Chapter 3 Whispers of vengeance

Mrs. Clara sat motionless on the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her eyes were distant, unfocused. She hadn't eaten, hadn't slept. The events of the past few days had torn through her heart like a blade she couldn't pull out.

She had slapped her only daughter.

She had watched her walk away without looking back.

And she didn't even have the strength to regret it.

The faint sound of a car horn outside startled her. A few seconds later, the gate creaked open. A familiar voice called softly, Clara!!

Mrs. Clara's heart skipped. She knew that voice, warm, calm, graceful even when it carried worry.

Elizabeth, Her best friend. The woman she trusted more than anyone else.

And, unknowingly, the woman whose world her daughter had just set on fire.

Mrs. Clara took a deep breath, wiping quickly at her face before standing up. "Come in, Elizabeth," she said, trying to sound composed.

The door opened gently, and Elizabeth walked in elegantly as always, dressed in a soft blue gown that caught the sunlight as she moved. Her perfume filled the air, a delicate scent of lavender and grace.

But her face held a faint crease of concern. Clara she said softly, you didn't come to church yesterday, and you haven't answered my calls. I was worried.

Clara forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Ah, my dear, I've just been tired. You know how life is these days.

Elizabeth frowned slightly and sat beside her, taking her hand. Tired? No, this is more than tired. What's wrong? You look heavy, Clara. What happened?

Clara looked down at their joined hands. Her throat tightened. Words formed and died before they could leave her lips.

How could she say it?

How could she tell her best friend that her daughter the girl Elizabeth had watched grow up had betrayed them both?

She swallowed hard. It's... it's nothing, my sister. Just family issues.

Elizabeth's eyes softened. Is it Joanna?

Clara's heart clenched at the name. Yes. She's been difficult lately. You know how these children are.

Elizabeth smiled faintly. Ah! the same Joanna who used to run to me to complain about your strictness? She'll come around. She's just young.

Clara nodded, her lips trembling. I hope so.

Before Elizabeth could say more, the door to the hallway creaked. Both women turned.

Joanna appeared, barefoot, her silk robe tied loosely around her waist. Her hair was messy but somehow still elegant, her face fresh from sleep.

The faint scent of expensive cologne clung to her robe. Not her own.

Her eyes flicked from her mother to Elizabeth. Then a slow, amused smile curved her lips.

Anuty Elizabeth, Good morning!

Elizabeth's face lit up instantly. Joanna, my darling, You've grown so beautiful. I was just asking after you.

Were you? Joanna asked, leaning against the doorframe, her tone playful. That's sweet.

Clara shifted uncomfortably.

Joanna walked forward and sat on the arm of a chair, crossing her legs with careless grace. How's family Anuty?

We blessed God my darling! How's life treating you? Elizabeth asked.

God is awesome, Joanna replied.

The tone in her voice made Clara stiffen. She glanced sharply at her daughter, silently warning her to behave.

But Joanna only smirked. Actually Aunty, there's something I wanted to ask you.

Ask me? Elizabeth said, intrigued. Of course, go on.

Joanna tilted her head, studying Elizabeth for a long moment the flawless skin, the subtle jewelry, the gentle confidence of a woman who'd always had everything. Then she asked, voice deceptively sweet:

What would you say if we became co-wives?

The room fell silent.

Clara's breath caught. Her eyes flew wide in horror. Joanna!

Elizabeth blinked, confused. Co-wives? What kind of joke is that?

Joanna smiled lazily. No joke, Aunty. I'm just saying, maybe life has a way of connecting people in unexpected ways.

Joanna, that's enough! Clara snapped, her voice shaking.

But Joanna only turned to her mother, her smile widening. Why hide it, Mum? It's not like it'll stay secret for long.

Elizabeth frowned slightly, still not understanding. Hide what?

Clara's lips trembled. Elizabeth, please

I'm pregnant, Joanna interrupted, her voice clear and unashamed.

Elizabeth blinked, stunned. You're what?

Joanna rested a hand casually on her stomach. Pregnant. And before anyone starts preaching, let's just say the father isn't exactly an ordinary man.

Clara's voice broke. Joanna, stop this madness

But Joanna wasn't listening. She turned to Elizabeth, eyes glinting with cruel mischief. You might know him, actually. Mr. Leo Wong.

The air left the room.

Elizabeth's face went still no movement, no sound, just a sharp intake of breath. The color drained from her cheeks as her mind tried to process what she had just heard.

Clara covered her face with her hands, tears spilling down uncontrollably. Oh, God... forgive me.

The silence stretched painfully, every second heavier than the last.

Then, from the doorway, another voice cut through the tension low, trembling, disbelieving.

What did you just say?

All three women turned.

Jay stood frozen at the entrance, his shirt slightly wrinkled, his eyes wide in shock. His face was pale, almost ghostly.

He looked at Joanna as though he was seeing a stranger.

Jay!! Mrs. Clara gasped.

He stepped forward slowly, his voice barely a whisper. Joanna... please tell me you didn't mean that.

Joanna blinked, startled by his sudden presence.

You're pregnant? he asked, his tone trembling between hope and fear. Tell me it's mine, Joanna. Tell me

Her lips parted, but no sound came.

And in that silence, everything in his face changed. He understood.

He stumbled back a step, his breath catching. Oh my God. No...

Elizabeth sat frozen, her eyes glassy, still staring at Joanna as though she were an illusion that had gone terribly wrong.

Jay's voice rose, ragged now. You were supposed to be my fiancée! You said you loved me! Crying....

Joanna's throat tightened. The defiance in her eyes flickered, but only for a moment. Jay, I didn't plan it, she said softly. It just happened.

He laughed bitterly. It just happened? With her husband? He pointed toward Elizabeth, whose tears now fell silently down her face.

Clara buried her face in her hands. Lord have mercy

Jay's eyes were red, burning with heartbreak. Joanna, I gave you everything I had. I waited for you. I believed in you. And this is what I get?

She looked at him helplessly, every word she might have said dying on her tongue.

He shook his head slowly. You know what hurts the most? I would've forgiven you for anything. But not this. Not him.

He turned toward the door, his steps unsteady.

The door slammed behind him, the sound echoing through the small house like a final verdict.

Joanna stood trembling, staring at the closed door. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, but no tears came. Only silence.

Elizabeth stood at last, her face pale but composed. She turned to Clara, her voice cold but steady. You should have told me.

Clara wept harder. I couldn't, Elizabeth. I couldn't break your heart.

Elizabeth looked at Joanna one last time long, hard, unreadable. "Congratulations," she said quietly. You've destroyed more than you can ever rebuild.

Then she left, her heels clicking against the floor the sound sharp, deliberate, final.

When the door closed, Clara collapsed into the couch, sobbing uncontrollably. Joanna stood in the middle of the room, numb, staring at the space Elizabeth had just occupied.

For the first time, the weight of her choices began to sink in.

She'd wanted power, wealth, freedom.

But what she had instead was silence thick, suffocating silence and the knowledge that she had broken three hearts in one morning.

Outside, Elizabeth's car pulled away slowly from the compound. Her face was calm, but inside her, something dark began to stir a quiet, cold resolve that would one day return to rewrite every wrong.