She went on living; her heart beating and refused to die; she kept on walking, talking, breathing, but inside everything was hurting. Staying with Joe further crippled her with pain, she needed room to think, clear her mind and free herself of him. She packed her belongings and left to her parents house, more specifically, her mother's house since her abusive father had passed away years ago.
The house was modest and there was llittle to go by in the form of decoration, but it was home. Nancy's room had hardly changed- there was the same linen bedshets and blue wallpapers. Her mother made sure to keep it clean and fresh for when she showed up.
She sat on the bed, motionless for hours, staring at the walls and her unpacked luggage. Their conversation kept on replaying in her head like a broken record. She needed anesthesia to numb the pain. Her phone was switched off to eradicate pity calls from friends. Her mum and child were all she needed and the very reason preventing her from ending it all.
When her mother spotted Joe walking the drive, she swiftly went downstairs to meet him at the door before he knocked. Mama Gee was ready to kick him out running, but when she looked at his depressed unkempt face, how he appeared to have lost several pounds overnight and how scruffy he looked, she had a change of heart.
"You hurt my daughter so bad, what do you want?" Mama Gee said sternly.
"Please let me explain. It is not what it looks like" said Joe. "The whole thing was a set- up"
Joe went on to explain in detail how it all happened.
"You should have been smarter than that. You leave everything to me. In a week or two everything would be back to normal."
He thanked her and let himself out.
Later in the evening, Mama Gee went upstairs to her daughter's room. She found her curled up on her bed staring at the empty walls.
"Sweetie, can I come inside"
"Please do. I heard voices downstairs. Mum, who were you speaking with"
"It was Joe, your husband. I think you should really give him a chance. His explaination is good", she held Nancy's hand into her own.
"Mum, I think I want to divorce him"
"Divorce?! Divorce is taking is it too far. God is against divorce"
"But mum, what he did hurt so much", Nancy said with tears beginning to well up in the corners of her eyes again.
"Just like the lord forgives us when we sin, so are we to forgive others. Besides he treats you well, loves you unconditionally and does everything you ask of him. This is the first of such. He is a great guy and you would be saying no to your family and son if you decide to end the marriage now. You really think about it", said Nancy's mum.
**
When he stepped on to the podium, the congregation was speaking softly and suddenly it became quiet... strange silence filled the room.
He looked up as if praying and begun:
"A few weeks ago, I displayed a strong lapse in judgement- but let me be clear- nothing happened between me and the woman. To my dearest wife, Nancy, I am sorry for the pain and hurt I have caused you. I pray that my life henceforth would be worthy of the love you so freely give. I am forever grateful for you and our son. I apologise to my church for putting them through an embarrassing situation; I am focused on being the best husband and pastor I can be."
That same sunday he issued a full press statement to set the record straight, and most papers had given him a fair hearing. He also pinned his apology in Instagram and the other social media platforms.
When Nancy got wind of the apology, she knew that she could not hold this over his head any longer. She was not going to let that mistake be the sledgehammer that destroyed their relationship. Ultimately, she decided to forgive him, accept him back and start a whole new fresh chapter.
Pastor Joe was home one afternoon when he head the main gates opened. He went to see who it was and there was his wife. He jumped so fast to where she stood, almost fracturing his legs, but his will gave him a spurt of energy. He did not even allow the houseboy to take the luggage inside, he did it himself.
As they settled down in the living room, Nancy told him that that should be his first and last. If it should happen ever again, even if he brought heaven on earth, she was not going to forgive him.
The next sunday, they renowed their vows.
--------------
A/N: This is the final chapter. Thank you very much to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Stay tuned for my upcoming project.
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°#1 General Fiction in the Bridge Society Awards
°Best Protagonist in The Creator's Choice Awards
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°#4 Brilliant ( June 21)
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Chasing the Fantasy ||Completed
Mystery / Thriller★When reality is kept at bay ★When fantasy takes the domain ★It is an escape?! This is a world where politics, religion and love dance together; where deception takes several forms; and where betrayal is masked as friendship. Joe is captivated at...
