When Love Finally Hurts

Chapter3

Chapter Three – The Family’s Choice

So, yeah. New day, new Janet, right? That’s what I tried to tell myself. Stood in front of the mirror, gave myself the world’s worst pep talk—“Janet, today you will not cry. You will stand.” As if repeating it would magic up some backbone. News flash: it didn’t. My heart was already jittery by the time I got to the Greys’ gate, which, honestly, looked more intimidating today than ever. Like it’d grown taller just to block me out.

Let me paint the picture: the Grey family house is basically a mini palace—grand black gate, security guard always acting like he’s auditioning for Men in Black, and flowers so tall they could shade your secrets. I’ve walked through those gates a hundred times, maybe more. Back in the day, Alex’s mom would pull me into these bear hugs that could squeeze the stress outta you. His dad, always fussing—“Janet, have you eaten?” Like I’d starve if he didn’t ask. Chioma, Alex’s little sister, forever teasing me, calling me “sister-in-law” like she already had wedding plans drawn up for us.

But today? Nah. The guard’s eyes lingered. Didn’t say anything, but that look? Might as well have said, “Good luck, girl.” I gripped my handbag like it was the last friend I had. And, you know, maybe it was.

Inside, I barely got two feet into the sitting room before I froze up. There they all were. The whole Grey family committee. Alex’s parents, Chioma, and—plot twist—Sandra. I swear, Sandra was sitting there like she’d paid rent, sipping juice, legs crossed, lipstick blindingly red. She looked comfy. Way too comfy.

“Janet,” Mama Grey said, dragging out my name, “you came.” Like she was surprised I’d show up at all. I pasted on a smile so fake I could taste the plastic. “Good afternoon, Ma.”

And Sandra—she couldn’t resist. “Ah, she greets well. Very respectful.” The way she said it? Like she was auditioning for Best Supporting Villain.

I ignored her, scanning for Alex. Not a hair, not a shadow. “Where is Alex?” I asked, even though I knew he was hiding or being hidden.

Papa Grey cleared his throat. “Alex is busy. Sit down.” His tone? That was a command, not an invitation.

So I sat. Or, more like, perched on the chair, barely letting myself touch it. My hands were sweating so bad I nearly dropped my bag.

Then Mama Grey went in for the kill. “Janet, you have tried. Nine years is not a small thing. But we must say the truth—Alex deserves better.”

My chest went tight. “Ma… better?”

She nodded, eyes flicking to Sandra, who was looking pleased as punch. “Sandra comes from a good home. Her father is a businessman, her mother works in government. She’s established, polished. You… you are still struggling.”

The heat in my face was real. My whole life, my hustle, my sacrifices—just erased like chalk on a board. “But Ma, I love Alex. I’ve been with him through everything.”

Sandra smirked, swirling her juice. “Love doesn’t pay bills.” That one stung. And it was true—love doesn’t pay rent or school fees. But still.

Chioma looked at me, eyes all sad and apologetic, but she didn’t say a word. Nobody backed me up. Not even a whisper. I felt invisible.

Papa Grey, voice stone-cold: “Janet, you must let go, Alex needs a woman who will lift him, not hold him back.”

I tried to keep my voice steady, but it wobbled. “So… after nine years, this is it? You’ll just throw me away?”

Mama Grey’s patience snapped. “Don’t be dramatic. Focus on yourself. Maybe you’ll find someone more… on your level.”

Sandra leaned in, all sharp white teeth and lipstick. “Don’t worry, Janet. I’ll take care of him.” The nerve.

I wanted to yell, to drag her off that sofa, but my legs were jelly. Tears threatened, but I blinked hard and swallowed them. No way was I crying in front of Sandra.

I forced myself up. “Thank you, Ma. Thank you, Sir. I understand.” Even though I didn’t. Not really.

I made it outside before my whole world collapsed. Leaned on the compound wall, gasping, shaking. Nine years. Nine freaking years—just tossed aside because I didn’t have the right family, the right bank account, the right shine. All those nights cooking for Alex, helping him study, dreaming together. All the plans, the promises, the little inside jokes. None of it mattered. I felt like a piece of old furniture—useful until it wasn’t.

A keke sped past, driver shouting, “Yaba! Yaba!” I waved him down, almost relieved to lose myself in the hum of Lagos traffic. I wanted the city to swallow me up.

Then—because pain loves company—my phone buzzed. Some random number, message popping up like a bad omen: “You can never win. They have chosen her. Walk away before you lose more than Alex.”

What the—? My hands shook as I typed back, heart pounding: Who are you? What do you want?

No reply. Of course. Just the threat, hanging over me like a storm cloud. Paranoia crept in. Was someone watching me?

At home, everything felt heavier. Couldn’t eat—food tasted like cardboard anyway. Curled up on my bed, hugging myself. Tonia found me like that, all crumpled up.

She sat beside me, voice soft but fierce. “Janet, what happened now?”

“They chose her,” I whispered, feeling the words scratch my throat. “His parents said Sandra is better.”

Tonia’s jaw dropped. “After all you’ve done? These people are animals.”

I shook my head, tears finally leaking out. “Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’m just not enough.”

She grabbed my shoulders, shaking me a little. “Don’t say that! You gave your all. You just forgot yourself along the way. But you’ll bounce back, I swear. You’re stronger than you know.”

Her words were balm, but the wound was deep. My mind kept replaying every sacrifice, every smile, every stupid hope.

And then—because the universe wasn’t finished—someone knocked. Tonia and I looked at each other. Who could it be? This late?

I wiped my face, shuffled to the door, and cracked it open.

Standing there, grinning like he hadn’t ghosted me years ago, was Chike. My ex. The guy I dumped for Alex. Timing, right? The universe’s sense of humor is twisted.

“Hello, Janet,” he said, smooth as ever. “Long time no see.”

My heart just about stopped. All the old memories—good, bad, messy—came rushing back. And for a second, I wondered if this was a second chance or just the universe reminding me how much more complicated life can get.