MY HUSBAND’S SECOND WIFE Episode 15 – Authoress Winnie .B. Onuh

EPISODE FIFTEEN.

MY HUSBAND’S SECOND WIFE

(That you which seek, you shall find in abundance)

Anita didn’t know how she managed to drag her heavy feet out of the room, but somehow, she found herself in the guest room—Winnie’s old room back when she still lived in the main building.

She sank to the floor and wept for herself. She didn’t understand why it hurt this much. She wasn’t supposed to feel this way; after all, she had only married him for his money. But the painful truth was that she had fallen in love with her husband.

And now, Lucy—her own friend—had betrayed her. So, Solomon was the mysterious man funding Lucy’s lavish lifestyle? Written by Authoress Winnie. B. Onuh.

Ah, humans can be so wicked.

But then again, who was she trying to fool?

For a moment, Anita felt a glimpse of the pain Winnie must have endured—losing her baby and watching her husband frolic with another woman. Karma, indeed, is a b*tch, and it had come knocking sooner than she expected. Written by authoress Winnie. B. Onuh

A few minutes later, the door creaked open and Lucy walked in, wearing a proud expression. She approached Anita, who was still seated on the floor, her face blank and her eyes distant.

Lucy offered her a glass of water, but Anita ignored her.

“Come on, girl. Why are you acting up?” Lucy asked, settling comfortably on the bed, not feeling the slightest bit of remorse for what she had done to her best friend.

“How could you be this cruel?” Anita asked, lifting her gaze with a cold, blank expression. “I trusted you, Lucy. I trusted you!” she yelled, her voice trembling with emotion. Written by Authoress Winnie. B. Onuh.

Lucy scoffed. “Oh please. Why are you acting like Solomon belongs to you alone? Didn’t you steal him from someone else too? And let’s not forget—you were doing your own shady stuff behind his back. So chill, okay? He’s a community parcel. Don’t be too stingy to share, huh?” Written by Authoress Winnie. B. Onuh.

Anita stared at her, completely speechless, as if she couldn’t believe the words coming out of Lucy’s mouth.

She sat there in stunned silence for a few moments, then slowly said, “Lucy… are you actually saying this to me? After all these years? We were best friends! How could you go behind my back and sleep with my husband? How could you be this heartless?”

The only response Anita got was a tired yawn from Lucy. Without a shred of remorse, she replied, “Isn’t that why I refused his marriage proposal and chose to stay his side chick? Because we’re friends—and he’s your husband. Well, not really your husband, but the man you stole from an innocent woman.”

Lucy smirked and stood up, staring down at Anita with a condescending expression.

“Listen to me, Anita. I might be cruel, but I’m not on your level. At least I didn’t throw a woman out of her home and take over her man. That man’s wife had just suffered her third miscarriage when you took him away from her. But you didn’t care.

“All you wanted was quick money. So honestly, you should be thanking me—for only sleeping with him and not taking him away from you. Although, truth be told, I’d never want a man like that as my husband. Face it, girl—we’re both wicked. I’m just an apprentice compared to you.”

She turned to walk away, but Anita’s cold voice stopped her in her tracks.

“So, you’re really not going to leave my husband alone, Lucy? Don’t forget—I know who your boyfriend is too. I can expose you to him.”

Lucy slowly turned back around, a sly smile curling her lips as she locked eyes with Anita. “Try it,” she said, her voice laced with venom, “and watch me tell your panel-beater of a husband who really owns that thing growing in your stomach. Try me—and see.”

Anita watched her leave, rage boiling in her veins. She clenched her fists so tightly, she nearly hurt herself.

“When are you planning to leave your ex-husband’s house?” Christian asked Winnie during their dinner date at one of his popular restaurants.

“Why do you ask?” Winnie replied, her tone cautious.

He shrugged casually. “I just want to know if you’re planning to stay there much longer.”

“I don’t know,” Winnie replied after a few moments of silence. “I helped build that house. My money went into it, my strength… I even cooked for the workers. I was always there, making sure everything was going smoothly. And now, all my hard work is just… gone. I guess it’s just hard for me to let go.”

Christian listened quietly as she spoke. When she finished, he nodded, took a sip of water, and said in a calm, soothing tone, “I understand how you feel. But remember—if you hold on too tightly to the past, you’ll never be able to see the future that’s waiting for you. You helped build that house, yes, but with that same strength and experience, you can build your own. Start over. Go back to school, get a degree, chase your dreams. You’re still young, Winnie. Most of your peers aren’t even married yet. And honestly? That’s the sweetest kind of revenge you can give your ex, if you ask me.”

Winnie paused for a moment, then gently set her spoon down and smiled softly. “You make it sound so easy, Mr.”

“That’s because it is,” he replied, flashing her a reassuring smile.

She chuckled softly and took a sip of her water. “I did go to school, but I never finished,” she began in a calm, reflective voice. “I got married at nineteen, and my husband had just been promoted at work. Out of excitement, he paid my tuition fees. During my second semester in year one, he came to pick me up from school and saw me talking with a few of my male coursemates. We were just having a normal conversation—talking about a course and some random stuff—but that day… that was the first time he beat me so badly, I thought I wouldn’t survive.”

Her voice trembled slightly, but she continued.

“He stopped me from continuing school. In his words, I was only there to chase boys, forgetting that I was a married woman. I did so much for that man. I endured so much at his hands. And whenever his mother visited, it got even worse. I’d spend the whole day in the kitchen, cooking different meals for them, yet I wouldn’t even get the chance to eat. Still, I endured it all because I was told that a woman must endure—for peace in her home. That you must love your husband, care for him, feed him well, and everything would be fine.

“I gave my best for nine years, Christian. But he never valued any of it. Instead, he started cheating—openly—with different women. And every night, I kept asking myself: What am I doing wrong? Is something wrong with me? Why does he treat me like this? But even with all that pain, I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I never had the courage.”

She paused, wiping her face with her hand, then let out a soft laugh. “Ah… shit, why am I even crying?” she asked with a shaky chuckle as she accepted the handkerchief Christian handed her.

Christian reached across the table, his voice calm and reassuring. “It was really hard on you, Winnie. But I’m glad you made it out. Now you have a chance to start over—on your own terms. Do everything you’ve always dreamed of. And I’ll be right here, helping you however I can.” Written by Authoress Winnie. B. Onuh.

“Everything you said is true, Christian… but I don’t have the funds for all of that—unless…” Her voice trailed off as something suddenly came to mind.

Christian leaned in slightly, narrowing his eyes. “Did you just remember something?”

Winnie nodded thoughtfully. “Yes. My ex-husband and I set aside some money at the bank when I got pregnant with our first child. It was meant for our future kids. When I lost the baby, I was devastated—nearly slipped into depression. To help me cope, Solomon opened a business for me, but I didn’t really care about it at the time. Written by Authoress Winnie. B. Onuh

“Then I got pregnant again, and we added more money to the account. But after I lost that baby too… I did something—without his knowledge. I went to the bank and changed the signature on the account to mine only.”

Christian’s eyes widened, and a proud grin spread across his face. “That was a smart move. So… how much are we talking about? Is it enough to build a house and get a degree?”

“Uhm… the last time I checked, it was up to a hundred million,” Winnie said, a slow smile creeping onto her face.

Christian raised an eyebrow, nodding in approval. “That’s a lot. Your ex-husband saved up all that money?”

Winnie shook her head. “No. After I changed the signature to mine alone, I started using the account as my personal savings. I put in every kobo I could save from the money Solomon gave me. My plan was to take the money and run—after I gave birth.”

Christian nodded thoughtfully. “Smart move. Then you don’t have time to waste. Tomorrow, go to the bank and withdraw the money. If you’re still serious about building your own house, you’re in luck. I know someone who’s selling his house. He’s a friend of mine, relocating abroad by the end of the month, and he needs the money urgently. You can get the house for a reasonable price.

“And since I’m the one connecting you, you won’t need to pay any agent fee. Just buy me lunch—then we’re good.” He winked, his tone light.

“As for school,” he continued, “get your JAMB form. Join this year’s set and put Lagos State University as your first choice. My father’s best friend is the Vice Chancellor. If I put in a word, he’ll make sure you get in. But you’ll have to study hard—and I can help with that. I know a thing or two myself.”

He leaned in slightly, his tone more serious now. “And your business? I’ll link you up with my trusted business adviser. He’ll help you manage and run your fashion brand while you focus on school.”

Winnie stared at him in amazement, then began to clap slowly. “Wow! Master Christian—you already have everything figured out, huh?”

Christian grinned, clearly enjoying the admiration in her eyes. “I accept your appreciation. And… you’re welcome.”

“So, why are you helping me?” Winnie asked, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. “What do you expect in return?”

Christian smiled at her question, deciding to tease her a little. “Is marriage on the table?”

“No,” Winnie replied immediately, and Christian burst into laughter at how quickly she shot him down.

“Chill out, okay? I was just offering to help you as a friend. Besides, I’m not doing much. The house? You’re paying for it with your own money. School? You’re the one studying, and if your grades aren’t up to par, you might not even get in. My uncle is a smart man who hates malpractice. I’m just putting in a good word so he’ll keep an eye out for you. And as for the business adviser—well, I’ve got plenty of those. I’m just passing one along to you. Of course, you’ll pay him, and his salary isn’t cheap. So, really, I’m not doing all that much to help.” Written by Authoress Winnie . B. Onuh

Christian was still amused by her surprised expression as he explained.

Winnie stared at him for a moment before asking, “What about the tutorials you’re offering? Isn’t that helping?”

Christian’s smile turned mischievous. “Well, that comes with a price too.”

Winnie raised an eyebrow. “What price?”

Christian’s expression shifted, becoming serious in an instant. “Until your new house is bought, decorated to your taste, and ready for you to move in… move in with me. At least it’ll be easier for your tutorials.”

Winnie: “…”

To be continued.

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