Chapter 19: The Dreams I Wasn’t Allowed to Dream

It had been a week since Lucky visited the family. That visit had left Mercy with a renewed sense of hope, a flicker of light she hadn't felt in years. But hope, as she knew too well, had a way of slipping away too quickly.

David sat on the broken bench outside their apartment, chewing a stick of sugarcane, spitting out the fibers into the sand. His laughter broke the silence of the afternoon, echoing across the small compound.

"He said he has money now," David mocked loudly, not caring if Mercy or the children heard. "He said he's coming next week—where is he now, eh? Big man Lucky! More like Lucky the Liar!" he scoffed.

Mercy, who was inside, quietly wiped her hands on her wrapper as she stirred a pot of rice and beans. She heard every word, but she had learned to ignore David's insults. Responding only gave him more power.

Then, just an hour later, the sound of a car engine broke the stale tension in the compound.

Daniel looked through the rusted window frame. His eyes lit up.

"Mama! Mama! A car is here again!"

Mercy rushed to the door, her heart thudding with cautious anticipation.

The car parked neatly, and out stepped Lucky, his mother Grace, and his two brothers, Emmanuel and Kingsley. They were well-dressed, carrying a few bags.

Mercy's eyes welled up with tears. For a moment, it was as though the heavens had opened up and remembered her.

David, on the other hand, peeked through his curtain and quickly retreated into the room. He locked the door behind him.

"Mercy!" Lucky called out warmly, embracing her tightly. "How are you doing, sister?"

"I'm fine, Lucky. Thank you. God will bless you for coming," she said, her voice shaking with emotion.

The children gathered around, smiling brightly as Lucky and Emmanuel brought out a brown envelope.

"There's 50,000 here from me," Lucky said.

"And 20,000 from me," Emmanuel added. "Use it to boost your business, sister. We believe in you."

Mercy took the envelope with trembling hands. "Thank you… thank you so much," she whispered. "God will reward all of you."

Grace handed Mercy a small food basket. "And some things to cook with," she smiled. "It's not much, but we want to help."

Tears rolled down Mercy's cheeks as she hugged them. "May your own children never suffer as mine have. May your homes be filled with joy."

After they left, David emerged from the room like a shadow.

He said nothing. No insults. No sarcasm.

He just smiled.

And that smile was more terrifying than his anger.

"Everything is working in my favor," he muttered under his breath. He walked quietly to the back of the house, away from Mercy's sight, pulled out his phone, and dialed Sarah.

"My plan is working perfectly," David said into the receiver. "Mercy thinks I've changed. Tomorrow, I'll show you how foolish she really is. Just wait."

Sarah's voice was filled with laughter. "That's my man. I can't wait!"

The next morning, Mercy was about to head to the market when David called her aside.

"I want to talk to you," he said gently.

Mercy looked at him, startled by his calm voice. "What is it?"

"I've been thinking," David began. "I've wasted so many years. I want to change… to be better. For you. For our children."

Mercy's heart almost burst with joy. "David… are you serious?"

He nodded, putting on the best act of his life. "But I need your help, Mercy. I want to start a small business… something to get us out of this poverty."

Mercy's eyes softened. "What kind of help?"

"I need that 70,000 they gave you yesterday."

Mercy hesitated. "David, my market business is still struggling. I used all my savings to pay off part of my loan. I was going to use that money to buy fruit and provisions…"

"But I'm your husband," David cut in gently, masking his impatience. "I'm telling you I want to change, and you won't support me?"

Mercy looked down at her hands. Her heart was screaming not to do it—but love had always been her weakness.

She opened her bag and handed him the envelope.

"I still believe in you," she said quietly.

David smiled. "You won't regret this."

But Mercy already did.

As soon as she left, David rushed back inside and grabbed his phone.

"Sarah, it worked!" he said gleefully. "She gave me everything."

Sarah giggled. "Send me 50,000 now! Me and our baby need to enjoy life."

David transferred the money immediately.

With the remaining 20,000, he called his old drinking buddies.

"Meet me at the club!" he shouted.

That night, he returned home drunk, reeking of alcohol, his shirt half open, and his eyes bloodshot.

Mercy, who had just returned from the market after a long, disappointing day, looked at him in disbelief.

"You used the money I gave you to drink?"

"Yes, I did!" David barked, staggering toward her. "And what will you do about it? You foolish woman!"

"David, I haven't done anything wrong," she cried. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Shut up!" he roared and slapped her hard across the face.

She stumbled, grabbing the edge of the table.

"Please…" she whimpered.

But he didn't stop.

He rained blows on her until Daniel ran in, crying and begging his father to stop.

Mercy lay on the floor, her face bruised, her heart shattered.

And in that moment, she realized—

She was never allowed to dream.

She was never allowed to be happy.

She was only ever allowed to endure.