Part 2
On the morning of the wedding, the hall beside the Lekki waterfront glittered like a palace built for social media. Women in lace gowns posed beneath chandeliers, men in embroidered agbadas discussed contracts near the buffet, and bloggers whispered excitedly because Chike Okafor had paid for everything to look like power. At the altar, Chike stood in white and gold, smiling too widely, but his eyes kept returning to the entrance. Adanna noticed. —Who are you waiting for? He adjusted his cap. —No one important. Outside, a black Rolls-Royce stopped at the red carpet. The driver opened the door, and Ngozi stepped out in a deep emerald gown, calm as sunrise after a storm. Beside her walked 3 little boys in cream outfits, each holding one part of her hand or dress. The first guest who recognized her gasped loudly enough for others to turn. Then the murmurs spread like fire in dry grass. —Is that Chike’s former wife? —With children? —Not just children. 3 boys. Chike saw them and his mouth went dry. The choir stopped singing because even the keyboardist had turned to stare. Ngozi did not rush. She did not look angry. She walked slowly down the aisle with her sons, her head high, and sat in the exact front-row seat Chike had reserved to humiliate her. One boy climbed onto her lap and whispered. —Mummy, why is everybody looking at us? Ngozi kissed his forehead. —Because truth has entered the room. Adanna’s smile faded as she reached the altar. She looked from Ngozi to the boys, then to Chike’s frozen face. —Who is that woman? Chike swallowed. —My ex-wife. —And those children? He said nothing. Her voice sharpened. —You told me she could not have children. You told my family you suffered for 7 years because she was barren. Ngozi stood, still holding one son’s hand. The whole hall went silent. —He told everyone that. He told me that too. He made me believe I was cursed. He threw me out at night and said he needed a real woman. Chike whispered. —Ngozi, please. Not here. She looked at him with a calm that hurt worse than shouting. —You chose here. You invited me here. Adanna turned fully toward him now, her veil trembling. —Did you ever test yourself? Chike’s face twisted with shame, but pride still fought inside him. —This is not the time. Adanna stepped away. —It is exactly the time. You wanted a crowd. Now answer in front of them. Did you test yourself? Chike could not speak. The silence answered for him. A wave of shock moved through the hall. Mama Uche, sitting among relatives, lowered her face. Adanna pulled off her engagement ring, placed it on the altar, and dropped her bouquet beside it. —I will not marry a man who destroys women to protect his ego. The hall erupted. Bloggers lifted phones higher. Chike reached for her, but she moved back. —Adanna, don’t disgrace me. Her eyes filled with tears. —You disgraced yourself before I arrived. She walked out, her bridesmaids running after her, while Ngozi gathered her boys. Chike looked at the 3 children again, and for the first time, the truth he had buried stood in front of him breathing, smiling, and calling another man father.
He Invited His Poor Ex-Wife To His Wedding To Disgrace Her, But She Came In A Rolls-Royce + Triplets
