Seeing the evidence right in front of her, Sarah knew she had been caught.
Her eyes were suddenly filled with tears as she tried to cover up the truth. "Jon, please. I’m sorry. It’s not what you think. Please forgive me." But Jonathan's resolve was firm. "We’re done, Sarah. I want a divorce, there is nothing you or anybody would say that would change that." “ What about Hazel? If we get divorce, how do you intend to take care of her?” Sarah was trying to use their daughter to threaten Jonathan. Just then, his phone rang. It was their daughter, Hazel. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the hospital, ignoring Emily’s desperate, threatening words. Jonathan's hands were still shaking as he drove away from the hospital. Sarah's pleas echoed in his mind, but he forced himself to stay firm. She had betrayed him, and he couldn’t forgive her for that. His phone rang again, breaking his thoughts. It was their daughter, Hazel. "Daddy, when are you coming home?" she asked, her voice bright and cheerful, unaware of the turmoil tearing her family apart. Jonathan smiled, his daughter was like the sunshine that shone on his life, "Daddy will be home soon, sweetheart." He hung up and drove home. Reaching home, Jonathan opened the door and was welcomed by his daughter's cheerful voice as she ran over asking, "Daddy, did you get me my birthday present?" Jonathan gave a forced smile as he tried to get his mind over the incident at the hospital. He opened his bag as he brought out a Barbie doll. "Here you go Love, happy birthday." Of course, this had caused him quite a fortune but he didn't mind as long as his daughter was happy. However, not everything in life usually goes as planned. The joyous expression he had envisaged on his daughter's face was not there, rather there was a look of disappointment. "I already have a bigger and more expensive one. Mom's friend got it for me." Hazel said with her tiny voice. Jonathan's expression changed, "Mom's friend? What friend Hazel? Was anybody here with mummy?" Hazel shrugged, her lack of interest in his questions evident. "It was just some man," she said dismissively. "He had been here for quite a while before the ambulance finally arrived. He comes to meet mommy sometimes" The thoughts Jonathan wanted to push back rose up again, anger enveloped him slowly as he questioned, "What is his name?" Hazel shook her head, "I don't know his name but he was very nice. He bought me these. He said I can call him Daddy so he is my second Daddy." As she said that, she showed her father her new doll and a shiny bracelet. Jonathan's anger exploded, another man was impaling his wife and showing his daughter love even asking her to call him Daddy. No man could bear that. He did his best to calm his anger as he questioned Hazel again, "Sweetheart, do you know anything about the man and what did he say?" His voice was unusually loud no matter how he did his best to control it. However, Jonathan's raised voice and stern questioning forced Hazel to be upset as she said with tears escaping her little eyes, "I don’t know, Daddy. You’re being mean! I hate you. I like my other Daddy, he is very nice." Hazel threw the Barbie doll on the ground, leaving the living room feeling aggrieved as she headed to her room slamming the door behind her. The Barbie doll lay forgotten on the floor, a symbol of the broken family Jonathan now had to face. He sank into a chair, his head in his hands. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly? First was his wife cheating, second was her lover giving his daughter expensive gifts and buying her love from him. At this point, he hated his wife Sarah so much and there was no point continuing contemplating about anything. He had made up his divorce her and there was no going back and in no way was he leaving Hazel to her. A woman who was adulterous was not fit to raise his daughter, he had settled in his mind to take custody of her. He would raise her himself and shower her his love. The silence in the house was unbearable for Jonathan as he thought about everything that happened today. He had always been there for his family, he spent quality time with time, though he wasn't rich, he did his best to provide for the family and make sure they had the necessities but yet she cheated on him for no reason. Jonathan laughed at himself in a mocking manner as he brought out a bottle of alcohol. He poured himself a glass, his eyes glistening with tears."Rich Daddy." The phrase reverberated ceaselessly in Jonathan's thoughts. His wife had implanted such erroneous ideas in their daughter's mind, and the rage it incited within him was beyond measure. The notion that his daughter had been so deeply influenced by her mother's fabrications fueled a fire of frustration and helplessness that he struggled to contain.That night, Jonathan stood at the doorway, gazing at his beautiful daughter as she slept soundly. She had refused to speak to him earlier, their argument still fresh in her mind, and it was only in the early hours of the morning that she finally succumbed to sleep. Jonathan felt a pang of sadness as he watched her peaceful slumber, wishing he could bridge the growing chasm between them.He paced around Hazel's room for a few moments, his heart heavy with turmoil. He leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, a small gesture of love and regret, before quietly leaving her to her dreams.Heading toward the living room
Jonathan's heart sank as his wife's voice echoed through the spacious living room. She stood in front of him, her lips curling into a mocking smile as she reminded him once again."Don't forget, Jonathan, the land and the house are in my name. A little pre-marriage gift from you, remember? You built this house for me with your own hands."She laughed in a mocking manner.Each word she spoke felt like a dagger twisted into his heart. He had poured his sweat, blood, and love into constructing this home, believing it would be their sanctuary. Now, the very walls that once symbolised their shared dreams seemed to mock him. The thought of his wife living there with her lover was almost too much to bear. It wasn't just about the property; it was about the betrayal, the loss of everything he had worked so hard for.Jonathan laughed so much that tears gathered in his eyes. The lawyer who had already settled himself on the sofa urged him to sign the divorce agreement quickly. "Let's get thi
CHAPTER FIVEThe atmosphere in the living room was tensed up as Jonathan stood across his wife and Williams, the lawyer. Hazel's appearance had halted the argument.Jonathan looked at his daughter, small and innocent. He knew discussing about divorce in front of his daughter could have an emotional impact on her and hurt her. He was unwilling to do that. So he took a deep breath and reached out to his daughter. He opened his arms, ready to comfort her with a hug but before he could move, she looked at him, then looked at Williams the lawyer and finally her gaze settled on her mother.There was a moment of hesitation on Hazel's face, but then, to Jonathan's surprise, his daughter ran towards the lawyer, wrapping her small arms around his legs. "Daddy!" she cried out, her voice filled with joy. Hazel remembered this uncle who often came to her house, he would buy her many toys and her mother told her to call him "Daddy". She also didn't forget he got her the expensive Barbie doll for h
Jonathan had never felt such a potent mix of shock and rage. Upon hearing the news, his vision darkened, and his knees threatened to give way. Williams' arrogant expression only ignited his fury. In a moment of anger, Jonathan stepped forward, punching Williams to the ground, as he clasped his neck and tightened his grip around it. William gasped and tried to grab Jonathan's hands off, but Jonathan's strength, born of sheer wrath, overpowered him. Just when it seemed like Jonathan might snuff the life out of Williams, a sharp pain exploded at the back of his head. His wife, Sarah shattered a flower vase against his head, causing his grip to slacken as he fell to the side, dazed. Williams gasped for air, as he looked at Jonathan with fear. He had just escaped a life and death moment.It did not take long for the police to arrive and they quickly handcuffed Jonathan. His wife accused him of internationally harming Williams and nearly committing murder. Of course, this was expected
Jonathan was taken aback and surprised to see the old man. He recognized the old man instantly—Butler Solomon, the head steward of the Powerful Gray family from the capital. Memories flooded back of a time when he was the young master of the Gray family, living a life of privilege and expectation.After greeting Jonathan, Butler Solomon's eyes scanned the room, his expression one of barely concealed displeasure. He moved with a dignified grace, each step echoing in the hushed station. His displeased expression made the police chief as beads of sweat started forming on the police chief's brow, hastily speaking, his voice shaky with nervousness. "We are already done, we will release him now."If the police chief knew Jonathan had such connections, he would never have kept Jonathan here. It was better to offend Williams than to offend Jonathan who had such powerful connections."Let's go," Butler Solomon said simply, his tone brooking no argument as he led Jonathan outside the cell.Outs
Jonathan's father gestured to the doctors to step out. Once they did, they shut the door behind them. The room was still as silence eroded it like a virus.Jonathan sat across from his father but said nothing. His father looked at him with a soft and gentle expression. This was something he had never seen before.Jonathan's father took a deep breath, his voice trembled as he spoke."Son!" He paused and continued after taking another deep breath, "I have made many mistakes in my life. I haven't been a good father to you. I've been distant and harsh. I'm sorry for everything. I want you to know, I have always loved you. I'm sorry I'm saying this now."Jonathan felt a lump form in his throat. He was overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions. He had longed to hear these words. Hearing them being spoken now untied a knot that had been in his heart for so long.Silence engulfed the room again. After a short while, Jonathan spoke up, "I forgive you, Dad. I never heard it against you. I just want
Jonathan's father asking him this really surprised him. Three years ago, it had been a warm evening when Jonathan had last seen Precious. She had stood on the balcony of her family’s residence , her delicate frame silhouetted against the fading light, her eyes filled with a mix of hope and sorrow. Precious was a real epitome of beauty, she was smart and intelligent and she had been his fiancée, chosen not just by the will of their families but by the undeniable current of fate. Jonathan and Precious had grown up together, they shared the same elite circle, wealth, tradition and expectation. When it was time to fulfil that expectation, Jonathan chose a rebellious path and ran away. He ran away not just from Previous but from the life whom he saw as a cage. He wanted to make his own choices. Of course, he found what he wanted, a life of freedom, passion and a life lived on his own terms. However, deep within him, guilt ate him up. He had left Precious to bear the brunt of their enga
Just at that moment, Jonathan remembered who she was. No wonder, she felt familiar. The woman was a former colleague known at the office for her striking beauty. Despite the fact that she kept a low profile, she had a soft voice and was well mannered which made her very popular.Though they had both worked in the same company for years, Jonathan and her had never been close. He had always maintained a respectful distance from women being mindful of his marriage. His ex wife was harsh so he made it a point to avoid being close to any female colleague. Another thing that made him make such a decision was the love he had for her as such he wouldn't want to do anything to make her sad or angry.However, today was different. He didn't need to keep his distance from other women and he couldn't also just leave his former colleague who was in trouble. He was not a saint but he also had a heart. Without hesitation, Jonathan got closer and threw his foot forward striking the man's side, sendi