Chapter Thirty-nine

KUNLE .C. AYOMIDE

What did I just see?

Hold on—what was that on the TV?

Jesus Christ! 

This is outrageous! Absolute nonsense!

I cannot stand nonsense. When it drives me up the wall, I'll go to any lengths to get rid of it, treating it like trash.

How can this be? How is it even possible?

After investing so much—so much—in this political game, someone just appears out of nowhere to undermine me?

If anyone says politics is a dirty game, believe them. It's the absolute truth.

I just finished my usual routine of reading the news magazine and couldn't believe my eyes.

The headline was so shocking that I had to turn on the TV, and when I did…

I was furious.

How did my opponent win?

The results were announced last night, with the winner to be declared this morning.

And this fool is the winner?

The same person I had already defeated?

I detest losing. It shatters my ego and damages my political image.

I cranked up the volume to hear what this idiot had to say.

My greatest adversary. Safari Momodu. Minister of Works and Oil Resources.

Years ago, when I first entered the political scene, I easily dealt with him while campaigning for the position of Head of State.

He thought he could win the position effortlessly.

After I removed him from the race, another foolish candidate tried to take his place. What I did to him was so severe that even a corpse would have been in a better state.

Call me what you will, but don't ever label me as selfish or self-centered.

Just as you pursue your dreams and ambitions relentlessly, I also pursue what I love with equal determination.

I excel at what I do, and I do it to the best of my ability.

"The election was peacefully conducted…." The idiot started talking but in my ears, it was as if he was barking like a dog. Wot wellers. 

In fact, I don't want to hear any more of his tantrums. 

I picked up the remote from the table and tried to turn off the TV.

I was infuriated—beyond furious—when the remote didn't work on the first attempt.

Is the TV remote in cahoots with Safari, or is it malfunctioning?

They must be out of their minds. Completely crazy.

Mad! They're all mad! Mad! Mad! Mad!

I pressed the remote again with more force, and the TV turned off immediately.

I grabbed my phone from the magazine on the table and dialed a frequently used number from my call log.

I didn't wait for the person to speak before launching into my tirade.

"I'm furious. Kelvin, gather your team right now. I'm still baffled that a nobody—a mere child—managed to win this House of Representatives election after all I invested in the campaign. You need to address this immediately and ensure it's done right." I ended the call and threw my phone on the table. "Nonsense."

I put my feet up on the table, shifting with irritation as I settled into the sofa. After all, Kelvin would take care of it.

He's just one of my reliable operatives.

Safari Momodu, your mother did not give birth to you well. 

You're mad. Insane.

Challenging me in this match will be your biggest mistake— "Jesus!"

I jumped up in shock, my heart pounding as I heard a gunshot from outside.

Still dazed, I stood up. I knew Safari wouldn't make a move this quickly.

No, it wasn't him or any of his men.

It was—

Felix, my eldest son?

He was once my pride, someone I hoped to bring into politics, but he consistently rejected my offers. He built his empire entirely on his own, even when I tried to help. All my sons did the same—they are fiercely independent.

And now he's wielding a gun? Yes, it's licensed, and I have a collection myself—a whole room full.

He didn't even look my way as he stormed into the house like a wounded lion.

Before I could call his name, he was already bounding up the stairs, leaping three steps at a time.

I know my sons—especially when they're enraged. You don't want to provoke them, because they'll make sure the day is unbearable for anyone who crosses them.

Controlling their fury is nearly impossible. They get it from me, after all. It's in our blood.

And now, I think he's completely lost it. They're all mad—my family and I. We're a household of lunatics.

Let's take a moment to assess the situation.

What time is it?

I glanced at my watch. It's almost eleven in the morning, and a grown man is still in pajamas? Absurd.

What is he planning, and what will he destroy?

Before I could make sense of it, I heard my wife screaming from upstairs.

I tried to intervene, but she came rushing down the stairs in terror, almost flying down in her haste.

I knew something was terribly wrong. What has she done this time?

She ran to me and cowered behind me as if seeking protection in a battlefield. "Kunle, your son has lost his mind. He's completely gone mad."

Seeing that she was behind me, my enraged son slowly descended the stairs, his emotionless eyes fixed on us.

I tried to handle the situation, keeping my gaze locked on him as my mind raced to figure out how to calm him down.

"Felix…" I started as he approached. The gun in his hand made me swallow hard. Ronke clung tightly to my shirt from behind. "I don't know what your mother has done this time, but let's sit down and talk this through like adults. Please…"

He didn't respond or acknowledge me. His eyes were so blank and emotionless that I couldn't read his thoughts. They moved from me to Ronke, who was trembling behind me like a frightened animal. Then, in a disturbingly calm voice, he spoke as if the situation were perfectly normal.

"You didn't tell him what you did?" He shrugged. "Fine. How about I just cripple your legs so you won't walk into my room to do that again—"

"Ye! No, no, no, no, no!" Ronke and I pleaded, shaking our heads as he cocked the gun. I knew my son was capable of carrying out his threats. He meant every word. "Felix… she's still your mother—"

"Then ask her why she did what she did, since she's still your wife!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the house.

I was paralyzed with fear. Nothing had ever made me flinch before, not even my greatest enemies. Yet here I was, trembling in front of my own son.

I looked back at my wife, frustration evident on my face. "Ronke, what did you do this time?" I knew she was capable of anything, especially when it came to foolish and vindictive actions.

Her eyes trembled with fear as she glanced at Felix. "I didn't do anything, he's lying—"

"Ye!" I jumped as another gunshot rang out. Felix had fired at the flower vase beside the TV, likely due to Ronke's refusal to cooperate.

I shot her a stern look, my patience wearing thin. "Ronke, if you don't tell the truth, I'll let him do whatever he wants to you." I meant it. I was done with her—her problems were too much for me to handle.

Finally, she confessed, still shaking as she spoke. "Yo…you remember the discussion we had earlier about the 'comebacks' in the newspaper?"

I nodded. "Hmm." Realization hit me, and my eyes widened. "Wait a minute, don't tell me—Ronke!" This woman… my God! "So after everything I told you, you still went ahead and—Jesus!"

How do I fix this? I was never on board with her persuading Felix to end his relationship with his wonderful wife. Despite everything that happened, I didn't want to revisit those painful memories. All I knew was that Adira was a good woman who never harmed or opposed our family's wishes. When rumors of her infidelity surfaced, I defended her, believing she was framed. But it seemed my defense hadn't been enough.

Ronke, my wife, persuaded Felix to reject Adira, claiming she wasn't good enough and had only pretended to be faithful during their marriage.

But I knew Adira was innocent. She never did anything to harm our family. She's a kindhearted woman, and Felix always loved her, even after their breakup. Their separation contributed to Felix's migraine issues, but since reconnecting with Adira after seven years, he's been migraine-free.

Sometimes I regret ever marrying Ronke. If I told you the extent of her misdeeds, you wouldn't believe me. Ronke has committed many heinous acts over the years, resulting in the deaths of innocent people. None of our family knows this because I've been covering for her.

I should have ended our marriage long ago, but like any attachment you can't easily break, I'm still bound to her despite her wickedness. She's still my wife.

What I'm unsure of is whether she played a role in the schemes against Felix and Adira's marriage. When she first mentioned their reconciliation and her plans, I warned her to stay out of it. I didn't know she'd go behind my back and—

I turned to my furious son, feeling lost and speechless. Finally, I said, "Son… I know what she did was unforgivable. I apologize on her behalf—"

Ronke, who once convinced Felix to cast out Adira, now faced his fury. "How many times do you need to apologize for Mom's wrongs, Dad?" Felix scoffed. "You might be good to me but bad to others, which is why I still respect you. But she…" He glared at Ronke. "She's lost my respect. From today—" His voice broke with pain. "She. Is. Dead. To. Me."

My heart raced. I clutched my head, unable to comprehend his words. Ronke, tears streaming down her face, pleaded, "Dayo… no. I'm your mother. You can't say that to me, Felix. Is it because of Adira? But she cheated on you. Remember—"

"She was framed," Felix said firmly. "Adira has always been faithful. Someone used her twin sister's identity to set her up. I suspect you, Mrs. Ayomide."

"Mrs. Ayomide?" I thought, confused. Why not "Mom"? I wasn't sure if Ronke was guilty, but her reaction was telling. She stammered, "Dayo, how… how could I do such a thing?" She turned to me. "Tell him I didn't do it. Go on, tell him."

What could I say? "Your actions today speak for themselves."

Felix's gaze was cold and unyielding. "Adira was the woman I loved. She's the mother of my daughter." His voice cracked, revealing his hurt. "Think about what Sharon will feel if she finds out. She'll hate you forever."

Ronke collapsed to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. I felt devastated. Felix was right; Ronke's actions could deeply hurt Sharon. I was exhausted from trying to fix Ronke's mistakes.

Felix stepped back as Ronke tried to reach him, and I silently hoped he might reconsider. But his next words were final. "From today onward, you're no longer my mother. You're a stranger to me."

"What?!" Ronke cried out, turning to me for support. "Kunle? Aren't you going to help me? Don't just stand there—say something!" She clung to Felix's leg, but he pulled away. "Dayo, please stop this. I was stupid. I'm sorry."

I had warned Ronke about her behavior, but she never listened. Now, she was losing our son because of it. I wanted to plead with Felix, hoping he might show mercy. "Felix, this is too much. Your mother can be childish sometimes—" I began, but Ronke nodded in agreement. I was interrupted when Felix pointed the gun at us.

In his coldest tone, he warned, "This is your final warning. If I see or sense any threats to my wife, her family, or my daughter Sharon, I will act without hesitation. I take pleasure in showing what I'm capable of, so if you dare to test me, you'll find out."

As Felix left, I turned to my sobbing wife. "Your actions are pushing us toward divorce," I said coldly.

"Kunle, don't say that…" Ronke pleaded, her voice cracking with desperation.

"No," I said firmly. "I'm done. How many more times do I have to tolerate your nonsense? You're getting worse every day. Just pray I don't discover your involvement in the plot against Adira, because if I do… this marriage is over. I mean it—DIVORCE."

As I stormed toward my room, I could hear Ronke running after me, desperately calling out my name.