The Darkest side of love – Episode 4

Jacinta had the conversation with Roy. He wasn’t happy about it. She invited the men Mercy liked home to dinner so she could get to know them but Roy will be grumpy all through the dinner which made Mercy withdrawn. It created tension in the home. Things he never complained about became serious issues for him.

“Why are you just coming back?”

“But Roy I called you to inform you I would be coming home a bit late. Why are you asking me again?”

“What were you doing in the car? Why did it take you so long to come down from the car? Were you talking to someone?”

“Why are you asking all these questions? This has always been my normal routine.”

“You have a baby and you stay out all day without caring for her. If not for Mercy, this baby would have suffered.”

The attack on her was too much that she was becoming miserable. She had asked him several times what the problem was but he had no response. What broke the camel’s back was his refusal to have sex with her. She was very hurt at his denial of her conjugal rights. She complained to Mercy.

“Mercy, your brother has been ill-treating me. I don’t know what I did wrong.”

“I know. I observed it. Should I advise you? Don’t mention setting up a date for me. He feels it is your mother orchestrating it. I can date secretly. Once he is ready, we will take it from there. In the meantime, apologize to him.”

She did just that. She asked for his forgiveness and stopped bringing guys home to meet Mercy. After a while, she asked her husband a crucial question.

“Roy love, is it that you don’t want Mercy to get married?”

“Why would you say so? We are the only two left in the family and we are close. She suffered a heartbreak that almost shattered her. She was unstable for a long while after that. I don’t want to see a repeat of that.”

“Do you want her to live here forever?”

“What is wrong with that?”

“Won’t she want someone to keep her company? Some she can call her own? Someone, to love her? She will suffer heartbreaks but she can always bounce and with time meet the right man.”

“That’s what I don’t want; she meeting with different men. She is very beautiful and most men can see this clearly. They would just want to use her and dump her. I don’t want that.”

“You are underestimating Mercy. She can hold her own. She can’t be tied to your apron for life. After all, you didn’t use me and dump me.”

Mercy desired a change. She plotted with Jacinta. They went for functions together most times without Roy and she used that opportunity to go on dates. She found someone she liked but they kept it a secret.

When her husband found out, all hell was let loose. Jacinta couldn’t believe her husband could get that angry. He almost beat up his sister. “What brother doesn’t want his sister to get married?” Jacinta wondered. It was absurd.

Roy relocated from their bedroom to the guestroom all because she defied him just to make his sister happy. All her pleas found on deaf ears. She didn’t know what to do. She was confused to the extent Roy was going to punish both of them. Mercy was not allowed out of the house. He locked her in her room for three days. Why would a brother do that to his sister?

In her state of confusion, she contacted her mother in law who was based in the UK. She explained everything to her and sought her intervention for Roy to forgive them.

“My daughter, take my advice; beg your husband and stay away from Mercy if you love yourself.”

“What are you saying Ma?”

“You heard me loud and clear. A word is enough for the wise.”

Now she had become suspicious and uncomfortable. She had to resolve issues between Roy and herself. She went into his room, went on her knees and begged and begged and begged and pledged never to defy him again. She refused to stand up until he forgives her. Eventually, he forgave her and gradually everything went back to status quo.

Roy wanted her to get pregnant again. She had two children (male and female) in a space of two years. When she had her second child, a girl, her husband was so excited. From the airport, he presented her with an SUV. In addition, he bought a house in her name. Jacinta was excited about her gifts and also struggled to get back into shape. The girls at the airport and those in America couldn’t get their eyes off her man. Her joy was that her man could not be tempted at all. She loved showing him off on social media. Everyone hailed her and called her lucky. She enjoyed bragging about her life, all its comfort and the love she enjoyed from her family. It was like a fairy tale, too good to be true. She was living the life and was very happy.

The baby, Mirabel was so cute; she looked like her aunt. Beautiful gifts flooded in for her. He kept ordering things from all over the world for her. He gladly attended to her when they came to visit in America (where she had her children). Roy had employed a professional nanny to care for the baby when they got back. The nanny was to replace her mother. Roy said she didn’t want her in his house. It was painful but Jacinta had to accept. Mirabel was surrounded by love and affection from everyone including her brother. The nanny did a good job and Jacinta’s heart was at rest when she was to resume work.

A private number called Jacinta.

“Am I on to Jacinta?”

“Yes, please. Who am I speaking with?”

“Don’t bother about that. I am calling to advise you. Something strange is happening in your house when you leave for work. It would be better you see this for yourself. Install cameras in all the rooms in the house and watch what happens.”

“Who are you and what are you talking about?”

“Do what I have advised you and watch what happens. It will shock you to your bone marrow. Don’t say I didn’t tell you.” There was a brief silence and then he said “Don’t mention this to anyone. Not even your husband. It is in your best interest.”

Hang on for the Next Episode……