PART ONE
Chapter One: The Marriage That Became a Prison
The rain fell heavily over Lagos as Daniel Adewale stood beside the enormous windows of his luxurious apartment on Victoria Island.
Three years earlier, he had believed he was the luckiest man alive.
He had married Victoria Okafor, the beautiful daughter of one of Nigeria's wealthiest business families. Their wedding had attracted celebrities, politicians, business executives, and social media attention. Everyone believed theirs was a perfect love story.
But behind the closed doors of their mansion, everything was falling apart.
"Your dinner is getting cold," Victoria said from the doorway.
Daniel turned. She stood there in an elegant black dress, her expression cold and distant.
"I'm not hungry," he replied.
"You always say that these days."
"And you always pretend to care."
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Daniel looked away.
"Nothing."
She shook her head and walked away.
Daniel closed his eyes. He had once loved this woman so much that he could hardly bear to see her unhappy. Now, he spent most of his days wishing he could escape their marriage.
He had already contacted a lawyer about divorce.
All he needed was the courage to sign the papers.
He never imagined that, before he could do so, his entire world would change.
Chapter Two: The Woman Behind the Crown
Victoria Okafor was known throughout Lagos as the Ice Queen.
She was the youngest executive in her family's business empire, a woman whose presence could silence a room. Employees feared disappointing her, and competitors feared challenging her.
But every night, when she was alone, she wondered when she had become so lonely.
Her father had taught her that weakness was dangerous. Her mother had taught her that affection could be used as a weapon. Her relatives smiled at family dinners while secretly fighting for control of the family company.
Victoria had learned to trust nobody.
Except Daniel.
Before they married, Daniel had made her laugh. He had taken her to small restaurants, bought her roasted plantain on the roadside, and listened to her talk about things she had never told another person.
He had promised that she would never face the world alone.
But somewhere along the way, she had pushed him away.
She had mistaken his patience for weakness and his silence for a lack of love.
Now, she feared that the only person who had ever truly understood her was preparing to leave.
Yet her pride prevented her from asking him to stay.
Chapter Three: The Diagnosis
On a Monday morning, Victoria collapsed during an important business meeting in Lagos.
Her assistants rushed her to the hospital. When Daniel received the call, he abandoned everything and drove there immediately.
He found her lying on a hospital bed, her face pale and her eyes closed.
For the first time in years, he was terrified of losing her.
The doctor eventually called him into the consultation room.
"Mr. Adewale, we need to discuss your wife's test results."
Daniel's hands trembled as the doctor explained that Victoria had a serious illness. She would require specialised treatment, and her future remained uncertain.
Only days earlier, Daniel had been planning a future without her.
Now, the thought of that future filled him with dread.
When he returned to her room, Victoria was awake.
"What did the doctor say?" she asked.
Daniel pulled a chair beside her bed.
"We'll get through this."
"That's not what I asked."
He took her hand.
"You're seriously ill, Victoria. But we're going to find the best treatment available."
She stared at him.
"You don't have to pretend to care."
Daniel's expression changed.
"I'm not pretending."
"Then why have you been looking at me like you hate me?"
He struggled to find the right words.
"Because I was hurt, Victoria. And I didn't know how to tell you."
For the first time in years, she saw tears in his eyes.
She wanted to apologise, but the words would not come.
Instead, she held his hand tighter.
Chapter Four: The Husband Who Stayed
Daniel cancelled his plans to leave the marriage.
He accompanied Victoria to medical appointments, learned how to prepare the meals she could tolerate, and waited outside treatment rooms long after visiting hours had ended.
At first, Victoria resisted his help.
"I can manage on my own," she insisted.
"I know."
"Then stop following me everywhere."
"I'm not following you. I'm walking with you."
She looked at him, surprised.
One evening, they sat together in the hospital garden.
"Daniel," she said quietly.
"Hmm?"
"If I get better, will you still leave me?"
He looked at her.
"Tell me the truth. I don't want you to stay because you feel sorry for me."
Daniel was silent for a moment.
"I don't know what will happen to us. We've both made mistakes. I can't promise everything will become perfect."
Victoria nodded, fighting back tears.
"But I don't want to lose you without giving us another chance," he continued.
For the first time in years, Victoria allowed herself to cry in front of another person and then, she got a notification from an unknow number which said “I’m back in Nigeria, yours Michael”.
TO BE CONTINUED .......