EUNICE’S POV
I was genuinely surprised when David told me to meet him at the restaurant. I wasn’t told it was a group dinner or rather, a family show. And definitely not one where I’d be the outsider. He didn’t say much in the message. Just the name of the place, time, and “See you there.” No “Hey babe,” no “Looking forward to seeing you.” Still, I came. Maybe because I was still holding onto the idea that I was his wife… or maybe I just didn’t want to admit I felt forgotten. As I walked into the restaurant, I immediately spotted them. David. His mother, Glenda. And of all people… Lizzy, his secretary. The three of them were already seated, laughing like old friends, glasses raised, plates half-touched. I hesitated for a second, feeling like I had just walked into someone else’s celebration. David looked up and nodded casually. “Oh… Eunice, you’re here.” I gave a small smile and joined the table, slipping into the empty seat beside Glenda. She didn’t greet me. Not even a nod. “You’re one of the prettiest ladies I’ve ever met,” Glenda said to Lizzy with a warm smile. Her voice was full of admiration. “Aw, thank you, ma,” Lizzy responded, clearly flattered. “You’re very right,” David added, sipping his drink. “I’ve been lucky to meet a wonderful soul like her.” My heart sank a little. Was he talking about his secretary? Right in front of me? Lizzy smiled shyly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, obviously enjoying the attention. Glenda reached over and fondly played with Lizzy’s hair, laughing softly. Lizzy blushed like a schoolgirl. They were all so comfortable with each other like I was the outsider on their own private island. David was also lost in their conversation, eyes twinkling at Lizzy’s every word. The way he looked at her… it wasn’t just work. I sat quietly, trying to blend into the background while they enjoyed their meal. No one asked how my day went. No one noticed I hadn’t said a word. The waiter returned, offering a bottle of expensive wine. Everyone took a glass. I declined. “None for me,” I said quietly. “I’ll have hot coffee, please.” David raised a brow but didn’t say anything. Lizzy gave a small snort under her breath. Their laughter bubbled over again as Glenda started telling stories from a recent charity gala they attended. Apparently, Lizzy had been there too. Funny, I didn’t even know they went. “It was such a beautiful event,” Lizzy said. “David looked so handsome in that navy suit. I think everyone’s head turned when he walked in.” “Of course,” Glenda beamed. “He gets it from his father.” They all laughed. I sat there, numb, my fingers resting on the edge of my plate. I wasn’t in their picture, not even in the frame. I tried my best not to let the bitterness rise. I had promised myself I wouldn’t break down not in front of them. I placed a hand on my stomach. The food sat untouched. Does anyone even notice? Do they care that I’m not drinking, not laughing, not present? I excused myself politely. “I’ll be using the restroom.” No one said a word. Just silent glances, like they were relieved I was leaving the table. Lizzy adjusted her napkin and turned back to David like I hadn’t even spoken. I walked down the corridor, my steps slow. My chest felt tight, and my knees were slightly trembling. My mind was racing. Why am I even here? Why did he bring me? Was it to humiliate me? A sharp pain ran through my knees as I stumbled slightly on the marble floor, catching myself on the wall. “Get it together, Eunice,” I muttered. “Don’t let them break you.” My mind flashed back to the hospital a few days ago. The ultrasound, the doctor’s calm face turning to surprise. “Congratulations, Mrs. Eunice. You’re three weeks pregnant,” he had said with a warm smile. I sat there, frozen. “You don’t seem happy,” he’d added gently. “I… I don’t know if I should keep it.” He took off his glasses and stared at me like I was a ghost. “Why?” he asked quietly. “I don’t know how my husband will react. I don’t think he wants anything to do with me anymore.” “You have to let him know, Eunice. You never know he might surprise you.” But I knew better. David didn’t have room for me in his life anymore. Memories rushed in. Moments where David used to look at me like I mattered. When Glenda used to call to check on me. When Lizzy was just a secretary and not the center of every conversation. Now, everything had shifted, and I was the one fading out. I washed my hands and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were tired. My lips were tight. I breathed in deeply and walked back to the table. The coffee had arrived. I took a seat quietly, preparing to take a sip. Just then, Lizzy stood, holding her wine glass a bit too close. In the blink of an eye, the contents spilled right onto my white blouse. I gasped. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” she said, covering her mouth. I grabbed my handkerchief and started dabbing at the stain. “What is wrong with you, Lizzy?” I asked, my voice edged with anger. Before I could finish the sentence, Lizzy gasped dramatically and stumbled backward, falling to the floor. “I didn’t mean to fall… she—she pushed me,” she whimpered. David immediately rushed to her side, helping her up. “Lizzy! Are you okay?” I stood frozen. “Are you serious right now? I didn’t even touch her!” “What the hell, Eunice?” David snapped. “Why are you always so ill-mannered?” I looked at him, fury rising in my bones. “She spilled wine on me first. She’s pretending.” Glenda stood too. “Apologize to her. Now.” I turned to her, stunned. “Apologize? Are you joking?” “Right now, Eunice. Or leave.” Glenda, David Mother said angrily I looked around. No one defended me. Not one person asked what really happened. I was on my own. “Nothing in this world,” I said slowly, my voice calm but steady, “would make me do such.”David POVI left the hospital thinking I could somehow fix thingsthat maybe, just maybe, this whole madness with Eunice and the divorce could be reversed. I had saved her life. That had to count for something, right? Deep down, I thought it was a sign. A second chance. I told myself that saving her wasn’t just fate; it was a door swinging open again, waiting for us to walk through together.But reality hit me hard the moment I stepped into the house.The silence was deafening. The air felt colder, heavier. Something was missing.Eunice.She was gone.Not a note. Not a scent of her perfume. Not a single trace that she ever lived here. Her clothes? Gone. Her shoes? Not a pair in sight. Even the soft throw blanket she loved curling up in while reading on the couch.. gone. It was as if she had never existed here.And the sad part? I let this happen.I sat on the edge of our bed—my bed now—and stared at the emptiness. This wasn’t just a house without her. It was a heart without a beat. Th
Eunice POVMy phone rang, slicing through the calm air like a blade. I had just sat down in the living room, cradling a cup of warm tea when the sharp vibration startled me.Mom, sitting across from me, looked up from her knitting. "Who’s that?""Just a friend," I replied quickly, not wanting to raise any questions.I stood up gently, rubbing my lower back. "Please, Mom, Dad... Can I take a few things to my room?""Oh yes, please do," Mom said kindly."I'll come join you in your room in just a moment," she added with a smile.I returned the smile, forcing it, hiding the tiredness in my eyes. "Alright, Mom."As I made my way to my room, my phone rang again. David. I sighed.He kept calling—again and again—like a song on repeat that I didn’t want to hear. My phone lit up with his name so many times, I had to flip it over just to get a moment of peace. What does he want now? I asked myself, already feeling the weight of frustration building in my chest. My head was tired, my heart even m
Eunice POVMy mother stood there, her hair tied up with a scarf, eyes wide in surprise. Her face softened instantly."Eunice," she whispered, her voice shaking.Without hesitation, she opened her arms.I rushed into them.I couldn’t hold it anymore. Everything I had been keeping inside for so long just burst out like a dam that had cracked from too much pressure. The pain, the fear, the confusion, the weight of all I had carried for years finally broke loose. My chest felt tight, like something heavy was sitting on it, and before I knew it, my face was wet. The tears came pouring down fast and hard, like rain falling on a tin roof in the middle of a storm. I didn’t try to wipe them. I didn’t try to speak. I just reached out and wrapped my arms around her. I pulled her close, like my life depended on it. Her arms were warm, steady, and soft. She didn’t say a word, but she held me back, strong and calm. I buried my face into her shoulder, and the sobs came, deep from my stomach, s
Eunice POVDavid is responsible for it…The moment those words escaped my lips, I braced myself for Joyce’s reaction. I thought she would be angry and hurt. I hadn’t told her earlier. She was my closest friend, and she deserved to know. But I’d been scared, and unsure of how she’d take it.But instead of exploding, She smiled.“So you mean I’ll be an aunty now?” she exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement. “Eunice, congratulations!”I let out a relieved laugh. “Yes, and guess what? You can be the godmother.”Joyce gasped dramatically, holding her chest. “You mean it?! Godmother? Don’t play with my feelings, oh!”“I’m serious,” I said, laughing deeply. The tension between us melted. We hugged, and I felt a genuine warmth. It was the kind of hug that wrapped around your fears and made them go quiet.With a calm, comforting tone, she said, “I’m with you, Eunice. Don’t worry. If you need anything at all, I’ll always be here to support you. You're not alone.”Her words hit deep. I did
Eunice’s POVMy new apartment had a quiet kind of peace embraced me. The walls were still bare, the curtains were thin, but there was warmth. No yelling, no smashed plates. No walking on eggshells. I ran my fingers across the edge of the small table I had managed to set up near the window. My stomach rumbled. I hadn't eaten all day. I decided to treat myself. There was a small restaurant just down the street. I slipped into a light dress, fixed my hair into a lazy bun, and stepped out.The chime above the door jingled as I walked in. The smell of pepper soup and fried plantains filled the air. I scanned the room casually, but my eyes froze when they landed on a familiar face.“Joyce?” I blurted, not believing my eyes.Her head snapped in my direction. “Eunice? Oh my God!” she squealed.In seconds, we were locked in a tight hug, laughing like schoolgirls. It had been years.“I thought I was seeing a ghost!” Joyce said, holding my arms like she was making sure I was real.I smiled, my
Eunice’s POVI stormed out of the hospital room, the sound of my shoes echoing sharply on the cold, tiled floor with every angry step I took. My chest felt tight. My hands were trembling. Everything inside me was boiling in rage, confusion, sadness all mixing together like a storm I couldn’t control. I didn’t care where I was going. I just needed to get away. I needed space to think, to breathe, to not scream.The hallway outside felt empty and too bright. I leaned back against the wall, pressing my palm to my chest as I tried to slow my breathing. My throat felt dry, and my eyes stungThen it hit me like a jolt straight to my chest.“Oh no,” I breathed, barely getting the words out.I had left the gift. The one Bernard gave me. I had placed it carefully on the small side table beside the hospital bed, right before everything went wrong. And now… I walked out on it. Just like that.My chest tightened. That gift meant something, even though I wasn’t ready to admit it. Still, I shoo