THE BLACK WIDOW

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Mrs. Moses moved in with her daughter to care for her. The incident was hushed, and all that got into the media was that Sonia suffered another miscarriage after falling down the stairs. Mrs. Rogers moved out the next day after the incidence and was shunned by her husband and daughter. Their house became a place of mourning and an eerie silence which communicated more than words could explain filled the air.

Sonia slept her days away and her nights were filled with dread as she stayed awake and thought her life over. Was this what her parents saw and tried to protect her from? Did they see the intensity of Mrs. Rogers' hate and wickedness, and decided to spare her the pain? It has been how long since she got married? Just nearly two years? She looked at her mother, who slept beside her in one of the guest rooms. Yes, a guest room. She had promised to never return to the Masters' bedroom unless her mind was cleared, and she was strong enough to do what she had decided.

She rarely got out of bed, but when she did, it was only to answer nature's calls or just to pace around the room and make a mess of her hair that was falling off due to the constant pulling and breaking by the owner. She decided to break the Camel's back on New Year's Eve. She walked into her bedroom and saw her husband on his knees praying and weeping at the same time. She felt almost nothing at that point except the fire of vengeance burning in her soul. But she also felt pity for Michael for having such a crazy mother.

She sat on the sofa in the room and waited for him to finish his "prayer." About three minutes later, Michael got up and staggered a little upon seeing her. She rolled her eyes and tried to maintain her composure. One of two of the scenarios she painted might happen. One, she would announce that she wants to be separated from him and eventually divorce or remain in the marriage but on the condition to stay away from his mother.

Without wasting any of her time, she laid down her options for him, but the poor mourning father and husband just watched her and bowed his head in confusion.

"You want to leave me? You want to leave me?"

"Michael! Please don't you dare try to make me feel bad! Don't try to make this about you! Don't try to look as if you are suffering because you are not."

Michael gave her a weak smile and replied, 

"I am in pain as much as you are. I lost a child too."

Sonia waved her hands rudely in front of him,

"Point of correction Mr. Rogers, you lost two children! Anyway, I am here to make a decision. The best thing is to go our separate ways."

"But why Sonia?"

Sonia gave him a dirty look and hissed at him. 

"Are you blind or deaf? Is your brain in proper working order? We have lost two babies because of your mother! That cannot be a coincidence! Since I got married to you, it has been such a bloody race! Let us go our separate ways so that we don't cause each other any more pain. I will go back to my father's house and you," She stopped and busted into a nervous laughter.

She got up and walked up to him. She poked his chest with her right index finger and looked him in the eye without flinching. 

"You will go back to your Momma's house and enjoy the rest of your life with your wicked Momma!!!" She turned around, looked at the room and decided to throw in the final blow. He was surely not going to agree to let his sweet mother go, so it was better to make things easier for him.

"I will be moving out tomorrow. I will ask my brother to make the arrangements. If you can't go back to your mother, you are free to stay here with the haunting memories of our marriage."

Michael looked at his wife and he knew she just put up a grand show. This was not his Sonia. She was hiding under a massive layer of pain. What in the world was he to do to bring her back?

"Sonia, I accept. I accept your conditions. I already made arrangements. I was just finalizing some things..."

"What are you accepting?" She asked flatly.

"We are moving out of Nigeria. I want us to start afresh Sonia. Let us get away from everything and everyone. Let us build our family away from those who can't stand our love. Let's move to Ghana."

Sonia could not believe her ears. Was Michael really serious? Which Michael is this? What happened to Momma's sunny baby? Why was he acting too grown up all of a sudden. She scoffed at him but inwardly she knew he was hurting too. Her pain was his pain after all. The children they lost belonged to them both too. She knew he was not eating well and was suffering immensely too. She was not going to allow his acting to get to her. She turned around to leave but Michael was faster and he swiftly pulled her into a back hug. She struggled in his arms but he didn't let go.

"Michael, I will wound you o ehn!" She stepped on his feet and tried to wriggle out of his hold but failed.

"I'm sorry Sonia. I am sorry I couldn't protect you and our children. I am so sorry." He busted into tears. At his declaration, Sonia's heart began to calm down and tears began to escape her eyes. This was their grief; their pain; their season to help and make each other strong.

"I promised for better or worse Sonia. I will not let you go." He freed her from his grip and turned her around to face him.

"God can restore what we have lost. He is a miracle worker. We can even have twins in the long run. Darling, I want us to work on our marriage and focus on each other for now. Let us heal and start afresh please."

"Thank you Michael. Thank you." She said softly and began to cry into his chest. 

He held her in his arms and allowed her to cry more of the pain out. As long as they have each other, their marriage will survive, no matter what comes.

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The New Year found Sonia and Michael asleep in each other's arms, after having comforted each other through the night. Mrs. Moses knew when her daughter didn't return that Michal had calmed the raging storms in the latter's heart. She gave thanks to God and went to church for New Year Service. Meanwhile, Michael made a very long call to his father and told him of his decisions. His mother was not allowed anywhere near him or Sonia and that they would prefer if everyone kept out of touch for a while to allow them to heal.

This really broke Mr. Rogers' heart and he confronted his wife. Instead of feeling remorseful, she went on full attack.

"See what that wicked witch had done! I have lost Michael and now maybe I will lose you too."

Mr. Rogers would have none of it!

"Stop it! You can't blame everyone and everything on your father leaving you and your mother! You have no love or any sense of family in you! You killed two innocent children Julianna! Your grandchildren! Sonia could have died! How could you be so open for the devil to use you in this manner?" He was vividly frustrated.

Just then, he remembered Michael's word,

"Dad, I am not telling you all that Mum did to make you hate her. I just want you to know where to direct your prayers for her. She needs help. The Lord will help me to forgive Mum, but I believe it is in all our best interest if we stay away completely from each other until further notice. If anything bad happens to Sonia, I don't think I will survive another day."

Mr. Rogers sat down on the sofa in their bedroom, with his head bowed.

"Julianna, the game is over. Let things go now. Let it all go before we see the wrath of God."

Mrs. Rogers was fuming and left the room. Sonia was never ever going to have her way.

"Over my dead body will Sonia remain Michael's wife! Never!"

She felt no remorse, only rage against Sonia who has taken control over her son: her only son.