A WEB OF DECEIT ✔️

chapter 57

Nkosikhona

I pulled up to the house, still trying to shake off the unsettling feeling that had been sitting in my gut all day. I wasn't sure what it was-stress, fatigue, maybe everything catching up with me-but something just didn't feel right.

As I walked through the front door, I was greeted by laughter and splashing sounds coming from the pool. Sizakele and her kids-*my future in-laws*-were having the time of their lives, swimming and lounging around like they didn't have a care in the world.

But something caught my eye. Celani was wearing one of Thelani's swimsuits, and Sizakele... she was in Thelani's shorts. They had gone through our things. *My things.* The audacity hit me like a wave.

I stormed to the poolside, clenching my fists. "What the hell are you doing?" I shouted, trying to keep my composure.

Celani, smiling as if nothing was wrong, swam up to the edge of the pool and offered, "Nkosikhona, do you want a drink? I can get you one."

I waved her off, frustrated beyond words. She came back with a drink in hand, smiling like she hadn't just crossed a serious line.

"Maybe this will make you relax "I took the glass from her just to get her to leave me alone, gulping it down in one shot.

Not even five minutes passed before I started to feel dizzy, like the world was slowly tilting on its axis. My vision blurred, and my legs felt like jelly.

What the hell?

I stumbled forward, grasping for something-anything-but the next thing I knew, the ground came rushing up to meet me. My body went limp. I heard faint laughter as my head hit the cold tiles of the kitchen floor. Then, everything went black.

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Thelani

I stared out the hospital window, frustration bubbling in my chest. Nkosikhona had said he would come to pick me up, but here I was, still waiting. I glanced at my phone for what felt like the hundredth time-no missed calls, no texts. What was going on? Why wasn't he answering me?

After another hour of waiting, I finally gave up. I called an Uber to take me home, all the while fuming.Nkosikhona's sudden disappearance was making me anxious. By the time I reached the house, I was more than just angry-I was worried.

I stepped out of the car and immediately felt something was off. The front door was open.

I walked inside, calling out, "Nkosi?" No answer.

I stepped further into the house, and that's when the sinking feeling in my stomach turned into full-blown panic. The house... was empty. The furniture, the decorations, everything-gone.

I moved from room to room, my pulse racing. "Sizakele? Celani? Msizi?!" No one. The place was stripped bare. The living room was cold and hollow, the echoes of my voice bouncing off the walls.

A chill ran down my spine, and I rushed into the kitchen. The sight that met me was something out of a nightmare.

Nkosikhona-my Nkosi-was lying on the floor. Completely naked.

"Oh my God!" I gasped, running to him. His skin was pale, his body limp. I knelt beside him, shaking him, trying to wake him up.

"Nkosikhona, please! Wake up!" My voice cracked, fear gripping me so tight I could barely breathe.

He didn't move. I could barely feel his pulse. My hands were shaking as I fumbled for my phone, dialing emergency services with trembling fingers.

"Please, I need help! My fiancé is unconscious, he's not waking up!" My words came out in a frantic rush as tears streamed down my face.