Chapter 2

Clara opened the gate and almost shut it again if not for my foot blocking her attempt.

I could feel her heavy stare on me.

“You aren’t welcome here, big sister.”

“I know, but this is my home too,” I said as I pushed past her into the house.

My mother was seated with a group of her friends, and the moment I walked in, the room went silent. They were obviously staring at me.

“Mara, what brings you here? And what’s with the luggage?” Mother asked.

“Did her in-laws finally send her away?” one of the women mocked.

Mother neither defended nor welcomed me back. It was as though she had expected me to return home eventually. She continued chatting happily with her friends as though I didn’t exist.

I dragged my luggage toward the stairs, but Clara stopped me halfway.

“Just where do you think you’re going? Your room was turned into a storage room long ago. But if you insist on staying here, maybe you can manage with the back room.” Clara laughed mockingly.

The room that once housed the dogs.

It was empty now, with no dogs roaming around. Mother must have sent them away after Father’s absence.

I didn’t have the strength to argue, not in my current state.

The room smelled damp and dusty, with only a thin mattress lying on the floor. I climbed onto it and curled myself into a ball, the tears I had held back pouring out uncontrollably.

My entire life had turned into a joke.

How the hell was I supposed to survive all this, blind and broken?

I only stepped out when hunger pains became unbearable.

Following the scent of food, I made my way to the dining room. I knew I wasn’t welcome, but nothing mattered anymore. I had to think about the little life growing inside me.

I sat at the table and found my plate already served. Mother always served my food herself, afraid that my hands would roam around and spoil her precious dishes.

I ate in silence. Honestly, I had dreamt of returning home and feel its warmed again. If only my father were here, things could have been a lot better.

Mother didn’t speak a single word to me, not even to ask what had happened. Honestly, it felt as though she had never truly been my mother. What kind of mother could remain so indifferent to her daughter’s suffering?

“Mother, can I have my room back? I’ll be staying here for the time being,” I finally asked.

It seemed no one intended to speak to me unless necessary.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I did to deserve a daughter like you. How could you, a married woman, seduce your brother-in-law, then return here pregnant and shameless?” Mother finally snapped.

So, she had called to find out.

At least she cared enough to investigate, even if she never thought it necessary to hear my side of the story.

“It was all Kenny,” I defended myself weakly.

“I shouldn’t blame you. What can a blind and foolish girl like you possibly achieve? You are a burden, a cheap woman to be passed around by men,” Mother spat harshly.

Finally, she let it all out.

I was the burden everyone had always wanted to get rid of.

I had hoped to find comfort from my family, but all I received was disdain.

“I told you long ago, sis, Kenny would never truly want a blind girl like you,” Clara added bitterly.

I could still hear the jealousy in her voice. Back then, she had failed to seduce Kenny herself, and ever since, she hated me even more.

It was as though my existence reminded her that despite my blindness, Kenny had still chosen me over her.

“Just make do with that room for now. I’ll have Jerry clean your old bedroom later,” Mother said before walking away.

The days dragged painfully slowly in my mother’s house.

My family tolerated my presence, but I lived worse than a stray dog. My room was never returned to me, and I eventually grew accustomed to the small stuffy space.

I gave birth to my son in that same miserable room.

Only after a neighbour visited did Mother become embarrassed enough to move me back into my old bedroom.

Still, they made my life unbearable.

Clara especially enjoyed tormenting me. Sometimes I would find my baby’s clothes soaked in water. Other times, my baby’s things would mysteriously disappear.

Life was exhausting, but taking care of my son brought me more joy than anything else in the world.

Unfortunately, that happiness didn’t last long.

I developed a high fever, yet Mother refused to help me with the baby, forcing me to struggle through everything alone.

One morning, while bathing my son on the balcony, I accidentally lost my grip on the kettle. It slipped from my hand, nearly spilling hot water onto him.

Thankfully, someone quickly snatched him from my arms before he got burned.

Relief flooded me when my son’s crying slowly eased.

Then I heard the voice.

That familiar voice that still echoed deep within my soul.

“Mara.”

Kenny.

I hated myself for not being able to forget him.

“Let me help you,” he said softly.

It wasn’t a request.

I couldn’t refuse.

What if he hadn’t arrived in time? My baby could have been burned because of my carelessness.

So, I let him help.

He bathed the baby gently while my son laughed happily in his arms. He talked to him, apologized as though by baby would understand what he was saying.

“Look at you little cutie, would you forgive me for betraying your mum. You know just how much I love her, and I love you more.

“Will you forgive me for being absent baby? But I promise, I’ll do my best to take care of the two of you.” Kenny said as he rocked him to sleep.

Obviously, his apology was meant for me, but he never had the courage to approach me, so I pretended not to hear his words.

 

I hated how naturally he fit into our child’s life.

I wanted to send him away, but deep down, I knew I needed help. I needed someone who could see my son, look into his eyes, and give him the kind of reassurance I never could.

From that day onward, Kenny came every morning to help bathe him. He sang lullabies softly before placing the sleeping baby onto my chest.

A part of me still longed for him.

I still remembered his promises.

And our child needed someone.

But there was a stubborn ache lodged in my heart. I couldn’t move past the betrayal.

One evening, Kenny came over to play with the baby.

I had taken some medicine earlier and felt drowsy. Leaving him with the child, I slowly drifted to sleep on the sofa.

When I woke up, I instinctively reached for the baby beside me.

But the space was empty.

The room was silent.

I couldn’t sense my son’s presence anywhere.

“Kenny?” I called out, my voice trembling.

No response.

“Kenny!” I screamed louder as I crawled toward the door. “Kenny, bring back my baby!”

Mother and Clara rushed into the room.

“Why are you screaming like this? Do you want to burst my eardrums?” Mother snapped angrily.

“My son... I can’t find my son... Mother, he’s gone...”

“Stop the nonsense, Mara. Didn’t you hand the baby over to Kenny? He left with him a while ago,” Clara said dismissively.

Just then, Kenny stirred awake from the commotion.

“What baby? Didn’t I leave him sleeping beside you, Mara?” Kenny asked in confusion.

My heart stopped.

“What? Kenny, you’re here? Then who left with the baby?” Clara asked, shocked.

My entire world crumbled in that instant.

My baby was gone.

“Kenny, give me back my baby! Where did you hide him? Tell me! I want my baby!” I cried hysterically, grabbing his collar desperately.

“I swear, Mara, the baby was asleep beside you before I took a nap,” Kenny explained frantically.

“You liar! Give me back my child!” I shrieked.

Kenny held my trembling hands gently.

“Mara, listen to me. I didn’t take him, but...” His voice faltered. “My brother... he must have taken the baby.”

My knees gave out beneath me, and I collapsed onto the floor.

“He wanted to see the child, but I refused. He must have followed me here,” Kenny explained.

I felt sick.

I had allowed wolves back into my life, and now my child was missing because of those twisted brothers.

“Mara, wait for me. I’ll go find him,” Kenny said before rushing out.

I bit my lips so hard they bled, hoping the pain would somehow numb the terror consuming me.

Mother said nothing.

All I heard was Clara yawning before casually walking away.

Neither of them cared.

No.

I couldn’t sit there waiting for Kenny. I had to find my son myself.

I dragged myself all the way to Kenny’s house.

And then I heard it, my baby’s cries.

“My baby... my child... please let me hold my child...” I sobbed desperately, extending may hand seeking him out.

I could feel his presence nearby, but I couldn’t reach him, his cries burning deep into my soul. I felt like dying over and over.

Suddenly, a burning slap landed across my cheek, throwing me violently to the ground.

“You wicked woman!” an angry female voice screamed. “How dare you seduce my husband, you blind fool!”

Another slap followed immediately.

I struggled to get up while my baby’s cries grew more painful by the second. Something sounded wrong. He didn’t sound well.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the woman hissed, dragging me back.

“I am Celestine, Danny’s wife,” she spat furiously. “How dare you seduce my husband and give birth to his bastard child? I should kill both of you right now!”