1: The News Before The News

Anna

He never showed up, after all these years of being married to Marcus Sow, he chose today of all days to disappoint me.

My fibroid symptoms had progressed over the years and after several consultations, I was told that I could never conceive or have my own child.

Marcus had been supportive, and had become my safe space over the years. He always escorted me to these scary doctor's appointments where I had to be poked by needles, holding my hands and whispering words of encouragement to me.

“Wait a minute, I see something.” The doctor's face turned into that of concern as she moved the scanned monitor below my pelvis.

“Is that?” I gasped at the bean size image on the screen, staring at it like I was stuck in an unrealistic fog somewhere in my head.

“This is rare, I am scientifically speechless right now.” The doctor said, her words filling me with so much joy. “Congratulations, Mrs. Sow, you are pregnant.”

“What happens to the fibroid, will it affect my baby?”

My joy was temporarily short-lived as my mind went on a whirlwind of emotions thinking of the possibilities that the fibroid could end up causing me a miscarriage.

“You will be fine all through the journey, you just need to take your meds and get plenty of rest.” She assured, putting my mind at ease.

I was halfway out of the hospital when my phone chimed with a newsletter from the company's group chat.

At first, I was livid with rage on reading the caption, and then my head banged, and my heart twisted into a painful tight knot.

It was all the emotions hitting me at once and sending me into a dark hole of despair.

I read the caption again, just to be sure, “ Marcus Sow and his mystery woman, who could she be?”

Don't get me started on the comment section, I was trolled by several haters at the company who posted anonymously and one of the comments struck me deep in my guts.

“Finally, Mr. Sow leaves the barren misfortune.”

I could not stop the few tears that fell on my cheeks as I tried to gather myself together.

I drove straight to the office and as the co-founder of Everything Sow, my office was on the same floor as that of my husband.

I managed to get to my office, without indulging in the murmurs and silent whispers from those working in the company.

The only person who had an explanation for the rumors flying around was Marcus, and his office was my next stop.

“Where is he?” My voice was calm, yet cold, and direct while I spoke to his secretary.

“I'm sorry, Mrs. Sow, but Mr. Marcus left for a business meeting an hour ago.” She responded.

The noise inside his office gave her white lie away and without asking a second time, I stormed into his work space amidst his secretary's attempt to stop me.

“Marcus, we need to talk.” I froze on the spot when I found him with female company. The lady in question had her hair packed in a bun and wore a ring similar to that on my nuptial finger.

Indeed, the rumors were true, and I was the fool. Marcus had his hands on the woman's waist, his eyes shining with love for her.

The intensity in his gaze was one that I had never experienced before, and a part of me burnt with rightful jealousy.

“Anna, I want you to meet Monalisse,” At the mention of her name, I instantly knew who she was.

Monalisse was the one that got away. The woman who chose her dreams over sticking with Marcus when he had nothing and was just an errand boy, selling newspapers back in college.

I on the other hand, gave up my life, abandoned my dreams of becoming the CEO of my father's company and chose to build with him.

Now, five years down the line, Monalisse shows up, and Marcus is back to being a puppet on her strings.

“I know who you are, but the question here should be, do you know who I am?”

I tried to sound casual and maintain an unfazed front, as I towered above the petite figure of Monalisse, staring at her from my height.

Monalisse smiled at me sweetly and then proceeded to hold my hand.

“Words fail me to thank you for standing by Marcus when I was being a spoiled brat. From now on, I promise to do better and make up for the years wasted.”

I scoffed at her and then looked at Marcus for him to say something, but he was mute, like he had suddenly lost his free will to speak.

“Marcus, I have good news, which I would like to share with you in private.” I eyed the red - haired woman who appeared to have made herself comfortable and then urged her with my eyes to leave.

She sent me a sour look before, turning to look at Marcus, her eyes shaking like she was about to cry.

“I'll leave if Marcus wants me to.” She pretended to take a step towards the door when Marcus stopped her in her tracks.

“You can stay, Mona, I insist.”

My appetite and eagerness to divulge the good news to Marcus disappeared with him choosing her over me.

“Tell me, what is this good news?” He asked me, while pulling Monalisse to come stand in front of him.

“It's nothing, never mind.”

At this point, I just needed a little nudge to let the water work out and the smug look on Monalisse’s face only worsened my heightened feelings.

I thought that today would be good, and after sharing the news of our miracle baby, Marcus and I would clock in early and head out to celebrate.

Little did I expect to see his first love, coming back into his life and ruining my years of marital bliss.

“There is something that I need to tell you.”

Marcus's voice was gentle and his eyes warm and cautious.

I wanted to scold him, stop him from speaking, but in real life, I stood still, waiting for him to speak.

“I want a divorce.”