You returned to your estate on a humid Tuesday afternoon.
The vicinity welcomed you with its familiar chaos—the impatient horns, the heavy air thick with heat and memories, the restless energy you once found comforting. Your arm was still in a sling, a constant reminder of the accident, but the deeper wounds were invisible. You told yourself that being back home would help you heal. That distance—from the hospital, from your parents' worried eyes, from Adams's searching questions—would give you space to think.
You were wrong.
Your parents had wanted to stay a few more days to watch after you, but you had declined.
You didn't want anyone around.
You needed your space. Your space to breathe, think, sulk and cry if need be.
As you stepped out of the taxi and paid the driver, you noticed two figures standing near the door. Your heart skipped.
"Adams?" she said slowly. "Sola?"
Adams turned first, surprise and relief crossing his face. Sola followed, arms folded, expression unreadable.
"Lauretta!" Adams exclaimed. "You're back. We heard you were discharged."
You forced a smile. "Yes. I just got back today." Your eyes moved between them. "What are you both doing here?"
You had expected Sola to be at the hospital with you today but she didn't show up.
What was she doing with Adams? The same guy she knew caused a ruckus in the city of PortHarcout with some God knows who lady.
Sola's lips curved into a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "We came to see you. Is that a crime?"
You unlocked the door, your unease growing. "No. Come in."
Something was definitely off between these two but you can't place your finger on anything.
Inside, the house felt strangely tight, as though the walls themselves were listening. You dropped your bag and winced slightly as you adjusted her arm.
"Sit," Adams said, helping you gently. "You shouldn't be stressing yourself."
"Thank you," you replied, your gaze lingering briefly on Sola.
There was an awkward pause.
"So," Adams began, trying to sound casual, "how are you really?"
"I'm fine," you said. "Still healing, but I'll be okay."
Sola scoffed quietly. "Healing from accidents is easier than healing from secrets."
The room went still.
Your eyes snapped to her. "What do you mean by that?"
Adams frowned. "Sola?"
Sola straightened, uncrossing her arms. "You never told him right?"
Your heartbeat thundered in her ears. "Told him what?"
Sola laughed softly. "Your other life, Etta. The one you live when no one is watching."
Adams turned sharply. "Sola, just keep shut and let me handle this myself!"
Sola looked at Adams, then back at you. "You didn't think this would stay hidden forever, did you?"
You stood up despite the pain. "Whatever you think you know, you're wrong."
"Am I?" Sola asked coolly. "Come off it Lauretta. The whole world knows. Even the least person you could think of," she smirked.
Your voice trembled. "What are saying Sola?"
Sola took a breath. "We all know you've been seeing someone. Scratch that, you're in a very serious situationship."
The words landed like a slap.
Your eyes widened. "Sola!"
"Not just anyone," Sola continued. "Kemi. The popular Kemi we all know."
The name echoed in the room.
You felt the floor tilt beneath her. "Sola… how could you?"
Adams stared at her. "Kemi? As in Kemi the business mogul?"
"Yes," Sola replied. "The same Kemi that supported my brand a year ago. The same Kemi who told me he got you the freaking job you were surviving on before your dismissal. The same Kemi we all know. I didn't tell you he was the one. I wanted you to find out yourself. Sorry it had to be this way," she shrugged.
Adams looked back at you, disbelief flooding his face. "Is this true?"
You opened your mouth, then closed it. The silence was answer enough.
"Oh my God," Adams whispered. "So all these while we were together, you had Kemi in your life? All these while we spent time together, kissed, made love, someone else was in the space? Not just anyone, but the very man who saved my life from penury? Oh God Lauretta!"
"Oh wow!" Sola exclaimed. "You guys had made love too? Interesting."
Your voice broke. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this."
Sola folded her arms again. "That's what they all say."
Adams stepped back, hurt flashing across his face. "You told me you were single . You told me you hated disloyal and unfaithful men. You told me the last time you had anything serious with anyone was three years ago. You preached loyalty. And all this while—"
"Adams please," you said, tears filling your eyes. "I trusted Sola that's why I told her about you, about us. I never knew she had come in contact with Kemi."
Sola raised an eyebrow. "Oh no. Not just any casual friendship with Kemi. We are close. I mean, close enough to share things like this. That dude is almost like a family friend because he has visited my family once. I can't believe you were cheating, Etta. If I had wanted to be with Kemi I'd have found my way into him but I didn't. That doesn't mean I don't like him. And I wished a good woman for him because that guy is too good to be true. He always told me about his hidden girlfriend. I've always wanted to know who the so called woman is, but he kept saying untill the right time. Guess that right time is never coming. I had to let the cat out of the bag because I was tired of carrying your guilt around."
"That was not your story to tell!" you shouted.
"And Kemi?" Adams asked quietly. "Does he know?"
You shook your head slowly. "No."
Sola laughed clapping her hands. "Who told you he doesn't. Oh please. Cut me a slack."
Adams covered his mouth, tears spilling freely. "You've been stabbing him in the heart, and you didn't even have the courage to own it."
You turned to Sola, your voice trembling with anger and pain. "You betrayed me."
Sola's expression hardened. "No. I exposed you. There's a difference. I helped you spill the shit you've been finding difficult to reveal."
The room felt suffocating.
Adams wiped his tears. "I came here worried about your accident. No wonder. No wonder you weren't vexed at me when I went viral with that lady. No wonder you were calm with me even after knowing I cheated. No wonder you_ oh God."
You sank back onto the couch, the weight of everything crushing you. "I'm not proud of it."
"Pride is the least of it," Adams said. "You've destroyed trust—Kemi's, mine, even your own."
Silence followed, thick and unforgiving.
Finally,Adams picked up his phone. "I'm not crying because of your disgusting character. I cry because you hurt an innocent fellow. The only affected person in the whole of this mess is Kemi. I can only imagine how he'll be feeling wherever he is right. I need space."
"Adams, please," you whispered.
Adams paused at the door. "You need to tell Kemi the truth even though he knows. Not because you owe him love—but because you owe him respect. And I hope he forgives you."
He left.
Sola lingered, watching you carefully. "I didn't do this to hurt you," she said quietly. "I did it because lies don't stay buried forever."
You laughed bitterly. "You stabbed me in the back and called it honesty."
Sola shrugged. "Maybe. But now you're free to stop pretending."
"How did you know about all of these?" You struggled to speak.
"I don't owe you an answer to that question. Kemi does."
When the door closed behind Sola, you was alone.
You stared at the empty room, your heart pounding, your secret no longer yours to control. The city outside buzzed on, unaware that everything you had carefully hidden had just come undone.
Back in Port Harcourt, where you thought you could heal, the truth had found you first.
And this time, there was no escaping it.