Chapter 10: A Perilous Encounter

The Ghost of the Past

It was a chilly afternoon, and Elsie had just finished from a quick lunch break and was strolling back to the office. Victoria Island, Lagos, was bustling with activity, yet her mind was elsewhere, focused on the work ahead at the office. She turned a corner when she stopped dead in her tracks. Sitting, leaning on a black SUV, all smiles, was Leo Udeh.

Her heart locked. It had taken her years since she had seen him last, but he was just the same—arrogant, dressed to impress, and dripping in charm. His pricey watch and bespoke suit were a screaming advert for money, and his grin was just as insidious as it used to be. But to Elsie, that was a mask over the man who had brought her down.

"Elsie," Leo said, his tone warm and honeyed, as if they were old friends getting together after only a temporary separation. "It's been a while."

Elsie's gut churned, but she tensed her jaw and remained in control. "Leo," she said coldly. "What are you doing here?"

Leo inched closer, hands in pockets, his own demeanor relaxed. "I heard you're here now," he remarked. "I just couldn't wait to drop by and see you. You look amazing."

Elsie raised an eyebrow, her defenses climbing. "Cut the sweet-talking, Leo," she retorted. "What do you want?"

Leo laughed, unmoved by her coldness. "Still as sharp as ever," he said. "I simply wanted to see how you're doing. You and I have a great history. Don't you think it's time we moved beyond it?"

Elsie's expression turned icy. "History?" she hissed, venom dripping from her voice. "You're referring to the past when you and your friends exploited me, cheated me, killed my husband, and kicked me out of my house? That history?"

Leo's smile flickered for a moment, then returned. "Elsie, that was a long time ago," he said, his voice soothing. "People do change. I've changed. And I'd like to make it up to you."

Elsie's eyes narrowed. "Make it up to me?" she repeated, her tone weighted with skepticism. "How, exactly?"

Leo stepped forward, his voice dropping to a whispered vow. "I can give you all you've ever wanted," he vowed. "Money, security, comfort. You don't have to struggle anymore, Elsie. Come back with me, and I'll provide for you."

The Temptation and the Rejection

Elsie was tempted briefly. The life Leo was offering was all she had ever controlled, dreamed of—security, comfort, a future free from tribulations. But then she thought about the pain he had caused her, the betrayal that had wrecked her world. She was recalling Damian, her late husband, whose life was lost because of Leo's greed. She remembered the nights she had cried, the days she had struggled to survive, the humiliation she had faced.

She felt contempt and damnation toward Leo now.

"You expect to just stroll back into my life and mend all the hurt?" she blazed, her voice trembling with fury. "Are you going to restore to me all I've lost, my wealth, my husband, my dignity, and roll back the years? You think you can buy my forgiveness with stolen money and empty promises? You have big guts. Huge guts. And you're wrong, Leo. Dead wrong."

Leo's smile faded, replaced by a look of frustration. "Elsie, don't be foolish," he said. "You're throwing away an opportunity most people would kill for. Don't let your pride get in the way."

Elsie took a step back, her eyes blazed. "My pride?" she cried out, her voice increasing in volume. "You destroyed my life, Leo. You took everything away from me. And now you have the audacity to show up here and act like you're doing me a service? I don't need the blood money anymore, and I don't need you. Never come before my prsence again!"

With that, she turned and left, her heart racing. She could sense Leo's gaze on her back, but she refused to turn around. She didn't want to let him see her waver.

She couldn't help but wonder if Leo still spied on her, if he was wondering if she'd come back for revenge. But Elsie didn't crave revenge. She'd moved on, and she wasn't going to let Leo drag her back into his world.

The Wounds Reopened

The encounter with Leo unsettled Elsie. All the wounds she had thought had healed were ripped open again. She remembered Damian, the life they had built together, and how it had all been stripped from her. She remembered the betrayal, the shame, the pain.

Later, as she was lying in bed, the insecurities quietly whispered into her head. Would it ever be possible for her to really put the past behind her? Would her ghosts of mistake always haunt her? Would she ever be able to deserve her happiness, possibly even get past her past mistakes?

Cynthia noticed her friend distraught and sat down with her. "What's the matter, Elsie?" she asked, worried tones reflecting in her voice.

Elsie sighed, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "I ran into Leo today," she said to her. "He… he tried to seduce me back into his life. And I was briefly tempted, to try to see how I can recover some of the things he stole from me, or even avenge for all the things he put me through. But then I remembered all the things he did to me, and I left. I couldn't be like him. But now I just can't help thinking about it. About him. About it all."

Cynthia took Elsie's hand in hers. "You're tougher than you think, Elsie," she said. "You left him, and that's what matters. You're not the same woman you were before. You've grown, you've changed. And you're entitled to be happy."

Elsie nodded, but the uncertainty lingered. "I just don't think I'll ever be free of what happened," she whispered.

Moving Forward

Despite her doubts, Elsie knew she could not let the past defeat her. She had come too far to let Leo or anyone else get the best of her. She thought of her children, the promise she had made to them. She thought of the life she was building, the future she was fighting to win.

The next day, she woke up with a new determination. She dressed carefully, her face calm and resolute. She walked to work with her head held high, her stride steady and strong.

She knew that the road ahead of her would be difficult, but she was ready. She had stood up to Leo and come out unbroken. She had faced her fears and not let them control her. She was a better human being than she used to be, and she was going to make a better future for herself.

For her babies, for herself, she was going to keep moving forward. And she was not going to stop until she had fulfilled her dreams.