CHAPTER 2
1116 Words
The Secret Visitor
Nadia's POV
Paul was silent at first. His mouth was open as he stood behind me, his gaze flitting between Salma and the girls. I could sense Ruby clinging to my dress. Her tiny fingers clutched the fabric as if she could feel a horrible thing happening.
Salma took a single step forward, holding the twins close. I apologize for just showing up. However, I've been attempting to contact him for years. I knew we had to come as soon as I saw his face in the papers once more.
I remained motionless. I was not blinking. Everything around me was quiet. All I could hear was my ears thumping with blood.
"You and my husband had kids?" My voice was low and tremulous as I asked.
Salma gave me a look. Indeed. Prior to having anything. prior to all of this.
At last, Paul took a slow step past me. His voice broke. "You... you possessed them?"
Salma gave a nod. "You own them, Poul."
The girls gave him a look. While one hid behind her mother's leg, the other smiled uneasily.
"I gave them the names Lia and Liana."
I stood tall even though my legs almost gave out. "You didn't tell me you had a child."
"I wasn't positive," Paul muttered. She departed prior to the birth of the children. I was unable to locate her.
Salma's gaze sparkled. "You didn't look."
Paul looked at her. "That is untrue. I searched after earning my first million. I asked around and hired people, but nobody was able to find you.
With a softer tone, Salma confessed, "I was hiding." "Because you abandoned me when I was in need."
I looked over at Paul. "Is this accurate?"
With a look of shame on his face, he nodded. "I felt afraid. I had no money. I wasn't prepared.
I gave a sour laugh. However, you were prepared to wed me. Make a fresh start in life.
I was unaware that she retained the children. He stopped breathing heavily and said, "I thought she moved on."
I felt Ruby pull at my arm. "What's going on, Mommy?"
I gently brushed her hair while bending down to her level. "Baby, you have nothing to be concerned about."
But my entire being was on fire.
Lia and Liana, the girls, stood clumsily next to their mother, as if they were not sure what to do. Ruby gazed at them, perplexed, wondering why her father hadn't embraced her as he usually did.
In front of the twins, Paul abruptly knelt down.
"I am your dad," he uttered quietly.
Lia gave a quick nod. "We are aware."
His eyes welled up with tears. "I thought about you constantly. I asked God to lead me to you.
Salma looked away, and I could see her fighting not to cry.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to pull Poul back and shout at him for bringing this disaster into our lives. However, I knew in my heart that the truth was there in front of me—in two young girls who bore a striking resemblance to him.
"In what location have you been residing?" Paul inquired.
Salma answered, "With my aunt, in a small town outside Abuja." "A local clinic is where I work. We manage, but it's difficult.
"I'd like to assist."
I made a sharp cut. "How can I help? by relocating them to this residence? Letting them run like they belong in our hallways?
Paul gazed at me with a look of guilt on his face. "Yes, Nadia, they belong here."
My heart broke.
Salma encircled the girls with her arms. "We weren't here to take your job. They should know their father, in my opinion.
Lia gave Paul a shy smile as he reached out to touch her hand. Liana remained behind Salma, merely glancing curiously.
Paul turned to face me and said, "Let them stay." "For a little while only."
"No." I gave a headshake. "Definitely not. I will not permit it.
I shivered with feelings I couldn't identify as I followed Ruby as she ran into the house. Rose, who had obviously heard everything, stood at the stairs inside, her eyes wide.
"Is that accurate?" she inquired. "Daddy's kids are those girls?"
I didn't respond. I was quiet enough.
I locked myself in the bedroom that night. After two knocks, Paul entered without waiting for a response.
"This wasn't what I asked for," he said softly. "But now, I won't turn them away."
Without looking back, I said, "You lied to me." "You had kids. And you remained silent.
"I was unaware. I really didn't. Salma vanished. I was stupid. I let fear win.”
I turned to face him. "What comes next? Do you want me to take care of her daughters? Allow her to enter like any other wife.
He declared, "I want peace." "I want my kids to get to know one another."
I gave a sour laugh. "You have too much in mind."
He approached. "They're not unfamiliar. They're blood. They're only kids, too. Nadia, please. Don't hold them accountable for my past.
When I awoke the following morning, Paul had once more vanished.
He was outside in the garden with the twins when I came downstairs. They were giggling. He had one on his shoulders. His hand was held by the other.
Then I caught a glimpse of Ruby through the window, observing them.
She had a silent expression. Perplexed.
"So... do we have new sisters now?" she asked, glancing at me.
I couldn't respond to her.
I didn't eat breakfast with them. I remained in my room and gazed at old photos. Our nuptials. The first day of school for Rose. Ruby's recital of dance. I believed I had created the ideal life.
Everything is vanishing.
Paul called a family meeting in the evening. There were the twins and Salma. Our daughters were, too. He stood in the middle of the room, and I sat quietly.
He started, "I have something to say."
I folded my arms. "You've said enough already."
Ignoring me, he produced a white envelope. "I have contacted my attorney. I'm changing my will.
Everyone fell silent.
"I want the same treatment for all of my daughters. This implies that the twins will receive a portion of everything. I've also included a condition.
I squinted. "Under what circumstances?"
Paul gave me a direct look. "You will not get any portion of my estate until you and our daughters accept Salma and the twins as family."
*Paul's audacious choice
completely upends the family. No one anticipated the test that love, pride, and loyalty now face.
- Writer
