Now, I am forced to believe that sometimes, when your parents are against your relationship for no reason, it is the universe trying to save you from trouble. Now, I wish I had listened to my mum.

I met Segun on a rainy afternoon at a restaurant near my office. I had gone there to grab my lunch and escape the downpour. He was sitting alone in a corner, looking effortlessly handsome in a black turtleneck that hugged his broad shoulders perfectly. Our eyes met, and he smiled—It was warm and inviting, making my stomach flip.

I gave him my number that afternoon. And from that moment, everything moved so fast. Texts turned to calls, and calls turned to dates. In less than two months, we were inseparable. Segun was charming, attentive, and generous. He spoiled me with gifts and made me feel like the only woman in the world. I had never felt that kind of love before.

When I decided to introduce him to my mum, I expected her to be as charmed by him as I was. That evening, as we sat in the living room and laughed over dinner, I noticed how quiet she had become. She smiled politely but didn’t engage with him as she usually did with my friends.

When Segun left, she called me aside. “Vivian, who is that man?” Her voice was low, serious.

“Mum, he’s my boyfriend. And hopefully, my future husband,” I said, hoping to ease her concerns.

“What does he want from you? How did you meet him?” She bombarded me with questions, her face tight with worry.

I sighed angrily, “Mum, I love him, and I’m sure he loves me too. Why are you acting like this? Just because Dad left us when I was four doesn’t mean every man will hurt me.”

I left her standing there, angry at how quick she was to judge Segun. That night, after I calmed down, guilt crept in. Maybe I had said too much. Perhaps she was just worried about me.

A few weeks after that argument, Segun proposed. His proposal was like a dream. We had gone out for dinner at a fancy rooftop restaurant. The city lights sparkled beneath us as he knelt down, holding out a diamond ring that took my breath away.

“Vivian, I can’t imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?” he asked, his eyes filled with love.

Tears blurred my vision as I said yes. I didn’t even have time to think about my mum’s warnings.

When we returned to his apartment that night, something changed between us. As soon as he closed the door, he pulled me into his arms, kissing me deeply. His hands roamed my body, igniting a fire inside me. I wanted him. All of him.

He whispered, “I can’t wait to make you my wife. You’re mine, Vivian.”

His words sent shivers down my spine. I moaned softly as his lips trailed down my neck. My dress slid off my shoulders, and his hands caressed every inch of my skin. I felt his desire pressed against me, hard and demanding.

We made our way to the bedroom, and I lost myself in him. His touch was firm yet gentle, and the way he worshipped my body made me feel cherished. When he entered me, a gasp escaped my lips. We moved together, our bodies perfectly in sync. Every thrust brought me closer to the edge until pleasure consumed us both, our moans filling the room as we reached our climax together.

Two weeks later, we started planning the wedding. My mum still refused to come around, but I decided to focus on the wedding first and deal with her later.

Our wedding was everything I had dreamed of: a beautiful ceremony filled with love and laughter. We travelled to South Africa for our honeymoon, where we spent days exploring and nights wrapped in each other’s arms.

But three weeks after we returned, things changed.

Segun became moody and impatient. At first, I thought it was work stress. But soon, his temper grew worse. Small things would set him off: a misplaced shoe, a late dinner. The man who once adored me was becoming a stranger.

One night, everything fell apart. I was walking past his study when I overheard him on the phone.

“We go for the operation tonight, but let’s try not to kill anybody,” he said, his voice cold and calculated.

My heart stopped. My legs felt weak beneath me. I stayed glued to the door, my mind struggling to process what I had just heard. My loving husband was a criminal—an armed robber.

I slipped away quietly before he could catch me. In our bedroom, I sat on the bed, my thoughts spinning. It all started to make sense. The expensive gifts, the lavish wedding, the honeymoon, how had I been so blind?

I wished I had listened to my mum, that I hadn’t overheard that conversation, but it was too late for wishes.

Lying there in the darkness, I made a decision. I would play my role as the loving wife, but I would protect myself. I would take everything I could from Segun, including the money and lifestyle, and leave before the law caught up with him.

If he could play pretend, then so could I.

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.