done me any wrong."

" Do you not see that going behind your back and breaking his marriage vows is an insult to you? He doesn't even take care of you anymore and he enjoys other women's company. Don't tell me he has never done you any evil!"