"After all, you didn't tell us about her until now, didn't share that you had found someone or even fallen in love. We've been so worried about you."
Adanna was careful not to mention Chibuzor's childhood friend, Adaugo, to avoid stirring any insecurities. However, Ifeoma had no such tact.
"Adanna is right," Ifeoma chimed in. "You finally moved on from Adaugo, someone you loved for over a decade, and rushed into this marriage with Sister in law. It feels like you're just looking for a distraction. Still, we deserve time to get to know her since we all thought Adaugo was the one."
Her seemingly innocuous statement carried a sharp edge. It was clear she intended to plant seeds of doubt in Olaedo's mind, to subtly suggest that Chibuzor had made a mistake in marrying her.
Ndidi, sensing an opportunity, eagerly added, "That's true. Years ago, all your father talked about was how deeply Chibuzor loved Adaugo. He waited for so long, even this year hoping she would return so they could reconcile. But, don't worry, Olaedo. The fact he married you shows he's ready to bury those feelings… for now."
Her words were a deliberate provocation, meant to cause chaos in the young marriage. However, she hadn't anticipated the sharp reactions.
"That's a big lie! I've been over Adaugo for years!" Chibuzor snapped, his voice laced with irritation.
"That's rich coming from a homewrecker," Ifeoma muttered under her breath when she heard Ndidi, prompting a collective gasp.
"Enough from you!" Old Madam cut in, glaring at Ndidi.
The room fell silent, everyone nervously watching Olaedo's reaction. They couldn't possibly deny that Chibuzor had once loved Adaugo, but they also feared how this revelation might affect her.
Chibuzor subconsciously hoped for something, anything, that hinted at jealousy. It would mean she cared for him. His eyes flicked to her, searching her face for signs of discomfort or irritation. But to his disappointment, Olaedo didn't flinch.
Instead, she remained composed, a serene smile spreading across her face as she leaned back into the sofa. With calm confidence, she locked eyes with Ifeoma.
"I'm so glad you all want me to stay," Olaedo began, her voice steady but firm. "As for Adaugo and Chibuzor's past, I was aware of it before we got married. He told me everything and assured me he was over it. We've bared our hearts to each other, and I'm not concerned about Adaugo, whether she's in the past or standing in front of me."
"Besides, Chibuzor has loved me for years and confessed his feelings many times before I accepted him. If that's a distraction, I'll happily take it. I'll stay if it means getting closer to all of you."
Her words left the room in awe. The older generation exchanged approving nods, their thoughts unanimous: 'This is the strength and poise of a true matriarch.'
Chibuzor's grandparents were particularly pleased. 'With her by his side, Chibuzor won't have to shoulder everything alone. She embodies the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 4:9, 'Two are better than one.''
Meanwhile, Ndidi hid her irritation behind a tight smile, though inwardly, she seethed at Olaedo's composed rebuttal. Ifeoma, however, wore her frustration openly, her face a mix of anger and disbelief.
'Could they really love each other and be happy?' Ifeoma wondered. 'No. She's probably lying to cover her tracks. There's no way she moved on from Maduabuchi in just a few months. I'll dig deeper before making my next move.'
Her quiet retreat left Ndidi frustrated. Without Ifeoma's impulsiveness to exploit, her plans to undermine Olaedo would take longer than anticipated.
Chibuzor, though, felt a quiet pride swell within him as he watched Olaedo. Her elegance in handling the situation only deepened his respect for her.
But a lingering thought gnawed at him, 'does she care for me at all? Or am I the only one who's starting to feel something real?'
Seeing that Olaedo seemed fine, Chukwudubem, Adanna, and their grandparents heaved a collective sigh of relief. Even Chibuzor's father, Obinna, felt the same. For him, Olaedo wasn't just a daughter in law, she was a valuable connection.
Her financial acumen was impressive, and her marriage to Chibuzor kept her tied to the family. With Chibuzor controlling the family's finances, Obinna often felt sidelined. Losing Olaedo would mean losing a potential lifeline.
A spacious room was prepared for the couple, specially decorated by Adanna and Old Madam. Though it wasn't technically their wedding night, given their marriage had already taken place, they decided a "welcome to your new home" gesture was still appropriate.
As she entered the room, Olaedo's face lit up with genuine joy. The effort they had put into making her feel at home touched her deeply. The king sized bed, adorned with crisp white linens and soft throws, stood out. She sat on the bed, running her hands over its luxurious surface. It was impossibly soft, perfect for a good night's rest.
Too bad she couldn't enjoy it. Why? Clause 13 of their contract. They had to stay in the same room tonight, but at different corners of the room, to maintain appearances and avoid raising suspicion. 'This is going to be awkward,' she thought with a quiet sigh.
"Why the sigh?"
Startled, Olaedo jolted upright. Chibuzor had entered the room without her noticing, and now he stood close, watching her with curious eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked again, stepping even closer. "Why the sigh?"
She looked up, startled by how near he was. Reflexively, she moved backward, unaware that the bed was directly behind her. As her balance faltered, she braced herself for a fall. Instead, Chibuzor's strong arms caught her mid motion, pulling her against his solid chest.
For a moment, they froze in place. Their first hug, or something resembling one.
Olaedo's heartbeat raced as the warmth of his embrace registered. Flustered, she quickly stepped away, creating a noticeable distance between them. Chibuzor's hands fell to his sides, and a strange emptiness crept into his chest, though he quickly shook it off.