What else would make a woman stay after finding out her partner has been cheating on her for years? Money? Yes. Love? Yes. But for me, none of these factors were the reasons why I stayed after discovering that Chuks, my fiancé, was not only cheating on me but secretly married.

Until now, Chuks was the best thing that had ever happened to me. We went from talking every day to being inseparable. Or at least that was how it felt. I truly believed the connection we shared was real. Chuks was a good man; he was intentional and thoughtful and everything I wanted in a partner. The fact that I had dreamt of him before meeting him felt like the universe’s way of confirming that he was my person. So, when he asked me to be his girlfriend after four months of friendship, my answer was a resounding yes.

One memory I will never forget was our first night together. The way he touched me felt like he was reading my body like poetry. He didn’t rush. His hands, lips, and entire being were focused on me, and I felt seen in a way I never had before. We made love until we collapsed in each other’s arms, and when we thought we had no energy left, we found ourselves reaching for each other again. It wasn’t just sex; it was intimacy, and it made me feel like we were meant to be.

Couple break up concept, silhouette of a man and woman having bad relationship, broken heart

Chuks never gave me a reason to doubt his love. He was a provider, my biggest cheerleader, and always invested in my growth and happiness. Sometimes, I wondered what I had done to deserve someone like him. I was over the moon when he proposed to me on my 27th birthday. I had suspected he was planning to propose, but he still managed to surprise me, going out of his way to make it my dream proposal. That night, he told me we would start wedding preparations immediately, and just like that, our families and friends rallied around us, making sure everything was perfect for our big day.

Everything was going smoothly until the night I answered his phone.

Chuks was in the bathroom, and a number saved as ‘Vivian Client’ kept calling. I tried calling him, but he didn’t hear me over the sound of running water. So, I picked up the phone, intending to tell the caller that he would call back. But the voice I heard on the other end made my blood run cold.

“Daddy?” a small child’s voice said.

I froze, staring at the screen like it might explain what I had just heard. The voice came again, “Daddy, are you there?”

Then I heard a soft but clear woman’s voice: “Sammy, I told you Daddy is busy. He will call us when he’s done with work.”

I stood there, the phone still pressed to my ear, as they ended the call. My entire body went numb as the truth unravelled in my mind: Chuks had a whole family — a wife and a child.

I wanted to confront him that night, to scream, cry, and demand answers. But something held me back. How could I destroy everything just two weeks before our wedding? Our families were so excited, and everything we needed was already in place. I couldn’t imagine the humiliation and heartbreak if the truth came out.

That night, I cried until my body ached, vowing to leave him. But when morning came, I woke up with a strange peace. I had a dream.

My dreams have always been my guide, my lifeline when I was lost. Every major decision I’ve ever made was influenced by what I saw in my sleep. It was as though the universe spoke to me through those visions, giving me answers when I needed them most. My dream revealed the right hospital to take her to when my mother fell sick. When I got my job, I dreamt of myself sitting on that desk I now sit on a month before the interview. So, when I dreamt that I should stay with Chuks, despite everything, it shook me to my core. The dream wasn’t detailed, but the message was clear. And even though my heart was shattered, I couldn’t ignore what I had seen.

But what I couldn’t understand, what still tears me apart, is why the universe would want me to hold on to someone who had lied, cheated, and shattered my heart.

Dorcas Akintoye
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Dorcas Akintoye is a versatile writer with a passion for beauty, fashion, relationships, and culinary delight. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she adds a touch of elegance to every topic she explores. She is a writer at THEWILL DOWNTOWN.