WICKED MOTHER-IN-LAW MEETS HER MATCH

EPISODE 1

Obiora got married to Bukola in a private traditional marriage ceremony, which was held in Bukola’s father’s compound. Bukola, a beautiful and hardworking lady was a banker, while Obiora was a wealthy and popular business tycoon, in Lagos.

Obiora’s mother, Ezinne who was a widow never approved of Bukola from the start because she was from the Yoruba tribe, but she reluctantly agreed because she wanted Obiora to settle down fast and give her grandchildren

Barely three weeks after their traditional marriage, Ezinne showed up at their doorstep, unannounced, with two big bags. She moved in to live with them permanently and Bukola wondered why.

At first, she pretended, playing the loving mother-in-law. She smiled at Bukola often and praised her for being able to win the heart of her only son.

Then, Bukola resumed work after one month break and Ezinne changed towards her immediately. Bukola left home for work very early and returned late in the evening, tired and exhausted.

She tried as much as she could, to keep up with her home. On Saturdays, she did the laundry and prepared different meals which she stocked up in the freezer for the new week

Throughout the week, she would heat up the food and serve Ezinne and her husband. Ezinne began to complain, saying that she preferred freshly prepared food

“How can a married woman be so busy to prepare fresh meals for her husband”, Ezinne challenged Bukola one night, when she was setting the table for dinner, with the food she had just heated.

“Mama, but you know the nature of my job would not allow me prepare food every day. Besides, my husband is not complaining”, Bukola replied her calmly.

Ezinne became angry. She yelled at her and called her many terrible names. “You are nothing but a cheap harlot, who go about sleeping with clients, so they could bank with you”, she fumed

Bukola was surprised at her outburst and she was hurt. She quietly walked into their room and didn’t come out nor have dinner again that night.

When Obiora came out to eat, he met his mother at the dining table crying. When he asked her what was wrong and why she was crying, she said Bukola had insulted her, simply because she told her to create more time for her husband.

“You know, Bukola is always so busy with work. She barely has time for you. I only told her that a woman who truly loves her husband would put him first”. There was nothing she didn’t compare me with. She insulted me and even my late husband, your father”, Ezinne explained in tears.

Obiora, couldn’t bear to see his mother in tears like that. He became very upset. He stormed back into the room and began to yell at his wife. He warned her never to insult his mother again.

You have no idea what my mother means to me, do you? if that is the way you insult your own mother, that is your family’s problem. Do not ever insult my mother again, else you would see the other side of me” he said with rage

Bukola tried to explain what exactly happened but Obiora refused to listen. He stormed out of the room, picked his car keys and left the house that night, ignoring the food on the dining table.

He went to a nearby restaurant and ate after which he returned home. He spent the night in the guest room that night, leaving Bukola alone in the room they both shared.

Bukola couldn’t sleep that night. She cried all through. She knew she didn’t insult her mother-in-law and she felt so bad that her husband took sides with his mother without hearing from her first.

For peace’s sake, Bukola went down on her knees to apologize to Ezinne the next day. She also begged her husband to forgive her. Ezinne was happy and she forgave Bukola

But it didn’t stop there. Ezinne made sure Bukola’s every move was scrutinized. She criticized her cooking, mocked her fashion choices, and even made sarcastic comments about her career. Slowly Ezinne twisted Obiora’s perception of his wife.

EPISODE 2

Bukola, who had always prided herself on being able to handle anything life threw her way, soon found herself questioning everything she did. She didn’t understand why Obiora didn’t stand up for her and why was he so easily swayed by his mother’s opinions

One Saturday morning, after a particularly nasty confrontation where Ezinne accused Bukola of “not being a submissive and humble wife,” the tension became unbearable. Bukola was tired of the constant sabotage. She confronted Obiora for the first time.

“Why are you letting your mother treat me like this? I thought we were partners. I thought you were supposed to protect me. You take sides with your mother, without even hearing from me. That is so unfair,” she said, her voice trembling with frustration.

Obiora simply told her to learn how to respect his mother and do her bidding and everything would be alright. “Do whatever my mother tells you to do and peace will reign”, he told her and walked away without any form of remorse.

Bukola did her best afterwards but her efforts yielded no results. Ezinne was simply relentless. She knew exactly how to handle her son and get him to do her bidding. She simply didn’t like Bukola

A few weeks later, a day after their first-year wedding anniversary, Ezinne planted the final seed that would lead to the unraveling of the marriage. She called Obiora to her room for a brief discussion.

“It has been one year since you got married and your wife is yet to conceive. I am sure it is because she works too much and hardly find time to rest. Ask her to resign from her job and become a full-time wife. That will help her rest well and conceive. I want grandchildren”, she said to him, almost in tears.

Obiora consoled his mother and thanked her for her observation and advise. “I will do as you have said Mama”, he assured her. He waited patiently for Bukola to return.

When his wife returned that evening and they had had dinner and retired to their room, Obiora asked her to resign from her job. “You know you really don’t need to work. I am wealthy enough to take care of you. Resign and become a full-time wife. I would place you on a monthly income if that is what you want”, Obiora told Bukola who vehemently refused to resign from her banking job

“I am sorry my love, but I can’t resign from my job. I love and enjoy what I do. I have built my Career to a point of no return”, Bukola replied him softly.

Obiora tried to convince her that it was for their good. He attributed their inability to conceive within the first year to the stressful nature of her job. Bukola gently insisted she would not resign from her job. Obiora became angry immediately.

“Since you have decided to disrespect me in this manner, you have to choose between me and the job”, Obiora said and walked out of the room in anger. He stopped eating her food from that day and his mother began to prepare his meals.

Bukola ignored them, hoping that Obiora would come around, but he didn’t. Things got worse instead. He stopped making love to her completely. He moved his things to the guest room permanently and this really broke Bukola’s heart

One evening, after about two weeks that Obiora asked her to resign, Bukola drove in from work and met her luggage outside the house, with a written note on one of the bags.

It read “I cannot be married to a woman who is not submissive and does not respect me as her husband and even my mother”. Bukola tried to open the door, but it was locked. She rang the bell severally, but there was no response.

She called her husband’s lines repeatedly and she could hear the phone ringing inside the house, Obiora ignored all her calls. Written by Hilda’s Forum

She tearfully began to pack her bags into her car. When she was done, she drove out of the compound and never went back. That was how her marriage to Obiora came to a sudden end.

Bukola’s family tried to intervene in the matter, but Ezinne who did all the talking during the meeting, while Obiora simply watched on, said her son was no longer interested in their daughter.

EPISODE 3

After the end of his first marriage, Obiora tried to move on. He knew he still loved Bukola, but he couldn’t bring himself to disobeying his mother.

Ezinne, however, wasted no time in asking him to look for another woman. “Please, be careful this time. Make sure she is a good and respectful woman”, she encouraged him.

Exactly six months after his marriage to Bukola ended, Obiora met and fell in love with Ngozi, who worked with an insurance company. They became friends and ended up in a romantic relationship.

Obiora loved her so much but he was worried about the nature of her job. He didn’t want her to have issues with his mother. He decided to make her an offer.

Six months into their relationship, Obiora proposed to her.

After she agreed to marry him, he made a request. “I want you to resign from your job. I will pay you double your monthly salary. Just be a stay-at-home wife and take care of the house, please”.

Ngozi didn’t like the idea. But the thought of being paid a monthly 300,000 Naira instead of the 150,000 Naira, was tempting. She agreed and Obiora immediately transferred 900,000 Naira for three months into her account

They got married. Ezinne who had gone back to her house after Bukola left, returned to Obiora’s house, two months after his wedding. She saw how Obiora showered Ngozi with so much love and affection. She became uncomfortable.

“This one will make my son forget me completely. I have to do something”, she muttered to herself.

Ngozi was the perfect daughter-in-law any mother-in-law could have wished for. She respected Ezinne so much, prepared delicious meals for her and her husband and kept the house very clean.

Yet, Ezinne was not satisfied. She saw Ngozi as a threat and decided that she couldn’t be married to her son

She began to complain about Ngozi, to her son, starting with small, seemingly innocent comments. She would talk to Obiora about how “Ngozi’s doesn’t seem to understand the true meaning of respect,” or how “Ngozi doesn’t know how to properly manage a home.”

Each time she made one of these comments, she waited for them to sink into Obiora’s subconscious, knowing full well that he would start to see her “concerns” as valid.

But Ezinne’s real game was more deceitful than that. She began to create situations where Ngozi would appear to be disrespectful without realizing it. During family dinners, Ezinne would subtly compare her to Bukola, saying things like, “Bukola was always so outspoken, but at least she knew how to handle a situation with grace.”

Ngozi was eager to fit in. She tried harder and harder to please Obiora’s mother. But each effort was met with further criticism. The final straw came when Ezinne suggested that Ngozi was secretly trying to get a piece of Obiora’s wealth, implying that she was only after his money.

Obiora, consumed by his mother’s words, became suspicious of Ngozi’s every move. He started to question her intentions, and the cracks in their marriage began to show.

Apart from the monthly 300,000 Naira, Obiora used to give Ngozi any amount of money she asked for, without asking her what she needed the money for. But after his mother’s unfounded statement, he began to ask her to list out all she wanted to do with money, before he gave her.

Sometimes, he would strike out some items from the list, saying they were irrelevant. This continued for a while until he stopped paying her the 300,000 Naira. When she asked him why he stopped, he called her barren, saying he was tired of wasting so much resources on a barren woman

“My mother visited a spiritualist, who told her that you are a barren woman and that you can never have children”, he told her. Ezinne had lied to him that she visited a spiritualist. Written by Hilda’s Forum

Ngozi, devastated and confused, tried to fight for their marriage. “Obiora, what’s happening? Why are you listening to your mother over me?”

“I am not barren. We have been married for just one year. We will definitely have children”, she said helplessly.

But it was too late. The damage had been done. Ezinne had planted enough doubt in Obiora’s mind that he eventually asked Ngozi for a divorce.

His excuse was that his mother was right about Ngozi. “He agreed that Ngozi was only after his money and nothing else. That was how his marriage to Ngozi came to an end.

Ngozi packed her things quietly that night with her tears streaming unchecked. She had poured her heart into her marriage, endured Ezinne’s endless criticisms, and fought to make Obiora see the truth. But she had failed.

Obiora was obviously a Mummy’s boy who had no say over his own affairs. Ezinne watched as Ngozi left their Lekki apartment with an air of triumph.

Months passed, and Obiora buried himself in his business. He decided to stay away from women for a while. His mother remained in his house, preparing his meals and taking care of the house.Little did Ezinne know what was coming her way next…

EPISODE 4

Ezinne was in the open-air grocery market one morning, buying vegetables when she first encountered a beautiful lady named Chinyere. Her polite behavior, warm smile, and calm tone immediately attracted Ezinne.

Ezinne eyed the young woman closely. She looked innocent and there was something about her that radiated humility and respect—the very qualities Ezinne had always claimed to value in a daughter-in-law.

“What is your name, my dear?” Ezinne asked, her tone unusually warm.

“Chinyere, ma,” she replied, bowing slightly in respect.

Ezinne smiled, paid for the vegetables and left the market. Over the next few weeks, she visited the market more often than necessary, always returning to Chinyere’s stall.

The lady’s polite attitude remained consistent, and Ezinne was convinced she had found the perfect wife for her son. Written by Hilda’s Forum

“I see you are hardworking, humble, and well-mannered,” Ezinne said one day after purchasing another batch of goods. “Have you ever considered getting married?”

“My son Obiora is looking for a wife and I would like you to marry him”, she added

True to her word, Ezinne wasted no time introducing Chinyere to Obiora. “I’ve met someone special,” she announced to Obiora one evening in the living room. “She’s everything I’ve been praying for in a wife for you—modest and respectful.”

“She’s not like Bukola or Ngozi. She’s humble and will respect you and this family. Just meet her once.”

Reluctantly, Obiora agreed. The following weekend, Ezinne arranged a lunch date for them at a small restaurant in Yaba.

Chinyere’s soft-spoken nature immediately won over Obiora.

“She seems nice,” Obiora admitted to his mother, after the meeting.

It wasn’t long before Obiora and Chinyere began dating. Three months later, Obiora proposed to her and Ezinne was happy

I can easily control Chinyere and get her to dance to my music, she mumbled to herself.

But what Ezinne didn’t know was that Chinyere was far from the obedient woman she appeared to be.

Their wedding was a modest but elegant affair. Ezinne couldn’t have been prouder as she introduced Chinyere to her friends and relatives, boasting about her son’s new wife. “She’s everything I’ve always wanted for Obiora,” she said, smiling widely.

Chinyere played the part perfectly. She was the picture of humility, greeting elders with a deep bow, speaking softly, and staying by Obiora’s side like a dutiful wife. Obiora was charmed by her conduct and felt he had finally made the right choice.

For the first few weeks after the wedding, everything seemed perfect. Chinyere cooked Ezinne’s favorite meals, cleaned thoroughly, and even asked for advice on how to run the household. Ezinne felt validated. “I told you she’s different,” she told Obiora repeatedly.

But things began to change.

One morning, Ezinne woke up early, as was her custom. She usually would meet Chinyere in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the family. But to her surprise, on this particular day, the kitchen was empty, no signs of Chinyere. She thought her daughter-in-law was unwell, so, she went to check on her, only to find Chinyere still in bed, scrolling through her phone.

“Chinyere, are you feeling okay?” Ezinne asked, trying to mask her irritation.

Chinyere looked up lazily. “Oh, Mama, I didn’t hear the alarm. Please, can you start breakfast? I’ll join you shortly.”

Ezinne was taken aback but obliged. After all, everyone had off days. But the pattern continued. Day after day, Chinyere always “forgot” to wake up on time, leaving Ezinne to handle the house chores.

Ezinne began grumbling to herself, but every time she confronted Chinyere, she had an excuse and a sweet, apologetic smile.

“Mama, you know I’ve been feeling weak lately,” Chinyere would say, sounding innocent. “Thank you for helping out. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

Ezinne began to feel uneasy. This wasn’t the girl she had met at the grocery store. She wanted to complain to her son. Then she remembered she was the one who introduced Chinyere to her son. So, she kept quiet

As the days went by, Chinyere’s true colors began to show more boldly. She stopped cooking entirely, claiming she was too tired or busy. Ezinne, unwilling to let her son starve, reluctantly took over the kitchen duties.

One evening, after cleaning the entire house while Chinyere sat idle in the living room, Ezinne snapped. “This is not what I signed up for!” she exclaimed. “You are the wife, Chinyere, not me. Start acting like one!”

Chinyere stood up slowly and her sweet smile was gone. She stared at Ezinne with a wicked look.

“Mama, you seem not to know who you are dealing with. I heard your story before I came here. I know how manipulative you have been and how you made Obiora send his ex-wives away.

Listen, I came prepared. Don’t even try to report me to Obiora, because if you do, I will make sure you regret it.”

Ezinne was shocked to her bone. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out

EPISODE 5

Ezinne remained on the spot, still struggling to find the right words when Chinyere moved closer to her, stared at her and said, “Old woman, if you push me too far, you see this your precious son, my husband, he might not live to see the end of it. Do you understand? Look me well. I no well o”

Ezinne’s blood ran cold immediately. She had never imagined the innocent girl from the market could utter such words. She quietly turned, went straight to her room and broke down in tears.

But that was just the beginning. She had no idea what laid ahead of her

Without knocking, Chinyere went into Ezinne’s room, shortly after. She began to laugh when she saw her crying.

“Mama, you dey cry? I have not even started and you are crying. Get ready for a ride with me. You will definitely regret bringing me here, you wicked old woman”, she yelled

“Please, Chinyere, kindly pack your things and leave my son’s house”, Ezinne begged raising her teary face to look at Chinyere

“I introduced you to my son because I thought you were respectful and calm. It was a mistake. Please leave”, Ezinne added

Chinyere began to laugh once more. “Get ready mama. You are stuck with me”, she said softly and walked out of the room.

Immediately Chinyere stepped out of the room, Ezinne’s phone rang. It was a hidden number. She picked up the call with her shaky finger.

The caller didn’t wait for her to talk before he spoke up. “Hello old woman, my name is scorpion. I am calling to warn you to behave well and be a good woman, otherwise, I will take your son’s life”.

The caller went on to describe Obiora, his company, his routine and several other information, trying to prove to Ezinne, that he knew Obiora well and had enough information to track him down.

“I don’t understand what you mean by I should behave well and be a good woman. Please, who are you and what do you want? Ezinne asked trembling visibly.

“Chinyere is our cult member and she has complained to us that you are threatening to kick her out of her husband’s house. If you love your only son and child, you better calm down, else we will take him down. I won’t warn you again”, the caller replied and hung up. Written by Hilda’s Forum

Ezinne threw herself to the ground and wept bitterly. “See what I have done to myself. Bukola and Ngozi were never rude to me, neither did they ever threaten me. What have I done to myself”; she said as she continued to cry.

She cried herself to sleep and didn’t know when Obiora returned.

The next morning, Chinyere emerged from the bedroom and entered the kitchen, closely followed by her husband. With a warm smile, the perfect picture of a devoted wife she greeted her Ezinne who was already in the kitchen.

“Good morning, Mama! Did you sleep well? Thank you so much for helping me. You are the best mother-in-law ever”, she said, smiling lovingly.

Ezinne watched turned to face her, still mad at her for the event of the previous day. She didn’t respond to her greeting. Instead, she turned back and focused on her cooking.

“Mama, my wife is greeting you, Obiora said, wondering if she didn’t hear her greeting.

Before Ezinne could reply, Chinyere began to cry.

“I don’t want to come between you and your mother, but… sometimes she’s a little harsh with me. I don’t know what I did to Mama. She has been acting cold towards me for some days now”, she said as she continued to cry.

Obiora was heart-broken, seeing his wife cry.

“Not again Mama. You were the one who introduced my wife to me. I would appreciate if you both could live together peacefully”

Ezinne was shocked and sad that her Obiora believed his wife without even asking her for her own side of the story. She knew Chinyere was lying and only being manipulative

“This evil woman is playing her game masterfully, trying to plant seeds of doubt in Obiora’s mind”, she thought to herself

Over the next few days, Chinyere continued with her gentle operation. Whenever Obiora was around, she would be the perfect wife—sweet, attentive, and respectful. But when they were alone, she made sure to antagonize Ezinne, knowing that any complaints would now seem exaggerated.

Ezinne became the house maid and errand girl of the house. She obeyed every of Chinyere’s instructions. She couldn’t risk losing her only child

EPISODE 6

At night, Chinyere told Obiora a lot of things about his mother, indirectly suggesting that Ezinne didn’t like her and gently acting like the victim.

Ezinne watched helplessly as her relationship with her son began to go sour. Obiora started spending less time with her and often taking sides with Chinyere during disagreements.

Whenever she asked Obiora to see her in her room for discussion, he would give her a million reasons why he wouldn’t have the time to see her.

Chinyere successfully created a gap between them, and Ezinne felt lonely and isolated. This continued until their marriage clocked one year. Ezinne remained in the house with them, refusing to leave

Obiora returned from work one day and refused to greet his mother. She greeted him but he didn’t respond, rather, he kept a straight face.

But immediately Chinyere emerged from the room and greeted him, he hugged and kissed her. Then, turning to his mother, he asked

“Did you indeed visit a spiritualist who told you that Ngozi was a barren woman?

Ezinne was taken aback. She didn’t expect that question. “Why do you ask, my son? She asked gently

“I visited a sick friend at the hospital today and I bumped into Ngozi. She is heavily pregnant and almost due for delivery”, Obiora replied, trying not to raise his voice.

Ezinne went quiet for a while, after which she began to apologize to Obiora. “I didn’t visit any spiritualist. I just wanted Ngozi to leave this house and honestly, I am beginning to regret it”, she said, shooting a glance at Chinyere, who quickly looked away.

Shaking his head, Obinna moved closer to his mother. Mother, you disgust me right now. You see Chinyere here, she compliments me so well. If you have any complain about her, kindly swallow it. She goes nowhere”

He walked into their room, leaving Ezinne shocked and full of regrets. She ran into her room immediately and began to cry.

She called her friend and arranged a meeting with her, hoping to confide in her and get help.

Very early the next day, Ezinne called her son and begged for his forgiveness and he forgave her. I can’t hate my mother. Just that I can never trust you again, he added after he forgave her

Obiora’s revelation gave Chinyere more power to maltreat her mother-in-law.

Three days later, Obiora traveled to Portharcourt on a business trip. Ezinne went to an open-air market, running errands as usual. A strange man, dressed in black overall walked past her and squeezed a note into her hands.

She opened the note and read it. “Madam Ezinne, I see all your funny moves. Don’t try anything stupid. My men are stationed everywhere and I know your son is currently lodged at Hilda’s hotel, in Portharcourt. His room number is 3024. Be warned”

Ezinne began to shiver like one who had been drenched by the rain. She quickly returned home.

The house was unusually quiet, when she entered, with the faint sound of music coming from the dining area.

She dropped her bags and walked toward the sound. When she got to the dinning section, what she saw almost threw her off balance. Chinyere was seated at the dining table, with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other.

She glanced lazily at Ezinne, unbothered by her presence. “Ah, Mama, you’re back early.”

Ezinne’s shock quickly turned to anger. “What is this madness, Chinyere? Smoking? Drinking? In my son’s house?”

Chinyere stood up and faced Ezinne, resting her hand on her shoulder. “Calm down, old woman. Don’t act like you’ve never seen someone enjoy themselves.”

“You call this enjoyment?” Ezinne’s voice rose, as she trembled with anger. “Is this the kind of wife you are? What would Obiora say if he saw this?”

Chinyere’s smile disappeared, replaced by a cold, stern look. “It is obvious you still don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

Ezinne took a step back, with fear creeping into her heart. “What do you mean?”

“Mama, I am Lady Cobra. A notorious cultist. Back in my school days, People feared me. I have connections everywhere, Mama. My eyes are always watching. One wrong move from you, and you’ll wish you had kept your mouth shut.”

Ezinne at this point remembered the phone call from one scorpion and the strange man that squeezed a note into her hand. It all began to make sense to her

Chinyere must truly be a cultist, she thought. But how did she end up selling groceries and looking all innocent? She wondered

Chinyere, are you truly a cultist? Ezinne asked, looking terrified

“Am I? Do you really want to find out? Just try me, and you’ll see what happens to those who cross me.” Chinyere replied her with so much confidence.

She returned to the dining table and continued smoking, while Ezinne stood glued to the spot, shocked to her bone

Chinyere picked up her glass, raised it mockingly, and said, “To a peaceful household. Now, be a good Mama and clean up the kitchen. I’m expecting guests later.”

EPISODE 7

…Ezinne quietly obeyed her as she entered the kitchen and began to prepare food. She couldn’t risk losing her son by being disobedient. “Obiora is my only son. I rather remain quiet than risk losing him”, she muttered to herself

After that day, Ezinne’s life became even more unbearable. Chinyere was no longer gentle in her disrespect. She openly flaunted her vices, knowing that Ezinne wouldn’t dare challenge her.

“Do you think Obiora would believe you if you told him anything?” Chinyere taunted one evening, while Ezinne scrubbed the kitchen floor. “No, he won’t. You’ve lied to him before, haven’t you? Why would he listen to you now?”

Chinyere’s words cut deep, reminding Ezinne of her past mistakes. She truly did lie to her son and said many terrible and untrue things about his ex-wives. Once again, she regretted her actions and wished she could turn back the hands of time

On a Friday evening, Obiora was still away on his business trip. Ezinne had just finished tidying up the living room when she heard the loud sound of music coming from outside. She peeked through the window and froze.

A group of scantily dressed women and a few men were making their way toward the house, laughing loudly, smoking and carrying bottles of alcohol. One of them was playing music so loud, from a speaker that Ezinne had to cover her ears with her hands.

“What is this nonsense?” she muttered, heading toward the front door. She flung it open with all her might, but before she could step outside, Chinyere entered, followed by her entourage. The smell of cigarette smoke and perfume filled the air.

“Ah, Mama! Meet my beautiful people. They will be staying for a while. We’re just here to have a little fun, that’s all.” Chinyere said with a fake smile.

Ezinne’s eyes ran through the group. “In this house? Are you out of your mind, Chinyere? How can you bring these kinds of people to this house? This is not a night club,” she said, trying not to sound too harsh.

“Relax, Mama,” Chinyere said with a grin. “It’s not like we’re bothering anyone. Obiora isn’t here, and I am very sure, that we are not bothering you, or are we?

Ezinne couldn’t respond, the group brushed past her, settling themselves into the living room. One of the ladies lit up a cigarette, while another plugged her phone into the speaker system, blasting more deafening music.

Ezinne’s head pounded from the noise. She stormed into the living room. “This is my son’s house, not some night club! Turn that music off right now and leave immediately!” But the group ignored her

Chinyere laughed, picking up a bottle of whiskey. “Mama, you’re embarrassing yourself. Why don’t you go to your room and rest? This isn’t your kind of crowd and I don’t want to stress you today”

“How dare you, Chinyere? You are such a disrespectful girl!” Mama Ezinne shouted. “This behavior is unacceptable! I will not take it!”

Chinyere’s smile vanished, and she took a step closer to Ezinne. “Mama, don’t push your luck. My friends don’t take kindly to being disrespected. If you value your peace and your son, you will back off.”

The group began to laugh, ignoring Ezinne completely. One of them began dancing prov0catvely in the middle of the room, while another poured herself a drink, spilling some on the carpet.

With her heart pounding, Ezinne turned and left for her room, slamming the door shut behind her. Inside her room, she paced back and forth, with her mind racing.

She thought about calling Obiora but dismissed the idea immediately. Chinyere had made it clear that she would stop at nothing to maintain control, and Ezinne feared the consequences of defying her.

Tears streamed down her face as she prayed silently. “God, please help me. I don’t know how I managed to get myself and my son into this mess. Please come to our aid”. The noise from the living room continued for a long time.”

After several hours, the noise finally subsided and finally stopped. Ezinne stepped out of her room and met a messy living room with empty bottles, cigarette butts, and food wrappers littered everywhere. The group were gone

She grabbed a broom and began cleaning, determined to find a way to end the nightmare. Obiora returned three days later and they all moved on with their lives.

About two months to their second wedding anniversary, Chinyere became sick and nauseous…

EPISODE 8

About two months to their second wedding anniversary, Chinyere became sick and nauseous. It was mild initially and so, she refused to go to the hospital, when Obiora suggested it.

However, it got worse after two days and Obiora couldn’t bear to see his wife looking so pale. He took her to the hospital, where some tests were carried out on her. They waited patiently for the doctor. About thirty minutes after her samples were collected, the doctor called them into her office, full of smiles

“Congratulations to you both. Your wife is three weeks pregnant”, she announced as she handed the test result to Obiora.

Obiora was so happy and so was Chinyere. “Thank you so much doctor”, Obiora said repeatedly. He couldn’t contain his excitement. The doctor urged Chinyere to begin antenatal check up as soon as she could.

Obiora happily broke the news to his mother, Ezinne as soon as they returned to the house. “I am finally going to be a father”, he said with so much joy in his heart.

Ezinne was happy about the pregnancy news. It had always been her desires, but she wasn’t happy that her first grandchild was coming through Chinyere, whom she considered her worst enemy at that moment.

After she became pregnant, Chinyere suddenly changed. She resumed her wifely duties, taking care of the house and preparing the meals to the dismay of Ezinne. Even when Ezinne willingly wanted to clean the house, Chinyere didn’t allow her

She also began to respect Ezinne like she used to, making sure her meals were ready at the right time. Ezinne was confused. She couldn’t help but wonder what changed. She didn’t ask her though

Six months into her pregnancy, Chinyere announced at dinner, that she had something to tell her husband and mother-in-law. She cleared her throat and began to speak.

“Obiora my love, I haven’t been a good daughter-in-law to Mama. I have been pretending all the while”. She went on to narrate how badly she had treated Ezinne.

Obiora’s countenance changed. But Chinyere ignored him and continued

“Some years ago, at the university days in Enugu, I belonged to a dangerous cult group. Although, I was forced to join against my wish. I became one of the most feared ladies on campus. I did so many terrible things.

But after I left school, I became a changed person. I stopped attending their alumni meetings. They threatened to deal with me but I stood my ground. After several unsuccessful attempts on my life, they decided to let me be.

I relocated to Lagos to start up afresh, because they used their connections to prevent me from getting a good job in the East.

I got a little financial help from my family and started selling vegetables at the open market where Mama eventually met me. After she left, the day she asked me to marry her son, one of my very good customers turned friend, walked up to my stall.

While I was attending to her, she asked me who the woman that just left my stall was. Being a very close customer, I opened up to her that the woman wanted me to marry her son

She was the one that told me that you had been married twice and that your mother made you send your ex-wives away, leading to the end of your marriage.

She said she was your first wife’s friend.

“If you must have a successful marriage with Obiora, don’t go there and start being a good wife. You must be rugged and disrespectful, else you will be kicked out the same way his ex-wives were kicked out”, she warned me.

I didn’t believe all she said until I met you, Obiora and you matched her description perfectly. That was why I began to put up all of the drama

So, the smoking scene and the noisy party were all staged. I paid those people to come here. A friend organized them for me. I used to be a bad girl, but I changed.

I only wanted mama to get angry and leave, so I could enjoy my marriage, but she simply refused to go.

I am telling you all these because I do not wish to continue. You can decide if you want to remain married to me or not. Mama has always wanted me out of this house and I am ready to leave now”, Chinyere concluded and got up, ready to leave the dining table

“No no Chinyere. Please, stay. I want you to stay. Don’t leave my son”, Ezinne cut in…

EPISODE 9 (FINAL)

…“No no Chinyere. Please, stay. I want you to stay”, Ezinne cut in

She took a deep breath, stared at Chinyere and said, “I really needed someone to teach me a lesson and that was exactly what you did. Bukola and Ngozi did me no wrong. I was just selfish and insecure. I suffered a lot raising my son, after his father died.

He was only five, when his father, my husband of blessed memory, passed. Although, he was wealthy and left us a lot of properties, he didn’t have a will before his demise.

So, two months after his demise, I was still mourning him, when his family members stormed ouR residence and forcefully evicted me and my son from the house.

I cried, I begged. I told them to consider my son and have a re-think, but all my pleas fell on deaf ears. I contacted my husband’s lawyer who told me that my husband didn’t leave any will. I was planning on suing them to court when I began to have different spiritual attacks.

My husband’s uncle appeared to me severally and warned me not to do anything stupid, else they would take my son’s life. I became very scared, so, I stopped trying to fight them

I began to ask my husband’s friends for help, but none of them were ready to help me. Instead, they tried to sleep with me. the one that shocked me most was my husband’s best friend named Kelvin

My husband was the one that took him to the city from the village, gave him money to start up a business and stood by him till his business was established.

I went to Kelvin for help, thinking he would be different, but I was shocked to my bone when he told me that he had always loved me even when my husband was alive. He told me to lay with him before he could give me money or even employ me. I left his office in tears on that day.

I decided to ignore all of them and focused on raising my son alone.

I got a teaching job, but the salary was meagre, so I did so many menial jobs from doing people’s laundry, running errands, working at construction sites and many other dirty jobs, to support my salary and to put food on our table. I managed to send Obiora to school.

My son and I practically struggled through life, before he became successful.

I wanted to still be in control of his life even after he got married. I feared that his wives would take my place in his heart and I didn’t want that. I feared that they would come between us and take away the love and respect he had for me. That was why I made sure he sent them away.

I introduced you to him, thinking I could easily control both of you, but I was wrong.

I have learnt my lessons and I wish you both well. I will return to the village by weekend and let you both live your lives. I will be back to welcome my grandchild when he is born, she added.

Chinyere was deeply touched by Ezinne’s story. She got up and knelt before her in tears. “I am so sorry Mama. I over did it please, find it in your heart to forgive me”, she pleaded. Ezinne got up, raised her up and gave her a hug.

“It’s okay my daughter. I am honestly not angry with you”, she said to her. Chinyere turned to her husband and was about to go on her knees to beg him, but Obiora stopped her. “I am sorry for all I did to your mother. Please forgive me”, she begged tearfully. Obiora forgave her and gave her a hug.

Two days later, Ezinne packed her bags and returned to the house built for her by her son, in the village.

Chinyere and Obiora continued with their lives and their love for each other continued to waxed stronger. At exactly 9 months, Chinyere and Obiora welcomed a baby boy, who was a spitting image of Obiora

Ezinne visited them for Omugwo. She spent two months after which she returned to her house.

Obiora and Chinyere lived happily ever after and the had more children.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING. I WILL SEE YOU SOON WITH ANOTHER ACTION-PACKED STORY. BYE FOR NOW

THE END