Months had passed since Susan's mother had passed away, and the wound was still fresh in the minds of those who loved her. Femi, Susan's husband, had spared no expense in throwing a befitting burial ceremony for his mother-in-law, but despite the grand gesture, Susan's father remained consumed by anger and resentment.
To him, the elaborate ceremony was nothing more than a hollow display of wealth, a feeble attempt to make up for his daughter's failure to save her mother's life. He couldn't shake the feeling that if Susan had sent the balance on time, his wife would still be alive.
As he sat in his living room, surrounded by the trappings of the burial ceremony, Susan's father's eyes seemed to bore into the very soul of his daughter and her husband. He felt like they were trying to buy their way out of guilt, to assuage their consciences with a showy display of wealth.
But to him, it was all just a facade, a shallow attempt to mask the truth. His wife's life had been lost due to their negligence, and no amount of money or pomp could bring her back. The pain of her loss still lingered, a constant reminder of what could have been if only his daughter had acted sooner.
After the funeral, Susan returned to her home with her husband, Femi. Despite the elaborate ceremony, Susan's grief still lingered, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and responsibility for her mother's passing. The days blended together in a blur of sadness and regret, and Susan's misery seemed to deepen with each passing moment.
One day, she decided to open up to Femi's family about what had really happened. She sat with them in their living room, her eyes welling up with tears as she recounted the events leading up to her mother's death.
"I couldn't send the money on time," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "If only I had acted sooner, my mother might still be alive." Femi's family listened attentively, their faces filled with compassion and understanding.
Susan's Father-in-law, a kind and gentle man, put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "It's not your fault, Susan," he said softly. "You did what you could with the resources you had. Sometimes, life just doesn't work out the way we want it to."
But Susan couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt. She felt like she had let her mother down, and the weight of that responsibility was crushing her. Femi's family especially his father tried to offer her comfort and support, but Susan knew that she would have to come to terms with her grief and guilt on her own.
Susan's voice trembled as she poured out her frustrations to Femi's family. "For over two years now, my husband has refused to give me any money," she said, her words laced with desperation. "It's not that he doesn't have it, we all know he's financially capable, but I've been left with nothing. Not even a thousand naira in my account."
She shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm tired of the insults I get from my friends every time I beg them for money. It's humiliating. And to make matters worse, my husband has forbidden me from taking up a job. How am I supposed to survive?"
Susan's voice cracked as she pleaded with Femi's family to intervene. "Please, ask him what he wants me to do. I'm at a loss. I don't know how to make ends meet or take care of myself." Her words hung in the air, a poignant cry for help and understanding.
Femi's anger erupted, his voice rising in defensiveness. "Ask her if she's hungry or naked," he demanded, his tone laced with frustration. "She's always complaining, but I'm the one who gave her mother a dignified burial."
He gestured emphatically, his eyes flashing with indignation. "You all witnessed the funeral and saw the effort I put into it. I spent nearly 2 million to ensure her mother was laid to rest properly."
Femi's expression turned incredulous. "And yet, she's still whining about not having money. Did she ever think to tell me her mother was ill? I had no idea. She just expects me to magically know everything."
His voice dripped with annoyance. "I'm tired of her constant dissatisfaction. She's never grateful for anything I do."Femi's father turned to Susan, his expression curious. "Did my son know that your mother was hospitalized?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Susan hesitated, her eyes darting to Femi before responding. "No, he wasn't aware," she said quietly. "He wasn't taking my calls..."
But before she could finish, Femi interrupted her, his voice rising in anger. "Oh, Daddy, you can hear her," he said, his words dripping with venom. "This woman is a very dangerous woman. All women are very dangerous."
He glared at Susan, his eyes flashing with resentment. "My mother abandoned my father and flew to Europe with her lover, taking half of my father's wealth with her. That's the kind of woman Susan is. She's a gold digger, only interested in my money."
Susan's eyes widened in shock, her face pale with hurt. She couldn't believe Femi would say such things about her, especially in front of his family. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her.Susan's eyes welled up with tears as Femi's words cut deep into her soul. She felt like she'd been slapped in the face, her dignity bruised and battered. The pain was suffocating, making it hard to breathe.
Femi's family, caught in the middle of the explosive argument, looked on with concern. They tried to intervene, to calm the situation, but their efforts were in vain. In the end, they sided with Femi, their words of wisdom and caution falling on deaf ears.
As they left, they urged Femi and Susan to put aside their differences and live in peace with each other. But the damage had already been done. The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words and unresolved issues.
Femi's behavior towards Susan grew increasingly cold and distant. He barely looked at her, his eyes seeming to bore right through her as if she were invisible. He did as he pleased, his actions a testament to his growing disdain for his wife.
Susan, on the other hand, was a shadow of her former self. Her once vibrant spirit was now crushed, her heart heavy with sorrow and regret.