Chapter 3
557 Words
Chinedu stood frozen at the top of the stairs.
For the first time since Amaka had known him, he looked completely lost for words.
Nneka lowered her head.
Amaka looked from one of them to the other.
“So this is the apartment.”
Chinedu slowly came down the stairs.
“Amaka, listen to me.”
“No.”
Her voice was calm, but her hands were shaking.
“Don't tell me to listen. I've been listening to you for three years.”
“It's not what you think.”
Amaka laughed.
The sound was bitter.
“Then tell me what it is.”
Chinedu stopped a few feet away from her.
Nneka wiped her tears.
“Amaka, please. Let's go somewhere and talk.”
Amaka turned to her.
“You've already talked enough.”
Nneka flinched.
“You knew.”
“I didn't—”
“You knew!”
Amaka's voice echoed through the apartment.
Nneka went quiet.
Amaka looked at Chinedu.
“You told me you had meetings last night.”
“I did.”
“You told me you were working late.”
“I was.”
“Here?”
Chinedu hesitated.
Amaka nodded slowly.
“Right.”
She looked around the apartment.
There were photographs on the wall.
A few clothes were hanging over the back of a chair.
A pair of women's slippers sat beside the sofa.
Amaka stared at them.
She didn't need anyone to explain.
She looked at Chinedu again.
“Does she live here?”
Chinedu said nothing.
That silence hurt more than any answer could have.
Amaka took off her wedding ring.
Chinedu's eyes widened.
“Amaka…”
She placed the ring in his palm.
“I need some time.”
He stared at the ring.
“You're leaving?”
“I don't know.”
She turned toward the door.
Chinedu caught her wrist.
“Please.”
Amaka pulled her hand away.
“Don't touch me.”
He released her immediately.
“I can explain everything.”
“Then explain it.”
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Amaka nodded.
“Exactly.”
She walked out.
Nneka followed her.
“Amaka, wait.”
Amaka turned around.
“What?”
Nneka stood at the doorway, crying.
“I never wanted to hurt you.”
“But you did.”
“I love him.”
Amaka stared at her.
The words felt like a slap.
Nneka covered her mouth as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Amaka didn't cry.
Not this time.
She simply looked at her former friend and said,
“Then you can have him.”
She walked away.
Outside the building, Amaka stood beside the road and tried to breathe.
Her marriage was over.
At least, the marriage she thought she had.
But there was one question she couldn't stop asking herself.
How long had this been happening?
And why had everyone around her known before she did?
Her phone vibrated.
Another message from the unknown number.
Unknown: You haven't seen the worst part yet.
Amaka stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
Unknown: Ask Chinedu who paid for that apartment.
Her heart sank.
This was bigger than an affair.
Much bigger.
She looked back at the building.
Something told her that whatever was waiting for her next would change everything she knew about her husband.
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