Chapter 76 – The Misunderstanding That Grew

Mannie’s POV

Going back home this time around, I hailed a cab. My feet were too tired to walk, and my mind—too full.

The driver rolled down the window slightly. Cool air rushed in, brushing against my face. The city lights blurred past as the car moved, and I leaned my head against the window, watching them fade into streaks of gold and white.

I sighed quietly. “What is Michael even thinking?” I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.

The envelope sat on my lap. I opened it once again, even though I had already looked at it twice before. Inside was a check. The amount written on it made my heart jolt the first time I saw it. It wasn’t a small sum.

But the more I stared at it, the heavier it felt.

I folded the check back neatly and pressed it between my palms. “I’m not using this,” I said under my breath.

No matter how tempting it looked, I couldn’t bring myself to accept his money. Michael wasn’t someone I wanted any tie with—not even a thread of obligation.

Every time I crossed paths with him, trouble followed. I wasn’t going to let money be the thing that kept that door open.

I sighed again and rubbed my forehead. “I’ll just return it next time I see him,” I thought, though even thinking of seeing him again made my chest tighten.

But I also knew myself. I wouldn’t just throw it away.

So instead, my mind began to race for something sensible. “Maybe I should just invest it,” I murmured. “At least it won’t be wasted.”

The idea sounded good. But when I thought deeper, I frowned.

“How do people even invest in bonds?” I bit my lower lip and sank a little into the seat. I barely understood the difference between mutual funds and shares. The thought of it gave me a headache.

The radio in the cab was on, the presenter’s voice filling the silence.

“Indeed, real estate is gold,” the man said. “It has been stable over the last five years. It doesn’t rise much unless the government starts a big project, but it’s safe.”

His words caught my attention.

Real estate.

The word echoed in my head. Something about it tugged at me. I didn’t even know why. Maybe it was the way he said “safe.” Nothing in my life felt safe anymore.

I leaned forward a little, listening closely.

“…but remember, no matter how small, owning land is owning security,” the presenter continued, his voice fading slightly as static interfered.

I sat back again, my hand brushing against the check inside my purse. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea.

The car slowed down.

“Ma, we are here,” the driver said after a few seconds, probably noticing I hadn’t moved.

“Oh.” I blinked, realizing we were already in front of the house. I must have been too lost in thought.

“Thank you.” I gave him the fare and quickly stepped out.

The night air smelled faintly of stew and smoke—home. I stood by the gate for a second, taking a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to face what waited inside.

“I can already imagine Mom’s face,” I muttered, shaking my head.

Her lecture was coming. I could feel it.

“David, you really created another problem for me,” I whispered under my breath as I pushed the door open.

Warm air and the smell of food greeted me immediately.

My stomach growled in protest.

The children’s voices filled the house. The sound of laughter, footsteps, and the faint tune of a cartoon playing on TV.

“Mummy, you’re back!” several voices called out at once.

Before I could even respond, they all ran toward me. Tiny feet thudding against the floor, arms wrapping around my legs.

I smiled softly despite my exhaustion and bent down to hug them all. Their small bodies were warm against me.

“Where’s Daddy?” Jay asked suddenly, tilting his head. His big eyes stared up at me expectantly.

I froze.

The question hit me like a slap.

My breath caught for a second, and I forced a small smile. “Soon… soon, you will see him.” I said quickly, brushing his hair.

I couldn’t tell them anything else. Their faces were too hopeful.

As they ran back to their toys, I found myself watching them quietly. Jay’s nose… the shape of his eyes… they reminded me so much of David.

And Nate—his calm expression, the serious way he spoke sometimes—he was Dominic’s mirror.

A chill went down my spine.

The paternity test.

David’s words on the balcony echoed in my mind. “I will take the children for a test.”

I rubbed my hands together nervously. I couldn’t let that happen.

The thought of losing even one of them… I couldn’t bear it.

I shook my head and tried to push it away.

The children soon settled around the TV, watching their favorite cartoon. Their voices filled the air again, talking excitedly about how “Daddy” would come soon and take them to his big house.

“When Daddy comes, we’ll watch cartoons on a big TV!” Jay said proudly.

“Yes! Bigger than this one!” another added.

Their laughter mixed together, soft and innocent.

I wanted to smile, but my chest ached instead.

Across the room, my mother hummed softly as she stirred something on the stove. The rich smell of soup drifted out, thick and spicy.

Her lips were curved in a dreamy smile, her eyes distant.

I didn’t need to ask what she was imagining.

Her mind was far away—probably picturing herself being driven in a luxury car, head high, bragging to her friends that her daughter’s husband was rich and powerful.

I watched her sway her hips lightly, humming louder.

A small shiver ran through me. “Was this still my mother?” I muttered.

The ladle in her hand wobbled dangerously. I quickly stepped forward to steady her.

“Mom, careful,” I said, holding the pot handle for her.

She blinked, snapping back to the present. “Ah! I almost spilled it,” she said with a laugh, fanning the steam from her face.

By the time we finished, the dining table was covered in food—fried rice, stew, grilled fish, plantain, soup. It looked like a small feast.

“Wow! A feast!” Zane exclaimed, eyes shining like two stars.

The others gasped in delight. Even Nate, who always acted mature, couldn’t hide his grin. His dimples appeared, and my heart softened a little seeing it.

They all rushed to take their seats, chattering, laughing. Their small hands reached eagerly for the food, spoons clinking against plates.

The warmth in the room felt alive.

I stood at the side, watching them quietly.

My mother was beaming, serving the food like a queen hosting guests. “Eat, my darlings! Eat well!” she said proudly.

Then she turned to me, holding out a bowl of soup. “Here, my daughter. Your wifely duties start with eating properly,” she teased.

“Mom…” I sighed, but she ignored me, already spooning more meat into my plate.

She was glowing, and for once, the wrinkles around her eyes softened.

“Mom, please,” I said again, but she just waved her hand dismissively.

“Eat, eat,” she said, smiling widely. “Don’t you know your husband will come tomorrow? You have to look healthy.”

I pressed my lips together, trying not to groan.

The children giggled.

“She called you ‘wife,’ mummy!” one of them teased.

I forced a smile. “Eat your food,” I said, trying not to laugh.

Dinner went on like that—filled with laughter and noise, the kind that should have been comforting. But beneath the sound, my thoughts wouldn’t settle.

Every word my mother said built the misunderstanding higher. Every time she called him my son-in-law, I felt another weight fall on my shoulders.

After everyone had eaten, the kids moved to the living room again, playing on the carpet. I gathered the plates and began washing.

The sound of running water was the only thing keeping me calm.

Behind me, my mother hummed again, stretching her arms lazily. “Ahh… I can finally rest. My son-in-law has taken the burden off me.”

I shut my eyes for a second. “Mom, he’s not your son-in-law.”

She laughed. “He will be. Just wait.”

I turned to look at her, soap still on my hands. “Mom, please, stop saying things like that.”

She didn’t stop smiling. “You think I can’t see love when it’s there? That man looked at you like someone who’s been searching for years.”

Her words made my chest tighten. I looked away quickly. “He’s just… confused,” I said quietly. “He doesn’t even know what he’s saying.”

“Hmm.” She raised a brow. “You keep saying that, but I’ve lived long enough to know when a man’s heart is shaken.”

I didn’t answer.

I just rinsed another plate and set it down.

Silence stretched for a moment, broken only by the laughter of the kids in the next room.

Mom sighed softly. “You’ve suffered enough, Mannie. Maybe God’s finally bringing something good your way.”

Her voice was softer now. For a moment, I saw the mother who used to stay up late when I was sick, who prayed quietly for me when I struggled.

I wanted to believe her words. But my heart didn’t trust peace anymore.

I turned off the tap and wiped my hands. “It’s all David’s fault,” I muttered under my breath.

Because it was.

If he hadn’t walked back into my life, if he hadn’t stood there with those eyes and that voice, none of this confusion would have started.

I walked into my room and shut the door behind me. The sounds of laughter faded into muffled echoes.

The check still sat in my bag, untouched.

The money David gave me was in the same spot on the bed, untouched too.

I looked at both and felt like I was staring at trouble in two different forms.

The rain started again outside, tapping softly on the window. I sat down, resting my chin on my knees.

How long could I keep everything from falling apart?

The paternity test. Dominic’s return. My mother’s fantasy.

And those eight little faces that believed every word I said.

I covered my face with my palms and breathed out slowly.

And the only thought that echoed in my head was—

“It’s all David’s fault.”