CHAPTER 4 - THE CHAOS THEY PRAYED AGAINST IS ME

"I like your last name, can I have it?"

You know that thing they say about bad days? How they usually come in threes? Well, mine came in sevens. A whole damn week after leaving Victor's house. A week of silence from my office, a week of unanswered emails, a week of unpaid leave and shame but worst of all, a week of hellish messages from an unknown number.

"You think this is over?" "Watch your back." "I’m going to finish what I started."

At first, I ignored it. I laughed even. I thought it was one of those keyboard warriors with data and no direction but then the tone changed, the words got meaner and personal. I tried to call the number, swearing like my mouth was on rent but it never went through.

Still, I didn’t tell Victor or my parents or anyone else. I wasn’t about to give anyone another reason to look at me with pity but Bami, my friend noticed. Of course she did.

We were on a video call when she tilted her head and frowned. "Nini, are you okay? You look pale and not your usual ‘I’m tired of life’ pale like genuinely drained.".I sighed, holding back the sudden urge to cry again.

"I’ve been getting these weird texts," I muttered. " It's from a number I don’t know. They’re disturbing threats, like nasty ones." Bami’s eyes widened. "Why didn’t you tell me?! What the hell, Nini!"

"I thought they’d stop. I didn’t want to make it a big deal. Besides, I already got suspended, I don’t need extra drama”

"Shut up. Hold on. I know someone who can trace numbers. Like, track them and everything. Give me a bit." She hung up before I could even argue.

A few hours later, she called back. Her voice was off. It was too soft and too careful. "Who is it?" I asked. She hesitated. "Are you sure you want to see the picture first?" "Bami, stop it, send it."

A few seconds passed. My phone buzzed. One image. I opened it and my breath stopped. The bride. The same damn bride from the wedding I ruined. I blinked, hoping it was a mistake. "Wait. Why didn’t you want to send this? You know her?" Bami was quiet.

"Bami," I said, my tone rising. "Do you know her?" She exhaled heavily. "Before the wedding, didn’t you recognize her?" "I’d never seen her before in my life."

"No, Nini. She’s not just the bride. She’s the girl.".I paused. "What are you saying?". "She’s the girl your ex cheated on you with in Uni. The same one who accused you of leaking the exam papers."

My heart dropped.

It was like all the air in my chest escaped through a tiny, invisible hole. "No… no, no. That can’t…What?"

"I found out after you left that school. After you changed universities. I didn’t want to tell you then. I thought maybe it was best to let it go. I didn’t want to bring it back up and hurt you again."

"You’ve got to be kidding me." My voice broke. I stood up and started pacing. "Bami! That was one of the worst seasons of my life! How..how could you not tell me?"

"I didn’t know what to do! You had already left. You were trying to move on. I thought It was best not to tell you” I was already crying. The tears I thought I’d buried somewhere far away returned like a bitter slap to the face. My knees folded, and I fell onto my couch, gasping between sobs. Everything came back like a slow motion horror film.

The humiliation, the heartbreak, the accusation, the near expulsion. I remembered how I’d stared at my school WhatsApp groups, watching as my name was dragged through mud. All because of a faceless girl I never knew.

And now? She had a face and a name. The woman who sent me life threatening messages. The same girl who once almost ruined my life and was clearly back to finish the job.

"I’m sorry, Nini," Bami cried. "I didn’t know it would come back like this. I just wanted to protect you"

"It’s okay," I said, wiping my tears and sniffling. "It’s not your fault."

Bami nodded slowly. "Her name’s Stephanie. I'd send to you where she works. That’s how we traced it. That’s where the threats are coming from." I hung up after a few more apologies and stared at the ceiling. Maybe this was fate, maybe this was divine, maybe God was setting the stage.

She took something from me years ago and now? Maybe it was time I returned the favour. I wasn’t going to let it go this time. I found my way to her work place. No appointment, no plan. Just boiling rage.

They didn’t let me in. I didn’t care. "I want to see that bastard!" I yelled. "Bring her out! Before I tear this building down myself!" The receptionist froze. Everyone froze and then stephanie stepped out in her fitted gown and expensive heels, looking like a walking magazine cover until she saw me. Her face turned pale.

She staggered a little, grabbing the door frame for balance. She didn’t expect me. She wasn’t ready. I smirked. She walked toward me, anger brewing on her face, but before she could speak,I grabbed her top and dragged her out like she was my handbag.

Everyone just watched. She screamed as I yanked her onto the pavement. She slapped me. I slapped her back.

"That’s for hitting me," I snarled. Another slap.

"That’s for sending those damn messages." Another slap.

"And that…" I was shaking now, voice breaking, “That is for ruining my life in Uni." She looked genuinely stunned. Maybe for the first time, she figured I now knew who she was.

“You think I wouldn’t know it was you?" I hissed, rage vibrating through my bones. "You’re mad," she snapped. "You think you can.."

"I’ll ruin you!" I barked. "Just like you tried to ruin me.!" "You won’t get away with this. My family, my husband…"

"Husband?" I laughed, mockingly. And then I saw him. The groom. He was walking towards us, confused, worried. I dared myself. I walked up to him, closing the distance. He looked down at me, cautious but curious.

"What’s your name?" I asked, my voice low, almost breaking. He hesitated, "Tobi Lawal."

I smiled, evil and sweet. "Hmm. Lawal."

I looked down, then back up again. "I like your last name. Can I have it?" His brows shot up.

I smirked again. "No. I want to have it."

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes scanning my face like he was seeing me for the very first time and liking what he saw. A small smile appeared at the corner of his lips, but his eyes, his eyes were saying, “oh, I'm fucking impressed.”

Like he wasn’t just amused. He was intrigued. He gave the same expression during the wedding when everything and everyone was falling apart, but he was just there, intensely looking at me from far and as if he was impressed with the chaos I had caused.

Stephanie gasped. Oh, I knew, this wasn’t over. Not any fucking time soon.