Chapter Forty Three

Exactly three weeks after the divorce between Alice and Kelvin was finalized, Anita moved into the Sanders mansion. Her life was about to take a significant turn — one she had long fantasized about. As Grandma Janet had decreed, Anita was now to live under her strict supervision, not as a guest or a lover, but as a woman-in-training, being groomed to meet the family’s age-old standards. It was the beginning of what Grandma Janet referred to as “the transformation” — a process to strip away Anita’s carefree city lifestyle and instill in her the morality, modesty, and values that the Sanders family prided themselves on for generations.

Anita, who had long awaited this moment, was almost giddy with anticipation. For years, she had imagined herself as Kelvin’s wife, mistress of the grand Sanders estate, and the elegant hostess of the family’s prestigious gatherings. The sprawling estate with its chandeliers, mahogany floors, and echoing hallways had always felt like a world she belonged to — even if only in her dreams. Now, those dreams seemed to be materializing. She was finally living in the mansion, breathing the same air as the legacy she desperately wanted to be part of.

In her mind, it was only a matter of time before she claimed the throne as queen of the Sanders household. And with Alice out of the picture, the crown was hers for the taking. She envisioned grand parties, her name engraved on formal invitations, staff bowing at her command, and Kelvin by her side at every event. She would become the elegant, dignified wife he would proudly show to the world. All she needed to do was impress Grandma Janet — a task she had foolishly believed would be effortless.

But the reality came crashing down hard.

The day Anita had moved into the mansion, Grandma Janet was there to meet her at the entrance, standing with a quiet authority that seemed to command the very air around her. Her sharp eyes, seasoned by age and experience, didn’t miss a single detail as they scanned Anita from head to toe — taking in the curve-hugging dress, the heavy makeup, the confident gait. It was not just a first impression for the old woman; it was an assessment of the woman who was to become her granddaughter-in-law, the one who would eventually take charge of the Sanders household after she was gone. It was clear from the firm set of her jaw and the narrowed gaze in her eyes that Grandma Janet held high standards, and she wasn’t about to compromise them for anyone.

She wasted no time in setting the tone.

“Your only task here is to learn, Anita,” Grandma Janet had said, her voice sharp, firm, and devoid of warmth. “Learn the Sanders way and learn the family values. And you'll start by discarding your indecent dressing forever…”

Her eyes lingered a moment longer on the skimpy dress Anita had chosen to wear — a short, glittering piece that clung to her body and screamed rebellion against the modesty the Sanders family was known for.

Then Grandma Janet continued, her voice laced with disapproval and command, “…I already have some decent clothes arranged for you in your room. You will change your mannerisms. You will not speak with those worthless and disrespectful slangs associated with children of your generation, and you will learn to attend church services.”

Anita nodded dutifully, her expression calm and obedient, her eyes lowered just enough to avoid further scrutiny. But inside her, a storm of resistance brewed. Her heart rebelled against everything Grandma Janet had said. The idea of giving up her wardrobe, her bold speech, and her independence grated against every bone in her body.

Still, she forced herself to smile faintly and nod again. She would endure it — for now. She would play the part of the submissive, teachable woman, pretend to be everything Grandma Janet wanted her to be. It was only a matter of time. Once she had Grandma Janet’s approval, once she became Kelvin’s wife and secured her position — and once Kelvin’s full inheritance was unlocked — Grandma Janet would no longer hold any power over her.

Then, and only then, Anita would reclaim her life on her terms. The old woman’s beloved values, culture, and morals would become a thing of the past, discarded like yesterday’s news. All Anita needed to do was pretend long enough to win.

But pretending was harder than Anita had thought. The rules of the mansion wrapped around her like a noose, each day drawing tighter. First, she was not allowed to share the same bedroom with Kelvin, being that they weren’t married. That alone was unbearable. She had imagined cozy nights curled in Kelvin’s arms, leisurely mornings in bed, and stolen passionate moments behind closed doors. But those fantasies were crushed under Grandma Janet’s watchful rule. The old woman had her eyes and ears wide open, and even the thought of sneaking off with Kelvin for a quick moment of intimacy seemed impossible. They were like two strangers under the same roof — distant, restricted, forbidden. The ache for Kelvin’s touch grew heavier by the day, but there was no space for it in the rigid world Grandma Janet had built around them.

Then came the burden of the clothes. Anita wasn’t just unfamiliar with modest dressing — she despised it. Her identity had been stitched into every bold outfit she owned. She loved her short dresses, the ones that clung to her figure and showed off her skin. She loved the way she looked — sexy, confident, irresistible. But in the Sanders mansion, even a little exposure of skin drew a harsh frown from Grandma Janet. Indoors, outdoors, it didn’t matter — Anita was expected to be completely covered at all times, just in case Grandma Janet decided to summon her unexpectedly. Her once-colorful wardrobe had been replaced with plain, conservative pieces that stifled her sense of self.

There was no more clubbing, partying, or spontaneous outings. The vibrant, fast-paced life she had once lived in the city had come to a crashing halt. Now, the mansion felt more like a cage than a palace — grand and beautiful, yes, but suffocating. She was surrounded by wealth but stripped of freedom. Every passing day left her feeling more trapped, more alone, and more disconnected from the person she used to be.

Desperate, Anita turned to Kelvin and poured out her frustrations. She hoped for warmth, support — something to remind her why she was enduring this. But all he gave her was a cold, practical response. He told her to bear it. He reminded her that this was what she wanted: to be his wife. And if that meant enduring Grandma Janet’s scrutiny for now, so be it. Only through this path would he secure his inheritance, and only then would she get what she wanted too.

So, Anita kept going, dragging herself through each day with whatever strength she had left. She swallowed her resentment and forced herself into the mold Grandma Janet had carved out for her. She told herself it was temporary — that soon, it would all be worth it. Once she married Kelvin, once the inheritance was in his hands, everything would change. She would have the life she had always dreamed of — luxury, status, power — and no one, not even Grandma Janet, would be able to control her again. The mansion, the wealth, the influence, and most importantly, the title of Mrs. Kelvin Sanders — it was her dream. And she was determined to make it a reality, no matter the cost.

________

That evening, while Kelvin was still at the office, Grandma Janet had Anita accompany her for a quick shopping at the city's grand mall.

Grandma Janet entered hey favorite shop, an exclusive boutique where she bought her scarves and finely tailored church coats and hats.

Anita walked two steps behind Grandma Janet, dressed in a knee length floral skirt and a cream blouse. She looked decent and pretty but that was not her. Her heels were modest, her earrings small, and not a single part of her body screamed Anita anymore.

Her movements were quieter now, more rehearsed. Her makeup had softened to what Grandma Janet called “appropriate grace.” But inside, she was screaming.

While Grandma Janet discussed with the seamstress, Anita wandered toward a row of handbags near the front window — just to get lost in the designs and take her mind off her 'uncool' appearance.

Then she heard the familiar sound of her name and a little laugh.

“Anita?”

She turned and found herself face-to-face with Tina and Valerie, two of her closest friends. They were dressed in their usual fiery style — tight jeans, crop tops, bright lashes, and confidence that filled the room before their perfume did.

At first, they smiled wide, thrilled to see her. Then their eyes scanned her from head to toe, and their expressions flickered — surprise, confusion… maybe even pity.

“Girl, you weren't kidding when you said you have been turned into a Reverend mother,” Tina’s voice trailed off as she took in the skirt and dull flats, eyes wide with disbelief.

Anita gave a dry chuckle, tugging self-consciously at her sleeves. She had known this was coming — their shock, their judgment — but it still stung more than she expected.

Valerie raised a perfectly arched brow, tilting her head with playful mockery. “You look like a church girl... like that Alice woman.”

The mention of Alice made Anita’s jaw tighten slightly. That name still stirred something bitter in her chest — an annoyance she couldn’t explain. But she kept her expression neutral.

“Yeah... but it’s not gonna be for too long.” Anita sighed, glancing around cautiously as if Grandma Janet’s eyes might pop out from behind a mannequin. “I just have to keep up with this till I'm officially married to Kelvin and he gets his inheritance. Then, all these modest nonsense would end forever.”

Tina shrugged, smoothing a hand over her leather miniskirt. “Well, it is worth the sacrifice.”

Anita crossed her arms and forced a smile, though every part of her body itched to pull off the suffocating blouse. “What are you girls doing here?” she asked.

“Shopping,” Tina replied, flashing a smug smile as she held up a shimmering bodycon dress.

“I just got badly spoilt by my new catch, and I’m taking Tina on shopping,” Valerie added, smirking with pride. She flipped her hair over one shoulder, her gold bracelets jingling with flair.

Anita’s eyes momentarily dimmed. Her fingers brushed against the clutch bag she carried. “You guys are lucky. If it weren’t for this so-called ‘grooming’ I’m undergoing, I would have been with you guys,” she said with a frown.

Valerie stepped closer and looped her arm around Anita’s. “Well, you can join us now. We've missed you, you know.”

Tina nodded, pouting dramatically. “Yeah... It's like you're under a house arrest in the Sanders mansion.”

“Oh, I am under a house arrest,” Anita replied, rolling her eyes. “But not to worry. I’ll make it through this torture and I’ll become the queen of the Sanders mansion and guess what girls?” She leaned in slightly, lips curling into a sly, knowing smirk.

They both returned the gesture instantly, sensing the spark that still lived within her.

“Everyday partying!” Tina said gleefully, doing a playful shimmy and raising her arms as if she were in a club. All three of them burst into laughter, their little reunion momentarily lifting the pressure weighing on Anita’s shoulders.

“Can’t you come hang out with us? Just for one night?” Tina pleaded, reaching out to touch her arm again. Her eyes held a hint of desperation, a longing to have their trio back — even just for an evening.

Anita sighed. “Grandma Janet would never allow me and she somehow seem to have her eyes on me.” Her voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes darting around like she expected to find the old woman lurking nearby.

“Come on. She’s an old woman. How difficult can it be to get past her and sneak out of the mansion when she’s fast asleep?” Valerie said, rolling her eyes like it was the easiest thing in the world.

Anita hesitated. Her mind raced — the eyes of the staff, the watchful walls of the mansion, Grandma Janet’s sixth sense — but the yearning in her chest burned hot. Just one night of freedom. One night to remember who she was.

She gave it a thought, biting her lower lip. Then she nodded. “Fine. Text me the deets and I’ll try to get Kelvin to come hang with us too.”

“Sure thing,” Tina said, her eyes lighting up like fireworks. The sparkle of rebellion and friendship danced between them.

"Anita!" They heard Grandma Janet call.

"That's Kelvin's grandmother. I came here with her." Anita lowered her voice.

"Oh....." The ladies said, not expecting it.

"I better go join her. I'll text you girls later. Have fun" Anita said and quickly left them to Grandma Janet.

"Where did you wander off to?" Grandma Janet asked Anita as soon as she returned to her.

"I was going though the display of the handbags" Anita replied.

"Well, then. Did you find anyone you like? I'll just get it for you" Grandma Janet gave a small smile.

Anita would not say not to such an offer. She plastered a smile and replied, "Yes, grandma. I did like one. Blue colour."

Immediately Grandma Janet asked the shop keeper to get it, which she did. And she bought the bag for Anita who beamed a wide 'Thank you' before they left the shop.