Ene had always believed in the sanctity of marriage, in the idea that love could conquer all. But nothing could have prepared her for the day she found out about Ocholi’s betrayal. They had been married for nearly ten years, their relationship filled with laughter, children, and the simple comforts of family life. But now, everything seemed like a cruel illusion.

It happened on an ordinary Tuesday evening. Ene had been at home, cooking dinner for their three children; Ojone, 7yrs old, Onuche, 10 yrs old and Ameh who just 13 the previous Sunday. She noticed Ocholi's phone buzzing repeatedly. At first, she thought nothing of it. He was a hardworking man, and his phone was constantly ringing with work calls. But something about the frequency of the notifications made her curious.

She picked up the phone and saw a name she didn’t recognise: "Chioma." The messages were flirtatious, full of inside jokes and private moments. As she scrolled, her heart sank with every word, every smiling emoji. Ocholi, her husband, had been having an affair with his colleague. The realisation was too much to bear. She waited until he came home, then confronted him.

“Ocholi,” she asked, her voice trembling, “who is Chioma?”

He froze, and the guilt in his eyes confirmed everything. The truth spilled out, and in that moment, Ene felt like her entire world had shattered. That night, she packed her things and left, taking the kids with her. She moved into a small apartment, far from the house they had once shared, and tried to rebuild her life.

The silence in Ocholi’s house was unbearable. The once vibrant home, filled with Ene’s laughter and the children’s playful voices, now felt like an empty tomb. The scent of her favorite perfume still lingered in the corners, a cruel reminder of what he had lost. Days had passed since Ene walked out, but the guilt weighed heavier with each moment. He had tried calling her, but the only response he received was silence.

But there was one person who still reached out to him: Chioma.

======= To be continued