The message had been short, but I remembered every word.
Don’t worry, baby. Once the baby arrives, everything will be settled. Ella won’t be a problem anymore.
At the time, I had assumed Kelly meant that he would leave me after Nonye gave birth.
But something about those words bothered me.
What did he mean by everything being settled?
Why did Nonye believe she would become his wife simply because she was pregnant?
And why had Kelly reacted with so much anger when I suggested adoption?
I lay awake until dawn, replaying the conversation in my head.
At six o’clock, I went to the bathroom, washed my face, and examined the faint redness on my cheek. I covered it with makeup before leaving for work.
I didn’t want anyone asking questions.
I was not ready to explain that the man I had defended for six years had become the source of my deepest humiliation.
