Silent Wounds(on hold)

chapter 9| I didn't sign up for this

Ntsiki

Being alone made me think-a lot. Every little detail I overheard earlier echoed in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn't shake off. Aunt Thandi... I still couldn't believe what I'd heard. The woman who was supposed to take care of me after my parents' death, the one who raised me... Could she really be capable of something so terrible?

The thought of her killing my parents for money seemed unreal, too twisted to accept. Maybe there was more to it. There had to be. I needed to know the truth, the whole truth. How much had my parents left me? What was my inheritance? All I knew was that my father had different businesses. They all generated money, but I had no idea how much or where it was going.

I couldn't just sit here and let this eat me alive. I had to get answers. I needed to find out how much Aunt Thandi had taken, and I needed to understand why she was so desperate to control everything. The more I thought about it, the more determined I became. This wasn't just about the money-this was about my family. I owed it to my parents, to my brother, to uncover the truth.

I'd made up my mind. I was going to pack my bags and head to Johannesburg. That's where I would find answers. But I couldn't do it alone. I needed support, and as much as Vusi had been distant, I needed him with me for this. He was the only one I could rely on, at least for now.

Tomorrow, I would ask him to come with me. I needed him to stand by my side as I confronted Aunt Thandi, as I uncovered everything she was hiding. Whether he understood or not, I needed to feel like I wasn't alone in this battle. But for tonight, all I could do was lie in bed, stare at the ceiling, and wait for sleep to come, while my husband was out, partying as if nothing had changed.

As tired as I was, sleep wouldn't come easily. Too many thoughts swirling in my head. Too many questions unanswered. But I had a plan now. Tomorrow, I would begin my journey to find out the truth.

---

When Vusi came back the next morning, I could smell the alcohol on him before he even reached me. The stench was overpowering, making my stomach turn. He had always been sober, never drinking much, but now, after our wedding, he seemed to have turned into someone else.

"Hey, baby," he slurred, stumbling slightly as he approached me. He tried to kiss me, but I turned my face, pulling away from him.

He frowned and grabbed my wrist, harder than usual. "What's wrong with you? Didn't you miss me, baby?"

"Vusi, let me go," I said quietly, not wanting to argue, but my heart was breaking with each word he spoke.

He stared at me for a moment, then let go of my wrist, brushing past me and heading for the bedroom. A few moments later, I heard him shout my name. "Nontsikelelo! Are you leaving me?"

I knew he must've seen the suitcase I'd left on the bed, half-packed with clothes. I followed him into the room, feeling drained.

"Vusi, not everything is about you," I muttered, standing in the doorway.

"Not everything is about me?" he echoed angrily. "Wow, Ntsiki, I took you from being a maid and married you, and this is what I get? I thought you'd be grateful!"

His words cut deep, but I bit my lip, trying not to show how much they hurt. I just wanted to talk, to understand what was going on between us. This wasn't how I imagined starting our life together.

"Vusi, please. Go shower, I'll make us some breakfast, and we can talk," I offered, hoping to calm him down.

He glared at me, his jaw clenched. "So now you want to act like the boss? Like you're in charge?"