Chapter Seventeen

Moments later, the restroom door creaked open, and a man emerged first, adjusting his shirt

and looking around cautiously. Temilade quickly took note of his appearance—a tall,

dark-skinned man with a neatly trimmed beard wearing a tailored suit. He walked off briskly.

A minute later, a woman emerged, smoothing her hair and straightening her dress.

Temilade's eyes widened in shock. It was Anna, one of the bride's closest friends. Could that

be her husband? Temilade wondered. But something about the man's nervous demeanor

and the situation didn't sit right with her. She decided she needed to confirm her suspicion.

Temilade discreetly followed Anna, who made her way to the bride's friends' room. Anna

entered, unaware that Temilade was trailing behind her. After a moment's hesitation,

Temilade pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Temilade!" Anna exclaimed, a cheerful smile spreading across her face. "Where's my

souvenir? You've been distributing them, and I haven't gotten mine yet."

"I've kept yours safe," Temilade replied, her tone steady but her mind racing.

"Good! Please bring it for me," Anna said, laughing lightly. "I don't want to leave it behind."

"I will," Temilade replied, then added, "but first, I need to ask you something.Anna's expression shifted slightly. "Sure. What's up?"

"There's this guy I saw earlier…" Temilade began, carefully describing the man who had left

the restroom. "Do you know him?"

Anna's eyes darted briefly before she composed herself. "Oh, him? That's Ola's husband.

You know, my best friend.

Temilade felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over her. Her shock was evident.

So, the man isn't Anna's husband, and he's married? And to Anna's own best friend at that?

Anna noticed her reaction and tilted her head curiously. "Why the sudden interest in him? Do

you like him? Just so you know, he's married and has two kids."

Temilade, unable to contain herself, replied bluntly, "Really? But you were just with him in the

restroom."

Anna froze, her face draining of color. "What are you talking about?" she whispered, panic

creeping into her voice.

"I saw you," Temilade said firmly, crossing her arms. "How could you do that? He's married,

and so are you. Not to mention, his wife is your best friend!"

Anna's eyes darted around nervously, and she quickly rushed to Temilade, whispering,

"Please, lower your voice. It's not what it looks like. I swear, this was the first time."

Temilade scoffed. "First time or not, it's disgusting. Why did you even get married if you were

going to behave like this? And to think you could do this to your best friend—at a wedding,

no less!"

Anna's eyes brimmed with tears. "Please, Temilade, I beg you. Don't tell anyone. I swear I

won't do it again."

Temilade shook her head, disappointment etched across her face. "You don't just owe it to

your husband to be faithful—you owe it to yourself. You're devaluing yourself, Anna. And

trust me, that man will never respect you or like you more than his wife. If anything, you're

just ruining your own dignity."

Anna clasped her hands together, pleading. "I promise I'll stop. Just don't tell anyone.

Please."

After a long pause, Temilade sighed. "Fine. I won't say anything. But you'd better make sure

this doesn't happen again."

"I promise," Anna said, relief washing over her face. "Thank you, Temilade. Thank you so much."

Temilade handed her the souvenir, her demeanor still stern. As Anna thanked her, the door

opened, and Ola entered the room.

"Anna, I'm heading home now," Ola said brightly. "Can my husband drop you off? Please

don't keep us waiting too long—my kids are getting restless."

"Of course, bestie," Anna replied, plastering on a smile.

Temilade watched the exchange with a bitter taste in her mouth. If only Ola knew what Anna

had done, she thought to herself.

As Anna left the room with Ola, Temilade resolved to keep the secret—for now—but her

opinion of Anna had been forever tainted.

As Annah packed her things and joined Ola and her husband in the car, she settled into the

backseat. The car zoomed off, and the atmosphere inside was filled with cheerful

conversation.

"It really felt like a throwback to our own wedding," Ola said with a nostalgic smile, glancing

at her husband as she spoke.

"That's true," her husband chimed in, one hand on the wheel and the other resting casually

on the gear. "The decor was stunning, and the music made it even livelier."

"It was beautiful," Annah added, forcing a smile while her thoughts were elsewhere. She

couldn't help but replay the confrontation with Temilade in her head.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, with Ola describing how the colors and flowers

reminded her of her special day. Annah listened, nodding and laughing where appropriate,

trying to shake off the guilt that gnawed at her.

When they reached Annah's house, Ola's husband parked the car. "We're here," he

announced, turning slightly to smile at Annah.

"Thank you so much for the ride," Annah said, stepping out of the car.

"Anytime," Ola replied warmly. "We'll talk later!"

Annah waved as they drove off, watching the taillights disappear into the night before turning

toward her house.

As soon as she entered, she was greeted by the smell of food cooking in the kitchen. Her

husband, Daniel, stood at the counter, stirring a pot of rice. He turned and smiled as soon as

he saw her.

"Welcome home, darling," he said, walking over to hug her tightly. He placed a kiss on her

forehead, then her lips.

"I've missed you," Daniel said. "How was the wedding?"

"It was fine," Annah replied, returning his smile. She noticed how his shirt was slightly

wrinkled and his hair disheveled, signs that he had just returned from work himself. "Did you

just get back?"

"Yes, a few minutes ago," Daniel said, turning back to the pot. "I thought you might be tired,

so I decided to boil some rice. It's almost ready."

Annah felt a pang of guilt. She didn't deserve his thoughtfulness, but she smiled anyway.

"Thank you, honey. I really needed this."

"It's nothing," Daniel said, waving it off. "Go shower and relax. Do you want to eat when it's

done, or are you full?"

"I'm okay for now," she said softly. "Let me take a quick shower first."

She pecked his cheek and went to the bathroom.

As the warm water cascaded over her, Annah couldn't stop her mind from replaying the

evening's events. Temilade's words echoed in her head, making her stomach churn.

"You're devaluing yourself... You're married, for God's sake."

Her guilt deepened. Temilade had promised to keep her secret, but Annah knew that her

actions were bound to catch up with her eventually. She dried off and slipped into a

comfortable nightgown, determined to put the matter out of her mind for now.

After finishing his meal, Daniel joined her in their room. He found her sitting on the edge of

the bed, her legs tucked under her.

"Lie down," he said gently. "You've had a long day. Let me massage you."

Annah felt her heart swell. "You're too good to me," she murmured as she lay on her

stomach.

Daniel's hands worked magic on her shoulders and back, easing the tension she hadn't

realized she'd been holding. As he kneaded her muscles, Annah's thoughts drifted back to

when they first met. It was at a wedding, and Daniel had been the perfect gentleman. He

proposed six months later, and she had eagerly accepted.

He was everything she had prayed for: wealthy, kind, patient, and deeply in love with her.

Yet, despite having everything she could ever want, she couldn't seem to let go of her destructive habits.