---
Written by: Slim Case
Genre: Romance | Suspense | Redemption
---
Once upon a time, in the bustling town of Riverside, lived a man named Benjamin Cole. He was wealthy beyond imagination, owning lands, businesses, and a mansion that sat at the heart of the city like a crown on a king's head. Though he had no royal title, Benjamin ruled Riverside with pride and arrogance. People feared him, admired him, and many despised him in silence.
He lived without restraint—spending recklessly, throwing lavish parties, and silencing anyone who dared to advise him. To Benjamin, those who corrected him were simply jealous of his success. He thought the world revolved around his name and his wealth.
---
A Night That Changed Everything
One humid Friday night, Benjamin slid into his sleek black Mercedes and headed to Club Mirage, his usual hangout. The city lights flickered on wet pavements as music blared in the distance. Just before he got to the club, something—or someone—caught his eye.
There, standing under a flickering streetlamp, was a slender, light-skinned woman, wearing a deep red mini gown and black heels. Her jet-black hair fell elegantly over her shoulders, and her handbag matched her outfit perfectly. When she turned to look at an oncoming car, she smiled. Her dimples appeared like magic, and Benjamin's breath caught in his throat.
He whispered, almost unconsciously,
> "So... love at first sight is real."
Without second-guessing, he pulled up beside her, lowered his tinted window, and said,
> "Hey there. Need a ride?"
The woman blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly. "Are you sure?"
"Completely," Benjamin replied, unlocking the door.
She stepped in gracefully and introduced herself with a soft, almost melodic voice.
> "My name is Delilah."
---
A Queen Walks In
As they drove through the city, Benjamin found himself unable to focus on anything but her. Her presence was calming—so different from the noisy world he had built. When he asked where he could drop her off, Delilah hesitated.
"I don't really have anywhere to go," she admitted, looking out the window.
Benjamin didn't ask questions. His heart had already chosen.
> "Then come home with me," he said.
She looked at him with hesitation, but his sincerity was hard to resist.
At the mansion, he asked his maid to prepare a special meal and brought Delilah a chilled drink. She tried to thank him but fumbled for words. Benjamin waved it off.
> "Just be yourself. You're safe here."
That night, sleep eluded Benjamin. He checked on Delilah a dozen times, wondering how someone he had just met could make him feel this... peaceful.
---
An Unexpected Proposal
The next morning, Benjamin rushed out of bed to see if she was okay. To his surprise, he found Delilah in the living room—cleaning the furniture.
He exploded with anger.
He turned to his maid. "Why would you let her clean anything?!"
Delilah tried to explain. "I offered to help. I'm not used to sitting idle."
But Benjamin wasn't listening. He took her by the hand and pulled her into his private lounge.
> "With a body like yours, doing chores is an insult. You're a queen, Delilah. You're not meant to lift a finger in this house."
Then, without pause, he added,
> "Maybe you should marry me."
She looked stunned. "Marry... you?"
He leaned closer, his voice trembling,
> "From the moment I saw you, I haven't been able to breathe. Every breath, every whisper, echoes your name. I want you, Delilah. Be my wife. Give me children. Let me make you the queen of my world."
He held both her hands, looking deep into her eyes. "Please... don't think. Just say yes."
Delilah lowered her gaze. A tear fell, but it was a tear of disbelief, not sadness.
> "I have no family. No one to call my own. If you're truly offering me a home, then... I accept."
Benjamin hugged her tightly. He was overjoyed. Preparations for their wedding began immediatelythink. Just say yes
---
Years of Bliss and Change
Years passed. Benjamin was no longer the arrogant man he once was. Delilah changed him—softened him. He now greeted neighbors with humility, helped struggling families, and forgave old debts.
The couple had twins—a boy and a girl. Their resemblance to Delilah was striking. The town affectionately called her "Iya Ibeji" (Mother of Twins). Peace and love filled their home.
But just after the twins turned five, Delilah began to change.
She grew weaker, lost weight, and her once-glowing skin grew pale. Benjamin noticed and urged her to eat better, to rest more—but she always smiled and told him not to worry.
"I'll be fine," she'd say.
He believed her. She had never lied before.
---
The Call That Broke Him
One afternoon, while Benjamin was on a business trip in Abuja, his phone rang.
He was in a boardroom. Seeing Delilah's name, he smiled but declined the call. A minute later, it rang again.
This time he picked up.
But the voice on the other end wasn't Delilah's. It was the screaming voice of his daughter.
"Daddy! Mommy... Mommy won't wake up!"
Everything in Benjamin's world stopped.
He bolted out of the room, ran to his car, and drove like a madman. On reaching home, he found Delilah unconscious, barely breathing.
He rushed her to the hospital.
After hours of waiting, a doctor stepped in with a look that spoke before his words did.
"Her kidneys are failing," the doctor said quietly. "She doesn't have much time."
Benjamin collapsed in the chair, his heart in pieces. In the ward, he held her frail hand.
"Delilah… no. You can't leave me. Not now. Who will raise our twins? You promised me forever... You said you loved me!"
Delilah opened her eyes weakly.
"My dear Benjamin," she whispered. "I love you… more than I ever loved anything. But my past… I should have told you."
She coughed weakly, then continued.
> "I was twelve when I started smoking. My parents… they were addicts. My mother stabbed my father during a fight, and I ran away. I lived on the streets. Smoking, surviving. I didn't know I was slowly killing myself. I thought I had escaped my parents' curse—but I carried it within me."
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
> "If I had told you back then, you might've walked away. I didn't want to lose the only peace I had found in this world."
Benjamin could barely speak through his sobs.
> "Why didn't you let me help you?"
"I didn't want your pity. I just wanted your love—and I got that."
She turned to him with a weak smile.
> "Please raise our twins well. Let them grow with love, not pain. That will be my real healing."
Benjamin held her hand tightly, but her grip was already loosening.
And just like that... Delilah was gone
---
A New Beginning
Her funeral was like a royal send-off. The whole town came—many in tears. She had touched lives, healed a man's broken spirit, and changed the course of a family forever.
Benjamin stood at her grave, holding the hands of their children.
> "You gave me two Delilahs. I lost one... but I'll live for the other two."
A few months later, he arranged for the twins to study abroad—far from the shadows of their mother's past, but never far from her legacy.
Benjamin continued to live a quiet, generous life. Every year on Delilah's birthday, he hosted a free medical outreach in her name.
He never remarried.
Because sometimes, one love is enough for a lifetime.
---
A New Beginning
Her funeral was like a royal send-off. The whole town came—many in tears. She had touched lives, healed a man's broken spirit, and changed the course of a family forever.
Benjamin stood at her grave, holding the hands of their children.
> "You gave me two Delilahs. I lost one... but I'll live for the other two."
A few months later, he arranged for the twins to study abroad—far from the shadows of their mother's past, but never far from her legacy.
Benjamin continued to live a quiet, generous life. Every year on Delilah's birthday, he hosted a free medical outreach in her name.
He never remarried.
Because sometimes, one love is enough for a lifetime.
---
The End.
Thanks for reading.