“What on earth are you doing, Dad? How dare you lock me in the room and end my relationship with Grace as if it’s nothing!”

“Well,” Shina’s entire body became impossible still. He leaned against the standing wall as a shield and gasped. Uncertain whether to breathe or scream. “How dare you raise your voice at me? Is it because of this lady I’m protecting you from? How dare you speak to me in this manner? If I say no, then it’s no! Would you go against my wishes?”

“You’re misquoting me, Dad. Let’s sit down, the three of us, and have a friendly talk.”

“I have nothing to talk about!” He objected right away and walked to Grace, whose lips parted in silent surprise.

Figuring out what went wrong, Ore sneered, chewing on his upper lip.

“First, you have no education! Second, you have no family background, third, you commit adultery! Fourthly, all you want is to wreck down this family and tear us apart!” Mr Clifford snarled at Grace.

His words staggered her. Her stomach clenched as a wave of acid welled up in her belly. Grace held on her stomach and then her head. With the inability to think or accept her ill fate. Grace leaned onto the sofa to support her standing.

“I have to make it clear right now, my son loves you very much but now, you cuckolding my son.” he sounded calm and decided. “I will never allow a woman like you to ruin Ore.”

Hadassah shut her eyes to think for a while. These were unnecessary. She thought as her fingers dug painfully into her husband’s arm. “Even if you caught her with someone. Is it enough reason to treat her this way?”

Shina's eyebrows arched skywards. He pinched his like, watching his wife talk. “Why don’t you consider that? Grace is also somebody’s daughter.”

“Really?” Shina flushed with mockery. “Whose daughter is she? Tell me... Because she is not my daughter and she never be!” He finalized and his index finger shot at her. “Hadassah! Don’t interfere when I’m speaking the truth and pointing out facts!” He warned.

The anger in his eyes was visible. Hadassah took shaky breaths as her chest tightened. This was getting out of hand. It was already out of her control.

Grace's eyes were prickling with tears, then pooled in her eyes. Her heavy head bowed as she stood there before the Clifford family, her arms held onto her droopy body. And her mouth clipped to shame, but there was nothing to be shameful about.

“All these accusations are false, sir! I never cheated on Ore, I swear! He’s the only guy I’ve ever dated.”

“What? Are you calling me a list?”

“She just nodded ‘no’ with her confused mind.”

“I’ve seen you kiss another man with my own eyes. There’s no need to explain myself to you. Only God can truly tell your character. I’ve seen and heard enough! I should end this riddle before you chain my son into this bondage you call marriage!”

“Dad...”

“I told you don’t dad me whenever I’m speaking,” Shina warned his son.

Grace's eyes misted over to Shina’s words. She didn't expect her sweet-bitter relationship to turn out like this. It was just five days before their wedding. Her withheld cry turned to soft whimpers. Then the sob grew in her throat. Anguish stung in her eyes, swelled behind her ears, and rolled down in painful tears. Causing her to cry with a slack expression. Grace couldn’t hold any of it back this time. Her eyes shut and her whole body trembled. She was too weak to handle this. Defending herself was also meaningless.

“Look, Ore. This is my final decision and there’s no going back. I’ll hook you up with Tiwi. Your childhood friend is in Canada. I’ve called her parents already and we’ve discussed it. If you love her, you’ll get married to her and if you don’t, I’ll find other girls a thousand times better than Grace. Please understand my intention.”

Dad, Grace is not like any kind of girl. She has a heart of gold and she’s sensible, smart, and intelligent. She will never go after other men, trust me. I can swear with her on my life!"

“Is your life worthless to you, son?”

“Sir, if you don’t want me to marry Ore, just say it but please,  don’t spoil my good name. Her face contorted as she trembled with more pouring tears.

“Good name?” he puffed.

“A shameless girl like you lectures me about a good name? You will decide only a kind boy like Ore. You can convince him to love you, but not me. I won’t bless any union between the two of you. Now, get out of my house and never come back.

Dad, please. I’m begging you in God’s name. Don’t do this to me.

I’m saving your life, Ore. You’ll thank me later when you break out of her spell.

“Dad...” Ore tried convincing his dad, but his words fell on deaf ears. Realising the bitter position Grace was, shattered Ore’s even more. He chewed on his lower lips and watched her cry.

“Don’t worry, Grace. We will sort things out. I’ll come around tonight, so wait for me under the mango tree.”

“What mango tree? I’ll cut it down if I ever see you together again. Get away from my son, and never meet in private or in public! If you have ears, then listen. I will never accept you into this family! And if I see you here again, I will lock you behind the bars!" He made his final decision.

“That’s too harsh, Shina!” Hadassah walked up to her husband to stop him, but he pulled her aside.

“It will bring me so much joy to see her spend the rest of her miserable life and rot in prison if that will prevent her from seeing Ore! Now, out of my house! I don’t want to repeat myself.”

Grace choked back a sob.

Her eyes met with Ore. And for the first time, he watched her cry furiously in exasperation. Tears prickled in his eyes as he watched her cry. In that instant, Grace read the emotion that his eyes conveyed. That he could protect her, but not from his father.

Gazing at Ore’s confused mum and fueling dad crushed her even more. Even one was silent. There was no doubt that they had already made up their minds. Unable to stand their presence any longer, Grace stormed out of his parents' room in ragged sobs.

Grace! Ore called back at her, but the door slammed in their faces. About to run after her. You stop there! Shina ordered in a blast. If you take a step out of this room, I’ll disown you right away. It seems you’ve grown wings now that you’re a graduate. You don’t listen to your parents anymore?" His lips downturn and his nose shot in the air with disgust.

“But I love Grace. We’ve been together for three years. Why the change of heart, Dad?

“I’ll lay a curse on you if you marry her against my wish!”

“Ademi...You’ve taken this too far. What did that poor girl ever do to you?” Hadassah cried to her husband. She always yelled whenever she was angry, but she just begged him to calm him. “What will I tell my friends whom I’ve invited to the wedding?”

“I never asked you to invite your friends!”

“Dad? What exactly is this for?”

“Don’t interrupt!” Shina blabbed at his wife before she said anything. 

Grace couldn’t stop a bike man from taking her home. She walked past the street, wallowing in tears. Then she saw a standing tree and halted a bit. Grace noticed the atmosphere. It was no longer burning. The evening sun settled on its horizon. She knew it was best to go home, to take a proper rest and think things over.

She remembered briefly how Ore made her accept his proposal. “I know our relationship hasn’t been the best. My dad made you suffer a lot, but I assure you, my love for you is pure. I would use all of my strength to cherish and protect you, my dear. I’ll be the best version of myself, for your sake. I won’t make you worry, or feel pained for my sake, I promise.” Ore continued. “It’s me who wants to spend the rest of my life with you, not my parents. They’re happily married in their way and I’m sure with you, I’m the happiest and the best version of myself. Trust me, I will satisfy you, Grace. As long as I have breath in me. I love you.” that assurance she saw in his eyes. Where is it now?

Unable to breathe, Grace held onto her face. Gulping down the surging pain, he swallowed her whole.

Her phone vibrated, and she shivered, hoping it was Ore calling. She gasped for air and reluctantly picked up.

“Hello dear.”

“What’s wrong with your voice?” Ada let out an outcry. “Are you alright? Where on earth is Ore? I’m still waiting at the shopping complex. What on earth is going on?”

“Come home, Ada. We’ll meet at home.” Grace sniffed over the phone as her trembling finger tapped on the end call button. Her vision blurred to the moving vehicles as she trekked down the path. Time froze to Grace's racing heart, and once again, she felt alone in this wicked world.
‘Wouldn’t it be better if I just died that night? What is the point of saving me when all he caused me is pain and more pain? It’s over... There’s no more room for reconciliations.’

***

Author's Note

Okay, so I find more fun writing these days. This means the update might be more frequent than we expected. Good news, right? So, based on your knowledge so far, who is to blame for this misunderstanding? Don't forget to vote, share, and leave a comment on this page. Stay endowed. ✨✨✨