Love At All Cost

Chapter Twelve: The Truth Begins To Unfold

The night after Nadia returned from Malika's house was one of the longest nights of her life.

Her phone kept vibrating beside her sleeping mat.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Isaac was calling.

Each time the screen lit up with his name, Nadia's heart tightened painfully.

She knew exactly why he was calling.

He wanted to know what happened at Malika's house.

He wanted reassurance.

He wanted hope.

Unfortunately, Nadia had neither to give him.

She stared at the phone countless times throughout the night but never answered.

How was she supposed to tell a man who loved someone with all his heart that the woman had already moved on?

How was she supposed to tell him that the woman he was desperately worried about no longer cared whether he lived or died?

The burden felt too heavy.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame her, and she drifted into an uneasy sleep.

The following morning, the village of Umunek awakened beneath a bright golden sunrise.

The sky was clear.

Birds chirped cheerfully from the branches of mango and palm trees.

A cool morning breeze swept through the compounds.

Nadia's mother stepped out of their mud hut carrying a broom.

She immediately began sweeping the compound.

Moments later, Nadia emerged from the house.

She had barely stepped outside when her phone rang again.

She didn't need to check the screen.

She already knew who it was.

Isaac.

Taking a deep breath, she finally answered.

"Good morning, Isaac."

Relief immediately filled Isaac's voice.

"Nadia!"

"Where have you been?"

"I've been calling you since yesterday."

"I called all night."

"I was worried."

Nadia forced a smile even though he couldn't see it.

"I'm sorry."

"My phone battery died."

"I only noticed your missed calls this morning."

Isaac sighed.

"Fine."

Then he quickly asked,

"So? What happened?"

"Did you see Malika?"

Nadia swallowed.

Her heart pounded.

For a moment, she almost told him the truth.

Almost.

But the image of Isaac lying helplessly on his mat flashed through her mind.

She couldn't bring herself to hurt him.

Not yet.

"Yes," she finally replied.

"I saw her."

Isaac immediately became excited.

"Really?"

"How is she?"

"Is she okay?"

Nadia looked away.

"She's fine."

The lie tasted bitter.

Isaac released a breath of relief.

"Thank God."

Nadia continued carefully.

"She said her phone has been having problems."

"That's why she hasn't been answering your calls."

Isaac nodded from the other end.

"That makes sense."

Nadia felt guilt stab at her chest.

She continued.

"She also said she hasn't been feeling too well lately."

"That's why she couldn't visit you."

Isaac remained silent.

Then he asked softly,

"Did she really say that?"

"Yes."

"She asked me to tell you to take care of yourself and focus on getting better."

A smile spread across Isaac's face.

For the first time in days, hope returned to him.

"I knew it."

"I knew she wouldn't abandon me."

Nadia closed her eyes briefly.

The lie was growing larger.

But she couldn't stop now.

Isaac's voice sounded lighter.

"Hearing that makes me feel much better."

Nadia forced herself to respond.

"I'm glad."

Isaac chuckled softly.

"You know, I was beginning to imagine all sorts of things."

Nadia's chest tightened painfully.

If only he knew the truth.

After a moment, she changed the subject.

"How are you feeling today?"

"A little better."

Isaac smiled.

"Especially now that I know Malika is okay."

Nadia looked down at the dusty ground.

The words hurt more than she expected.

After everything she had done for him.

After all the sacrifices she had made.

His happiness still depended entirely on another woman.

She quickly pushed the thought away.

"I'll come and visit you later."

Isaac immediately brightened.

"Really?"

"Of course."

Isaac laughed.

"Then don't forget that abacha you brought yesterday."

"It was delicious."

For the first time that morning, Nadia genuinely smiled.

"I'll bring some."

"Thank you."

The conversation ended shortly afterward.

But the guilt remained.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

Unavoidable.

Meanwhile, on a road leading toward the farms, Emeka was heading out for the day's work.

He carried a woven basket on his shoulder and a cutlass in his hand.

The morning sun reflected off the dew-covered grass.

Everything seemed peaceful.

Until he spotted two familiar figures walking together.

Emeka squinted.

One of them was Malika.

The other was Chuma.

His eyes widened.

"So it's true."

The pair were laughing together.

Walking side by side.

Looking very much like lovers.

Emeka's expression darkened.

He immediately changed direction and walked toward them.

Malika noticed him first.

The smile on her face vanished.

"What do you want now?" she asked coldly.

Emeka stopped before them.

"What I want?"

He laughed bitterly.

"My friend is lying helpless at home."

"His leg is broken."

"He's worried sick about you."

"And you're here strolling around with another man?"

Chuma stepped forward.

"Watch how you speak to her."

Emeka looked at him.

"And who are you supposed to be?"

Chuma folded his arms proudly.

"I'm her boyfriend."

The statement made Emeka laugh.

A harsh laugh filled with disbelief.

"Boyfriend?"

He pointed at Malika.

"This same girl already has a boyfriend."

"Or should I say had one?"

Malika rolled her eyes.

"Not anymore."

Emeka stared at her.

The lack of remorse shocked him.

"Isaac nearly ruined his life trying to please you."

Malika shrugged.

"That's not my problem."

Emeka clenched his fists.

"You really are unbelievable."

Chuma stepped closer.

"Leave her alone."

Emeka shook his head.

"You're both perfect for each other."

Then he looked directly at Malika.

"One day, you'll regret this."

Malika laughed.

"I doubt it."

She linked her arm through Chuma's.

"I've moved on."

"And Isaac should do the same."

Emeka's face hardened.

"So that's your final answer?"

"Yes."

"Good."

He pointed toward her.

"I hope you keep that same energy when the truth finally catches up with you."

Without another word, he turned around and walked away.

Instead of continuing to the farm, Emeka headed straight back to the village.

His mind was racing.

Isaac deserved to know.

Immediately.

He dropped his basket and cutlass at home before making his way toward Isaac's compound.

When he arrived, he found Isaac sitting on a mat outside.

For the first time in days, Isaac looked happy.

He was even smiling.

Emeka's heart sank.

He already knew why.

Nadia must have spoken to him.

Isaac's mother emerged from the kitchen hut.

"Emeka!"

"My son, welcome."

Emeka forced a smile.

"Good morning, Mama."

"What brings you here so early?" she asked.

Emeka quickly replied,

"I came to eat breakfast."

The older woman laughed.

"Then you've come to the right place."

"I just finished preparing boiled yam."

"Sit down."

"I'll bring some for you."

"Thank you, Mama."

As soon as she disappeared into the kitchen, Emeka turned toward Isaac.

The smile on Isaac's face annoyed him.

"You look happy."

Isaac nodded.

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because Nadia saw Malika yesterday."

Emeka froze.

"What?"

Isaac smiled.

"Malika is fine."

"Her phone is faulty."

"That's why she hasn't been answering my calls."

"She also hasn't been feeling well."

Emeka stared at him.

Then he slowly sat down.

"Who told you that?"

"Nadia."

Emeka's eyes widened.

"Nadia said that?"

"Yes."

Emeka immediately understood.

She had lied.

She was protecting Isaac.

But she was only delaying the inevitable.

"Isaac."

His voice became serious.

"I need you to listen carefully."

The smile vanished from Isaac's face.

"What is it?"

"I saw Malika this morning."

Isaac frowned.

"Okay?"

"She wasn't alone."

Isaac immediately stiffened.

"What do you mean?"

Emeka looked directly into his eyes.

"She was with Chuma."

Isaac laughed nervously.

"That's impossible."

"I saw them together."

"No."

"They're dating."

Isaac shook his head.

"No."

"You're lying."

Emeka sighed.

"I wish I was."

"You don't like Malika."

"Everyone knows that."

"Why should I believe you?"

Before Emeka could answer, Isaac's mother returned carrying a plate of boiled yam and palm oil.

"Here you go."

Emeka accepted it.

"Thank you, Mama."

She smiled and returned to her chores.

The moment she was gone, Emeka continued.

"I confronted Malika myself."

Isaac remained silent.

"She said she has moved on."

Isaac stared at him.

"No."

"She did."

"You're lying."

"Why would I lie?"

Isaac's breathing became uneven.

"Because you never liked her."

Emeka sighed deeply.

Then he delivered the final blow.

"She told me that Nadia already knows."

The color drained from Isaac's face.

"What?"

"Malika said Nadia visited her yesterday."

"And that Nadia knows everything."

Isaac's mind immediately raced.

Suddenly, Nadia's strange behavior made sense.

The hesitation.

The nervousness.

The way she carefully answered his questions.

The way she avoided his calls all night.

His hands slowly tightened into fists.

"Wait..."

His voice trembled.

"If what you're saying is true..."

He looked up at Emeka.

"Then Nadia lied to me."

Emeka remained silent.

Isaac stared into the distance.

His heartbeat accelerated.

For the first time since Nadia's phone call that morning, doubt entered his mind.

A terrible doubt.

And suddenly, he desperately wanted answers.

Real answers.

Not comforting lies.

Not half-truths.

The truth.

No matter how painful it might be.