Nneka stayed in her shop long after Amaka left.
She didn't have the strength to reopen the door for customers.
Her chest felt tight, her eyes felt swollen, and her heart felt like it was slowly folding into itself.
She replayed Amaka's words over and over:
"Men cheat. It's normal."
"Don't embarrass yourself."
"You want his property."
She had never wanted anything from Olu except love and peace.
Yet somehow, she had become the villain in the story he told his family.
How did everything twist so badly?
⸻
The Woman in the Red Dress
Later that evening, Nneka closed her shop earlier than usual and walked home.
Her steps were slow and heavy.
As she approached the street leading to their house, she noticed a woman standing close to the gate — slim, light-skinned, wearing a red dress that hugged her body too tightly.
She was talking loudly on the phone:
"Yes now… he said he will come tonight. Oga don tire for him wife. He wants better life."
Nneka's feet stopped.
Her heart dropped.
The woman in red turned around slightly.
And Nneka recognized her from the description:
Ada.
The same Ada who had been texting Olu.
The same Ada the older woman described.
The same Ada from the bar.
Ada looked at Nneka briefly, eyeing her from head to toe, then hissed and kept talking on the phone.
Nneka felt her throat tighten.
This woman was standing near her home… waiting for her husband.
The audacity cut deep.
But Nneka walked past quietly and entered the compound without saying a word.
She didn't have the strength for a confrontation.
Not yet.
⸻
The Conversation She Never Expected
Inside the house, Olu was relaxing on the sofa, drinking something in a glass.
He looked up casually.
"You're back."
"Yes," she replied, her voice faint.
He frowned.
"What's wrong with you again?"
Again.
As if pain was something she chose.
Nneka stood in front of him — trembling slightly, but holding herself together.
"Olu… your sister came to my shop today."
He rolled his eyes dramatically.
"What did she go and do there?"
"She said you told them everything," Nneka whispered. "You told them I'm trying to control you… that I want your property…"
Olu's expression shifted — not guilty, but annoyed.
"So what if I did?" he said. "I had to explain why you're being dramatic over nothing."
Nneka's mouth opened, but no words came out.
Nothing?
He called this nothing?
Cheating?
Lying?
Insults?
Shaming her to his family?
She took a deep breath.
"I saw Ada today," she said softly.
Olu went completely still.
For the first time, he looked worried.
"Where?" he asked quickly.
"Near our gate," she whispered. "Talking on the phone… saying you will meet her tonight."
Olu stood up immediately.
"What were you doing listening to people?" he barked.
She flinched.
"Olu, she was standing right there—"
"You're becoming paranoid!" he shouted.
Her eyes filled with tears, but she forced them back.
"Are you going to meet her?" she asked.
Olu grabbed his keys from the table.
"I don't have time for your nonsense tonight."
And he walked out.
Just like that.
Left her standing in the middle of the living room alone.
⸻
The Breaking Heart
The moment the door slammed shut, Nneka collapsed into the chair.
Her strength was gone.
Her hope was gone.
Her heart felt like it was crumbling.
She covered her face with her hands and finally let the tears fall freely.
Not the quiet tears she had cried for nights.
These tears came from deep inside — from the place where trust used to live.
The clock ticked loudly on the wall.
The room felt too big.
The silence felt too heavy.
She whispered through sobs:
"God… I'm losing him.
I'm losing myself…"
⸻
The Call That Confirmed Everything
Around 11 p.m., her phone rang.
She didn't want to pick it, but the name on the screen made her pause:
Ngozi
She wiped her tears and answered.
"Nneka… are you alone?" Ngozi asked gently.
"Yes…" she whispered.
Ngozi sighed heavily.
"I don't know how to say this, but… I just saw Olu at Topaz Bar again. With the same girl. Ada."
Nneka felt her heart drop completely.
"He wasn't even hiding," Ngozi added. "They were holding hands… laughing… like a couple."
Nneka closed her eyes, and her tears fell again.
Her worst fears weren't just whispers anymore.
They were happening.
Right now.
In front of people who knew them.
"Nneka… I'm so sorry," Ngozi whispered.
The line went silent.
And the silence broke the last piece of her heart.
End of Chapter 6