Mary_Azong

" I had your best interest at heart. I loved you more than anything in this world but I never knew a day would come when you'd pay me back with a perfect heart- wrenching deception!!!". 
       Lightening striked and thunder roared as Victoria's hurtful words sunk deep into Henry's heart. The situation became worst for Henry when the rain begun to pour in torrents. 
         Victoria and Henry had been married for sixteen good years from which they had four children. Enveloped by abstract poverty, the couple had to work hard to take care of their children. A job offer sends Henry abroad and everything took an about turn, in a while Henry abandons his family back in Ghana and left Victoria alone as a single stranded mother who went through hell to take care of four children in a totally merciless and rough city.
Is Victoria going to ever forgive Henry for such an unpardonable sin? And what is the fate that awaits their four children???

your best interest

Some months later, Victoria had some signs of another conception. After close of work, she went straight to the pharmacy to be sure of her doubts. In astonishment and remorse she burst into tears when she learned she was expecting a third child. Another mouth to feed? How is Henry going to react to this news? It will surely get him disappointed but he'll certainly not show it.

As Victoria thought as much, Henry didn't react much to the news of her pregnancy. All he said was, " Don't worry Tori, this baby is mine right? So, I'm going to take responsibility even though my salary is too small but atleast, there can be some balancing."

Seven months later, Victoria took an annual leave from work to deliver her baby. Henry begun to work more vigorously this time to fend for his family. Victoria also earned bonuses from the company she works in every fortnight and to that, she was very grateful since it'll go a long way to help them.

Within the second week of October, Victoria delivered a bouncy baby boy whom they named Philip, a prophet of God in the Bible. Victoria took very good care of baby Philip, Nathan and Solace loved their little brother alot. They always bought toys for him every time they returned from school. Victoria was glad that atleast, apart from being poor, their family was a happy one. No one hid any secrets from anyone.

When Philip was two years old, he started nursery school but Victoria had already gone back to work. Things begun to get tough since Philip started school and they had to pay school fees and some daily fees for the three kids. The couple prayed fervently for God to intervene and help them to look after their children.

Nathan was presently in JHS 3 and had some few months to graduate meanwhile Solace was in grade 5 and Philip in nursery 1. Victoria and Henry strifed alot each day to take care of their children.

One night, Henry came home exhausted and very late as usual. He decided to just take a shower and immediately go to bed. At his entry into their bedroom, the sight of Victoria sleeping peacefully on the bed mellowed him. Henry immediately reasoned.

Victoria that he knew wouldn't go to bed unless he was back from work but it seems today was so different. And again scanning her face for some time, Henry realized her eyes were puffy.

" Had Tori been crying? Or is she not feeling well? " Henry asked no one in particular. He shrugged any sceptic thought away and proceeded to stretch his tired bones before heading straight to the bathroom, where he had a warm, uninterruptible bath.

The next day, around 8:00am, Victoria was still in bed as Henry prepared for work. What's wrong with Victoria,why is she still in bed by now? Henry tapped her shoulder softly and woke her up. Victoria,who was half awake, had tears filled in her eyes when she saw Henry.

" Tori, aren't you going to work today?"

" No, I'm not feeling too well." She replied without looking into Henry's eyes.

" What about the children?" Henry asked again with a creased brow.

" I told Nathan yesterday to help his siblings prepare today for school". In talking, Henry noticed something about Victoria which was very scarce in her. For the first time, Henry realized Victoria was avoiding eye contact with him and that shook him to the core.

" Victoria, why are you avoiding my eyes? I know you too well not to realize you're hiding something selient from me." Henry perched by the edge of their bed and instinctively, Victoria encircled her arms around his husband in a hug and wept, like a baby who had been deprived of milk. Henry was perturbed wanting to know what was nagging her beautiful wife.

Chapter 2