Chapter four

Julia settled easily into the Marcus family. She noticed the family were not harmonized. Hatred, jealousy and wickedness thrived. Well.....those are the characteristics of polygamous families except she noticed that among the nine children of Senator Marcus four wives, Martha was the most hated. It was as if all the members of the family could kill her at anytime.

Julia later learnt that she was the favorite child of Senator Marcus because she was smart. Her mother was the third wife of Senator Marcus, and she was the last child. He married Raina when after fifteen years of being with Samantha and no other child was forthcoming apart from Martha. And funny enough, after one year of marriage to Raina, no child to show for it. Julia was puzzled because Senator Marcus was rarely at home to say in essence since she moved in she hasn't seen him.

But she learn from Martha that he is a kind man and was away on a official assignment with the governor of the state. Julia refused to go back to school despite all the pleadings and advice from Martha and her mom. When she was asked why, she said she has plans for her life and she wanted to materialize them on her own since her parents were no more.

She began to work. any kind of work she found she applied and worked hard while saving all she earned because she was taken care of by the Marcus family. Few weeks after moving in with them she noticed that Raina had become very nice to her. She helped her do her laundry, cleaned her room and did other petty chores for her because she worked till late hours.

Julia was skeptical, she tried stopping her countless times but she said it was nothing and she was only helping her. But Martha warned her repeatedly that one day Raina will ask for something one day.

This made Julia confused because no matter how she stopped Raina she refused to stop and Martha's advice kept ringing in her mind. So she let the sleeping dogs lie, but she didn't let her guard down around Raina. Few days later, Julia was relaxing in her room after a long day at work when Raina walked in.

Julia was startled, but managed to smile. 'I did your laundry today, hope you saw them?' Raina asked smiling lightly. 'Yes Aunty Raina thanks a lot' Julia replied cautiously but Raina showed no sign of leaving. She sat on the bed close to Julia. "Actually Julia I need your help with something very important and I hope you can help me with it' she said in a low voice. Julia was taken aback, deep down she knew a day like this will come as Martha has foreseen.

"You are the most trusted by Martha, and you see..... Martha has stolen all the love of Marcus. And I am two months pregnant with his child, although none of then know about it except Marcus, I am afraid that by the time this child comes there will be no love left to give by Marcus. All I just want you to do is to help me put this in her food' Raina concluded.

Julia felt her heart reel in shock. 'Raina is pregnant? How? When? She wants her to kill her friend her savior who took her away from the street? No way! Julia thought as she looked at the powder in Raina's outstretched hand with wide eyes. 'Are you in? I promise just call any amount I will pay' Raina continued starring at Julia wondering what was going on in her mind.

'NO!!!...... Julia suddenly shouted startling Raina. Her face suddenly changed. 'No? How dare you turn me down? Raina asked in anger. 'I can't do that! She had been kind to me! When my family threw me out, she took me in, feed me and consoled me. How can i do such an evil too her? Am sorry i can't be so ungrateful' Julia concluded angrily.

Raina nearly breathed out fire in anger "you will regret this I promise you!" She growled in a low voice at Julia and stormed out of the room. Julia was scared, Martha was no longer safe in this family, she need to caution her to be more wary of Raina. Still thinking about this, she fell asleep. The next morning, Julia prepared for work and headed out of her room which was on the second floor, as she walked down the hallway she ran into Samantha.

"Good morning ma" she greeted with warm smiles. 'How are you Julia? Hope you had a good rest? Samantha replied cheerfully. 'Yes thank you ma, where is Martha? She asked. 'Oh she is outside planting flowers you know how much she cherishes them' Samantha replied rolling her eyes. Julia laughed and began to head downstairs.

Unknown to her Raina had been watching her. 'This bitch! I have to do something about her before she exposes me'. Raina thought to herself and quickly looked around. Finding no one in sight she advanced towards Julia who was descending the stairs and pushed her!

Raina hurried down the stairs to finish Julia with the knife in her hand. But luckily, Martha who had finished planting was coming in from outside. On seeing Martha, Raina halted, ducked and ran back upstairs. Martha was humming delightfully but as she reached the staircase, she screamed in terror!

Julia was lying on the floor with her deep cut on her head and blood steeping out of her head. 'Mum.......!' Martha screamed with all the energy she could muster and collapsed on the floor weeping. Samantha heard her daughter scream and dashed downstairs.

What she saw almost made her pass out! She quickly mobilized the house keepers and in no time, they were speeding to the hospital. Samantha's mind wasn't in any way peaceful how could this happen under her watch? how was she so careless?