Chapter 3: Betrayed Again

A False Promise

The sun was going down, casting the village in a golden glow as Elsie made her way back to her father's compound. Her muscles ached from another day of hard work, but her spirits were somewhat lifted by the meager amount Emmanuel had earned selling yams at the market. It wasn't much, but it would be enough to buy a bit more food for her children.

As she approached the compound, she noticed a man standing at the entrance. He was Chief Ezemmuo, a village elder. He was a tall, big man with a stern face, but his eyes unwound when he noticed her.

"Elsie," he boomed, his deep and authoritative voice.

"Come here, my child."

Elsie paused, her heart pounding. She had come to be careful around the villagers, especially those who claimed they were seeking to help her. But Chief Ezemmuo was a dignified man, and she did not want to offend him. She went to him, head lowered in respect.

"Chief Ezemmuo," she spoke softly. "What is it that you need?"

The chief smiled, his face warm and encouraging. "I have heard about your struggles, Elsie," he said. "And I want to help you. You are a strong woman, and you should be given another chance." Elsie's heart leapt with hope. Was this the mercy she had been praying for? "Thank you, Chief," she said, her voice trembling. "I. I don't know what to say."

The leader placed a firm but kindly hand on her shoulder. "I invite you to my house tomorrow," he said. "Let's see how I can help you start anew."

Elsie nodded, her eyes filling up with tears. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

A Mother's Hope

That night, Elsie awoke, her mind racing a mile a minute with thoughts of the future. Chief Ezemmuo's offer had given her hope, a chance to begin life afresh. She envisioned a tomorrow when she would be able to feed her children, when they would not wake up hungry in the mornings.

"Mama," Emmanuel murmured, his voice cutting through the darkness. "Are you awake?"

Elsie looked at her son, his face hardly discernible in the poor light. "Yes, my brave boy," she whispered. "What is it?"

Emmanuel hesitated, his worried eyes. "Is everything going to be all right?" he asked. "Are we going to be all right?"

Elsie pulled him close and embraced him tightly, her heart aching at the tremor in his voice. "Yes, my love," she said firmly. "All will be well. Mama will take care of it."

Emmanuel nodded, his tiny body relaxing into hers. "I know you, Mama," he whispered.

She held him to her, love and resolve surging in her bosom. She would do anything for her children, give them all they were destined to receive. Chief Ezemmuo's offer was her chance, and she was not going to let it slip away.

The Trap

The next day, Elsie dressed with attention, choosing the least soiled of her clothes. She wished to impress Chief Ezemmuo, to make him understand that she was serious about starting afresh. She left her children with her father and proceeded to the chief's compound, her heart pounding with excitement.

When she arrived, Chief Ezemmuo greeted her warmly, inviting her into his home. The house was spacious, with hardwood floors and expensive furniture. Elsie was uncomfortable, but she pushed that aside, focusing instead on why she had come.

"Sit, my child," the chief invited, gesturing to a chair. "We have so much to discuss."

Elsie composed herself, her hands clasped together in her lap. "Thank you for helping me, Chief," she said, her voice trembling. "I. I don't know how to repay you."

The chief laughed, his eyes shining with something Elsie couldn't quite place. "No payment is required," he said. "I just want to see you succeed."

He filled a teacup for her, moving slowly and deliberately. Elsie took the cup, her hands shaking. She drank the tea, its warmth coursing through her veins, calming her nerves.

As they spoke, the attitude of the chief relaxed. Smiles came more often, his compliments more familiar. A wrinkle of anxiety started to show in Elsie's stomach, but she suppressed it, saying to herself she was being paranoid.

"Elsie," said the chief, his tone rich and deep. "You are a beautiful woman. It is a shame you have had to struggle on your own."

Elsie's heart skipped into her throat. "Thank you, Chief," she breathed, "but I. I did come to discuss how you could help me."

The chief moved closer, his eyes black and deep. "I can help you, Elsie," he told her. "But you'll have to help me, as well."

Elsie's breath caught in her throat. She understood what he meant, and the realization knotted her stomach. She stood up from her chair, her hands trembling. "I. I should be going," she stuttered, attempting to sound calm.

But the chief was faster. He grabbed her arm, his grip hard and merciless. "Don't be stupid, Elsie," he snarled, his tone ice-voiced. "You need me. And I can give you everything you want."

Elsie's chest pounded against her racing heart as she struggled to break loose. "Let me go!" she yelled in desperation.

He released her hand, reached into his pocket and took out a knot of bills, holding them up in front of her. "This is yours," he told her, his tone slick and persuasive. "Enough to take care of your children for months. All you have to do is treat me nice."

Elsie's eyes widened as she looked at the money. More than she'd ever seen in years, more than she'd ever be able to earn through her menial work. Her head was whirling as she considered her children, their gaunt faces, their pleading eyes. This money would change everything. It could give them what they were supposed to have. Also, nobody would know she did it with him.

For a moment, she hesitated. The temptation was so strong. All this money for her and her children? She could take the money, feed her children and keep them safe for a long time. What was one night of shame against a lifetime of suffering?

But then she thought of her mother, of the failures that she had faced in the act of becoming wealthier. She thought of the life she had lost, the dignity she had lost. She could not have her children grow up knowing or even thinking that their mother had sold out for money. She could not have them view her as weak, as desperate.

With a surge of strength, she twisted her arm free and shoved the chief away. "No," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "I will not sell myself to you. My children deserve better than that."

The chief's face twisted with anger. "You ungrateful wretch!" he snarled. "You'll regret this!"

But Elsie did not wait to hear more. She turned and fled, her heart pounding as she fled from the house. She did not pause until she reached her father's compound, her chest heaving with exertion.

As she wept on the floor, realizing the extent of her deception, she knew that Chief Ezemmuo had never planned to help her. He had only wanted to exploit her, to capitalize on her desperation.

Elsie's heart bore the weight of failure. She had faith in him, and he shattered her. She could not let herself become weak. She had to fight stronger for her children's sake, for her sake.

She sat there, her body trembling with rage and terror, and she swore silently. She would never let anyone push her around again. She would rebuild her life somehow, no matter how hard it was. She would return, stronger than ever.