Tade held Anwana's trembling hands, his thumbs brushing over her knuckles as though it were the last time he'd ever touch her. His eyes lingered on her face, memorizing every detail, as if he feared she would vanish the moment he blinked.
His voice came out low, heavy with exhaustion.
"Anwana… I want to give you space. Space to breathe. Space to think. Think of how much you want to punish me… how you want to do it. I'll accept anything, anything you decide." His lips quivered. "But please… just remember one thing. I love you. No matter where this leads, no matter what you decide tomorrow or next year… I'll always love you."
Her eyes blurred with tears, her lips parted as though to protest, but no words came. The weight of his voice pressed against her chest.
He turned away quickly, not trusting himself to hold her gaze another second. "Driver… take her home. Make sure she gets inside safely."
Anwana hesitated, her hand half-raised, wanting to stop him, wanting to beg him not to leave her standing there. But the emptiness in his eyes silenced her. She walked slowly to the car, tears spilling freely, and as the door shut, her heart felt as though it cracked clean in two.
Tade stood still until the tail lights faded into the night. Only then did he allow his shoulders to collapse, his chest heaving in silence.
***
The cemetery was deserted, except for the roar of the rain pelting the earth in sheets. Tade stood alone, drenched to the skin, his shoes sinking into the mud. His father's name was etched in bold letters on the cold marble.
His knees buckled, and he fell into the mud, pressing both hands against the stone as if it could answer him. His sobs broke through the storm.
"Dad… why?" His voice cracked, carried away by the rain. "Why did you take her from me? Why would you make that decision? You knew I was weak. You knew I was drowning. She was the only peace I had… and you snatched her away!"
He hit his fist against the marble, the pain grounding him only for a moment. His tears mixed with the rain until he couldn't tell the difference.
"Yes, I was depressed then! I was empty! I was about to lose the only person I held onto the most. How did you expect me to survive that?!"
His forehead pressed against the stone, his voice falling into a whisper.
"I've grown, Dad. I've worked, I've fought. The company is bigger than it's ever been. I've carried your name, I've honored your legacy… but none of it matters without her. None of it means anything if I can't have peace here" He thumped his chest. " in my heart."
The rain soaked through his clothes until he was shivering, but he refused to move. For more than an hour, he sat slumped against the grave, his breath fogging the cold night air. Finally, numb and broken, he rose and walked out of the cemetery, flagging down a cab. He didn't even glance at the driver waiting for him.
***
The front door creaked open. Tade stepped inside, dripping wet, his shirt plastered to his skin. His hair clung to his forehead, water dripping onto the marble floor.
His mother gasped, rushing toward him. "Tade! My son! Why didn't you come back with the driver? Look at you, you're soaked through!"
But the look in his eyes froze her in her tracks. His aunt sat upright, Amara shifting nervously, sensing a storm about to break.
Tade threw his jacket to the floor, his voice calm but razor-sharp.
"Why, Mother? Why did you hate her so much? Why did you destroy the only happiness I had?"
She blinked rapidly, clutching her wrapper. "What are you saying? Tade, I don't understand."
His voice thundered, echoing through the hall.
"Anwana was raped!" He jabbed a finger toward her. "Raped! And all I can think of is you,
your hatred for her. Was it you, Mother? Did you send them? Did you do this?"
"Jesus! God forbid!" she cried, her hands trembling. Tears spilled down her cheeks. "Yes, I never liked her. I admit it! But to do such wickedness? Never! Tade, I am your mother!"
He laughed bitterly, a sound empty of joy. "Mother? Then tell me… how did my father ever fall in love with you? How did he see you as a woman worthy of his name? Because all I see is bitterness. All I see is selfishness!"
Her hand flew to her chest as though struck by lightning. She staggered backward, collapsing into the sofa, her sobs uncontrollable.
"I did everything for you!" she wailed. "I starved, I fought, I built with your father so you would never suffer. Everything I ever did was for you! That's why I brought Aisha. I thought her father's influence would protect you. I thought you'd never face what we faced! But rape? God forbid! On your father's grave, I swear, I would never!"
Her sobs shook her entire frame, her breaths coming in gasps. Suddenly, she clutched her chest, her body convulsing before she collapsed completely.
"Mum!" Amara screamed. His aunt rushed forward, shaking her violently. "Tade! She's fainted!"
For the first time in years, Tade froze, panic tearing into him. "Mum! Mum, no! Somebody call the driver , no, call the ambulance!"
***
The beeping of monitors filled the hospital ward. His mother lay still, her face pale against the white pillows. For two days, she drifted in and out of consciousness, while Tade sat rooted by her bedside, his eyes swollen from sleepless nights. His aunt prayed softly, Amara crying quietly in the corner.
When her eyelids finally fluttered open, Tade sprang forward, grasping her hand tightly. Tears poured down his face as his voice cracked.
"Mum, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I was harsh. I was blinded by pain."
Her fingers curled weakly around his. Her lips trembled as she spoke.
"Tade… I never knew. Yes, your father and I… we begged her to leave you. We thought we were protecting you. But I never knew she was raped. If I had known…" Her voice broke. "I would have fought for her. I may not have liked her, but I would never wish that on her. Never."
His chest caved as he wept, his forehead pressed against her hand. "I'm sorry, Mum. I'm so sorry…"
The heart monitor beeped steadily, her weak grip holding onto him and that was where the night ended.
Tade walked out of the ward for some fresh air ,
At that moment, Tade thought he just reconciled with his mum, the nurse walked in.
"Mr Abebanjo, we need t
o talk about your mothers test results, it's very important at the moment