SHE'S THE WOMAN I D!VÔRCED, BUT LAST NIGHT, I HELD HER AGAIN AND I HAVEN'T STOPPED SHAKING SINCE. Written by: Janet Writes EPISODE 4 Six months had passed since my divorce from Amaka. Despite everything, she left me with the car she once gifted me. Women like her are rare...may G0d continue to bless her. Life gradually took a new shape. Toyosi and I were bonding well. Having her back in my life, alongside my daughter Michelle, felt like a second chance I would never trade for anything in this world. With Valentine’s Day just three days away, I suggested Toyosi take Michelle to spend the weekend with her elder sister. I wanted us to have uninterrupted time to celebrate love together. She agreed. Valentine’s Day came, and Toyosi arrived at my apartment looking beautiful and excited. We spent a perfect evening together just the two of us, filled with laughter, food, music, and made love like we had nothing to lose ● But what happened the next morning was something I never expected. Knock knock knock! “You better open this door! I know you can hear me!” I froze. I knew that voice...it was my mother. And she wasn’t alone my elder sister was with her, both screaming at my front door. Toyosi jumped from the bed, wrapping the duvet around her. “Baby, I’m scared,” she whispered, shaking. “You know your family doesn’t want us together.” I sighed. I didn’t want to open that door. But I had to. I stepped outside. ● “Mummy, good morning ma....” “Keep your greetings to yourself!” “I don’t have your time,” she yelled. Brushing past me and storming into my bedroom with fire in her eyes. “Where is that useless girl?” she shouted. “Mummy, please calm down”...I said “Toyosi! Are you mâd?! Or your village people are finally holding your destiny?! You and my son are both AS, and yet you still want to sneak back into his life after the whole family said NO? Are you trying to bûry my son before his time?!” My heart sank. Toyosi stood by the corner, frozen, her hands trembling. “Answer me!” my mum continued. “Can’t you find another man?! When you were pregnant with Michelle, I went from mountain to prayer houses begging G0d to have mercy! He did. “G0d spared you people from bringing an SS child into this world, and now you’re dragging my son back into this madness again?! Toyosi, do you want to kíll him with your stubbornness?!” ● My sister jumped in too, adding fuel to the fire. All my attempts to calm them down failed. They were shouting over me. And Toyosi… she'd had enough. In tears, she zipped up her bag and walked out. My chest tightened as I watched the only woman i genuinely loved leave again. I stood there, broken and helpless. Then I turned to my mother, añger burning in my eyes. “Mummy, this is my life! I am 34 years old...I have the right to make my own decisions!” My elder sister, didn’t hesitate to respond. “A sensible 34-year-old wouldn’t behave like this! In this century, people still want to marry who they aren’t genetically compatible with? You act childish and naive!” I snâpped. “And you, at 38, still unmarried and living in our father’s house, what gives you the right to talk to me like that?” ● The argument escalated so badly that I had to leave. I drove to a hotel to clear my head. That evening, I called Toyosi. Thankfully, she picked up. I begged her to come over. She agreed, and we had a long, heart-to-heart conversation. I thought we were finally on the same page. But I was wrong. Two months later, Toyosi got a training opportunity that required her to travel to Lagos for six months. She left Michelle with her elder sister. Despite the distance, we kept in touch...daily chats, video calls. That was the glue holding us together. ● Meanwhile, things turned around for me at work. My team won a government project, and I finally had the financial stability I needed. I was ready to take care of Toyosi and Michelle the way they deserved. Every two weeks, I visited Michelle at her aunt’s house. But something started to feel off. Three times, I told Toyosi I wanted to catch a flight to Lagos to visit her....and each time, she declined. “Baby, don’t worry,” she’d say. “I’ll be back next month. The training is almost over.” I believed her. Until one evening… ● I was watching the UEFA Champions League when my friend Stanley called. “How far? Where are you? I just saw your Toyosi at a suya spot in Alimosho...with one fine guy.” I sat up, shocked. “Thank you. I’m heading there now...” “You’re always too emotional,” Stanley cut me off. “Calm down. Go to her apartment tomorrow morning and see for yourself. And don’t tell her you’re coming.” I followed his advice. But I barely slept that night. I got to her apartment at exactly 7:30 AM. I knocked twice. When the door opened, Toyosi stood there...shocked to see me. I looked her straight in the eye. “Toyosi, you told me you were still in Lagos for your training.” ● She froze, mouth slightly open. Then she stepped out and gently shut the door behind her. “Can i at least come in?” “You can’t,” she said, looking away. “ But we can talk outside ” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. We walked a few steps from her door and stood by the edge of the veranda. She was speechless. And then… the last thing I expected happened. A tall guy walked out of her apartment wearing a bathrobe. “Babe, hope all is well?” he asked, pulling her gently aside. “Yes babe, that’s just Michelle’s dad,” she said softly. I froze. My legs turned heavy, but I still managed to speak. “Toyosi, can we talk in private, please?” ● The guy stepped back. “I’ll give you two a moment,” he said leaving me and Toyosi outside alone. But not without kissing her pâssioñâtely in front of Me. I looked at her, eyes filled with pain. “Toyosi, what’s happening here? Who is that man? What’s going on?” She looked at me, her face cold but honest. “I’m sorry, Emmanuel. I had to move on. G0d has blessed me with someone who truly loves me. We can’t keep doing this. We’re both AS. It’s selfish to risk the lives of our unborn children just because we love each other.” What happened with Michelle was a miracle, and we may not be that lucky again.” I tried to pull her closer. She stepped back instantly. “Please don’t touch me. You can talk without touching me.” “But babe...” “Call me Toyosi,” she snapped. “Okay, Toyosi. I still love you. We can get married without having more children. There are medical options, surrogátes, even adoptíon...” She laughed bitterly. “You must be joking. I’m done with this illusion called love. Let’s just co-parent peacefully and stop hurting each other.” “But...” “There is no ‘but!’” she screamed. “Your family was right. Michelle was a miracle. I’m not taking that risk again. I’ve moved on.” ● And with that, she shut the door. I stood there, numb. Broken. Days passed. Déprêssioñ swallowed me whole. But guess who helped me through it? The same family I once hâted came through for me. They helped me heal...emotionally and mentally. Stanley also stood by me through it all. My sister would always tease me by saying, "Hey, looks like we're both single again!" I’m still single. Still searching. Deep down I still loved Toyosi but Life didn’t go the way I planned, but I’m learning to follow the path it has laid before me. LOVE CAN CONQUER MANY THINGS, BUT NOT THE BATTLES THAT WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE OURS.” THE END Kindly react for next story 🥰