Chapter Twenty-four

The next morning, Ronke awoke with a look of horror, her hair standing on end as if she had been jolted by an electric shock.

She quickly adjusted her purple satin robe and descended the stairs, her frustration evident, eager to grab a mug of hot coffee from the kitchen.

As she passed by the household staff, they bowed and greeted her, but she ignored them completely, not acknowledging their presence.

Unperturbed, the staff continued with their tasks, whispering among themselves about her apparent bad mood.

Then she encountered someone she least expected, ruining her already terrible morning: Adesua.

"Good morning, Ma," Adesua greeted in Yoruba, bowing her head and bending her knees.

Ronke looked Adesua up and down with disdain, her anger simmering. She muttered a harsh Yoruba curse under her breath, "An unfortunate child."

Adesua watched, puzzled but silent, unsure of what had angered her employer. She hoped she wasn't the cause.

As Ronke enjoyed her coffee, Adesua continued washing dishes. A phone suddenly began ringing loudly on the counter, playing 'Tapestry' by Hillsong United, which Ronke had just noticed.

Adesua wasn't one to be openly expressive, but she kept some things private, especially this one.

Ronke, about to sip her coffee, paused with the mug halfway to her lips. The phone, looking strikingly like her husband Kunle's, was ringing with a tone he wouldn't usually use. The caller ID displayed several affectionate emojis: hearts, kisses, and a blushing face, suggesting the caller was significant to Ronke.

Adesua left the dishes and reached for the phone, but Ronke, filled with rage, grabbed the phone and smashed it on the ground, shattering it.

Adesua gasped in shock as her new phone lay in pieces. Her eyes widened, and tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees, trying to stop Ronke from further damaging the device.

Ronke crushed the phone underfoot, continuing her tirade. "When did you start using such an expensive phone? Even your family couldn't afford this," she spat.

Adesua was unable to respond, overwhelmed by the situation. The phone had been her first ever gift.

Ronke grabbed Adesua by her dress and yanked her up, demanding answers. "Speak up before I do something drastic. Who gave you that phone? Was it stolen? I hope it's not someone I suspect."

Adesua was too terrified to speak, her tears flowing freely. Ronke's threats and physical abuse left her paralyzed with fear.

Just then, Darin Ayomide Kunle, her son, intervened. He pushed Ronke aside, almost causing her to fall. He helped Adesua up, gently wiping her tears and asking if she was okay.

Ronke, now horrified, could only stare in shock. Her son was hugging Adesua, a sight she never expected.

Darin confronted his mother angrily. "Mom, what's your issue? Why can't you just leave Adesua alone? You even destroyed the gift I gave her." He turned to Adesua, comforting her. "Don't worry, I'll get you a new phone today."

Ronke, stunned, could hardly believe what was happening. "So it's true? You're with Adesua?" she demanded, her voice filled with disbelief.

Darin, still holding Adesua, responded firmly. "Yes, we are dating. Why is that a problem for you? Can't you just let us be? You've been happily married for decades—why can't I date who I choose?"

Ronke, enraged, rejected this idea vehemently. "Not while I'm alive! If you've bewitched my son, you'd better release him now. My wrath will be severe if you don't heed this warning."

With that, Ronke stormed out, leaving her cold coffee behind.

Adesua, choked up, could only be consoled by Darin, who reassured her that everything would be fine. "I'll handle this," he promised, holding her close.

Unbeknownst to Adesua, Darin had his own dark secrets and plans involving her, and though he comforted her, his true intentions were far from sincere.

Meanwhile, on the patio, Ronke, still reeling, was joined by her friend Yemisi, who, seeing her distress, joined her in drinking and smoking.

Yemisi lit a cigarette and took a sip of her drink, questioning Ronke about her sudden change. Ronke, frustrated, recounted her past manipulations, including her schemes involving Adira and Dayo, and her enjoyment of the misfortunes she caused.

Yemisi laughed, enjoying the stories, and the two toasted to their continued scheming. "Here's to the downfall of Adesua," Yemisi said with a sinister grin.

Ronke agreed, and they clinked glasses, both women savoring their shared malevolence and plotting without regard for consequences.