CHAPTER FIFTEEN : SWEAR THAT YOU WILL MARRY XAVIER

“You’ll look lovely in this Leah, why don’t you go try it on,” Vera said with a wide smile plastered on her face.

She became the only motherly figure I had left when my own mum fell sick, and I constantly wondered how an angel like her could ever marry a devil like Thomas Kingsley, and worst of all birth a cheat like Xavier.

She was one of the reasons I could not just call off my relationship with Xavier, not like I had any say in that aspect.

But it would break her, and she was already suffering from heart complications, and any slight news can lead her into having another heart attack, and I could not afford to do that.

“Okay aunty,” I said with a genuine smile.

I examined myself in the mirror. My body wrapped in gold silk material.

It had embroidery of crystals around the chest, trailing down upwards to form a V-pattern on my cleavage area.

The gown clung to me like a second skin, pooling down my legs, enough to cover my feet a little bit, but never too much, else how would the designer shoes be on show.

The dress oozed of wealth, money, and everything I could not afford, but the Kingsley’s definitely could.

“Oh my, you look like an angel Leah,” Vera said looking at me, with her eyes brimming with tears.

“You are perfect Leah. You know, everyday I thank the stars that I made the best decision choosing you as my future daughter-in-law. No one else would ever be able to fill that position as the future madam of Kingsley as well as you would do,” she said with a slight sniff, wiping her tears.

My heart broke at her words.

“When your mum fell ill three years ago, it seemed like the weight of the world came crashing on me, but most especially you.

She was my best friend from childhood, but to you—she was your mother, my darling girl, and I could not have imagined how you would have continued to go on, managing and caring for her.

I know my son has not been faithful and honest to you. I promise you my beloved daughter, I tried my best.

The world says if a child is spoiled and rotten, then it is most definitely the mother’s fault, so I am telling you Leah, punish this reckless mother for spoiling her child.

Curse at the useless mother, who failed to train her child to be a good man to his future wife.

Rain insults on this foolish mother, who raised a cheat, and unfaithful man…please Leah…please punish me,” she said, kneeling on the floor, her hands clasped together over her head as she bowed on my feet repeatedly with banging her head against the floor in the process. Tears streamed down her chin as she sobbed uncontrollably.

“No, aunty…stop,” I said in shock, going on my knees, as I pulled her to my chest while struggling to keep my tears from pouring down.

“Please forgive me Leah…please do,” she sobbed louder, her body trembling in my hold.

“I know it is selfish of me to ask from you, but I will gladly be selfish if it means doing what is right.

Please Leah, this shameless mother begs of you, please never leave my son.

Promise me Leah…” she said through a sob, her eyes widening, while her body shook continuously.

“Please promise me my dear… swear on your mother’s life that you would never leave my son.

Please…swear by her name right now, that you would get married to him,” She said, and my hands froze on her shoulders as her words sank in.

“Aunty, how could you ask such of me?” I asked with a sad smile feeling like laughing at my unlucky faith.

Here I was, trying to look for a way to break my engagement off with Xavier, and now the one woman I have respected all my life, is making me swear on the most precious person in my life to marry the same man.

“I know it is a selfish thing for me to ask for Leah…but I have no other option.

I know my son—Xavier does not deserve you in the slightest, but please help this helpless mother.

If you have ever respected me, for once in your life my dear, you will do this for me.

Please swear on your mother’s life that you would make it right with my son.

Please swear on her life that you would marry my son…” she said, sobbing more, and immediately she held on to her chest, her face scrunched in pain making my eyes widen.

“Aunty..aunty..what’s wrong?” I shouted in fear.

“First swear on her life..Leah, this I beg of you.

Swear on your mother’s life that you would marry Xavier, and never leave him,” she said again, her voice sounding lower as her expression twisted in pain.

“Okay aunty.

I swear…I swear on my mother’s life that I will marry Xavier…” I said, my voice cracking at the end.